Sikhi and ScienceSikhi and Science

Science vs. Religion in the 21Science vs. Religion in the 21stst CenturyCentury

Widespread science eduction, spread of technologyWidespread science eduction, spread of technologyAdvances in biology, astronomy, geology, cosmology Advances in biology, astronomy, geology, cosmology – Often contradict religious scriptures, if taken literally Often contradict religious scriptures, if taken literally – Galileo – Earth moves around sun!Galileo – Earth moves around sun!– EvolutionEvolution

Organized religion leaders defend existing dogma and Organized religion leaders defend existing dogma and resist new knowledgeresist new knowledge– Vested interest in promoting blind faith in rituals and dogma to Vested interest in promoting blind faith in rituals and dogma to

maintain credibility and authoritymaintain credibility and authority

Many, particulary youth, dropping out of traditional Many, particulary youth, dropping out of traditional religionsreligions

Sikhi not in conflict with ScienceSikhi not in conflict with Science

Sikhi encourages rational reasoning and Sikhi encourages rational reasoning and common sensecommon sense

No Creation myth or Cosmology to compete with No Creation myth or Cosmology to compete with sciencescience

Miracles not essential for faithMiracles not essential for faith

No organized church or central authority to No organized church or central authority to dictate religious dogmadictate religious dogma– Individual responsibility to study Gurbani to seek Individual responsibility to study Gurbani to seek

answersanswers

Sikhi encourages rationality and Sikhi encourages rationality and common sensecommon sense

Gurus often appealed to common sense, and pointed out Gurus often appealed to common sense, and pointed out the logical inconsistancies with rituals and superstitions. the logical inconsistancies with rituals and superstitions. Guru Nanak at HaridwarGuru Nanak at Haridwar– ““If the water can reach your forefathers in the afterworld, it can If the water can reach your forefathers in the afterworld, it can

surely reach my farms in Punjab, a couple of hundred miles surely reach my farms in Punjab, a couple of hundred miles away”away”

““The Earth is said to be supported by a bull. What a load The Earth is said to be supported by a bull. What a load the bull must bear? But there are countless earths the bull must bear? But there are countless earths beyond this one – what supports them all?” (Japji)beyond this one – what supports them all?” (Japji)j[ k] buJ{ h]v{ sicAaru . Wvl{ xupir k[ta Baru .WrtI h]ru pr{ h]ru h]ru . its t[ Baru tl{ kvNu j]ru .

Guru Nanak and Duni ChandGuru Nanak and Duni Chand– ““keep this needle with you, and give it to me in the next world”keep this needle with you, and give it to me in the next world”

Rationality and Common SenseRationality and Common SenseSootak in Asa-di-vaarSootak in Asa-di-vaarKaNa pINa pivtRu h{ iwt]nu irjku s;baih .nank ijn\I gurmuiK buiJAa itn\a sUtku naih .3.

pihla paNI jIxu h{ ijtu hirAa sBu k]ie .sUtku ikxu kir rKIA{ sUtku pv{ rs]ie .

Guru encourages use of budhi, vichaar, vivekGuru encourages use of budhi, vichaar, vivek– gurmuiK igAanu ibb[k buiW h]ie .– nwir kr[ ta sitguru m[l[ Aniwnu ibb[k buiW ibcr{ .– mn ic;iwAa Plu paiesI A;tir ibb[k bIcaru .

References to astrologyReferences to astrology– Sceptical - used by Brahmin’s for personal gainSceptical - used by Brahmin’s for personal gain

Don’t believe in auspicious/inauspicious datesDon’t believe in auspicious/inauspicious dates

sgun Apsgun its kxu lgih ijsu cIit n Aav{ .Good omens and bad omens affect those who do not keep the Lord in the mind.–

FaithFaith

A deep faith in the Guru and His teachings is A deep faith in the Guru and His teachings is essential for a Sikhessential for a SikhBut blind faith and irrationality is actually a But blind faith and irrationality is actually a hindrance hindrance Much in Gurbani cannot be proved or disproved Much in Gurbani cannot be proved or disproved by scienceby scienceGurbani is about deeper truths, “akath katha” Gurbani is about deeper truths, “akath katha” which cannot be described in human terms. which cannot be described in human terms. Uses metaphors and illustrationsUses metaphors and illustrationsLook for deeper meaning, do not take literallyLook for deeper meaning, do not take literally

MiraclesMiracles

Guru’s did not “perform” miracles as part of their Guru’s did not “perform” miracles as part of their prchaar missionprchaar mission– ““Hukam rajaai chalnaa” - live in harmony with God’s Hukam rajaai chalnaa” - live in harmony with God’s

WillWill

Many miracles in stories about GurusMany miracles in stories about Gurus– Punja SahibPunja Sahib– Others?Others?

