For every person on this Earth, work is a moral duty and commitment. We are seldom aware that our comfortable living depends upon the work of several thousands of people.
We should not forget that work is our life-long companion, as well as our greatest teacher. Honest work for a good cause is the real ‘antidote to grief’. One who is involved in the selfless service of the others does not suffer from grief to that degree as a person would suffer who is not busy is any such selfless noble job.
Sikhism teaches that a Sikh should have an occupation. He must work to earn his livelihood and should not be a burden on the society. Besides earning his bread he should make himself busy in a beneficial way to the community. By doing so the disciple then realises that the real good lies in doing service to others.
“By shredding the ego, man emerges in God.”
(Guru Nanak Dev Ji)
Wand Chhakna (sharing or generosity) is also a complimentary virtue. Wand Chhakna means the sharing of the fruits of Kirat with others. It is sharing of bread, of joy, of love and attainment of God-realisation. In fact, it is a means of becoming a part of the whole humanity. Wand Chhakna encourages Sikhs to live by a principle of generosity, even self-sacrifice. Guru Amar Das, the third Guru, introduced the idea of daswandh (a tithe: giving a tenth of your surplus wealth to help others in the community). But it was Guru Arjan Dev Ji who extended the system of contributing something for the common good. He made it compulsory for his Sikhs to abide by the institution of daswandh. Any donations made through daswandh are used for such things as buildings things as building schools or hospitals, or for the famine of other disaster relief. It is a matter for the individual’s conscience to determine the level of their giving, using the daswandh principle as a guide. There are similar practices in other religions.
Seva (service) has a special significance in Sikhism. Service to others makes true Sikh as well as remembering the name of God. The following extracts emphasise this point:
“True worship consists in the meditation of Gods name.”
(Guru Granth Sahib)
“There can be no worship without performing good deeds”
(Guru Granth Sahib)
Seva means undertaking manual jobs for the good of others. It is treated a virtuous act. The Gurus themselves to perform seva. Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught that:
“A place in God’s court can only be attained by doing seva to others in this world”
(Guru Nanak Dev Ji)
Not all manual work is seva. Seva should be active help rendered to others with a sense of devotion and humility, as well being voluntary and not done at anybody’s asking. You also shouldn’t expect any reward, and if you do you are not following the Sikh way of life.
Seva is important because it unites humanity, by creating feelings of love for others, and it makes us better human beings by destroying the haumai. Kara seva is special types of seva don’t for the construction of public gurdwaras.
Sikhism also teaches the fact that poor and the rich are equal. The rich should not be treated superiors to the poor. Seva is also an important part of the religion as it involved the undertaking of manual jobs, voluntarily, for the good of others. Kirat Karna (honest work) is also a significant part of Sikhism as it involves honestly – a hugely important part of the religion.
“A Sikh should live only on his honest earnings.”
(Rehat Maryada)
“No Sikh should gamble of commit theft.”
(Rehat Maryada)
