Out of the darkness and into the light...

Sikhism Views of the Afterlife

In Sikhi, life is not a curse, it is a blessing, an opportunity. Questions of afterlife would have to address heaven, hell, really the concept of life itself. First of all, as understood by prior religions (and since) there is no heaven and hell in Sikhi. As in, there is nowhere to go or be forced to go. There is also no such thing as a yearning for salvation, as understood by Indic and or Semitic faiths. Guru yearned for the Nam (the Name); for service of the Nam and to be imbued with the Love always. Living thus, the Guru said, is the way of the Jivan Mukt (Liberated in Life), therefore, there is no waiting to die or for a Day of Judgment, liberation is not bound by time or death.

Reincarnation (Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Yogis etc.) and the Day of Judgment (Semitic), are incompatible and in essence irrelevant to Sikhi.

The Sikh outlook of life is different than that of Indic or Semitic faiths. It does not use fear and/or rigid beliefs to goad its followers towards liberation. The Sikh Way is one of ceaseless action and love and if people are to be liberated they will be liberated now, not later--certainly not after death. In Sikhi, liberation is not a boon because life is not a curse, but a gift. The focus, therefore, is not on liberation or salvation, but on life, now. The goal of life is to be god-like and to live the attributes of God, to be in service to God--which is in service to creation and to be immersed in remembrance of God.

Most Sikhs believe in reincarnation, not because it is a doctrinal precept, but largely due to the influence of the majority community (Hindu) in South Asia, where most Sikhs reside. There is also a sustained political attempt to undermine the Sikh Way and these confusions are symptomatic of that.

Sikhs when they die are generally cremated and mourners come to the Gurudwara and offer prayers. A Saptah (seven day recitation) or Dusehra (ten day recitation) of the Granth is started at the deceased's house. On the last day the 'Sadd Ramkali' is read which tells of the third Guru's death and the transitory nature of life and the acceptance of God's will. The period of mourning normally lasts for 10 days. No memorials are erected and it is forbidden to commemorate anniversaries of the death. The ashes are scattered on a river or in the sea.

World-Class Religions and their views:

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