Equality in the Guru Granth Sahib
The Guru Granth SahibThe Guru Granth Sahib is the most important Sikh holy book. It is a collection of songs, prayers and hymns from the Sikh Gurus and other holy men, as well as teachings from other faiths. It is treated as a living Guru. gives Sikhs guidance on how to live their lives. It teaches them about the oneness of humanityThe Sikh belief that all humans are equal because Waheguru created everyone equally.. Within the Guru Granth Sahib, the hymns and poems express the importance of the equality of all humans. They also highlight the belief in monotheismThe belief in only one God. and the importance of WaheguruSikhs believe in one God called Waheguru which means 鈥榃onderful Lord鈥 or 鈥榃onderful Teacher鈥..
The key messages of the Guru Granth Sahib are:
- Everyone in the world is equal.
All beings and creatures are His; He belongs to all. (Guru Granth Sahib 425)
- There should be equality between men and women.
- There is only one God of all religions.
- Sikhs should live and speak truthfully.
- Sikhs must avoid the five vices, which are anger, greed, lust, pride and attachment to material possessions.
- Sikhs should live according to God鈥檚 Hukam The order or command of God, referred to as Waheguru.. This means Sikhs should accept that the world is created because of God鈥檚 will and that everything in the world happens because of Waheguru. This will lead to contentment.
- Sikhs should practise the virtues, which are truth and truthful living, compassion and patience, love, humility and self-control, contentment, and wisdom and courage.
The God-conscious being looks upon all alike, like the wind, which blows equally upon the king and the poor beggar.