The peoples of our globe hate each other, because of their region or religion and of differences in their economy. Science has contributed a lot for the betterment of human life but played insignificant role to keep peace in the world. Although the religions are much older than the science, they have also failed to bring peace for the humanity. I envisage that if science and religion are put together peace can be established on this globe. The Nanakian philosophy, having universal acceptability, has much to add to bring peace on this tiny planet, the earth.

INTRODUCTION

Now we are living in the Communication Age when one can communicate with the other person on the other side of the globe within a fraction of second. Similarly one can reach the other side of the planet within few hours now, which took days or months before. Although with the advances in science the future of religion seems to be obscure but the increase communication between all parts of the world would increase understanding between various religions of the world through interfaith conferences, like the one being held today on the soil, where the great religious Guru, Nanak, was born. Such interfaith conferences would definitely lead the humanity to understand world religions in their real perspective and enabling their followers to resolve the world problems amicably.

Sikhism, founded by Guru Nanak during the 15th century, is the youngest, scientific, and logical religion of the world. Yet it originated at a time when the modern nations and ideas resulting from development in the fields of science, technology, economics, psychology, etc. had not yet become part of the world consciousness. The philosophy of Guru Nanak was practised, disseminated, and was also enriched by the next 9 Sikh Gurus, who succeeded to the House of Nanak, the Nanakian School.

MESSAGE OF GURU NANAK

1. The Earth: Not going into the details of origin of the universe according to Nanakian Philosophy [2, 3, 4], I would come directly to the point where the man and the earth are concerned. While this earth was being formed as a planet of our solar system, the Almighty created necessary environment on the earth to sustain different types of lives [5]. As we know at this time earth is the only planet of our solar system where life is found. However, the possibilities of similar or better type of life on other planets of other solar systems of our galaxy or of other galaxies cannot be ruled out [26], because it is beyond our all available technology to reach on such planets and beyond our comprehension to visualize life on the other planets. In this respect we should be grateful to the Almighty for giving us a chance to be a part of the life on the earth, the tiny planet in one of the billions solar systems of our galaxy, the Milky Way.

The Almighty, after creating the earth and the necessary environment for sustaining life, declared the earth as the realm of justice, where the actions (good or evil) will be considered. (The word, "Dharmsaal", used in Nanakian Philosophy has been interpreted as the realm of justice here, because the word "dharam" in Nanakian Philosophy means laws of the Almighty set to control the whole universe). In this realm of justice everybody will be adjudged and honored or punished according to their deeds [5]. The importance of air, water and earth; and of days and nights have been expressed as the Guru (teacher), father, and the mother Nature, and the nurse, respectively, for sustaining life on this planet [6]

2. Status of Man Among the Living Organisms: In Nanakian Philosophy the status of man among the living organisms on this earth has been declared as of the highest order developed through long evolutionary processes [7, 8]. Thus, the man is the only organism who has the consciousness to realize the Almighty and can differentiate between good and evil.

3. Oneness and Sameness: Guru Nanak preached the Oneness, Omnipresence, Omnipotence, and Omniscience of the Almighty and the sameness of all the peoples [9. 10].

4. Truthful living: Everybody understands that the truth is of the highest order in the morality but Guru Nanak emphasized that it is actually the truthful living that is highest of all [11].

5. Altruism: Altruism is most important feature of the Nanakian Philosophy. It has been represented that the education of a person is only good or worth if it is used for the service and up lift of the humanity [12]. It has also been mentioned many times in the AGGS that any type of service that is far the welfare of the humanity is considered the service to the Almighty.

