By Promod Puri Churches, temples, mosques, or Gurdwaras may not be much congregated these days due to the Coronavirus epidemic worldwide. This emptiness at the places of prayers is either due to imposed restrictions or people just avoiding venues of large gatherings. The business of religion, like any other business, is down. But this business … Continue reading Where Is God In The Midst Of Coronavirus

By Promod Puri Churches, temples, mosques, or Gurdwaras may not be much congregated these days due to the Coronavirus epidemic worldwide. This emptiness at the places of prayers is either due to imposed restrictions or people just avoiding venues of large gatherings. The business of religion, like any other business, is down. But this business … Continue reading WHERE IS GOD THESE DAYS?

By Promod Puri Whereas rituals, customs, and traditions furnish symbolic and distinctive identity to religion, the pathways to the divinity which are paved with morals and ethics, are often debased by its despicable ceremonial rites and practices. It is in this context that the contemporary and progressive political ideologies disdain religion. Its nature is customarily … Continue reading RELIGION HAS GUIDING ROLE IN POLITICS

Pakistani Islamists march to protest the Supreme Court lenient treatment of Asia Bibi, a Christian Pakistani woman accused of blasphemy, in Karachi, Feb. 1, 2019. ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images By Ahmet T. Kuru, San Diego State University Junaid Hafeez, a university lecturer in Pakistan, had been imprisoned for six years when he was sentenced … Continue reading Blasphemy And Apostasy In Islam Are More Political Than Religious

By Promod Puri “Satnam Waheguru,” two simple words of profound spiritual significance. A companion in solitude, Satnam Waheguru, where the universal truth of His wonders is accepted with utmost reverence. And that adoration becomes a prayer, Satnam Waheguru, Satnam Waheguru…. ‘Sat’ stands for Truth, ‘Nam’ identifies that Truth. ‘Wahe’ is a feel of ‘wow’ moment, … Continue reading Satnam Waheguru: Both A Prayer And Mantra

In the spirit of exchanging New Year greetings, we wish peace and happiness for all humanity. Human beings, animals, plants, mountains, rivers, seas and everything visible and non-visible in this shared universe are all inter-connected and inter-dependent to each other. We seek peace and peaceful existence for all. Peace in all the cosmic environments influences … Continue reading A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL 2020

By Promod Puri In Hindu and Sikh religious activities, Satsang is a popular religious tradition. It is group participation that involves listening or reading of scriptures, discussion on spiritual and theological topics, and singing of hymns. Some activities also include brief sessions of meditation. Satsang can be a daily, weekly, or monthly get together. It … Continue reading Understanding Satsang And Its Virtues

By Promod Puri When Guru Nanak Dev, in his myriad spiritual experiences, saw the frame of cosmos beauty, he expressed his gratitude to the Almighty in creating such a splendor. The lines he wrote at that moment were his reverent commendation of Nature’s arrangements in the universality of its presentation. His few words of appreciation … Continue reading Universal Appeal of Guru Nanak’s Aarti

Neither Hinduism is enriched, nor Islam is poor with the Supreme Court verdict over Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi case. Though the fundamentals of religions are often buried in the foundations of temples and mosques, in their spirituality, none of them reside in the bricks and plaster monuments. The 16the century Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, … Continue reading What Next After Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi Verdict

People participate in a candlelight vigil near the White House to protest violence against Sikhs in 2012. AP Photo/Susan Walsh by Simran Jeet Singh, New York University An elderly Sikh gentleman in Northern California, 64-year-old Parmjit Singh, was recently stabbed to death while taking a walk in the evening. Authorities are still investigating the killer’s … Continue reading Why Sikhs wear a turban and what it means to practice the faith

Human beings are "the most beautiful, intelligent and favorite creation of God." Perhaps cats, dogs, donkeys, etc., and that bird in the sky think the same. Who knows! And for that matter plants and flowers have the same pride. Who knows! Perhaps, He knows, maybe not. -Promod Puri

Essentially, religion is a code of conduct for a civil society. It all started from here. With society’s progression, the code of conduct also evolved resulting in its expansion and formalization. As civilization started taking roots management of the society began. Origin of religion can be traced as part of human evolution. Ancient religious orders … Continue reading ORIGIN OF RELIGION

NANAK DUKHIYA SABB SANSAR SO SUKHIYA JIS NAAM ADHAAR (Loosely translated: Nanak says life for everybody is suffering, blissful is the one who has based his/her life on Him) That is the universal truth. Agony, misery, pain, suffering, both physical and emotional, and in all degrees of intensity are the realities of life experienced by … Continue reading NANAK DUKHIYA SABB SANSAR SO SUKHIYA JIS NAAM ADHAAR

By Promod Puri For contemporary society as well as in the conduct of our personal lives, one of the most relevant messages of Guru Nanak Devji is: Hukam Razai Chalna, Nanak likhyea naal. In its simple interpretation, Nanak says, it is inevitably written that we conduct ourselves according to the will of God.  Hukam means order or … Continue reading Hukam Razai Chalna, Nanak likhyea naal.

