User talk:Rsb.apb
Rajinder Singh ji, Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh
Many thanks for your message on the talk page at the Mainpage. I will try and answer your questions as best as possible. Please remember that these are my replies and that many other Sikhs would give answers that would be different but equally correct and in-line with Gurmat.
Q1)
- (a) What are some of the main rules your religion gives for living an ethical life?
- (b) How do you go about living a good life?
- (c) Are there rules your religion accepts that you reject?
A1)
- (a) Firstly, remember and meditate on God - part of the teachings of Guru Nanak called Naam japo; secondly, earn an honest living by your own personal effort - Kirit karo; and thirdly, share what you have with other less fortunate - Vand shako.
- (b) By following the above message. By remembering God at all times, I know that I must act in a honest and truthful manner. If I make a mistake, I know I have done wrong and accordingly try and improve for the future. I work hard and diligently so that my time on Earth is used productively in the service of God and His creation. I share 10% of what I earn with people who are less fortunate than me.
- (c) No
Q2)
- (a) What does your religion say about salvation and the afterlife?
- (b) What do you believe about the afterlife?
A2)
- (a) Sikhi teaches that one keeps being born and dying until he or she has purified their soul to be "united" with God. After this life, one is subject to judgement and if one has not become completely pure, they will be reincarnated into another living being.
Life is a process where one can "become better" spiritually; by doing good in this world, one attains a better next life. If one continues to do good in his or her "cycles of lives", they will eventually attain salvation. Salvation is only for people who are "God-like" and no one who has not evolved spiritually and morally can improve their chances of attaining salvation.
- (b) At death, one's soul is presented for judgement. The person who in life remembered God, did good deeds and has purified himself/herself spiritually is united with God and is said to have attain salvation. However, the overwhelming majority, due to their sins and lack of good deeds and actions in life are reincarnated again. There is no other "afterlife" apart from being re-born as another living being; be it animal, plant, etc or being united with God.
Q3)
- (a) How does your religion deal with the question "Why do good things happen to bad people?"
- (b) Do you accept any of the answers offered by your religion? If not, how would you address the issue?
A3)
- (a) What happens in your life is a consequence of your past actions in this life or your past lives. Further, life is a process of purification or "distillation" of the soul. Bad people may have done good things in their previous lives and consequently, they will experience good things in their present life.
However, the reverse is also common in life - Bad things happen to good people. When bad things happen to a person, Sikhs believe that one's reactions to the "bad occurrence" is being assessed. If one acts positively in reaction to the bad, it will lead to the soul becoming purer or the soul obtaining a more higher status in God's domain; while if one acts negatively, the soul's status is demoted - and thus there is a lesser chance of obtaining salvation.
- (b) Yes, Sikhism offers a good explanation to this situation, which is fairly common in life.
Q4) Are there any other ways that your personal belief differs from the official doctrine of your religion?
A4) No
Q5) Do you have any favorite passage(s) from the scripture of your religion? If so, why does it appeal to you?
A5) My favorite quotation is:
ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤਰਕ ਕੋਊ ਰਾਫਜੀ ਇਮਾਮ ਸਾਫੀ ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤ ਸਬੈ ਝਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ ॥
hindhoo thurak kooo raafajee eimaam saafee maanas kee jaath sabai eaekai pehichaanabo.
Some are Hindus and others are Muslims; someone is raafjee (follower of Ali); others are Imam-Shafi (adherents of the Prophet); Recognize the whole of human race as one. (Dasam Granth by Guru Gobind Singh)
This is a quotation by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh and it has a very powerful message. It highlights that fact that all humans beings belong as one and we should treat them all equally and without any discrimination; it is a message of unity and brotherhood. If we all followed this message truly, all enmity in the world would come to an end and we would have no more wars. It is my wish that one day, everyone would recognise important message.
I hope you find this reply useful. Kind regards, Hari Singhtalk 17:50, 8 January 2012 (CST)
