Happy Gurpurab! A Crash Course in Sikhism

Today is an important day.

Today Sikhs all over the world are celebrating Gurpurab, the birth of our first Guru, Guru Nanak Ji.

Today, we remember his teachings. Teachings that apply whether you’re Sikh or not:

• All humans are considered God’s children regardless of religious affiliation, gender, or social caste.         
• Therefore, all being equal in the sight of God, no one is either greater or lesser by birth alone.

Guru Nanak Ji taught that a meaningful life is comprised of three simple rules. Rules that make sense even today:

• Kirat Karo. Earn your livelihood by honest work and labour.
• Naam Jaapo. Remember God in everything that you do.
• Vund chako. Partake in selfless service to others in the form of seva and charity.

Guru Nanak Ji worked hard to reinforce these rules in a number of ways:

• He established equal seating in the Gurdwara (temple) where man or woman, king or peasant, all sat together as one on the floor. No one higher or lower than the other.
• He created the concept of Langar (free kitchen). Anyone is welcome at the Gurdwara and everyone is encouraged to eat Langar, regardless of who you are or where you come from. The Golden Temple is the most well-known Sikh Gurdwara and feeds up to 100,000 people every day.

So what does this really mean?

It means be a good human being.  Work hard.

Remember God. Meditate. Pray. Whatever that may mean for you.

Give selflessly. Get involved in charity work. Remember the less fortunate.

Not all that far off from the basics, right?

If you think about it, we’re really not so different.

We’re all trying to be the best possible version of ourselves and today, Sikhs will celebrate the best that we have to offer.

And while we may look foreign, we’re really just the same as you.

So, Happy Gurpurab to you and your family too!

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