Description
Book SynopsisSikhism, one of the major spiritual-philosophical traditions of India, is often missing from discussions of cross-cultural philosophy. In this introduction, Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair, an internationally acknowledged expert in Sikh studies, provides the first rigorous engagement in the West with Sikh philosophy. Sensitive both to the historical formation of Sikh thought, and to the decolonial context in which he writes, Mandair examines some of the key concepts of Sikh philosophy and how they inform its vision of life. He asks what Sikh philosophical concepts tell us about the nature of reality, the relationship between mind/self/ego, and whether it is possible to discern broad contours of a Sikh logic, epistemology and ontology. Additionally, the book looks at how these concepts address broader themes such as the body, health and well-being, creation and cosmology, death and rebirth, the nature of action and intention, bioethics and, a theme that undergirds every chapt
Trade ReviewSikh Philosophy is an essential text for scholars, students and practitioners interested in the decolonization of thought and practice. This groundbreaking text offers a response to Western dualism and religious exclusivism by reorienting how we think about the self in relation to God, others, and time. Through Sikh concepts, Arvind Mandair invites the reader to joyfully encounter the act of thinking differently. * Nirinjan Kaur Khalsa-Baker, Senior Instructor of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University, USA *
Professor Mandair has skilfully presented Sikh philosophy in a manner that liberates it from the Christocentric theological template in which it has so often been read. The book provides an accessible, highly creative and engaging exploration of Gurmat and is recommended for all who wish to explore and understand the rich, multi-layered fabric of Sikh thought. * Richard King, Professor Emeritus of Buddhist and Asian Studies, University of Kent, UK *
Table of ContentsPreface & Acknowledgements Glossary Introduction 1. Emergence of Sikh Philosophy 2. Experience 3. Epistemology 4. Consciousness 5. Death, Rebirth & Transmigration 6. Self-Realization: Liberation & Health 7. Bioethics Epilogue Index Appendix