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Sikhism - An Introduction: God

by Owen Cole

Belief in the oneness of God is the major Sikh belief, accompanied by the requirement to respect and care for one’s fellow human being. Sikhism is a prime example of ethical monotheism. The inadequacy of language creates difficulties for those who would describe God. Guru Nanak favoured the term Akal Purukh, meaning the Timeless One. Sikh Gurus used various names for God, some of them Hindu and masculine such as Shiva, Vishnu or Brahma, or feminine such as Parvati. God may be said to be beyond gender yet the creator of gender. When preaching in Muslim villages names taken from the Qur’an such as Allah, Alakh, Agam, Kadar, Khuda or Karim (AG 64), might be used to show that the Gurus were inclusive rather than sectarian in their ministry. Vahiguru, meaning ‘Praise to the Guru (God)’ is frequently used in the Janam Sakhis but only twice in the Guru Granth Sahib. It has, however, become a popular form of reference to God among many Sikhs.

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