Oftentimes, we as a Sangat, argue over, or even lack in our understanding of reincarnation in Sikhi. The only way to get a better understanding of seldom discussed topics like these is to have discourse about them and take a look from multiple perspectives. Let's delve deeper into this. The literal definition of reincarnation is the belief that the non-physical essence of a living being starts a new life in a different physical form or body after biological death.
Sikhi believes in the oneness paradigm, meaning that everything is one in the same and that the one interference that causes us to separate from that reality is our mind - we are thinking at a different frequency than the rest of the universe. If we look at Gurbani from a zoomed out lense, we can see that most of Guru’s shabad (words) mainly talk about the present life, and what we can achieve now; the Gurus stressed that we should not live life in a negative matter just because we think we will be able to get it right in the next life. If unification and peace is not obtained in this life, how is it possible that in the next life we will be any better?
ਲਖ ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਭ੍ਰਮਤੇ ਭ੍ਰਮਤੇ ਦੁਲਭ ਜਨਮੁ ਅਬ ਪਾਇਓ || (Panna 1017)
Lakh (100000) Chouraasee (84) Bhramthae (Wandering) Bhramthae (Wandering) Dulab (Precious) Janam (Life) Ab (Now) Paeo (Put)
Based on the prior actions (karam) and according to Waheguru’s judgement and will (lekha), a soul may be transcending through the 8.4 million different species. When a chance is given to take birth in a human life form, it is the most precious joni (lifeform). In this present lifeform (joon), we have been given the precious human body by Waheguru and our purpose -as humans- has been laid out by Guru Arjan Dev Ji (below).
ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ।। (Panna 12)
Gobind (Waheguru) Milan (Meet) Kee (Is) Eh (This) Tharee (Your) Bareea (Opportunity)
Guru ji reminds us that this is our crucial chance to unite with Waheguru in this life. Guru Ji then tells us that we must join the Sadh Sangat, and that we must vibrate and meditate on the jewel, which is naam.
ਰੈਣਿ ਗਵਾਈ ਸੋਇ ਕੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਖਾਇ || (Panna 157)
Rain (Night) Gavaaee (Wasted) Soe (Sleeping) Kai Divas (Day) Gavaaeaa (Wasted) Khaae (Eating)
ਹੀਰੇ ਜੈਸਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਹੈ ਕਓੁਡੀ ਬਦਲੇ ਜਾਇ ||
Hare (Diamond) Jaisaa (Like) Janam (Life) Hai (Is) Kouddee (Shell) Badale (Exchange) Jaaee (Gone)
In the above lines Guru Ji cautions us that most of us are wasting our life by sleeping without His remembrance throughout the night and spending the eating wasteful food without His remembrance. Instead, we should be grateful to have this precious (like a diamond) janam (life). How do we end up living in this life? We are ignorant of the Naam of Waheguru. Guru Nanak Dev Ji reminds us that we will regret these ignorant actions drenched in Maya. He tells us that our human life is such a precious blessing, but it is being lost in the exchange for a mere useless shell (our body).
ਹਰਿ ਦਿਨ ਰੈਨਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਗਾਈਆ ||
Har (Every) Din (Day) Rain (Night) Keertan (Praises) Gaieaa (Sing)
ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਜੋਨੀ ਪਾਈਐ ||
Bahurr (Again) Na (Not) Jonee (Lifeform) Paeeaai (Obtain)
The above line provides the mechanism of being in awareness of Waheguru throughout the day and night and singing his praises which will ultimately help avoid having to take another life form again. Guru Arjan Dev Ji tells us (above) that the only way to end the cycle of death and rebirth is to mindfully sing Waheguru’s praises day and night. Not only singing them but making sure we act on them and implement them in our daily lives which will eventually help us find peace and become liberated from the cycle of reincarnation.
SUMMARY:
Gurbani, through its many verses, affirms the concept of reincarnation. It suggests that based on the actions (karams) performed during our lifetime determine the judgement or blessing made by Waheguru during or at the time of death, determining our destination of either taking birth in another life form as Waheguru will, or being blessed by uniting with Waheguru forever, exiting the lifecycle of birth and death.
Bhul Chuk Maaf
-Avneet Singh, 18, PA