Miracles happen around those in tune with Miracles happen around those in tune with WaheguruWaheguruSGGS describes couple of miracles SGGS describes couple of miracles experienced by Kabir and Naamdevexperienced by Kabir and Naamdev

MiraclesMiracles

Belief in miracles is not an essential part of Sikhi Belief in miracles is not an essential part of Sikhi (such as Resurrection of Jesus for Christians, (such as Resurrection of Jesus for Christians, etc.)etc.)What is a miracle? A violation of natural laws What is a miracle? A violation of natural laws  that we are familiar with. that we are familiar with.Nature is full of wonderful miracles - birth, Nature is full of wonderful miracles - birth, evolution, human emotions like love, evolution, human emotions like love, consciousness, ...consciousness, ...Why should we need miracles (violations of Why should we need miracles (violations of natural laws) to believe in a Higher Power? natural laws) to believe in a Higher Power?

See God’s Glory in ScienceSee God’s Glory in Science

Scientific discoveries are reflections of God’s Scientific discoveries are reflections of God’s  Glory GloryGurbani uses nature to talk of Gods’s gloryGurbani uses nature to talk of Gods’s gloryKirtan sohila - nature is constantly glorifying Kirtan sohila - nature is constantly glorifying (doing aarti to) God(doing aarti to) GodGuru’s love of natureGuru’s love of nature  krt[ kuwrtI mustaku .

O Creator, through Your Kudrat, the Creative Power of the Universe, I am in love with You.

     

Scientific Insights by GurusScientific Insights by Gurus

Countless earths, suns, moonsCountless earths, suns, moons Countless universes (kot brahmand ko thakur Countless universes (kot brahmand ko thakur swami)swami)(ref: The Hidden Reality by Brian Greene)(ref: The Hidden Reality by Brian Greene)

Big bang? - kita pasaau eko kavaoBig bang? - kita pasaau eko kavao  From nothingness to universe (quantum theory - From nothingness to universe (quantum theory - space is quantum foam)space is quantum foam)(ref: Nothing: A short Introduction by Frank Close)(ref: Nothing: A short Introduction by Frank Close)

Water is source of life (asa di vaar - sootak)Water is source of life (asa di vaar - sootak) Injunction against tobacco?Injunction against tobacco?Others?Others?

Gurbani references in conflict with Gurbani references in conflict with current sciencecurrent science

Many references to then current beliefs, which contradict Many references to then current beliefs, which contradict current scientifc knowledgecurrent scientifc knowledgeUsed as illustrations to communicate an idea, not to be Used as illustrations to communicate an idea, not to be taken literally. taken literally. – 5 elements (everything is made up of common building blocks)5 elements (everything is made up of common building blocks)– 4 sources of creation - andaj, jeraj... (myriad kinds of living 4 sources of creation - andaj, jeraj... (myriad kinds of living

beings)beings)– transmutation of iron to gold by paaras (Sangat of Guru/Sant transmutation of iron to gold by paaras (Sangat of Guru/Sant

transforms Manmukh to Gurmukh)transforms Manmukh to Gurmukh)– Swans live on a diet of pearls and diamonds (Sants only absorb Swans live on a diet of pearls and diamonds (Sants only absorb

virtues and stay away from sin)virtues and stay away from sin)

ConclusionConclusion

Sikhi does not require belief in miraculous Sikhi does not require belief in miraculous phenomena, irrational dogma or phenomena, irrational dogma or superstitionsuperstitionYou can believe in science and rationality, You can believe in science and rationality, and at the same time be a devout Sikhand at the same time be a devout SikhLook to Gurbani for spiritual guidance, and Look to Gurbani for spiritual guidance, and to science for understanding natureto science for understanding nature