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

JOURNAL ARTICLES

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

Silver Jubilee of this Journal -A Special Issue

Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD

PREAMBLE
The publication of Understanding Sikhism: The Research Journal was started in 1999, the year of 300th Anniversary of initiation of Khalsa. We have been publishing logical and scientific articles on different topics of Sikhi, founded by Guru Nanak, and Sikhism, developed later by the Sikh Guru, the followers of Guru Nanak. Any Sikh or non-Sikh can submit articles well-researched with authentic documentation. Their article will be published free of any charge. One must follow the Instructions for the Authors. The journal is also online with free access to everybody. All the issues for the last 25 years are available on Understanding Sikhism: The Research Journal www.iuscanada.com
The year 2023 is the Silver Jubilee of the Institute for Understanding Sikhism and Understanding Sikhism: the Research Journal.
SECTION I contains 13 articles on GOD.
SECTION II contains three articles on Reincarnation.
SECTION III contains three miscellaneous articles.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

IK OANKAR SOME REFLECTIONS

Eleanor Nesbitt

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

In 1901, an Indian nationalist from an Anglo-Irish family delivered a convention lecture in Madras. The subject was ‘Sikhism’. The audience and subsequent readership consisted of Theosophists, people drawn to a religious philosophy that excitingly offered a new fusion of the ‘wisdom of the East’. Annie Besant, the lecturer who followed Madame Helena Blavatsky as leader of the Theosophical Society, was also a passionate supporter of Indian and Irish nationalism. Her published lecture concludes with a selection of passages from the Guru Granth Sahib, supporting her interpretation of Sikhism as a translation of the ancient Indic wisdom of the Upanishads into the vernacular. Annie Besant was herself a student of Sanskrit, and for her selection of Gurbani, she acknowledged the assistance of two Sikh translators, Harbans Singh and Umrao Singh (the father of India’s star artist, Amrita Shergill)...

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

CONCEPT OF GOD BY NANAK

Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

God is considered a superhuman being or spirit who has all power over the Universe and human fortune and is worth worshiping. Even then, God is considered different in different religions. This paper discusses that the concept of the God of Guru Nanak is quite different than all other Gods accepted in the major world religions. He conceptualized God in a logo, ੴ, by taking ‘One’ from numerals, ਓ (Open Oora) from Gurmukhi letters, and the extended end of open Oora ( ) from Geometry. It has been discussed that ‘One’ in ੴ is like the Singularity of Einstein, which expanded into the Nature/Universe. Nevertheless, some Sikh theologians right from the beginning declared that ੴ is ਏਕੁ ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ (Ek Oankaar) or ਏਕੁ ਓਮਕਾਰੁ (Ek Aumkaar) under the influence of Vedas and Vedanta philosophies. It has also been discussed that some Sikh scholars are refusing to accept ੴas ਏਕੁ ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ (Ek Oankaar) or ਏਕੁ ਓਮਕਾਰੁ (Ek Aumkaar) instead they prefer to pronounce it as Ekoooo, Ekko, or Ekankaar.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

THE CONCEPT OF ETERNAL ENTITY IN THE GURBANI

Avtar Singh Dhaliwal, MD, MS, FACS

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

Every living human on the Earth believes in some superpower administering diverse control over universal creation and addressing It by names according to ethical and geographic locations. Every religion has its own Holy Scripture (philosophy) and attributes of God, although it admits that there is only ONE GOD for everybody. The primal Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak, initiated the concept of the Eternal Entity based upon the TRUTH. The whole holy Scripture, Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS), written by Guru Nanak and succeeding Sikh Gurus, along with holy Sages and saints of similar ideology, is based upon the Truth. An attempt is made in this paper to elaborate existence of the Eternal Entity, Its attributes, and its role in the creation of the Universe.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

THE CONCEPT OF GOD IN SIKHI

Karminder Singh Dhillon, PhD (Boston)

