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Sustainable Development of Environment: Evidence from Sikh Religion – Celebrating Guru Har Rai Ji. Source of Material sikhfoundation.org/people-events/sustainable-development-of-environment-evidence-from-sikh-religion/

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  1. Sustainable Development of Environment: Evidence from Sikh Religion – Celebrating Guru Har Rai Ji Sourceof Material sikhfoundation.org/people-events/sustainable-development-of-environment-evidence-from-sikh-religion/ Presentation Prepared by Harbinder Kaur – harbinder.kaur1968@gmail.com

  2. Introduction • According to the Sri Guru GranthJi (SGGJ), word-Guru (spiritual teacher) of the Sikhs, God Resides in Creation. • Sarbat da Bhallameaning ‘prosperity and peace for everything in the world’ is a statement that a Sikh utters at least two times a day, on completing the morning and evening prayers.

  3. Q: Where does God Reside? Ans: In the creation • BalihariKudratvasiateraanthnajayilakhiya God resides in nature or environment and it is not possible to fathom your end (SGGJ, p. 469) • Apinehapsajioapinehrachinao. Self (God) created self. Self assumed a Name. Duyikudratsajiaykarasaṇdithochao. Second, fashioned the Kudrat (creation - nature and environment); seated within Kudrat, beholds it with delight.

  4. Natural Elements are Respected PavanGurooPaaneePitaaMaataaDharatMahat Air is Guru, Water is father, and vast earth is mother (SGGJ, p. 8). Pauṇpaṇiḏẖarṯi akas gẖarmanḏarharbani. Air, water, earth and sky - the Lord has made these home and temple vicẖvarṯai Nanak apjẖuṯẖkahokiagani God is pervading everywhere, O Nanak. Tell me: what can be counted as false? (SGGJ, p. 723)

  5. Important Principle As one sows, so will one Reap Therefore, it is in the interest of everybody that no harm is done to anything in the universe. It is this context that many Sikhs prefer vegetarian diet, as prescribed in community Kitchen or Guru kaLangar, served in every Gurudwara or a Sikh Temple.

  6. No Exploitation Please • As Sikhs believe that all things are created and inhabited by God, there is no scope for exploiting the environment or other individuals. • Equal Status of women. Guru Nanak asks - So kiomanḏaakhiayjitjamehrajanor So why call her bad from whom kings are born? (SGGJ, p. 473)

  7. Plan on a Long Term Basis • Intentions - Nar cẖahaṯkacẖẖaorauraikiauraibẖai. Cẖiṯvaṯrahioṯẖagaur Nanak fasi gal pari- Man wishes for something, but something different happens. Plotting to deceive others, O Nanak, instead finds noose around own neck (SGGJ, p.1428). • MithBolada Je HarSajjanSoami Mora, HonhSambhalTakheeJi O Kadhe Na Bole Kodha - Sweet spoken is my noble-hearted master – never within my recall has Master uttered a harsh word (SGGJ, p. 784).

  8. Truthful Living • SachahuOraiSabhKoUparSachAacharmeaning that Truth is higher than everything; but higher still is truthful living (SGGJ, p. 62). Truthful living is interpreted to imply environmentally conscious and responsible living. • VichDuniaSevKamaiai Ta DargehBaisaṇPaiai- Serve in this world, and you shall be given a place of honour in Lord’s presence (SGGJ, p.26).. The concept of service to others includes nature and environment too.

  9. Nature and Compositions in SGGS • Cẖeṯbasanṯbẖalabẖavarsuhavṛe - In the month of Chet - lovely spring has come, and the bumble bees hum with joy • Vaisakẖbẖalasakẖaveskare- Baisakhi is so pleasant. The branches blossom with new leaves • Savaṇsarasmanagẖaṇvarsehruṯaee- In Sawan, be happy, O my mind. The rainy season has come, and the clouds have burst into showers • Jalthalnirbẖarebarasruṯe rang maṇi- The lakes and fields are overflowing with water. The rainy season has come - the time to celebrate • Ḏahḏissakẖharihariavalsahjpakai so miṯẖa- In all ten directions, the branches are green and alive. That which ripens slowly, is sweet

  10. Some Cosmic Compositions Gaganmaithalravcẖanḏḏipak bane tarikamandaljanakmoṯi - Upon that cosmic platter of the sky, the sun and the moon are the lamps. The stars and their orbs are the studded pearls. Ḏẖupmalanlopavaṇcẖavrokaresagalbanraefulanṯjoṯi - The fragrance of sandalwood in the air is the temple incense, and the wind is the fan. All the plants of the world are the altar flowers in offering to You, O Luminous Lord. Kaisiarṯi hoe. Bhavkhandnateriarti - What a beautiful Aartee (lamp-lit worship service) this is! O Destroyer of Fear, this is Your Ceremony of Light (SGGJ, p. 13).

  11. New Cities by Sikh Gurus • Amritsar - 1577, AnandpurSahib – 1665, Goindwal - 1559, Kartarpur -1594, Kiratpur -1626, PaontaSahib -1685, and Tarn Taran - 1596. • In all these cities, environment concerns like adequate development of water sources and drainage of waste water, gardens and open spaces were accorded special place.

  12. Conclusion SabhaySajhevaalSadainToonhKisai Na DisehBahraJio– All are known partners; you are not seen Outside of anyone, O! Lovable (SGGJ, p.97). THANK YOU

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