6. Casteism: If basically we all are same, being the creation of the only One, the Almighty, then why should we have any hatred among ourselves. Guru Nanak realized that this hatred was mostly due to caste-system prevailing before and during his time. Most scholars say that Guru Nanak revolted against the caste-system, in fact, he revolted against any type of discrimination based on the creed, color, country of origin, social status, sex, etc. [13]. Although we may find slight morphological differences [25] in peoples of different regions of the world, which developed due to the different ecology of those regions, but we all share the same physiological processes to maintain the life and were created by the same one Father, the Almighty. Most probably we all might have one same mother originated somewhere in Africa according to the latest research on the origin of man.

7. Jealousy: Jealousy is another factor of hatred between two groups, between two communities, between two religions, between two races, between two nations, between two countries etc. Most of the time the jealousy is due to the economic factor that one group is more prosperous than the others because of their special traits and virtues. Instead of feeling jealous that creates hatred, that group should develop friendship with the other groups to raise them to their levels . The Nanakian Philosophy explains that jealousy could be controlled by keeping the company of good peoples. Once we get rid of jealousy then nobody is an enemy or a stranger for us [14].

8. Tolerance: Once it becomes clear about the Oneness of the Almighty and sameness of the whole humanity; and we eliminate the egoism; follow the path of truthful living; and overcome the jealousy then developing fellowship of humanity would be easier if we have a spirit of tolerance. Tolerance of the ideas of other religions is the basic characteristic of Sikhism. During its evolution from the 15th century to the early 18th century (1469-1708), Sikhism was in direct contact with two major religions, Hinduism and Islam, of the Indian subcontinent. Therefore, the tolerance of these two particular religions is one of the principles of the philosophy of the Nanakian School. Guru Nanak declared that the highest class (Aai Panthi) is the humanity itself [15]. Guru Nanak also instructed that one should not fall into the rituals of meditations and bathing at holy places. However, one can become morally a perfect citizen by cleansing his inner-self by listening and practising the Nanakian Philosophy [16].

9. Multiculturalism: Guru Nanak developed a novel system of sharing with other communities that may be equated to the multiculturalism adopted in Canada. Most of the peoples take the multiculturalism in a very narrow term as taking part in folk dances, social functions, religious holidays, etc. of other communities. Guru Nanak emphasized that one should not only share the material or cultural values of other communities, but should also adopt their virtues [17].

10. Non-violence: The politeness and humility are the major factors that lead to the development of the principle of non-violence. Thus, cultivation of politeness and humility is the first and foremost characteristic of Sikhism [18, 19, 20].

11. Fearing of None and Threatening to None: Sometimes the politeness, humility and practising of non-violence by a particular nation or a community are taken as their weakness to be exploited by the other deceitful nation or community. Thus, to safeguard the so-called weakness, the following two principles are found in the Nanakian :

The first principle is that one should be strong enough not to be afraid of anyone and being strong, should not threaten others [21]. The second principle is the establishment of power to keep up the above principle to maintain the politeness, humility and peace. The possession of power is also necessary to cut off the fetters of slavery if one falls into it [22].

12. Benign Sovereignty: If everybody abides by the above principles laid out in the Nanakian Philosophy, it would definitely lead to the development of the benign sovereignty as conceived by the Fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan, under which the whole humanity would live in peace on this planet, the earth [23].

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that the message of Guru Nanak/Nanakian Philosophy, described above, has universal acceptability. If it is adopted by every human being and sooner we all sit together to establish fellowship of the humanity by resolving our differences and hatred, peace can be attained on this earth. Ultimately it would result reduction in the expenditure on arm race. The saving, thus accrued, could be spent on science and religion to exploit their potentials for the welfare of the humanity. Consequently, the humanity can be easily saved from its extinction from the atomic warfare and can live peaceful forever.

REFERENCES

1. AGGS = Aad Guru Granth Sahib. 1983 (reprint). Publishers: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar. (M = Mahla, i.e., succession number of the Sikh Gurus to the House of Guru Nanak, P = Page of the AGGS).

