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This book is especially dedicated to a non-Sikh, interested in Sikh Philosophy and Sikh History. Both a Sikh and a non-Sikh will find this book very useful and interesting. The author welcomes suggestions from the readers to make this book more useful and helpful for the Sikh Youth and the non-Sikh/Punjabi readers.
Sikhism is a Universal World Faith... A message for all men. This is amply illustrated in the writings of the Gurus.
Sikhs must cease to think of their faith as just another good religion and must begin to think of Sikhism being the
religion for the New Age. The word 'SIKH' means a 'disciple', A Sikh is a person who believes in ONE GOD and teachings of
the ten Gurus, enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Book. Additionally, he or she must take Amrit, the
Sikh Baptism.
GURU NANAK DEV JI, (1469 - 1539) the founder of Sikhism, was born in the village Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan). His father, Shri Kalu Ram, was the revenue official of the village. Guru Nanak Dev ji declared that there is only ONE God for the whole humanity, we can love Him by any Name. Guru Nanak, therefore, preached that a believer of one faith should not be considered as a "non-believer" by the followers of the other faiths, just because he prefers to use a word of his own language for God. Guru Nanak laid the foundations of SIKHISM by defining the path for his followers. His successors guided the disciples (Sikhs) to tread that path by themselves demonstrating how to follow truth at the cost of their lives.
GURU ANGAD DEV JI (1504-1552) Guru Nanak Devji's successors Guru Angad Dev ji carried on the preaching of the Sikh principles through the practice of Sangat and Pangat. He started centers of teaching Gurumukhi, the script in which Gurbani hymns were written.
GURU AMAR DAS (1479 - 1574), the third Nanak, made a Pangat a precondition for Sangat, to amalgamate the so-called untouchables with the rest of the population. In other words, he made it obligatory for all persons to sit together and partake food in langar before they were allowed to attend the congregational meetings and prayers. This removed the inferiority complex of the low caste people and the untouchables. It simultaneously depleted the vanity of rich and high caste people. This was necessary if mutual bonds of human feelings were to be developed among all sections of society.
GURU RAM DAS (1534-1581), started the digging and constructing work of the Harimandar or as it is now commonly known, the Golden Temple. Guru Amar Das had envisioned an Amrit Sarovar, a pool open to all people, of every caste, creed, faith or status, in the centre of which stood the Harimandir.
GURU ARJUN DEV JI (1563-1606), the fifth Nanak, not only vigorously practiced and preached the already established three principles of Sangat, Pangat,and Sarover, but he also compiled the sacred scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru was falsely accused of helping the then emperor's opponents. He was summoned to Lahore where he was submitted to excruciating torture and killed by pouring scorching sand on his head. His body was insigned to the river Ravi on May30, 1606. Guru Har Gobind (1595-1644), the sixth Nanak, wore two
