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SANCTITY OF EACH FAITH
TRADITION & OUR INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
We are all aware of frequent cultural and spiritual assaults on
the Sikh faith, tradition, history, and Sikh Gurus not just in India
but in other places around the world sometimes from expected and
at other times from totally unexpected sources. Sikh faith is not
alone as a target of such attacks. Throughout history, we have witnessed
many such dispicable and unconscionable acts, blatant and naked
aggressions to weaken and assimilate, and efforts to degrade and
distort the truth about other faiths. This issue is not confined
to just the some zealots among the Hindus. Over the centuries other
faiths, Islam, Christianity, and others have indulged in the similar
designs to the spread and propogation of their faith using conversion,
violence, and charity institutions in lands and communities that
are vulnerable or where they found vacuum or divisiveness.
I pray that the learned scholars of Sikh doctrine and tradition
and glorious history and legacy, elected leaders, followers of the
faith in
India and the global Sikh Diaspora, and people of goodwill of all
faiths and spiritual traditions will unite in letter and spirit
to counter any
grevious distortions and mischief on the part of any faith that
may infringe in any way on the sanctity of another faith. Just as
we are
committed to uphold the sanctity of each faith as instructed and
commanded in our sacred scriptures, The Guru Granth Sahib, the writings
of Guru Gobind Singh, and other illustrious champions of the Sikh
faith, so also must we counter any attempts and assaults on the
dignity and sanctity of the Sikh faith with all the means and wisdom
at our disposal.
Each of us should invest some time and energy to be more informed
about our own faith (and other faith traditions), teach our children
about the truth and true essence of the Sikh faith, and continue
our own myriad efforts to educate others about the basic foundation
and history of the faith. We must seek to learn: interface with
other spiritual traditons, participate in every interfaith and multi-cultural
events and forums, and share the spiritual distinctions, uniqueness,
and universal message of the Sikh faith to audiences unfamiliar
with one of the youngest major world religions.
The Sikh faith is founded on noble and universal principles. The
Sikh faith is not an off-shoot and branch of any other faith. The
Sikh faith. much like other faiths prospered in the social and cultural
environment where it was founded. Thus one can find many echoes
of similarity and influence. The Sikh faith is a revealed sacred
doctrine and spiritual philosophy and a major world religion. We
are in no danger by the designs of those who wish to harm the faith.
Our biggest danger is from our own apathy to know our own faith,
culture, and history. Learning and education is an important way
to strengthen our own understanding and distinguish the real truth
from the lies being perpetrated by others about our faith, and for
that matter any other spiritual tradition that enlightens humanity.
All faiths and spiritual traditions are the collective sacred legacy
of mankind and worthy of honor and respect. Each faith is a source
of divine knowledge and wisdom and all spiritual inspirations have
originated from One Divine Source. That may explain the spiritual
resonance and unifying Truths enshrined in each faith. In the Sikh
faith the spirit of unity is taken to a much higher level; the entire
Guru Granth Sahib ( theSikh sacred scriptures), faith traditions,
and practices reverberates with Unity, Universality, Equality, Human
Dignity, Oneness of God, Brotherhood of Man, and Sanctity of all
faith traditions.
We pray that light not darkness; unity, not divisiveness; and an
enlightened spirit, not narrow vision and self-serving ideas will
guide
our energy, time, cultural and spiritual investments. We hope that
each of us would continue to challenge ourselves to be the better
ambassadors of our own faiths, cultures, and humanity and leave
the rest to Sutguru, enlightened teachers, and those who are entrusted
to be the guardians of faiths and their future.
Kanwal Prakash "KP" Singh
Indianapois, Indiana USA
www.KPSinghDesigns.com
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