Wikipedia's Article On Sikh Philosophy

[Ishna]

Firstly, hats off to the contributors to date for this Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh_philosophy It exists, and neatly collects main points of Sikhi in a western-friendly way (even though that can lead to some misunderstanding).

My question for you all here, is "How would you change this page so it aligns more to your understanding of Sikh Philosophy?" [I'm not suggesting we change the page, but I'd like to talk about the philosophy of Sikhi and thought this might be a good place to begin]

To start with, what do you think of the opening paragraph:

"The philosophy of Sikhism is covered in great detail in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy text. Detailed guidance is given to followers on how to conduct their lives so that peace and salvation can be obtained in this life, rather than the afterlife. The holy text outlines the positive actions that one must take to make progress in the evolution of the person. One must remember the Creator at all times – it reminds the follower that the "soul is on loan from God, who is ever merciful", and that the follower must dedicate their life to all good causes - to help make this life more worthwhile."

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[Ishna]

I've been adding/updating some citations to the above article on Wikipedia.

There are still areas that are uncited. Does anyone have some references that we could apply? The areas required are:

Underlying values
3. Actions count: Salvation is obtained by one’s actions[citation needed] – good deeds, remembrance of God – Naam Simran, Kirtan.

Prohibited behaviour
2. Material obsession: ("Maya") Accumulation of materials has no meaning in Sikhism. Wealth such as gold, portfolio, stocks, commodities, properties, et cetera, will all be left here on Earth when you depart. Do not get attached to them.[citation needed]

Other observations
1. One God – There is only one god (Waheguru), who has infinite qualities and names. God is Creator and Sustainer - all that you see around you is His creation. He is everywhere, in everything. He is without birth or death, and has existed before Creation and will exist forever. Sikhism does not acknowledge an anthropomorphic God. This is true to the extent than one can interpret Him as the Universe Itself.[citation needed] Sikhism also does not acknowledge the belief of a Personal God[citation needed], as does Christianity. Instead, God is usually interpreted as being unfathomable, yet not unknowable.

Note: The Punjabi language does not have a gender for God. Thus, when translating, the real meaning cannot be properly conveyed without using "Him", "His," "He", "Brotherhood", "Him or Her", et cetera; furthermore, this distorts the meaning by giving the impression that God is masculine, which is not the message in the original script. The reader must allow for this every time these words are used. It is often the case that rather than taking a gender definition, God is simply conveyed as "Omnipotent Being" rather than God, thus conveying the correct perceptual image.[citation needed]

 

[Ishna]

I have a reference for the Note: The Punjabi language... point at the end.

Nikki Guninder Kaur Singh in The Name of My Beloved says:

"I also find the existing translations androcentric. The Ultimate Reality of the Sikhs is beyond gender and yet invariably this metaphysical Being is translated into a male deity."​

 

[japjisahib04]

Underlying values
3. Actions count: Salvation is obtained by one’s actions[citation needed] – good deeds, remembrance of God – Naam Simran, Kirtan.

Unfortunately salvation has been interpreted after death, but in fact the salvation is while living and from negative thought process. Gurbani tells us, 'ਸੇਵ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੰਤੋਖੀਈ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਸਚੋ ਸਚੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥ ਓਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਮੰਦੈ ਪੈਰੁ ਨ ਰਖਿਓ ਕਰਿ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਮਾਇਆ ॥ by walking on his will, one need not suppress bad thoughts as they don't come into his mind. SGGS 466.19.

Prohibited behaviour
2. Material obsession: ("Maya") Accumulation of materials has no meaning in Sikhism. Wealth such as gold, portfolio, stocks, commodities, properties, et cetera, will all be left here on Earth when you depart. Do not get attached to them.[citation needed]

ਵਿਣੁ ਤੁਧੁ ਹੋਰੁ ਜਿ ਮੰਗਣਾ ਸਿਰਿ ਦੁਖਾ ਕੈ ਦੁਖ ॥ ਦੇਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੀਆ ਉਤਰੈ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਭੁਖ ॥ over here Guru Sahib is not suggesting to drop worldly things but are concerned about the unpleasant state of mind by indulging in rat race. The challenge to attainment of santokh is uninhibited trishna which seems unsatiable:ਵਡੇ ਵਡੇ ਰਾਜਨ ਅਰੁ ਭੂਮਨ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨ ਨ ਬੂਝੀ ॥ p. 672. as in pankti, ‘jaisi agan audhar mai’ is the warmness(temperature) of fire within the womb for perfect growth of baby, so is Maya outside for creativity which religious world say is false thus preach renunciation of life/pleasure maya and advises to live in jungle whereas guru sahib is teling us that these are all for your betterment but you don't know how to channelize or use it gracefully, intelligentlly, judicially in a proper way to use them and whole universe is real for your betterment. God has made a system. If you understand this system than you will achieve santokh. In order learn to live in diversity, God has gifted satguru to teach us, ‘na koi berry nahi baighana, ek nor tai sabh jag upjiea kyon bhala khyon mandai. Santokh is combined with Satt and also with Seel".

Sikhism also does not acknowledge the belief of a Personal God[citation needed], as does Christianity. Instead, God is usually interpreted as being unfathomable, yet not unknowable.

ਪਵਨ ਅਰੰਭੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮਤਿ ਵੇਲਾ ॥ ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਧੁਨਿ ਚੇਲਾ ॥ SGGS.943.1