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

The God of Sikhi does not exist external to His creation. Creation is, in essence, an extension of the Creator. In that sense, then, the God of Sikhi resides within creation or nature. Guru Nanak advocated that the entirety of the universe that we see around us is essentially an expanded form of the Creator Himself. Within the Sikh Scripture, the Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS), God is depicted by a symbol that Guru Nanak created - ੴ. The first part of the symbol ੧ is the numeral one. It represents the oneness of the Creator with His creation. The second part, the open Oorra ਓ, represents the entirety of creation. Taken together, the symbol represents the notion that creation is an extension of the Creator and that the Creator and His creation are the same. On this basis, then, the God of Sikhism resides within creation. By extrapolation of this principle, God resides within the human being. He lives within all human beings. This is because all human beings are created in His light. Guru Nanak prescribed two additional facets to his notion of God. God in Sikhi is referred to as ਹੁਕਮੀ Hukmi – the quintessence of the law of nature. It is a core principle of Sikhi that nature operates on a set of laws and principles, which are termed as ਹੁਕਮ Hukm within the AGGS. One may hence equate Hukm to the Law of Nature or Law of the Universe. These laws of nature or ਹੁਕਮ Hukm is thus the God of Sikhi. Guru Nanak postulated that since the Creator or ਹੁਕਮੀ Hukmi was within creation, then these laws of nature were written within creation too, or in his own words ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ Nanak Likhiya Naal. The realization of God within was thus the realization of the Hukm within, or in Guru Nanak’s words ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ Hukm Rajayee Chalnaa. Guru Nanak prescribed a second facet about the God of Sikhi to enable Sikhi to acquire a meaningful and practical component towards the betterment of humanity and humanity. Guru Nanak’s God is a conglomeration of divine virtues ਦੈਵੀ ਗੁਣ. Within the divinity of Guru Nanak and the spirituality of Sikhi, to realize God within was to realize divine virtues. In other words, to become Godly was to become divine, which in turn was to become virtuous.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

CONCEPT OF GOD IN THE AAD GURU GRANTH SAHIB (AAGS)

Dr Sukhraj S Dhillon, PhD

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

The message in the Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS) leads us to the realization of God. The central theme of Gurbani in the AGGS is that there is only one God (Ek 'O'/ ?) pervading in every creation, who is not outside the world. It is pervading everywhere in all forms and formlessness (sargun as well as nirgun which is matter and energy in science).

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

CONCEPT OF GOD THE ULTIMATE REALITY IN SIKH RELIGION

Hardev Singh Virk

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

The concept of God is unique to each religion. Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, summed up his views on the nature of God in the opening stanza of Sikh scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Using the scientific analogy of the dual nature of matter and radiation to represent physical reality, we may ascribe transcendental and immanent nature to God to represent the Ultimate reality in this universe. This is a unique contribution of Guru Nanak. God is indescribable yet knowable and perceivable to anyone prepared to follow Guru Nanak's philosophy. The Sikh faith founded by Guru Nanak is strictly monotheistic in its belief system, as God has been represented symbolically through an icon, ੴ, pronounced as Ek Ongkar. SGGS uses metaphors of father, mother, and otherworldly relations to express love for God, which proves that the Sikh concept of God is also rooted in God the “Person.”

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

CONCEPT OF GOD IN GURU NANAK'S HYMNS

Dr. Devinder Pal Singh

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

God refers to a supernatural or divine being who is the universe's creator and ruler and is often seen as the ultimate source of moral and spiritual authority. Different cultures and religions have different beliefs and ideas about God. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, described various names and attributes of God, symbolized as "ੴ  " (Ik Onkar) in his compositions. This article attempts to describe the concept of God as outlined in Guru Nanak's hymns. It is pointed out that Guru Nanak's hymns emphasize God's transcendental nature, which is described as formless, eternal, omnipresent, and beyond human comprehension. However, he focuses on a personal and accessible relationship with the Divine, where individuals can connect with God through devotion, meditation, and leading a virtuous life. A spiritual important aspect of Guru Nanak's concept of God is his description of the realization of God, often referred to as "union with the Divine" or "spiritual realization." By promoting the principles of equality, compassion, and service to humanity through his concept of an all-loving, compassionate God, Guru Nanak asserts that by following these values, individuals can experience a closer connection with God and ultimately achieve spiritual enlightenment.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

