The Sikh Gurus comprise a unique lineage of ten successive spiritual masters who passed on their teachings through a large body of poetic compositions of surpassing beauty and directness that are designed to be sung or recited. These teachings (or gurmat) are now enshrined in the two key scriptures of the Sikh tradition: the Guru Granth Sahib and the Dasam Granth, both recognized masterpieces of Indian literature. This course will examine the mystical and philosophical aspects of these teachings and their relation to contemporary practice. At the heart of this course is the following question: how can we interpret these teachings today in a foreign language such as English, and make them relevant to today’s complex world. Specifically we shall be looking at some of the critical terms used by the Sikh Gurus and ask what these terms tell us about the life, the divine, humanity, and broader themes such as time, the self/mind and ethics etc.

Intended Audience:

Undergraduates and graduate students interested in Asian Studies and Religion