Sikhism

  1. Home
  2. Religion & Spirituality
  3. Sikhism

What Are the Contributions of Guru Raam Das to Sikhism?

Guru Raam Das

Jetha, an orphan, married the daughter of Guru Amar Das. The guru gave him the name of Raam Das and named his as his successor. Guru Raam Das began excavation of what is known today as the Golden Temple, the spiritual center of Sikhism.

The Reign of Guru Raam Das

Sikhism Spotlight10

Sukhmandir's Sikhism Blog

Sikh Americans Salute Independance Day on the Fourth of July

Saturday July 4, 2009

On behalf of nearly one million Sikh Americans residing in the United States, happy birthday and joyful independence day, America. May your fireworks be bright and light up your Fourth of July!

Sikh American Patriot and the American Flag
Sikh American Patriot and the American Flag
Photo © [Vikram Singh Khalsa]

Who or What is a Sikh?
History of Sikhism in the United States

Get My Twitter Updates | Join Me on Facebook
Subscribe to My Weekly Newsletter

Aquatic Gurdwara Wave of the Future?

Friday July 3, 2009

Could an aquatic gurdwara be the wave of of the future? Gurdwaras like the Golden Temple have traditionally been surrounded by a sarovar, or moat like tank. Take it one step further and you may someday see a gurdwara built in the middle of the sea surrounded by ocean waves.

The Seasteading Institute committed to establishing "autonomous ocean communities," ran a contest from February to May and has announced the winning designs. Check out some of the winning entries and tell us what you think and which one appeals to you most.

Would you live in a seastead housing complex?
Do you think think living in one would be more or less costly than traditional housing?
Could you see worshiping in an ocean aquatic gurdwara?
What would be the mode of transportation for seastead worshipers?

"What do you want to take to the gurdwara today honey, the speed boat, or the jet ski?
Oh let's take the glass bottom mini sub, it's chilly out today."

Perhaps there would be ferries and seashuttles running back and forth between various seasteads and land.

Winners Of The Seastead Design Contest
Talk About it in the Sikhism Forum

Get My Twitter Updates | Join Me on Facebook
Subscribe to My Weekly Newsletter

Goindwal Baoli, Well of 84 Steps Interior Staircase

Wednesday July 1, 2009

Wordless Wednesday : Goindwal Baoli, Well of 84 Steps Interior Stair Case

Goindwal Baoli, The Well of 84 Steps
Amar Das the Third Guru of the Sikhs

Wordless Wednesday on About.com
More Wordless Wednesday Blogs...

Get My Twitter Updates | Join Me on Facebook
Subscribe to My Weekly Newsletter

The Virtue of Humility

Tuesday June 30, 2009

Siri Chand, the eldest son of Guru Nanak Dev, lived his life as a celibate recluse. Siri Chand once met with Guru Raam Das and they entered a dialogue debating the virtues of an aesthetic way of life verses the spiritual opportunities of the householder.

Siri Chand insisted that one had to stay away from society in order to advance spiritually. Guru Raam Das maintained that for the common person, the path to spirituality lay in personal commitment, service, and humility, remaining all the while focused on the name of God.

Siri Chand taking note of the great length of the Guru's flowing beard, remarked on its attributes, comparing its length to the Guru’s wisdom, and his exalted position in life. Guru Raam Das replied that the length of his beard mattered not so much as its purpose, and that he had let his beard grow to such a length so as to be able to wipe the dust from the feet of holy men like Siri Chand.

Guru Raam Das wrote:
"Je ho(n)dai guroo beh tikiaa tis jan kee vaddiaaee vaddee hoee"||
"Whomever the Guru Himself has anointed with humility, exalted is the magnificence of that one". (SGGS||309)

Similarly it is the humility, in which an Amritdhari lives, rather than the rank of Khalsa, which exalts that one spiritually.

Join the discussion:
Amritsanchar baptism or initiation.

Discuss

Community Forum

Explore Sikhism

About.com Special Features

Myths About Islam

Ten common misconceptions about Islam debunked. More >

Prayers for All Occasions

Use these prayers to inspire and inform your own conversations with God. More >

Sikhism

  1. Home
  2. Religion & Spirituality
  3. Sikhism

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.