By Promod Puri It is hailed as a “Corridor of Peace” between India and Pakistan. The Kartarpur Corridor is a long-awaited and welcome historical development for Sikhs worldwide. The much-desired Corridor connects the border town of Dera Baba Nanak from the Indian side and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. The 4.7 kilometers border corridor is … Continue reading Kartarpur Corridor Reflects Teachings Of Guru Nanak:

Perhaps the most relevant message of Guru Nanak Dev is Hukam Razai Chalna, Nanak likhyea naal. In its simple meaning, as usual, addressing himself, Nanak says: it is inevitably written that we conduct ourselves according to the will of God. Hukam means order or command, razai means acceptance, chalna means to walk, and likhyea naal meaning inevitably written down. To follow (razai) … Continue reading Hukam Razai Chalna, Nanak Likhyea Naal

By Promod Puri When atheists reject the concept or existence of God, their conclusion is based on limited perception. The reason, we human beings are like a speck of creature in this colossal universe incapable of fathoming its enormity. Their case does not win credibility either by just ridiculing those who believe in God. And … Continue reading Beyond The Confines Of Atheism And Theism

Unlike some other religious orders, Hinduism does not have a centralized controlling authority to guide or to safeguard its values. Without any governing body, Hinduism over the centuries developed the “parmpara”(tradition) of establishing the institution of independent gurus, ‘swamis’ and ‘babas.’ However, looking at the disgraceful conduct of many of these so-called god’s men and … Continue reading CONTROLLING FAKE HINDU GURUS

Awake India, awake to his vision. Leave those caste barriers, acquire knowledge, be strong in body and be a Khalsa in spirit. Your religion doesn't matter. Khalsa is a state of mind, not just a religion. by Frank Hazur While Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi across India; rest of India wonders if it is about doing the … Continue reading WHY INDIA MUST KNOW ABOUT VAISAKHI….

By Promod Puri What is the difference between you, me and a spoon, a table, a stone, or any object or a thing? Both are physical matters. But we have consciousness others don’t. Or maybe they have it which we don’t sense. That is what distinguishes you and me, and the “non-consciousness” objects. How is … Continue reading Besides Humans Everything Else Has Consciousness Too

The personified God is worshipped as the centralized controlling authority influencing every moment of our lives. Moreover, the symbolic undertaking of God creates the fear factor that He is a punishing Being if not believed in His existence. This fear is one reason for His adoration and ceremonial development. One can experience His eternal spirit … Continue reading God’s Contemplation in Rational & Practical Environments

Rituals, customs, and traditions provide bulk and mostly false identity to a religion. If these are detached from all the religions, then we can see fundamentals of moral and righteous teachings are the same in each of them. Pathways to divinity are infused with words of morality and ethics, principles, and noble deeds. Many meaningless … Continue reading Seeking Evolution In Religions

A sister tying the protective thread. Vikram Verma, CC BY-NDMathew Schmalz, College of the Holy Cross This year, Monday, August 7 marks one of the most important celebrations for Hindus throughout the world: Rakshabandhan, a ceremony honoring the bond between sisters and brothers. The date of Rakshabandan varies from year to year since Hindus follow … Continue reading Rakshabandan’ – the festival that celebrates the brother-sister bond

By Promod Puri Whereas rituals, customs and traditions furnish symbolic and distinctive identity to a religion, the pathways to divinity which are paved with morals and ethics, are often debased by its despicable ceremonial rites and practices. It is in this context that the contemporary and progressive political ideologies disdain religion. Its nature is customarily … Continue reading RELIGION HAS GUIDING ROLE IN POLITICS

A universal truth Agony, misery, pains or sufferings, both physical and emotional, and in all degrees of intensity, are the realities of life. These are the experiences faced by all without exception. Life means jitters of distress, grief and worries going along with moments of peace and pleasures. Stresses and strains in our lives for … Continue reading “NANAK DUKHIYA SABB SANSAR SO SUKHIYA JIS NAAM ADHAAR”

One of the spiritual gems of Guru Nanak Devji, which portrays the essence of all religions: "Koi bole ram ram; koi khudae...." Here is the English translation of shabad: Some call the Lord ‘Ram, Ram’, and some ‘Khuda’. Some serve Him as ‘Gusain’, others as ‘Allah’. He is the Cause of causes, and Generous. He … Continue reading “Koi bole ram ram; koi khudae….