Meeting of faiths and a sacred text

Sep 6 2008 With Sewa Singh Mandla

ON SEPTEMBER 25 to 28 in Nanded, India, Sikhs will hold an International Interfaith Conference, spreading the message of Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

In the conference, Sikhs will share the wisdom of Guru Granth Sahib Ji with others, whilst learning from the revered scriptures of other faiths as well.

This will provide an opportunity for people of all faiths, and non-religious people, to engage with each other with the aim of establishing mutual understanding, consideration, respect and love for each other.

The conference will be followed by the Tercentenary of the Eternal Guruship of Guru Granth Sahib Ji in October, also in Nanded, India.

The Guru Granth Sahib Ji is a sacred text and is respected as the Eternal Guru, or teacher.

For the Sikhs, it is the supreme authority on all matters and provides direct means of communication with God.

At times of sadness, happiness, on special occasions, in times of doubt or uncertainty, Sikhs turn to the Guru Granth Sahib for guidance and fortitude.

It is the focus of devotion, adoration and veneration. It contains the word of God, or Gurbani, which as Guru Nanak Dev Ji said: "Has been revealed by God Almighty".

The Guru Granth Sahib Ji, on its completion, was ceremoniously first installed at Sri Harmander Sahib (Golden Temple) Amritsar.

It was robed in beautiful fabrics and enthroned under a beautiful canopy and protected in a way like an emperor was in the ancient world. This tradition continues to this day in all Sikh Gurdwaras. The Message of Guru Granth Sahib Ji to humanity at large is:

* We are all sparks of the same divine light;

* To love God is to love his creation, the humanity at large

* To pray and contemplate on the Lord's name;

* Earn your living through hard work;

* Be conscious of his omnipresence and thus accountability;

* Share what you know and possess with others;

* Serve God and his creation selflessly;

* Be wise and humble through prayers a nd service to others;

* One's mind is one's best friend and worst enemy;

* Work from whole to part and not part to whole, thus have an overview of things;

* Be good to all - irrespective of whether someone is wicked or bad;

* You must have purity of thought, vision and deed.

* You should excel through originality and quality.

* Lead by example, motivate and inspire others.