2. AGGS, Jap 16, P 3: kIqw pswau eyko kvwau] iqs qy hoey lK drIAwau]

3. AGGS, Jap 21, P 4: kvxu su vylw vKqu kvxu kvx iQiq kvxu vwr]
kvix is ruqI mwhu kvxu ijqu hoAw Awkwru]

4. AGGS, M 1, 1035: Arbd nrbd DuMDUkwrw]

5. AGGS, Jap 34, P 7: rwqI ruqI iqQI vwr] pvx pwxI AgnI pwqwl] iqsu ivic DrqI Qwip rKI Drmswl] iqsu ivic jIa jugiq ky rMg] iqn ky nwm Anyk AnMq] krmI krmI hoie vIcwru] scw Awip scw drbwru]

6. AGGS, M 2, P146: pauxu gurU pwxI ipqw mwqw Driq mhqu] idnsu rwiq duIe dwIeAw KylY sgl jgqu]

7. AGGS, M 5, P 176: keI jnm Bey kIt pMqgw]……

8. AGGS, M 5, P 374: Avr join qyrI pinhwrI] iesu DrqI mih qyrI iskdwrI]

9. AGGS, Commencing Verse, P 1: < siq nwmu krqw purK inrBau inrvYru Akwl mUriq AjUnI sYBM gur prswid]

10. AGGS, M 1, P 62: sBu ko aUcw AwKIAY nIcu n dIsY koie] ieknY BwfY swijAY ieku cwnxu iqhu loie]

11. AGGS, M 1, P 62: schu ErY sBu ko aupir scu Awcwru]

12. AGGS, M 1, P 356: ividAi vIcwrI qW praupkwrI ]

13. AGGS, M 1, P 83: PkV jwqI PkVu nwau] sBnw jIAw iekw Cwau]

14. AGGS. M 5, P 1299: nw ko bYrI nhI ibgwnw sgl sMig hm kau bin AweI]

15. AGGS. Jap 28, P 6: AweI pMQI sgl jmwqI]

16. AGGS. Jap 21, P 4: qIrQu qpu dIeAw dqu dwnu] jy ko pwvY iql kw mwn] suixAw mMinAw min kIqw Bwau] AMqrgiq qIriQ mil nwau]

17. AGGS, M 1, P 765: guxw kw hovY vwsulw kiF vwis leIjY] jy gx hovin swjnw imil swJ krIjY] swJ kIjY guxh kyrI Coif Avgx clIAY]

18. AGGS., M 1, P 470: imTqu nIvI nwnkw gux cMigAweIAw qqu]

19 AGGS, M 1, P 473: mMdw iksy n AwKIAY piV AKru eyho buJIAY] murKY nwil n luJIAY]

20. AGGS, M 5, P 628: grIbI gdw hmwrI] KMnw sgl rynu CwrI] iesu AwgY ko n itkY vykwrI] gur pUry eyh gl swrI]

21. AGGS, M 9, P 1427: BY kwhU kau dyq nih nhI BY mwnq Awn]…16

22. AGGS, M 9, P 1429: blu hoAw bMDn Cuty sB ikCu hoq aupwie]…54.

23. AGGS, M 5, P 74: huix hukmu hoAw imhrvwx dw] pY koie n iksY r\wx dw] sB suKwlI vuTIAw iehu hoAw hlymI rwju jIau] 13]

24. Chahal, D. S. 1992. Philosophy: Scientific interpretation of Gurbani. The Sikh Review, Calcutta. 41 (December): 23-35.

25. Reader's Digest History of Man: The Last Two Million Years. The Reader's Digest Assoc., Montreal, 1973.

26. Reeves, Hubert. 1985. Life on other planets? Of course. (An interview with Reeves Hubert), (Reader's Digest, June 1988, Canadian Edition) From Le Nouvel Observation. Sept 22-Oct. 3, 1985.

Presented at The International Conference on Guru Nanak held at Lahore on November 8-11, 2000. It was organized by Sri Nanakana Sahib Foundation to celebrate its Silver Jubilee.