Studies in Buddhism and Sikhism

There are parallels between Buddhism and Sikhism, manifesting in more than one form. These parallels provide a base to an invigorating trend of reviewing Sikhism in the background of the Buddhist heritage. Consequently, it initiates a search of roots of Sikhism in Buddhism, simultaneously, discontinuing age-old trend of restructuring Sikhism in the pattern of Hinduism. This new trend, in a way, reflects that psyche of the Sikhs which feels concerned as regard to the 'fraternal embrace' of Hinduism. This book is, partly, an attempt to identify the new trend.

Born in 1937 at Dhamial, District Rawal Pindi, now in Pakistan. Migrated to Delhi in 1947 after the Partition.

Pursued interdisciplinary studies in a regular way. Passed M. A. in Panjabi Language and Literature (1961); LL. B. (1978); M. A. in Philosophy (1980); all from University of Delhi. Awarded Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Buddhist Studies by the University of Delhi in 1983. Teaching Panjabi Language and Lite rapture for last two decades, At present, Head, Department of Panjabi, Dyal Singh College (Evening) University Delhi.

Buddhism and Sikhism both, at the time of their Origins, were movements of protest. Buddhism initiated a protest against its contemporary Brahminism, while, Guru Nanak the Founder-Guru of Sikhism, launched a protest, mainly, against the Brahmanical trends of his own times and was occasionally critical about Muslim practices, then prevailing. This theory of protest does explain the Origins of these two world-religions, when viewed historically at a surface level. But, when we go deeper we find that the protest itself was resultant of some Experience that transformed the psyche of their founders. In the absence of such transformation of Being/Becoming, the protest in the name of religion hardly means anything more than politics that has to operate within the power-structure, in a given set of circumstances.

**Contents and Sample Pages**