A Survey of World Religions: Sikhism

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded in the 15th century in the Punjab region of India by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It emphasizes the equality of all humankind, selfless service, and social justice.

Worldview: Origins, Meaning, and the Afterlife

Sikhism offers a distinct perspective on the cosmos that centers on the sovereignty of the Divine.

• How the World Began: Sikhs believe in one Creator, Ik Onkar. Before creation, there was a state of "Sunn" (absolute emptiness/void) where only the Creator existed in a state of meditation. The universe was created by the Divine Will (Hukam). Sikhism does not specify a timeline for creation, suggesting instead that only the Creator knows the origin.

• The Meaning of Life: The purpose of human life is to achieve a spiritual union with God. This is done by overcoming the Five Thieves (Ego, Anger, Greed, Attachment, and Lust) and cultivating divine virtues like Truth, Compassion, and Humility. Life is an opportunity to serve others (Seva) while remembering the Divine.

• The Afterlife: Sikhism believes in the cycle of birth and death (Samsara) and the transmigration of the soul based on Karma. However, the ultimate goal is Mukti (liberation), breaking the cycle of rebirth to merge the individual soul with the Universal Soul (God).

Religious Practices

Sikh practice is built upon three "Pillars" established by Guru Nanak:

• Naam Japna: Keeping God in mind at all times and reciting the Divine Name.

• Kirat Karni: Earning an honest living through hard work and integrity.

• Vand Chakna: Sharing one's earnings and resources with the needy.

The Khalsa and the 5 Ks:

Many Sikhs are initiated into the Khalsa (the community of the faithful) and wear five physical symbols of faith:

1. Kesh: Uncut hair (representing holiness and acceptance of God's will).

2. Kara: An iron/steel bracelet (symbolizing an unbreakable connection with God).

3. Kanga: A wooden comb (symbolizing cleanliness).

4. Kachera: Cotton undergarments (symbolizing self-restraint).

5. Kirpan: A ceremonial sword (symbolizing the duty to protect the weak and fight injustice).

The Gurdwara and Langar:

Sikhs worship in a Gurdwara. A central feature of every Gurdwara is the Langar, a free community kitchen where a vegetarian meal is served to everyone regardless of religion, caste, or background, served while sitting on the floor to emphasize equality.

Major "Deities" and Figures

Sikhism is strictly monotheistic. There are no "deities" or idols; Sikhs worship only the one Supreme Reality.

• Ik Onkar (The One): The Formless, Timeless, and Unconditioned Creator.

• The Ten Gurus: While not worshipped as God, the ten human Gurus (from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh) are revered as the divine messengers who revealed the path.

• The Guru Granth Sahib: The final and eternal Guru. It is the sacred scripture treated with the same respect as a living monarch.

Additional Reading 

• Guru Granth Sahib: The primary scripture. It contains the hymns (Gurbani) of the Sikh Gurus as well as writings from Hindu and Muslim saints (like Kabir and Sheikh Farid) who shared the same vision of the One God.

• Dasam Granth: Attributed to the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, containing hymns, philosophical writings, and chronicles.

• Japji Sahib: The opening prayer of the Guru Granth Sahib, composed by Guru Nanak, which summarizes the core of Sikh philosophy.

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Melanchthon’s German Catechism translated into English.
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Cover Reveal: Elements of Life

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This collection explores the intersection of atomic precision and the infinite soul, weaving the rigid structure of the elements into the fluid tapestry of human experience. Through these verses, the fundamental laws of science become a new liturgy for understanding the quiet miracles of daily existence.

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What does it look like to follow Jesus? I’ve written a book that walks through the Letter of 1 John and offers practical guidance for spiritual growth. Buy it here!

Grace Upon Grace (31-Day Devotional).
Melanchthon’s German Catechism translated into English.
Connect with me on Instagram, Substack, and Pinterest.
My reading recommendations. My merch store. My Etsy store.

A Survey of World Religions: Buddhism

Buddhism originated in India over 2,500 years ago with Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha). It is often described more as a philosophy or a way of life than a traditional religion, as it focuses on personal spiritual development and the attainment of deep insight into the true nature of life.

Cosmology

* How the World Began: Buddhism generally views the universe as eternal and cyclical. There is no single "creation" event by a god. Instead, world systems arise, endure for vast eons (kalpas), and then dissolve, only to begin again. The focus is not on how it began, but on how to escape the suffering within it.

