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 Q:
If the Gurus said that all religions lead to the same path, you'll be ok whichever
religion you're in. Then why didn't they mention them all in depth in their writings?
With Sikhism, if all these past religions were right why don't we believe in Adam as
the first man etc. Was there a sudden change of plan when the Guru's came along? Now
man was no longer created from Adam?
The argument we are all on a path which leads to God, no matter which we take cannot
apply. Not everyone worships one God.
 A:
It is a TOTALLY FALSE argument that Sikhism believes all paths lead to the same
goal and thus all religions are equal: From its very inception, Gurmat has been
declared a unique and distinct path. Bhai Gurdas writes: "the Guru has created
the mighty Gurmukh panth. This panth keeps itself away from the boundaries of the
Vedas and the Semitic scriptures..." (Bhai Gurdas, 23.19)
SGGS over and over stresses the importance of "Gurmat Naam". Without Gurmat Naam
no one can find Akaal or reach sachkhand. Gurmat naam is only available in the house
of Guru Nanak: "Nanak kai ghar keval, naam" . Keval means "only".
Without naam, no one can find God. GurbaaNee is clear about this fact:
Nanak naam binaa ko mukath n hoee
Translation:O Nanak, without the Naam, the Name of the Lord, no one is liberated
Where is this naam to be found? From the Guru.
bin gur naam n paaeiaa jaae
Translation:Without the Guru, the Naam cannot be obtained.
Satguru Nanak is the only true Guru who has preached naam, and given gurmat-naam.
As for other acts of "religion", this is what Guru Nanak says:
theeruthh thup dhaeiaa dhuth dhaan ||
Pilgrimages, austere discipline, compassion and charity
jae ko paavai thil kaa maan ||
these, by themselves, bring only an iota of merit.
suniaa mu(n)niaa man keethaa bhaao ||
Listening and believing with love and humility in your mind,
a(n)thurugath theerathh mal naao ||
cleanse yourself with the Name, at the sacred shrine deep within.......
So, unless someone receives Gurmat Naam from Guru Nanak, there is no liberation.
They will be rewarded for their good karma, but not liberated. They don't want
liberation! Christians are content with heaven, and they will receive it. But then
they will enter the cycle of births and deaths again, hopefully in a life which
will bring them closer to liberation. Gurmat Panth's respect of all religions goes
as far as saying that they are not sent to eternal hell, they will get what they
work for. Like Harmandir Saahib: God is open and available to all directions and
all people of the world, but the path to God is ONE: Gurmat.
About other faiths:
eik jainee oujhurr paae dhhuruhu khuaaeiaa ||
Some are Jains, wasting their time in the wilderness; by their pre-ordained destiny, they are ruined. panna 1285
hi(n)dhoo a(n)nhaa thurukoo kaanaa ||
The Hindu is blind; the Muslim has only one eye. panna 875
In many other places it is made clear that Gurmat, the way of the Giani, who
meditates on Gurmat Naam is the only path to Akaal. Others will get their heaven
etc. but not find Akaal.
All faiths will get what they work towards. Only Gurmat has a concept such as Sach
Khand and God-Realisation in such a clear way. Thus, Gurmat is the only path to Sach
Khand and merger with Akaal.
Who else is the true Guru of status of Guru Nanak? Mohammad? Jesus? Krishna? Rama?
There is none. These prophets don't come close to even the Sikhs of Guru Nanak, let
alone Guru Nanak himself. GurbaaNee leaves no doubt: "Sabh tay Vadaa Satgur Nanak,
Jin kal raakhee mayree" meaning Satuguru Nanak is THE GREATEST who has protected my
honour in this age of darkness (Kaljug).
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