Matters of life and death

• There are planets, solar systems and galaxies. If one speaks of them, there is no limit, no end. There are worlds upon worlds of His Creation. As He commands, so they exist. He watches over all, and contemplating the creation, He rejoices.
• The current observable universe is about 93 billion light years in diameter. Light travels at a speed of 186,000 miles per second, 671 million miles an hour or about 6 trillion miles a year. If our sun was the size of a one-pence piece, the nearest star, Alpha Centauri, would be about 350 miles away. On this scale, our Milky Way galaxy would be 7.5 million miles across. Astronomers tell us that there are millions of galaxies so the universe is enormous and, according to scientists, still expanding.
• Waheguru (God)


  Sikh belief that the universe and everything in it was made by Waheguru (God)
• Before Waheguru's creation, he was all that existed. There was no earth, sky, sun or life. Guru Nanak said there was chaos and darkness for a very long time.
• Creation of the universe

  1. Waheguru spoke and his word created everything

  2. Waheguru willed the whole of creation into existence in an infinitesimal moment
• The whole of creation belongs to God, who is in charge of all life. Without God's will (hukam) nothing can exist, change or develop.
• The time when this occurred remains a mystery that only God knows the answer to.
• Big Bang


  A massive expansion of space which set in motion the creation of the universe
• The Big Bang theory suggests that around 13.8 billion years ago there was a massive expansion of space. All the material that forms the universe suddenly expanded, flinging everything into space. The universe kept expanding and as the matter cooled, the stars and galaxies were formed.
• Background microwave radiation consistent with a large expansion has been detected by scientists, but there are still many unanswered questions, for example why the universe appears to be gathering speed in its expansion rather than slowing down.
• Many scientists believe that most of the universe is made up of dark matter that cannot be seen and its effects are not yet fully understood.
• Sikhism


  Does not find itself in conflict with the Big Bang theory, because the theory attempts to explain how things happened rather than why
• Sikhs believe that all that has happened is due to God's will. The Guru Granth Sahib supports the idea of an expanding universe.
• Sikhs believe that the current universe is not permanent and there is a continuous cycle of creation and destruction of the universe.
• Creation and destruction happen through the Word of the Shabad [God]. Through the Shabad, creation happens again.
• As far as we know, the Earth is unique in the universe, so it is priceless. It is impossible to say how valuable it is because the Earth supports all life as we know it.
• Conditions in the world have allowed the rich variety of flora and fauna to develop and flourish. The world contains gold, diamonds and many other valuable minerals but the real value is seen in the abundant life forms, including the human life that it supports.
• Humans have a responsibility to care for the world because if it is ruined and destroyed, there are no known alternatives where we could all live.
• Sikhs believe that God created the world as a place where every type of plant and animal could live, so that all life could have the chance to reach mukti (liberation from the cycle of birth and death, reincarnation).
• There is a divine spark in each living thing that is part of God and this spark or soul is taken back to join God when finally released from the cycle of rebirth. So nature and human life should be treated with respect, because both are equally important.
• Stewardship


  The idea that believers have a duty to look after the environment on behalf of God
• Sikhism differs from Christianity, in which it is perceived that humans have dominion over nature and are seen as superior. However, like Christianity, Sikhs believe that humans have been given the task of stewardship and the responsibility for living in harmony with the environment and all of God's creation.
• Awe and wonder


  Feelings of respect, mixed with fear and marvel at the complexity and beauty of something
• The beauty of living creatures or a glimpse of an incredible landscape may trigger emotions that make people gasp in awe and wonder that such remarkable things exist.
• Sikhs believe that all the incredible variety of nature reflects God, because nature is part of God. Humans have a responsibility to preserve and care for it.
• Guru Nanak describes the feeling of awe and wonder that humans may experience in the Guru Granth Sahib.
• Sikhs are very concerned that human exploitation of nature is leading towards an environmental crisis. Natural resources are being used up at an ever increasing rate.
• Deforestation is occurring as people respond to the worldwide demand for wood by cutting down trees for furniture and other uses. Huge areas are also cleared for farming, building houses and roads. This human activity is one of the major contributors to climate change and it is estimated that as much as 15 per cent of all greenhouse gases are the result of deforestation.
• Sikhs seek to live in harmony with nature, attempt to avoid waste and promote sustainable development.
• Sikhism stresses the importance of mastering the five evils: Lust, Anger, Worldly or Materialistic Attachment, Pride and Greed. Living simply in harmony with nature avoids abusing the world's resources.
• The Guru Granth Sahib refers to the Earth as the mother that should be treated with respect and, therefore, not exploited. Care should be taken to ensure that no damage occurs to the environment while going about a person's daily life.
• Trees are regarded as special and some species are named as sacred. The Guru Granth Sahib says that air, water, earth and sky are God's home and temple; so are sacred places that need to be looked after.
• Sikhism teaches that the natural environment and the survival of all life forms are closely linked in the rhythm of nature. The history of the Gurus is full of stories of their love and special relationship with the natural environment, with animals, birds, vegetation, earth, rivers, mountains and the sky.
• Forests are disappearing at an alarming rate
• Not only is the environment suffering from human abuse of natural resources, but modern lifestyles are causing contamination of the atmosphere, land and water
• Gas emissions from industry, fires, homes and vehicles pollute the air and cause acid rain
• Industrial waste, rubbish, oil and the use of pesticides contaminate the land, streams
• The God-conscious being delights in doing good to others: 'Guru Granth Sahib 273'
• Air, water, earth and sky- the Lord has made these His home and temple: 'Guru Granth Sahib 723'
• Sikhs are concerned about the use of mineral resources