15

Nov

November 15: Guru Nanak's Birthday

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Guru Nanak  taught oneness of humanity

Prabhjot Singh

A person wearing a red turban Description automatically generated

Toronto, Canada | Friday | 15 November 2024

In 1986, a middle-aged Sikh man was travelling from Toronto to Delhi. While at a European airport, he encountered a young boy who began observing him closely. The boy, fascinated by the man’s appearance, focused on his moustache. When the man noticed the boy staring, the child apologised and hesitantly admitted his curiosity. “Don’t your moustaches get burnt when you smoke?” he asked innocently.

The Sikh man replied kindly, “No, they don’t because I don’t smoke. My religion also prohibits smoking.” This response surprised the boy, who asked, “What is your religion? Are you Muslim?” The man explained he was Sikh, and that Sikhism prohibits smoking. The boy, intrigued, started asking questions about Sikhism and its origins, and they shared an animated conversation until the boy's mother arrived to take him to boarding. The boy eagerly shared his newfound knowledge with his mother, explaining that he had met a Sikh who didn’t smoke. She confided to the Sikh man that her husband had passed away due to smoking, which explained her son’s fascination with non-smokers.

Before departing, the boy requested they stay in touch to learn more about Sikhism. The Sikh man touched, wrote down his address and promised to correspond. True to his word, he sent books and information about Sikhism over the years, sparking the boy’s curiosity to the point of visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Over time, the boy and his friends embraced Sikhism and established a gurdwara in their European hometown.

Article at a Glance

In 1986, a Sikh man travelling from Toronto to Delhi inspired a young boy at a European airport through a conversation about Sikhism and the importance of non-smoking. The boy, intrigued by the man's moustache and lifestyle, learned about the Sikh faith, which prohibits smoking.

This encounter sparked a lasting friendship, leading the boy to explore Sikhism further and ultimately establish a gurdwara in his hometown. The article highlights Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings, emphasising unity, equality, and respect across religions. His revolutionary message promotes embracing diversity and fostering interfaith dialogue, as exemplified by the Guru Nanak Interfaith Peace Prize.

Today, as global challenges persist, Guru Nanak's compassion and sustainable living principles resonate, urging humanity to work towards a more inclusive and peaceful society.

This story illustrates how, like the boy, many people worldwide are unfamiliar with Sikhism, founded by Sri Guru Nanak Dev. Sikhs, along with other followers like the Sindhi “Nanak Panthis,” celebrate the Prakash Utsav—the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji—globally as a festival of humanity, transcending religious boundaries.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a visionary, social reformer, and scientist who highlighted issues still relevant today. His teachings encompass universal themes like brotherhood, equality, and respect for all religions. In modern multicultural societies, such as Canada, where values like diversity, gender equity, and environmental conservation are celebrated, it’s easy to see connections to Guru Nanak’s values, which emphasize unity, tolerance, and respect.

Guru Nanak’s message was revolutionary. He taught that humanity’s unity lies in embracing diversity, and he advocated for oneness and mutual respect. This principle inspired the US-based Bindra family to establish the Guru Nanak Interfaith Peace Prize in 2008. This award honours individuals and organizations advancing interfaith harmony, with the Dalai Lama as its first recipient.

Guru Nanak’s teachings also emphasize that, although religions can unite us, they can also divide us. He believed dialogue helps reduce religious conflicts, fostering understanding across different traditions. To him, we each see the world through the lens of our traditions but have much to learn from others.

From a young age, Guru Nanak showed compassion for the needy. His life exemplified volunteerism and selflessness. When given 20 rupees to invest in the business, he instead used it to feed the poor, marking the inception of the Sikh practice of “langar” (community kitchen). This tradition continues today, with Sikhs providing free meals and assistance during disasters and crises worldwide. This practice of selfless service embodies the “true bargain” (Sacha Sauda) that young Guru Nanak described to his father.

After realizing that traditional business wasn’t suitable for his son, Guru Nanak’s father sent him to work as a storekeeper in Sultanpur Lodhi. Here, while meditating by a river, Guru Nanak experienced enlightenment. His first words upon returning were, “Na koi Hindu, na Musalman” (“There is no Hindu, no Muslim”), indicating his mission to promote unity beyond religious divides. It was here that he shared the Mool Mantra—the foundational tenet of Sikhism, which acknowledges one God and the equality of all.

To spread his message, Guru Nanak travelled widely across India and neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Sri Lanka. He even travelled to Mecca, where he joined Muslims in prayer at the Kaaba. When asked who was superior, a Hindu or a Muslim, he replied simply that without good actions, neither had significance. Guru Nanak’s teachings focused on Japna (remembering God), Kirat Karni (honest work), and Wand Chhakna (sharing with others), forming the core of Sikh principles.

In line with these values, Guru Nanak founded Kartarpur, a town on the Ravi River, to establish a model society based on equality, community, and spirituality. The idea of Begum Pura, a land without worry, shared by the saint Bhagat Ravidas, also resonated in this community, emphasizing a life free from excessive taxes, state interference, and greed.

Today, as the world faces numerous challenges—such as environmental degradation, societal violence, and global inequities—Guru Nanak’s teachings on unity, compassion, and sustainable living have renewed relevance. His call for an alternative society based on equality, truth, and mutual respect resonates amid the conflicts, refugee crises, and environmental issues of our time. The teachings of Guru Nanak remind humanity to transcend narrow boundaries and work toward a world that values universal peace, shared responsibility, and inclusivity.

By looking beyond religion, race, and nationality, Guru Nanak’s principles can help inspire a society built on compassion, understanding, and unity, guiding us toward a world where every life is valued.

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