Page 35 - EH72

FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 33

Everything has its time and place. teachers, born two thousand which have sprung up across the
years apart under very different globe throughout the history of
Your research shows that circumstances in north India. humanity, we hoped for a way
Malaysian Indians strongly This book is actually an adaption to bring together adherents of
believe that switching religions of my M.A in Buddhist Studies different spiritual traditions by
is tantamount to discarding dissertation. What begun as an focusing on commonalities in
one’s identity, the ultimate intellectual curiosity, turned into a spiritual practice rather than
betrayal of the ancestral lineage. spiritual lesson in humility, respect fixate on external differences.
As you are a Sikh, did you face and deep appreciation for religious Since Sikhism and Buddhism are
the same challenges from your plurality. My dissertation journey both religions of India, it is fit to
community, including your unveiled so many similarities in embark on this project to bridge
parents, when you decided to philosophy and practice that I was the knowledge gap between these
become a Buddhist nun? moved to expand its contents into two traditions by producing a

a book. I share some excerpts from comparative study between the
I did face the same challenge and the Preface of our book: teachings of the historical Buddha
am still facing it. It is not easy and Guru Nanak. Both teachers
to appease parents. The key to “The idea of this publication played a crucial role as social
harmony is to always respect one’s stemmed from our desire to reformers in their time and it is
birth religion (and all religions for understand the deeper message this aspect which intrigued us to
that matter!) and support family of Sikhism. The Sikh teachings, continue to pursue the similarities
events and be at ease in all houses which is beautifully enshrined in between them to understand their
of worship. There is a need to the ‘living guru’, Shri Guru Granth socio-cultural impact on the people
understand all religious traditions, Sahib has mesmerised so many, at their given time and place.
especially one’s own birth religion especially when the holy verses
and seek out the similarities are rendered musically in raag at The premise of this publication is
and appreciate the teachings. All Gurdwaras around the world. The that the teachings of Guru Nanak
religions have something beautiful hymns have the power to shift the and the Buddha have the power
to offer humanity. To me, variety consciousness to a heightened state to purify afflictions and lead to
is the spice of life. It is important of bliss and awareness. Therefore, liberation. Both teachers were
to look at the essence of a spiritual we pondered that if the sacred messengers of peace and it is in
tradition rather than be fixated verses of Shri Guru Granth Sahib this spirit that we have compiled
on external differences. Then, the have the ability to dispel conceptual in this manuscript the numerous
differences simply fizzle away. thoughts merely by listening to comparisons as our humble
the melodious renditions—kirtan, contribution to peace and harmony
Together with Venerable how much more profound it would in a conflict-ridden world. It is
Sonam Wangmo, you wrote a be when these verses are actually not our intention to superimpose
comparative study about the understood in greater depth from Buddhism on Sikhism or vice-versa.
Buddha and Guru Nanak in Two the philosophical point of view. We sincerely and earnestly request
Gurus One Message in 2019. Why Since amongst the religions of readers to open their hearts and
did you write this book, and India, Buddhism has a very strong minds to truly understand the vast
do you see similarities in the philosophical basis enhanced by the and profound similarities between
teachings of both teachers? Nalanda tradition; hence, the idea their teachings which we have
of this comparative study between discovered in our five-year study
I wrote this book precisely because Sikhism and Buddhism was born. which culminated in this book. We
I see similarities in the life, mission invite you to ‘come and see’ (Pali:
and teachings of both these noble In view of the various conflicts ehipassiko). May this publication