ੴ 

Dr Devinder Singh Sekhon

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

ੴ  is the symbol in Sikhism which is used to represent the single Supreme Being. In this article, we will examine the origin of the Symbol, its pronunciation, and its deep meaning in Sikhism. Not all Sikh scholars will agree with the following pronunciation and its interpretation, but we will use sabds from the Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS) to support the origin and pronunciation of the holy symbol.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

THE CONCEPT OF GOD IN VARIOUS RELIGIONS INCLUDING SIKHISM

Kulbir S. Thind, MD

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

Early humans worshiped various gods or spirits for certain gains, and the gods and spirits varied from region to region. The concept of monotheism is complex and nuanced. The concept of one omnipotent God as the creator exists in different major religions, including Sikhism. However, there are many similarities in the concept of God in various religions, and there are also many differences. This article focuses on the concept of God in Sikhism. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, describes God as 'Nirankar' meaning "formless", 'Akal' meaning "eternal" and 'Alakh" meaning "invisible", 'Agam' meaning "inaccessible", 'Agochar' meaning "incomprehensible". God is said to be pervading everywhere and in all beings. According to Sikhism Guru is a vehicle to realize the concept of God being everywhere and in everyone. Most important fact perhaps is that there is no concept of Angeles or of Heaven or Hell like that in Islam or Christianity.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

GOD IN CHRISTIANITY THE GOD REVEALED IN BIBLICAL HISTORY AND IN JESUS CHRIST

Pastor Greg Armstrong

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

In this article, the grand picture of the God of Biblical Christianity will be presented. Some preliminary questions will be discussed about identifying the perspective that will be presented from within a Christian theological framework. Christian theology is fundamentally text-based as a religion. Hence, the discussion of a Christian perspective on interpretation is another essential preliminary that must be addressed at the outset. The Bible teaches that God is revealed and known through his own activity in the world, and as those events are recorded in the Biblical record. A four-part metanarrative of the Bible will be surveyed in order to elucidate the conception of God as revealed through his creation and his work of redemption, which culminates in the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

THE CONCEPT OF GOD IN HINDUISM

Swami Krishnananda

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

An abstract is not available. Please read the pdf for the full paper.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

CONCEPT OF GOD IN ISLAM

Muhammad Shoaib Sarwar

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

No philosophy, exploration, in-depth research, or revelation is necessary to understand Allah Almighty (God). It's easy to understand without a tutor since it's clear-cut, distinct, appealing, and basic. Open the Holy Quran and begin reading it using the translation. You will begin to learn about Allah wherever you begin reading the Holy Quran. No matter what field one is interested in, the Qur'an provides guidance on knowing Allah Ta'ala. It doesn't matter if you're a doctor, an engineer, a philosopher, a gynecologist, an autonomist, a businessman, a soldier, a politician, an administrator, or anything else. Fantastic arguments have also been presented. Reading it for guidance is the only need. It is a common belief in most religions that God is one. Islam does not provide a quick and hazy account of God's character but rather provides a thorough introduction to the reason that every person, regardless of nation, ethnicity, or language, cannot do without being affected. Islam provides solutions to all people's questions concerning God. The Noble Quran establishes a completely harmonious relationship between God, the universe, and man. I'll discuss the compelling claims made in the Quran regarding reward, retribution, and life after death that are hard for rational individuals to reject. A book is necessary to answer all of man's questions thus, only a few shall be addressed here.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

THE CONCEPT OF REINCARNATION IN SIKHI AND SIKHISM ADVOCATED OR PRECLUDED?

