Conference 2012

Physics And Metaphysics Of The Guru Granth Sahib Dr. Nikki Guninder Kaur Singh Abstract Unlike Plato who found poetry too captivating and therefore banished the poets from his Republic, the Sikh Gurus utilized the poetic medium to awaken their followers with an appreciation and love for the infinite Divine. Their source of course was That…

“Vajai anhad mera mun leena” – Sound, Sense and Sensibility in Sikhi Dr. Inderjit Nilu Kaur Abstract Guru Granth Sahib celebrates naad (shabad, raag, dhuni) yet values anahad — shabad anahad, mridang anahad, anhad bani, anhad dhuni and anhad kinguri . What is the connection between audible and mystical vibrations? How do we experience them?…

Nirvikar Singh Abstract A narrow view of economic thinking focuses only on the role of markets, with some role for government in instances of “market failure.” However, economics has its roots in the broader field of moral philosophy, which continues to influence many modern economic thinkers. This paper first provides an overview of this thinking,…

I.J. Singh Abstract Except for minor schismatic sects, the worldwide Sikh  community accepts that in 1708 Guru Gobind Singh anointed the Adi Granth as the Guru Granth.  Thus after ten generations of Gurus in human form – from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh — the mantle was passed to the written word. Historically we…

Sach Achaar or Truthful Living – The Ethical Message of SGGS Dr, Inder Mohan Singh Abstract The primary goal of life according to SGGS is spiritual – to seek union with the Divine.  However, an ethical lifestyle is essential for spiritual achievement. In the words of Guru Nanak “Truth is high but higher still is…

Dr. Jaswant Singh Neki Abstract Naam is an ubiquitous theological concept. However, in the Sikh faith, it occupies a pivotal position. Naam is not just a noun, it has been considered as a  as’ noumenon’ as contrasted to phenomenon (Emanuel Kant) as also as ‘essence’ins cotrast to form (Sankhya). Its essential nature is transcendent (para)…

Dr. Satpal Singh Abstract According to Siri Guru Granth Sahib, our Guru is ‘Shabad’. This helps us understand the transfer of Guruship from Guru Gobind Singh ji to Guru Granth Sahib ji. Similarly, Sikhi is the journey of our consciousness, and not of our physical body. An understanding of this concept can liberate us from…

R.K. janmeja (Meji) Singh, Ph.D. Abstract I intend to discuss the basic concepts of Gurbani and their implications for our behavior. It gives us a road map but we can not reach our destination either at looking or memorizing the map. The Sikh spiritual practice is not just understanding the meaning of Gurbani. The spiritual…

S. Jagmohan Singh Abstract Most of us think that violence is a modern day phenomenon with easy access to weapons, guns and bombs. Gurbani teaches us that this has been happening since SATYUG, and is expected to continue as Waheguru Ji is the Master of the Universe: “EH JAG TERA TU GUSAI” Gurbani prepares us…

Dr. Ranbir Singh Sandhu Abstract The title of this essay is a phrase often used in eulogies for Sikhs who have rendered distinguished service to the Khalsa Panth. Two lines from which this phrase has been taken are: Janam maran duhu men nahi jan parupkaari ae Jeea daan deh bhagti laain har so laain milaae…