Study any rose and its stem. Some will see it as a rosebush with a few little thorns along the way. Others might see it as a thornbush with a little rose at the end. The object of study is the same, what is different is your interpretation.
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“From Punjab the call for oneness arose.
Guru Nanak came to awaken South Asia from its slumber.”
This famous quote is about the founder of Sikhism.
And today is his birthday.
Who is he? And what is Sikhism?
I’m glad you asked… here are 8 amazing facts & lessons from Guru Nanak Dev Ji:
1. Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world
The word 'Sikh' means 'learner' or 'seeker of truth'.
The religion’s core is equality, social justice, service to humanity, and tolerance for other religions.
Founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in India in the 1500s, it's the youngest major religion of the world.
And Sikhs are everywhere: USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and almost anywhere you can think of.
Hard working people, adventurous people who believe in honesty.
Just like the example the Guru set 👇
2. Guru Nanak Dev Ji traveled over 18,000 miles from 1500 to 1524
Largely on foot.
On 4 voyages called Udasis
Learning the world’s cultures, and spreading his message of peace, harmony and equality.
And he stopped from place to place, and debated religious ideas with prevalent groups.
Mecca, Tibet, Turkey, and Baghdad were just some of the places he went to.
He was an explorer and a mystic. And in his teachings he brought the world’s cultures together.
3. Kirat Karni, Naam Japna, Vand Chhakna
This is the fundamental lesson of Sikhism.
Here’s my best translation:
+ Work hard,
+ Meditate on the name,
+ And share the fruits of your labor.
4. Guru Nanak championed equality
Of all castes, creeds, faiths, and even genders (yes, in the 1500s).
The India of that time was a house of sorrow and division.
There were upper castes, lower castes, untouchables, differences in privilege based on faith and wealth, and huge discrimination against women.
Sikhism was founded as an antidote to division.
Universal brotherhood and equality of people were the defining value.
500 years before the rest of the world woke up to it.
5. Knowledge unapplied is knowledge wasted
“Contemplate and reflect upon your knowledge, and you will become a benefactor to others.”
Uniquely among religious leaders of the time, Guru Nanak Dev Ji placed tremendous emphasis on the value of education.
But he went one step further.
Learning is valuable, but reflecting on your knowledge and using it to help others is priceless.
6. Truth as the ultimate virtue
We place a huge value on truth.
Both in spoken word and in actions.
Against a dictatorial and forceful ruler who persecuted religious minorities, Guru Nanak Dev Ji spoke up for individuals’ rights of worship.
And he did so time and again. Spoke truth without fear.
His Sikhs were taught to do the same.
7. The Langar
Guru Nanak Dev Ji started the Langar.
Every Gurudwara in the world has a Langar (Communal Kitchen).
And any person, regardless of religion, race, gender, or any other marker can come and eat for free.
Working in Langar is strictly voluntary.
It is a great Sikh tradition.
To this day, anywhere in the world, if your city has a Gurudwara you won’t sleep without food.
Langar is open everyday.
To everyone.
One of Sikhism’s greatest contributions to humankind.
8. Oneness of all of creation
All of the lessons from Sikhism can actually be contained in a single digit: 1
Creation is a oneness that appears in different forms.
The nature you experience, the beauty you behold, the people you meet, they’re all part of the oneness.
And God in Guru Nanak’s teachings is not a faraway entity sitting above all of us.
God IS us. And everything around us.
Thanks for reading.
Make goals and then gain knowledge related to the goal and start taking actions based on gained knowledge
- See who has achieved same goal and replicate the physical & logical actions by them
- From MegaLiving - T13
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