The Sikh Religion, Volume 1
Introduction

No religious teacher has succeeded in logically dissociating theism from pantheism. In some passages of the Guru's writings pantheism is, as we have seen, distinctly implied, while in other texts matter is made distinct from the Creator, but an emanation from Him. Although anthropomorphic theism is a religion, while pantheism is a philosophy, and anthropomorphic theism is generally held orthodox and pantheism heterodox, yet, on account of the difficulty of describing the Omnipresent and Illimitable in suitable human language, both religion and philosophy are inextricably

[1. Compare; {Greek ?Anðrw'pou ge psyxh', ei?'per ti kai` a?'llo tw^n a?nðrwpi'nwn, tou^ ðei'ou me'texei}, Xenoph. Memor.; 'Humanus autem animus decerptus ex divina mente cum alio nullo nisi cum ipso Deo, si hoc est fas dictu, comparari potest,' Cicero, Tusc. Disp.

2. Compare also the expressions attributed to Christ in the Gospel according to St. John, 'I and My Father are One,' 'I am in the Father and the Father in Me,' and again, 'I am in My Father, and ye in Me and I in you.']

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blended by sacred as well as profane writers. Let us take a few examples:--

Doth not the Lord fill heaven and earth?--JEREMIAH.

God in whom we live, and move, and have our being.--ST. PAUL.

Spiritus intus alit totanique infusa per artus

Mens agitat molem, et magno se corpore miscet.--VIRGIL.

Estne Dei sedes nisi terra, et pontus, et aer,

Et caelum et virtus? Superos quid quaerimus ultra?

Iupiter est quodcunque vides, quocunque moveris.--LUCAN.

All in all and all in every part.--COWLEY.

Lives through all life, extends through all extent.

Spreads undivided, operates unspent.--POPE.

Deum rerum omnium causam immanentem, non vero transeuntem statuo.--SPINOZA.

Se Dio veder tu vuoi,

Guardalo in ogni oggetto;

Cercalo nel tuo petto;

Lo troverai in te!--METASTASIO.

An indefinite number of such examples might be cited.

CHAPTER V

In the hymns of the Gurus, Nirvan, or absorption in God, is proposed as the supreme object of human attainment; but a paradise called Sach Khand is also promised to the blest. There they recognize one another and enjoy everlasting beatitude. Several learned Sikhs, however, maintain that Nirvan and Sach Khand are practically the same.

Contrary to the practice of the ancient Indian ascetics, the Gurus held that man might obtain eternal happiness without forsaking his ordinary worldly duties. Reunion with the Absolute should be the supreme object of all Sikh devotion and aspirations.

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My soul, seek shelter in God's holy name;

Pondering on this should'st thou all thought employ.

No more thou'lt grieve, hemmed in by mortal frame,

But gain in God Nirvana's final joy.