* The Meaning of Life: The core purpose of life is to end suffering (Dukkha). This is achieved by eliminating craving and ignorance through the Four Noble Truths. A central tenet is Anatta (no-soul), the belief that there is no permanent, unchanging "self." Life is a stream of ever-changing physical and mental processes.

* The Afterlife: Buddhists believe in Samsara (the cycle of rebirth). One's actions (Karma) determine the conditions of the next life. The ultimate goal is Nirvana—the "blowing out" of the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion. Once achieved, the cycle of rebirth ends, and the individual reaches a state of liberation beyond description.

Practice

* Meditation: The central practice for developing mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. This includes Samatha (calming the mind) and Vipassana (insight meditation).

* The Eightfold Path: A practical guide to ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom. It includes "Right Speech," "Right Action," and "Right Mindfulness."

* The Five Precepts: Ethical guidelines for laypeople: abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants.

* Chanting and Devotion: Many Buddhists chant sutras or mantras (like Om Mani Padme Hum) and make offerings of flowers or incense at home altars or temples to show respect for the Buddha's teachings.

Major "Deities" and Figures

* Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha): Not a god, but an awakened human being who discovered the path to enlightenment.

* Bodhisattvas (Mahayana Tradition): Enlightened beings who vow to delay their own Nirvana to help all other sentient beings reach enlightenment. Notable figures include:
    * Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin): The Bodhisattva of Compassion.
    * Manjushri: The Bodhisattva of Wisdom.

* Amitabha Buddha: The Buddha of "Infinite Light" who presides over the Pure Land.

* Maitreya: The "Future Buddha" who is expected to appear on Earth to achieve complete enlightenment and teach the pure dharma.

Additional Reading

Early Buddhist texts, translations, and parallels
84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha

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What does it look like to follow Jesus? I’ve written a book that walks through the Letter of 1 John and offers practical guidance for spiritual growth. Buy it here!

Grace Upon Grace (31-Day Devotional).
Melanchthon’s German Catechism translated into English.
Connect with me on Instagram, Substack, and Pinterest.
My reading recommendations. My merch store. My Etsy store.

A Survey of World Religions: Jainism

Jainism is one of the world's oldest religions, originating in India. It is defined by a rigorous commitment to non-violence (Ahinsa), asceticism, and the belief that every living being possesses an eternal, independent soul.

Cosmology

The Jain worldview is unique because it is atheistic in a cosmological sense—it does not believe in a creator god.

* How the World Began: Jains believe the universe (Loka) is eternal. It was never created and will never be destroyed. It functions according to universal natural laws. Time is viewed as a rotating wheel with upward and downward cycles (Kalachakras), each lasting billions of years.

* The Meaning of Life: The primary goal of life is Moksha (liberation). Jains believe the soul (Jiva) is naturally bright and omniscient but is clouded by Karma. In Jainism, karma is a physical substance—fine particles of matter that stick to the soul based on one's actions. The meaning of life is to stop new karma from sticking and to shed old karma through right faith, knowledge, and conduct.

* The Afterlife: Upon death, the soul is immediately reborn into one of four realms: heavenly beings, humans, hellish beings, or the animal/plant kingdom. This cycle continues until the soul is completely purified of all karma, at which point it ascends to the Siddhashila (the realm of liberated souls) at the top of the universe to rest in eternal bliss.

Practice

Jain practice is centered on the Five Great Vows (Mahavratas), which are followed strictly by monks and more flexibly by laypeople.

* Ahinsa (Non-violence): This is the most famous aspect of Jainism. It is the practice of not harming any living being—human, animal, insect, or even microscopic organisms—in thought, word, or deed.

* Vegetarianism: Jains follow a strict lacto-vegetarian diet. Many also avoid root vegetables (like potatoes and onions) because harvesting them kills the entire plant and the tiny organisms living in the soil.

* Asceticism and Fasting: Jains place a high value on self-discipline. Fasting is a common practice to purify the soul. Monks and nuns live lives of extreme poverty, owning nothing and often traveling on foot.

* Pratikraman: A ritual of repentance where Jains reflect on their daily activities and ask for forgiveness for any harm they may have caused to living beings, intentionally or unintentionally.

Major "Deities" (The Tirthankaras)

Jainism does not have "gods" who create the world or answer prayers in the traditional sense. Instead, they venerate the Tirthankaras, human beings who achieved enlightenment and showed others the way to liberation.

