Gems of Gurbani

Art of living – 7

Tolerance – Sehansheelta.

There are several levels of understanding tolerance namely personal, communal or religious, economical and political. For world peace all levels of understanding and practicing tolerance are required. This is possible if tolerance at individual level is understood, ingrained as part of your nature and practiced to enhance your own image in the society. There have been great upheavals in the history of mankind to overpower others for the economic benefits and impose religions or faith by force. An overdose of tolerance was practiced by certain societies or they were reduced to the status of downtrodden by their own people and made to believe that tolerance is their only fate. The zealous believers of Islam still think that if the whole world is converted to Islam they can safeguard their place in heaven so is the case with Christian missionaries and a constant effort by them to convert others continues. This results in hatred and a collective effort by intolerant people keeps disturbing peace in the world. Powerful nations have been always exploiting poorer nations and on top of it they have been being intolerant in their behaviour towards the natives because they were ingrained that they are superior and others must tolerate them. Therefore it is though necessary to ingrain tolerance but not blindly. Why not blindly because that may cause tendencies to bear tyranny, religious imposition, political and economical dominations by the powerful and that gives rise to ignorance and cowardice. With tolerance other faculties of human nature needs to be sharpened. For the development of all round human and civilized character Gurbani gives us lot of guidance and tolerance is one of them. In this chapter we shall see what gurus and their contemporaries have to tell us because tolerance is an important feature for world peace. Tolerance is one of the characteristic of civilized behavior and the basis for world peace.

Shaikh Farid’s verse on page 1378 of Guru  Granth Sahib says:

Farida jo tai maran mukiyan tina na mare ghumm II

Apnade ghar jayiye pair tina de chumm II

Shaikh Farid was victim of religious intolerance because he believed in equality and one Supreme Lord for everyone. Mostly intolerance is shown in the matters of religion. Though the basis of all religions is on good values but people with half baked knowledge indulge in intolerant behavior and mass hysteria is created by the vested interests and they cultivate intolerance for their sinister plans. The founders of every religion had welfare of humanity on their mind but intolerance raises the point of conflict. Guru Amardasji reflected this in one of his verse that man should widen his horizon and view for the world peace. He says: “O Lord, the world is on fire. Showering thy benediction save it Thou. Through whichever way it can be delivered, deliver it that wise.” Jagat Jalanda……GG page 853, Waar Bilawal mahala 3

People who develop love and caring for humanity irrespective of caste and creed are above selfishness. When you come above selfishness you automatically develop tolerance. Sikh Gurus have lived by example for this value of tolerance and to develop this value amongst their followers. They instituted langar system where food was cooked and served irrespective of caste and standing in the society. This was to show to high caste Hindus to tolerate their low caste and poor brethren so that they know the value of equality. Sikh gurus were tortured to martyrdom by Mogul but they never ever showed hatred for Islam or preached against it. At the same time they never tolerated oppression by state or religious heads and spoke vehemently against it. Guru Nanak says: “another’s right is swine for him( Muslim) and cow for him(Hindu) but the Guru or prophet will stand surety if man does not eat carrion. GG page 141 hakk paraya nanaka…….    By carrion he means the flesh and blood of people with dormant spirits. When tyranny and oppression exceeds their limits it is necessary to fight them and this also is a service to humanity. The difference between what to tolerate and what not has to be clearly understood. Guru Nanak in one of his verse on page 140 says:”if clothes get stained with blood the garment gets polluted. Those who suck the blood of others how can their mind be pure.”