Phenomenon of Death in Sikhism
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Harmindar Singh (UK)*
* 132 Eastcote Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6ONR, UK.
‘Birth and death by Divine Ordinance occur;
Under Divine Will beings come and go.
(S.G.G.S. p.472)
It is He(God) who sends beings into the world,
And it is He who calls them back.’
(S.G.G.S. p. 1239)
The above two quotations from Guru Granth Sahib summarise the Sikh belief about the natural phenomenon of birth and death. One being the beginning and the other the end of life in this world, both are generally referred to together. Human beings are born and then ultimately die in accordance with God’s Will. This is a cosmic process of creation and dissolution operating solely under His Command. We, the human beings have no say in it.
‘All beings by Divine Ordinance arise,
And by the OrdInance in action engage.
Some by the Ordinance to death submit;
Some by the Ordinance in truth are absorbed.
Saith Nanak; This happens as the Lord wills;
Nothing in the hands of human beings lies.’ (S.G.G.S. p. 55)
According to Sikh theology God created this universe in joy of creativity as a grand spectacle and a sort of ‘play’. We Sikhs are enjoined upon to look at it in the same spirit including the phenomenon of birth and death.
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View Page
Harmindar Singh (UK)*
* 132 Eastcote Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6ONR, UK.
‘Birth and death by Divine Ordinance occur;
Under Divine Will beings come and go.
(S.G.G.S. p.472)
It is He(God) who sends beings into the world,
And it is He who calls them back.’
(S.G.G.S. p. 1239)
The above two quotations from Guru Granth Sahib summarise the Sikh belief about the natural phenomenon of birth and death. One being the beginning and the other the end of life in this world, both are generally referred to together. Human beings are born and then ultimately die in accordance with God’s Will. This is a cosmic process of creation and dissolution operating solely under His Command. We, the human beings have no say in it.
‘All beings by Divine Ordinance arise,
And by the OrdInance in action engage.
Some by the Ordinance to death submit;
Some by the Ordinance in truth are absorbed.
Saith Nanak; This happens as the Lord wills;
Nothing in the hands of human beings lies.’ (S.G.G.S. p. 55)
According to Sikh theology God created this universe in joy of creativity as a grand spectacle and a sort of ‘play’. We Sikhs are enjoined upon to look at it in the same spirit including the phenomenon of birth and death.
More...