* The 24 Tirthankaras: There are 24 Tirthankaras in the current half-cycle of time. They are not creators, but role models.

* Mahavira (The 24th Tirthankara): A contemporary of the Buddha (6th century BCE), he is the most significant figure in modern Jainism. He reorganized the Jain philosophy and emphasized the importance of the five vows.

* Parshvanatha (The 23rd Tirthankara): Regarded as a historical figure who lived a few centuries before Mahavira. He is often depicted with a canopy of serpent hoods over his head.

* Rishabhanatha (Adinatha): The first Tirthankara of this cycle, credited with teaching humanity the basics of agriculture, arts, and social organization.

* The Siddhas: These are the liberated souls who have achieved Moksha. While they are "divine" in their perfection, they do not intervene in human affairs.

Additional Reading

Tattvarthasutra, with Hindi and English translation
Jain Śvetāmbara Āgama Canon in English (w/Hindi)
Kalpa Sutra of Bhadrabahu

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What does it look like to follow Jesus? I’ve written a book that walks through the Letter of 1 John and offers practical guidance for spiritual growth. Buy it here!

Grace Upon Grace (31-Day Devotional).
Melanchthon’s German Catechism translated into English.
Connect with me on Instagram, Substack, and Pinterest.
My reading recommendations. My merch store. My Etsy store.

A Survey of World Religions: Hinduism

Cosmology

The Hindu worldview is cyclical, viewing time as an endless series of creations and destructions.

• How the World Began: Hinduism posits that the universe undergoes infinite cycles of creation, preservation, and dissolution. In many traditions, Brahma creates the world, Vishnu preserves it, and Shiva eventually destroys it to pave the way for a new beginning. The Rig Veda also contains the "Nasadiya Sukta," which meditates on the mystery of existence, suggesting that before creation, there was neither being nor non-being.

• The Meaning of Life: Life is guided by four goals, known as the Purusharthas:

• Dharma: Ethical duty and living in accordance with cosmic order.

• Artha: Material prosperity and providing for one's family.

• Kama: Aesthetic and physical pleasure/enjoyment.

• Moksha: The ultimate goal—liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

• The Afterlife: Central to Hinduism is Samsara, the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. A person's Karma (actions and their consequences) determines the nature of their next life. The goal is to eventually achieve Moksha, where the individual soul (Atman) realizes its unity with the ultimate reality (Brahman) and is freed from the cycle.

Practice 

Hindu practice is diverse, ranging from quiet meditation to elaborate community festivals.

• Puja (Worship): This is the central act of Hindu devotion. It involves making offerings (such as fruit, flowers, or incense) to a deity's image or statue (Murti). Puja can be performed at a home shrine or in a temple (Mandir).

• Yoga and Meditation: These are spiritual disciplines intended to unify the body, mind, and spirit. While popular as exercise globally, in Hinduism, they are paths toward self-realization and connection with the divine.

• Pilgrimage (Yatra): Hindus often travel to sacred sites, such as the city of Varanasi or the Ganges River, which is believed to wash away sins and facilitate a better rebirth.

• Festivals: Major celebrations like Diwali (the Festival of Lights) and Holi (the Festival of Colors) bring communities together to celebrate the victory of good over evil and the changing seasons.

Major Deities

While Hinduism recognizes one Supreme Reality (Brahman), that reality is expressed through millions of deities. Most Hindus focus their devotion on a few primary figures.

• The Trimurti (The Triple Form):

• Brahma: The Creator of the universe.

• Vishnu: The Preserver, often depicted with blue skin and four arms, who descends to earth in various incarnations (avatars), such as Rama or Krishna, to restore balance.

• Shiva: The Destroyer and Transformer, associated with meditation, yoga, and the dance of creation and destruction.

• The Tridevi (The Great Goddesses):

• Saraswati: Goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts (consort of Brahma).

• Lakshmi: Goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity (consort of Vishnu).

• Parvati (or Durga/Kali): The Divine Mother and goddess of power and devotion (consort of Shiva).

• Ganesha: The elephant-headed god of beginnings and the "Remover of Obstacles." He is almost always the first deity invoked at the start of any ritual or new venture.

• Hanuman: The monkey-headed god who symbolizes strength, devotion, and selfless service. He is a central figure in the epic Ramayana.

Additional Reading

Complete Rig Veda in English (Sakala Shakha)

The Upanishads by Swami Paramananda

The Ramayana and The Mahabharata