Discrimination, prejudice and hatred are extensions of ‘ego’ and are fundamental part of the basic human nature. Since the humans started living in groups, there have been divisions; affection for the members of their own group and animosity towards the other groups. Most mammals who live in groups also show hostility towards their rival groups.
Humans, just like other mammals, lived in groups with close families and few others of their choice. As their population grew, they realized that their chances of survival against the predators would be higher by living in bigger groups. So, based on their needs and preferences, some groups joined together and started living together in villages. Soon, in order to live peacefully among each other, they needed to make some rules and ethics – and required leaders who could impose those rules. Thus, the foundation, that was laid for bigger communities out of necessity - eventually gave birth to larger societies and civilizations.
These civilizations laid their rules and ethics according to their place and time. As these civilizations came in contact with each other, their ideologies and beliefs clashed. Everyone wanted to prove that their ideology is superior. Everyone wanted to impose their own way of thinking over the others. With the passage of time, the feelings of animosity among the civilizations kept growing, and still keeps on growing.
Many great humanitarian thinkers tried to find common grounds to bring the humanity together. Unfortunately, after the passing away of such great messengers of humanity - or in some cases even during their life time – their followers created yet more divisions based upon the ideology of their own leaders. Hence, over the period of time, more and more new groups and religions were established and the animosity and hatred between these different groups and religions – instead of vanishing, became stronger and more prominent.
The statements such as “We and They – Us and Them” are still quite common these days as they used to be in the past; since the beginning of civilizations – since the history of religions.
Every great thinker, Messenger or Spiritual Guru tried to bring humanity together by generating the feelings of love and unity among all people – by professing oneness of all mankind.
The Vedas in ancient times proclaimed;
वसुधैव कुटुंबकम
“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The habitants of whole earth are one family)
In the recent history, Guru Nanak also preached the same philosophy by saying:
"सभ महिं जोत , जोत है सोई
तिस कै चानन सभ महिं चानन होई "
Sabh Mae Jot, Jot Hai Soi
Tis Kai Chaanan Sab Mein Chaanan Hoi.
“Amongst all, there is the same Divine Light
And it is the Light that shines within all the souls” (Page 633)
The divine light is within everyone; among all human beings.
Then why create divisions?
Why some of Guru Nanak’s followers are trying to create animosity by creating the feelings of “We and they” in the minds of innocent people and children? There are so many messages floating on the social media these days propagating that Sikhism have nothing in common with Hinduism. Creating division of “We and They” (We Sikhs and they Hindus) and “Us against Them”. The Gurus never claimed to be separate from Hindus then how can their followers claim to be different?
We must remember their real message:
“Maanas ki jaat sab Aikai pehachaanibo”
And try to unite people instead of dividing them.
To Be Continued .....
‘Rajan Sachdeva’
Humans, just like other mammals, lived in groups with close families and few others of their choice. As their population grew, they realized that their chances of survival against the predators would be higher by living in bigger groups. So, based on their needs and preferences, some groups joined together and started living together in villages. Soon, in order to live peacefully among each other, they needed to make some rules and ethics – and required leaders who could impose those rules. Thus, the foundation, that was laid for bigger communities out of necessity - eventually gave birth to larger societies and civilizations.
These civilizations laid their rules and ethics according to their place and time. As these civilizations came in contact with each other, their ideologies and beliefs clashed. Everyone wanted to prove that their ideology is superior. Everyone wanted to impose their own way of thinking over the others. With the passage of time, the feelings of animosity among the civilizations kept growing, and still keeps on growing.
Many great humanitarian thinkers tried to find common grounds to bring the humanity together. Unfortunately, after the passing away of such great messengers of humanity - or in some cases even during their life time – their followers created yet more divisions based upon the ideology of their own leaders. Hence, over the period of time, more and more new groups and religions were established and the animosity and hatred between these different groups and religions – instead of vanishing, became stronger and more prominent.
The statements such as “We and They – Us and Them” are still quite common these days as they used to be in the past; since the beginning of civilizations – since the history of religions.
Every great thinker, Messenger or Spiritual Guru tried to bring humanity together by generating the feelings of love and unity among all people – by professing oneness of all mankind.
The Vedas in ancient times proclaimed;
वसुधैव कुटुंबकम
“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The habitants of whole earth are one family)
In the recent history, Guru Nanak also preached the same philosophy by saying:
"सभ महिं जोत , जोत है सोई
तिस कै चानन सभ महिं चानन होई "
Sabh Mae Jot, Jot Hai Soi
Tis Kai Chaanan Sab Mein Chaanan Hoi.
“Amongst all, there is the same Divine Light
And it is the Light that shines within all the souls” (Page 633)
The divine light is within everyone; among all human beings.
Then why create divisions?
Why some of Guru Nanak’s followers are trying to create animosity by creating the feelings of “We and they” in the minds of innocent people and children? There are so many messages floating on the social media these days propagating that Sikhism have nothing in common with Hinduism. Creating division of “We and They” (We Sikhs and they Hindus) and “Us against Them”. The Gurus never claimed to be separate from Hindus then how can their followers claim to be different?
We must remember their real message:
“Maanas ki jaat sab Aikai pehachaanibo”
And try to unite people instead of dividing them.
To Be Continued .....
‘Rajan Sachdeva’
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