Institute for Understanding Sikhism
The Research Journal Institute for Understanding Sikhism
The Research Journal

JOURNAL ARTICLES

2020, Volume: 22, Number: 1

Renaissance Of Sikhi

Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD

EDITORIAL
Guru Nanak (1469-1539) laid the foundation of Sikhi (philosophy) during the Period of Renaissance (between 14th century and 17th century). It was the time, when many scientists were challenging some of the wrong axioms of the Church in Europe. At the same time, Guru Nanak was busy in opposing the ancient mythology and rituals, which were prevalent among the peoples of South Asia. These people were shackled by these outdated ideas for centuries. Thereby they were unable to express their free will in any way as their lives were controlled by their religious mentors. During this Period of Renaissance, in Europe, Nicolaus Copernicus (1473 - 1543), a contemporary of Guru Nanak, rejected the axioms of the Bible that Sun revolves around the Earth and the Earth is the center of the Universe. Based on his astronomical observations, he asserted that the Earth is not the center of the Universe, rather it revolves around the Sun. Thereafter, Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642), on the basis of his experiments, proclaimed that it is the Earth that revolves around the Sun and it is not the center of the Universe

2020, Volume: 22, Number: 1

Originality And Uniqueness Of Bani Of Guru Nanak

Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

This article was first published in The Sikh Review, a special issue of December, 2019 dedicated to the 550th Birthday of Guru Nanak. It is being reproduced here for wider publicity. It discusses briefly that the bani (Words) of Guru Nanak is original since it proceeded independently of any other bani. It is unique since there is no like or equal and is unparalleled and incomparable with any other bani. It discusses the originality and uniqueness of SIKHI (philosophy), founded by Guru Nanak, a definition of a SIKH and the description of ੴ, the Logo, of the Eternal Entity in brief.

2020, Volume: 22, Number: 1

Their Relationship With The Age Of Enlightenment Basic Principles Of Sikhi

Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

The terms SIKH and SIKHI have been defined by different Sikh organizations from time to time. None of these definition is as concise and precise as a definition should be. I defined a Sikh in 1992 about 28 years ago and continued to find the perfect definition. The current article searches for perfect definitions of SIKH and SIKHI from the bani of Guru Nanak. This article on the definitions of a Sikh and Sikhi leads us to the idea that Guru Nanak is the Pioneer of the Age of Enlightenment in South Asia.

2020, Volume: 22, Number: 1

Understanding Of The First Stanza Of Oankar (ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ) Bani

Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

The first stanza of Oankar Bani is most misunderstood by the Sikh theologians considering that it is the philosophy of Guru Nanak. And Oankar is considered as Eternal Entity (God) being represented as a logo, ੴ, by Guru Nanak. The confusion started when Bhai Gurdas, most respectable Sikh scholar, declared ੴ as ਏਕੁ ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ (Ek Oankar). Nevertheless, ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ (Oankar) represents OM according to the Upanishads which represents Trinity of God: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. In fact, the first stanza is about the delusion of ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ (Oankar) being taught by the Pundit of Omkareshwar temple to his students. This article resolves the delusion of Pundit about ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ (Oankar) being taught to his students. It also discusses that this ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ (Oankar) has nothing to do with the logo, ੴ , of Eternal Entity (God).

2020, Volume: 22, Number: 1

NATURAL PHILOSOPHERS - Nanak is at the Top of the List

Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

Elementary Natural Philosophy started by Greek philosophers from 5th century BCE and continued up to the 14th century CE. During this gap of 19 centuries (from 5th BCE to 14th CE centuries) religions like Christianity, Islam and Hinduism flourished in Europe, Middle East and India, respectively. However, during the period of 14th to 17th century Europe entered in next phase called “Period of Renaissance”, a period of cultural, artistic, political and economic “rebirth”. During the same period some scholars started to challenge the dogmas and wrong concepts in religion. Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), contemporary of Guru Nanak (1469-1539), was the first to challenge the concept of the Bible that the Sun revolves around the Earth. On the other hand, Guru Nanak was the only Natural Philosopher from the South Asia who challenged the wrong concepts in the religions. This article deals with the problems of speaking truth by the Natural philosophers, Copernicus, Galileo and Martin Luther. It also discusses the corruption and supremacy of the Church during that time. This system of supremacy in Christianity has been borrowed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Amritsar who appoints Jathedar of Akal Takht. Now the Jathedar of Akal Takht acts as final authority on Sikhism.