Ground Rules 1. Punctual attendance 2. The whole book/article of the month must be read 3. Come with an open mind 4. Share your learning and listen to others 5. Keep the discussion relevant 6. Respect each others’ confidentiality

Guru Nanak: His Status and Salience by Sirdar Kapur Singh

Why did Guru Nanak manifest on Earth? Major shift in human thinking Maritime travel opened the world Predominant thinking based on rationalism and materialism Military might and science put power in the hands of Europeans aiming to subdue the East Critical point in history Hindu perspective was that there was a cosmic moral imbalance European perspective was that Guru Nanak was the founder of a sect, who reinterpreted Hinduism Guru Nanak’s revelations were directly inspired from God and was independent prophet in his own right

The concept of the Guru Was Guru Nanak a reformer? A reformer is one who restores an already established religion to its original purity, accepting allegiance to that religion Was Guru Nanak an avtar? Avtar is a descendant of God - but God is beyond birth. Avtars descend to earth and restore order from chaos - a stabilising force, not a revolutionary Avtar is only activated when order is threatened with corruption, re-establishes tradition rather than creating new or higher values (Maryada Purshotam) Was Guru Nanak a prophet? Prophet Muhammed says he was the last of the prophets, Christians believe Jesus was the last prophet Prophets rejuvenate the religion already preached. He inserts himself into history and changes its course. The concept of the Guru

The Guru revealed a new value-system for mankind, inserted Himself into history to initiate genuine revolution in the form of a new destiny for man. The word Guru (Sanskrit) is a source of confusion Different types of Gurus Teachers, instructors of arts Concept of Guru in other orders - Sufi (personal relationship between two individuals), one who practices what he preaches, disciplined introvert. These definitions adopted by the Nirankaris and Radhaswamis - must have a human Guru. True definition of Guru - God operating in human sphere, guiding and enlightening human mind. The concept of Guru

Mental climate - Nature and everything else can be explained by science Therefore the human mind can be similarly understood This approach only explores biological needs and subjective needs - not universal purpose Things outside of this sphere are dismissed Physics only discusses the structure of the world but the teachings of Guru Nanak go beyond this Modern reality versus Absolute reality - responsible for the collapse of societies and deviant movements Guru Nanak Dev Ji clears the smog The need for the Guru

The Guru Basic human situation - looking for a higher purpose Cure is through rapport with God “Without fear of God, there is no redemption of man” Holy men have left and are no longer guiding society Guru Nanak attributed blame to these inviduals as being responsible for the state of society The Guru's teachings hold the answers to man's problems and offer previously unheard of levels of attainment The Guru