"Impact of Guru Granth Sahib on the institutional development of Sikhism in the Western hemisphere"

Dr.Balkar Singh

The ideology of Shabad Guru was laid down by Guru Nanak himself and its Theology was established by the successor Gurus.After the declaration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib as Guru (1708) by the tenth Master, Panth became the custodian of Granth Sahib. So in the introductiory part of the paper will be discussed the salient concerns of Granth & Panth, which is a distinct contribution of Sikhism towards the spiritual history of the world.

In a diasporic perspective,though the concerns of Granth & Panth are common, but the emergence of these concerns in the homeland Punjab and in western hemisphere needs analytical review of the topic.This is needed because of the nature of politics being persuade by the Sikhs differently in their respective lands. So the historical and cultural background of the Sikhs is same and rooted in Bani, even then it no more remains one-dimensional.So this will be discussed as current perspective of the topic.

Being a spiritual Treasure, Guru Granth Sahib in a strictly philosophical sense is not a philosophical treatise. Even then Sikh philosophy is an academic truth and it has to be rooted in Bani. This apparent dichotomy will be discussed in the paper in hand. The spiritual resolve of the same makes Guru Granth Sahib important. The western scholarship for different reasons failed to understand the Granth and Panth perspective and continuously are justifying their approach in a western methodology which is essentially is a judo-christian approach. This is being contested by Sikh scholars. This will be included as a comparative analysis of the Topic.

I am of the opinion that the sort of infallible spiritual model is needed to humanity, Shabad Guru model based on Guru Granth Sahib can provide a lead for it. This will be presented in a comparative analysis of major religions i.e. Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity & Islam.

The conclusion will be given in the light of Sri Guru Arjan's Mundavni, which is as under:

In the platter are placed three things, truth, contentment and meditation.

The Nector Name of the Lord, who is the support of all, has also been put therein. If someone partakes of this and relishes it, he is emancipated.

This can not be forsaken, so ever and always keep this enshrined in the mind. Surrendering to the Lord's feet, The dark world ocean is crossed.

O Nanak, everything is an extension of the Lord.

S.G.G.S., Page 1429

Tentative Bibliography

  1. Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
  2. Bani of Guru Gobind Singh.
  3. Varan Bhai Gurdas
  4. Rahatnamas.
  5. Gurmat Martand of Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha.
  6. Perspectives on the Sikh Tradition Edited by Justice Gurdev Singh.
  7. Authenticity of Kartarpuri Bir by Daljeet Singh.
  8. Philosophy of Sikhism by Dr. Sher Singh.
  9. Sikh History and Religion in the Twentieth Century edited by Joseph T.O'Connell.
  10. Earnest Trump and W.H. Mcbod as shcolars of Sikh History, Religion and Cultur by Trilochan Singh.
  11. Sikhism its philosophy and History edited by Daljeet Singh & Kharak Singh