Faith and Philosophy of Sikhism - Book By Sardar Harjeet Singh

Preface To Book of 'Faith and Philosophy of Sikhism'

It may be said that the Guru Nanak is one of the most revolutionary thinkers and the holiest persons ever lived on the earth. He has been a bright light not only for India but for the entire world. His advocacy of pursuit of salvation and practice of Ahmisa, his vision of equality and avid longing for obliteration of suffering of others as one's own cross all barriers of race, creed, country and even humanity. His benevolent teachings of universal compassion and cosmic goodwill, his emphasis on the nobel virtues of Japji (prayer), Nam Simran (Think about God), Kirt Kaara (do good), Wand Chhako (Share with the needy), all these have a significant message for the present-day distracted humankind suffering from exhaustion of spirit and languishing in the narrow and rigid confinements of materialistic consumerism.

This book deals with almost every of Sikh philosophy from personality to doctrine of Guru Nanak, Ten Gurus, fundamental character, nature, and spirit of philosophy and the development of Sikhism. The book covers the subject of Sikhism thoroughly in a manner which makes it interesting to read and easy to understand. A special care has been taken to put the principles of Sikhism philosophy in proper order so that the reader finds the book very useful and enjoyable.

The chapters in this volume have been well-weaved and the events connected with them are mentioned in a comprehensive way. Efforts have been made to mention about the religious customs and ceremonies from birth to death, including religious verses which are recited daily at the Gurudwaras. Indeed the information given in this volume is fairly comprehensive in contents so that all the readers should feel benefited with the text of the religion which they follow, preach, and profess.

A productive bibliography, along with references is provided to prove the authenticity of the work and in order to guide the scholars and readers for further studies. Hopefully, this volume would be able to satisfy the urge of all those who desire to know about real Sikhism and also to create a new awareness regarding this religion.

Table Of Contents Of The Book 'Faith and Philosophy of Sikhism' By Sardar Harjit Singh

	Contents	Page No
	*Preface*	ix
1.	Sikhism: An Introduction	1

2.	History	9
	Origin, Early History, Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das,
	Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Har Gobind, Guru Har Rai, Guru Har Kishan,
	Guru Tegh Bahadur, Medieval History, Guru Gobind Singh, Guru
	Granth Sahib, Misldari, Start of Rakhi System, Modern History,
	Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, References
3.	Philosophy	27
	Basic Philosophy, Divine Laws, Primary Beliefs, One God,
	Reincarnation, Brotherhood, Disciplined Life, Ethics, Metaphysics,
	References
4.	Concept of God	41
	Defining God, Dimensions of God, Concept of Sahaj, Sikh
	Cosmology, Philosophy of God, Messengers of God, Nirvana,
	References
5.	Main Figures	59
	Main Figures in Early Period, Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, Guru Amar
	Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Har Gobind, Guru Har
	Rai, Guru Har Kishan, Guru Tegh Bahadur, Mata Sundri, Main Figures
	in Medieval Period, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Sant Attar Singh, Fateh
	Singh Ahluvalia, Maharaja Kharak Singh, Main Figures in Modern
	Period, Sant Dalip Singh, Giani Zail Singh, Master Tara Singh, Sobha
	Singh, References
6.	Scriptures	83
	Divine Words, Religious Scriptures, Adi Granth, Guru Granth Sahib,
	Non-Religious Scriptures, Dasam Granth, Janamsakhis, Non-
	Religious Compositions of Guru Har Rai And Guru Tegh Bahadur,
	References
7.	Teachings	111
	Spiritual Teachings, Redemption, Devotion to God, Ethical Actions,
	Message of Harmony and Love, References
8.	Moral Value System	125
	Moral Values, Morality in Life, Moral Values for Leader, Moral Duties
	of Subjects, Moral Values in Society, Practical Aspects, References
9.	Movements	141
	Religious Movements, Nirankari Movement, The Namdhari
	Movement, Reform Movements, Singh Sabha Movement, Akali
	Movement, Revivalist Movements, Radhasoami Satsang, Jaito Morcha
	Movement, Gurdwara Reform Movement, References
10.	Reformers	157
	Reformers in Early Period, Baba Buddha, Bhai Mani Singh, Bhai
	Taru Singh, Bhai Gurdas, Mian Mir, Bibi Bhani, Reformers in
	Medieval Period, Sant Sohan Singh, Sohan Lal Suri, Reformers in
	Modern Period, Bhai Lachhman Singh, Baba Puran Singh, Bhai Vir
	Singh, References
11.	Major Sects	173
	Akalis, Nirankaris, Namdharis, Khalsa, Five K's Udasis, Nirmalas,
	Sanatan Singh Sabha, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Parsadi Sikhs, References
12.	Demographic Propagation	187
	Origin of Sikhism, Early Rise, Rise of Khalsa, Factors Responsible
	for Rise, Sikhism in other Parts of World, Demographics, References
13.	Socio-Political Influence	199
	Socio-Political Identity, Sikhism and Politics, Fundamentalism, Origins
	of Sikh Fundamentalism, Contemporary Politics, References
14.	Religious Rituals and Traditions	209
	Religious Rituals, Ardas, Amrit Sanskar, Social Rituals, Naam Karan,
	Anand Karaj, Antam Sanskar, Other Rituals, Chardi Kala, Dasvand,
	Kirtan, Langar, Simran, References
15.	Society	233
	Social Order, Social Conduct, Traditional Values in Society, Caste
	System, Status of Women, References
16.	Festivals	257
	Guru Nanak Jayanti, Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, Lohri, Maghi, Hola
	Mahalla, Vaisakhi, Guru Arjan Shahid Divas, Diwali in Sikhism, Guru
	Tegh Bahadur Shahid Divas, References
17.	Religious Places	273
	Religious Places in India, Harmandir Sahib, Shri Akal Takht Sahib,
	Takht Shri Damdama Sahib, Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib, Takht Shri
	Hazur Sahib, Takht Shri Patna Sahib, Gurdwara Sheeshganj,
	Hemkund Sahib, Ponta Sahib, Nanakmatta, Religious Places outside
	India, Namkana Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Dera
	Sahib, References
18.	Art and Iconography	289
	History, Architecture, Sculptures, Calligraphy, Present Day Examples,
	References
19.	Sikhism in Modern World
	Diaspora, Modern Religious Movements, Spiritual Revolution, Future,	295
	Sikhism as a Global Religion, References
	Index	307
	Bibliography	317