Scientific Vision in Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Interfaith Dialogue - Book By Hardev Singh Virk

The tremendous progress of science and technology during the twentieth century has changed the world into a global village by means of fast communication. The growing materialism, selfishness and lust for power have shifted the focus from God to man. In multi-faith and multi-cultural scenario like India, there is a dire need for mutual understanding. Interfaith dialogue is the need of the hour for world unity and peaceful Life.

Interfaith dialogue demands love and respect for others. It is also necessary to have knowledge about others' religious scriptures, doctrines, rituals, ethics,  customs, beliefs and social attitudes, without any feeling of prejudice. It is imperative to learn the spiritual values of other religions.

Sikh Gurus mission was to promote harmony and interfaith dialogue between major creeds of India. The message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) is universal in all respects. The same message reverberates in the writings of Guru Gobind Singh:

During my sojourn at Paris University (1970-72), I had the privilege of being accommodated in International campus of the university. My friends from other faiths were always interested to know about Sikhism and its holy book. Some of them were Kind enough to gift me copies of Holy Bible and Quran. Thus, began my preliminary studies in interfaith understanding and encounter with other faiths in an environment of mutual understanding.

My first attempt culminated in a paper, "Guru Granth Sahib and Holy Bible: An Interfaith Dialogue", presented at an International Conference held at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and published as part of the proceedings by the University Press in 2005. Comparative study of SGGS and Holy Quran, on one hand , and SGGS and Hindu sacred texts, on the other, resulted in completion of the triad presented in this book.

Twenty-first century will be a witness to two types of dialogues for promotion of world peace: (i) Science-Religion dialogue, and (ii) Inter-faith dialogue. It is my faith and conviction that SGGS has the potential to play a leading role in both these dialogues. It is imperative for Sikh institutions to work in tendem with international forums to realize the dream of Sikh Gurus:

Professor H.S. Virk is a firm believer in the Einstein's dictum: "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind". He retired from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar in June 2002, after having served it in various capacities as Founder Head of Physics Department, Dean Academic Affairs and Director Earthquake Research Centre. He is author of 16 books and a recipient of Shiromani Sahitkar Award of Punjab State Language Department for his contributions to the field of scientific literature in Punjabi. He has published 320 research papers in scientific journals of repute and is one of the highly cited scientists in India for his outstanding research contributions in Heavy Ion Track Studies, Seismology and Radiation Physics.