Do Sikhs Believe in a Bible?

Guru Granth, the Sacred Scripture of Sikhism

Sikh Reading From Guru Granth Sahib
Sikh Reading From Guru Granth Sahib. Photo © [Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa]

The word bible is derived from the Greek word biblia meaning books. The term which originates from Byblos an ancient Phoenician city which traded in papyrus used in producing a paper like substance for writing upon. Scriptures and scrolls were among the earliest of hand written books. Though one of the world's youngest religions, Sikhism too has a holy book of scripture compiled from various hand written texts.  

Most of the world's major religions sacred texts, and scriptures are believed to reveal supreme truth, the way to enlightenment, or the holy word of God. The various names for these scriptures are:

  • Buddhism - Sutra
  • Christianity - Bible
  • Hinduism - Gita, Shastra, and Veda
  • Islam - Koran
  • Judaism - Torah
  • Sikhism - Guru Granth

The sacred scripture of Sikhism is written in the Gurmukhi script and bound in a single volume. Sikhs believe that their scripture called Guru Granth is the embodiment of truth, and holds the key to enlightenment and thus, salvation of the soul.

Fourth Guru Raam Das likened the word of scripture to truth and the meanings of attaining truth, considered to be the highest realm of consciousness:

  • Satgur ki baannee sat saroop hai gurbaannee banneeai ||
    The True Enlightener's word is the embodiment of Truth; through the Enlightener's word, one becomes entirely true. SGGS||304

Arjun Dev, the fifth Sikh guru, compiled the verses which make up the Sikh scripture. It contains poetry of 42 authors including Guru Nanak, six other Sikh gurus, Sufis, and Hindu holy men. Tenth Guru Gobind Singh,declared the scripture of the Granth to be his eternal successor and the Guru of the Sikhs for all time. Therefore, Sikhism's Holy Scripture known as the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, is last in the lineage of the Sikh Gurus, and can never be replaced.

Like Christians believe the bible to be the living word, Sikhs believe the Guru Granth to be the embodiment of the living word .

  • Baannee guru guru hai baannee vich baannee amrit saarae ||
    The word is the embodiment of the Enlightener, the Enlightener is the embodies the word, within the word is immortal entirety. SGGS||982
  • "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1 King James Bible, book of John, first chapter, first verse.

Before reading the holy words of Guru Granth Sahib scripture, Sikhs invoke the presence of the living Enlightener with the prakash ceremony and petition the Guru with the prayer of ardas. Only after the ceremony is performed following strict protocol, is the scripture permitted to be opened. A hukam is taken by reading random verse aloud to determine divine will. At the conclusion of worship, or at days end, a sukhasan ceremony is performed to close the Guru Granth Sahib, and the scripture is put to rest.

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Khalsa, Sukhmandir. "Do Sikhs Believe in a Bible?" Learn Religions, Aug. 26, 2020, learnreligions.com/do-sikhs-believe-in-a-bible-2993493. Khalsa, Sukhmandir. (2020, August 26). Do Sikhs Believe in a Bible? Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/do-sikhs-believe-in-a-bible-2993493 Khalsa, Sukhmandir. "Do Sikhs Believe in a Bible?" Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/do-sikhs-believe-in-a-bible-2993493 (accessed March 19, 2024).