what are the important teachings of kabir
Answers
1. We should devote ourselves to the one all-pervading, unlimited Sat Purush or supreme Lord, and not meditate on any other beside him. This Sat Purush is known only through a true guru.
2. Sat Purush and Kabir are one; the difference is in name only. It will be difficult for those who think there is a difference to obtain salvation.
3. We should have full faith in the guru, as salvation cannot be obtained without following his teachings. Those who regard their guru as God will find that their efforts in meditation are fruitful. Meditation on the Guru and devotion to him are key to knowledge. We should serve the Guru with the body, mind, and wealth. We should not look for help from anyone except the satguru.
4. There is no way to Salvation apart from the essence of the Word (Saar Shabd)
5. The true name should be repeated.
6. We should serve Sadhus with love and devotion without making any distinction among them. Sadhus in whom the qualities of the Guru are found should not be considered different from their Guru.
7. We should have feeling of kindness towards all living creatures and consider them as our own body and soul. Since the supreme Spirit is present everywhere, we should regard pain given to any living being as equal to pain given to God.
8. We should deliberately avoid using or abstain from meat, intoxicating drinks and drugs.
9. Idolatry is mockery. No visible object in this World should be worshiped, and one should not give on pilgrimages to holy places or believe in charms, amulets and superstitions.
10. Humility and silence are great virtues. Telling lies, stealing, adultery and gambling are prohibited. Vices such as slander, envy, hypocrisy, pride and cursing are enemies of Salvation.
Baba Guru Nanak (1469-1539) was born at Talwandi (Nankana Sahib in Pakistan). He established a centre at Kartarpur (Dera Baba Nanak on the river Ravi) for regular worship that consisted of the singing of his own hymns. Irrespective of their former creed, caste or gender, his followers ate together in the common kitchen (langar). The sacred space thus created by Baba Guru Nanak was known as ‘Dharmsal’. It is now known as Gurdwara.
The number of Baba Guru Nanak’s followers increased through the sixteenth century under his successors. The changing historical situation during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries influenced the development of the Sikh movement.
The ideas of Baba Guru Nanak had a huge impact on this development from the very beginning. He emphasized the importance of the worship of one God. He insisted that caste, creed or gender was irrelevant for attaining liberation. His idea of liberation was not that of a state of inert bliss, but rather the pursuit of active life with a strong sense of social commitment. He himself used the terms ‘nam’, ‘dan’ and ‘isnan’ for the essence of his teaching, which actually meant right worship, the welfare of others and purity of conduct. His teachings are now remembered as nam-japna, kirt-karna and vandchhakna,
which also underline the importance of right belief and worship, honest living, and helping others. Thus, Baba Guru Nanak’s idea of equality had social and political implications.
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