Karminder Singh Dhillon, PhD (Boston)

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

Reincarnation is widely accepted as a reality of the afterlife amongst large sections of Sikhs. The concept, however, stands critiqued and rejected within Gurbani. The preclusion of reincarnation from the Sikhi of Guru Nanak becomes apparent once the notion of redefining pre-1469 concepts is considered. This redefining has primarily been left unexplored or ignored purposively by the early interpreters of Gurbani, who relied on Vedic and snatan interpretations of the concepts within Gurbani. This shortcoming is a defining characteristic of the Fareedkoti Teeka, which has remained the basic reference for modern-day translations. Guru Nanak deployed virtually all religious concepts in existence in the pre-1469 belief systems because they were ingrained within the religious canvas of his era and widely accepted by humanity then. For this reason, they are mentioned in his writings as contained within the Aad Guru Granth Sahib. But mention does not equate to acceptance or advocacy. Guru Nanak went beyond critiquing these concepts and beliefs. He redefined them to fit his spiritual canvas. Reincarnation needs to be understood within such a framework.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DEATH

Daljit Singh Jawa

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

Beliefs about the afterlife differ among individuals and cultures. Some see death as returning to nature, while others believe in souls persisting in another realm or through reincarnation. Researchers like Dr. Moody, Dr. Weiss, Dr. Stevenson, and Dr. Pasricha have explored these topics. Religious beliefs also influence perspectives, with Western religions focusing on heaven and hell and Eastern religions emphasizing reincarnation and karma. Sikhism teaches the soul's union with the Divine through multiple life cycles.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

REINCARNATION THE SIKH PERSPECTIVE

Dr. Devinder Singh Sekhon

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

Reincarnation, which is a very old belief in Hinduism and some other eastern religions, will be defined in this article, and the position of Sikhism on this matter will be explored using many sabds from Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS). Many different concepts, such as the purpose of human life, the mother's womb, this world, and the next world, etc., will be discussed. As will be clear from The Discussion, Sikhism strongly believes in reincarnation.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

GURU NANAK ASSIGNS HIS PHILOSOPHY A UNIVERSAL ROLE

Bhai Harbans Lal, PhD, D.Litt.

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

Sikhi is a universal philosophy as defined by its founder, Guru Nanak. However, neither its practitioners nor the clerics serving this religion have clearly explained to its practitioners or the religious world of today Sikhi's characteristics that qualify Sikhi as a universal philosophy. This article discusses how Guru Nanak employed examples of the continental divides, oceans, rain, rivers, creeks, brooks, and their surrounding lands, the universality of the water flow in the world, and how the Sikhism of SABD Guru may be practiced as the universal religion of the world.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

DO SUPERNATURAL POWERS EXIST? THE SIKH PERSPECTIVE

Dr. Devinder Singh Sekhon

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

There is a big controversy about whether supernatural powers exist or not. Many sabds about supernatural powers exist in Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS). We will focus on some of them to find out the verdict of AGGS on them. We will define supernatural powers, explore the relationship between Satguru (or Guru) and Waheguru (God); discuss the position of the AGGS on supernatural powers, and quote some historical sabds in which some miracles have been shown to have happened. Finally, we will discuss the contents of a book written by an Iranian Muslim, Tajjudin, who traveled with Guru Nanak from the mountains between Iran and Afghanistan to Mecca and then on to Medina and Baghdad.

2023, Volume: 25, Number: 1

SIKHISM AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE THE MUTUAL RELEVANCE

Dr. Devinder Pal Singh

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

Artificial Intelligence refers to developing computer systems and machines that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence. AI is an evolving field, and researchers and engineers continue to explore and develop new techniques and technologies to enhance its capabilities. The impact of AI on religions is not entirely predictable. AI is likely to affect religions or be affected by them in various ways, some of which are already becoming apparent. As with any new technology, it is up to individuals and religious communities to decide how to incorporate AI into their beliefs and practices. It is worth mentioning that the mutual relevance of Sikhism and AI is likely to be complex and multifaceted. It will depend on how AI is developed, implemented, and used and the attitudes and beliefs of individual Sikhs and the Sikh community.