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32ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES : JAN-MARCH <strong>2006</strong> / 537-38 NSdo something for the benefit <strong>of</strong> all. And, to our surprise and grief,new problems <strong>of</strong> global terrorism, social and economic domination,use <strong>of</strong> drugs and increase in violence, political domination, are nowbecoming endemic despite our seeming progress and better living. Thereality <strong>of</strong> these problems can be assessed in terms <strong>of</strong> moral and spiritualorientation. If you are not able to believe and stress that we are allequal, we all are entitled to live in peace and happiness, we are allchildren <strong>of</strong> one God who would never like to discriminate, we have toget rid <strong>of</strong> the exploitation <strong>of</strong> the under-privileged, and that the grief<strong>of</strong> my brother is also my grief, you will never be in peace yourself. Inthis distressing scenario, Guru Granth Sahib’s message, approach anddirection show perpetual guidance. Of course, we are talking <strong>of</strong> thenew millennium. I believe these teachings will be relevant as long asthe world exists. Before I talk <strong>of</strong> other things, let me explain why Ithink so. Guru Granth Sahib –– Never suggests that these teachings are for the benefit <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sikh</strong>salone;– Never suggests that <strong>Sikh</strong> religion is superior to others’ beliefs;– Never suggests that any man is inferior to anyone else;– Never suggests that the <strong>Sikh</strong>s’ way <strong>of</strong> worship or the <strong>Sikh</strong>s’ prayerhousesare more sacred than others;– Never suggests that the <strong>Sikh</strong>s will be judged more compassionatelythan others.The core message <strong>of</strong> our scripture is development <strong>of</strong> Man’s moraland spiritual strength so that he can face evil squarely, and not onlyovercome it but also share his well-being with all others, irrespective<strong>of</strong> caste, creed, sex, nationality or race. Since the whole world wantsto live in peace, but expects everyone else to tow his particular line,conflicts arise. Guru Granth Sahib has one and the same message forall, and also advises prayer for all mankind, Sarbat Da Bhalla. Here aresome quotes :Khatri brahman sood vaish, updesh chauh varna kau sanjha.(The message for everyone is common, whether one is <strong>of</strong> thisvarna or that.)– Guru Granth Sahib p 747-48Sarb dharam mein sreisht dharam, harko naam jap nirmal karam.(The highest dharma among all dharmas is the meditation on God’s
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