Sikh Philosophy Network

The Sikh Philosophy Network [http://www.sikhism.us] or SPN is a public discussion forum with a social networking format. It was founded in 2004 with the goal of creating an online context for philosophical discussions of the Sikh religion and the culture and history of Sikhism. Currently (2008) SPN has a membership of 6,994 individuals of whom 471 are active participants in discussions, blogs and related social networking activities. The network's forums consist of more than 21,000 threaded discussions.

Sikhism, a monotheistic religion, is the 5th largest of the organized religions, with an estimated 25 million followers. Although the majority of Sikhs live in India, several historical diasporas have led to its global presence and a multicultural identity [http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=AbvEvRK5vkgC&dq=Sikh+religion&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=6A5ZoHPrNA&sig=IOMOd4JyFk2UjdIUFVI_moYMYMo&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=12&ct=result] . For this reason, Internet forums like SPN serve an important purpose. SPN makes it possible for Sikhs and non-Sikhs to become more informed about the history of the religion, its tenets and philosophy, its relationship with other monotheistic religions and its artistic and cultural contributions. Therefore, SPN has an educational role by promoting interfaith and cross-cultural dialog.

From its inception SPN has aimed for a diverse and inclusive membership that reflects the international nature of the followers of the Sikh religion. Today its membership is global, drawn from every continent, with the largest representation coming from India, Canada, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Europe and the United States. Accordingly, the network slogan is "The United Colors of Sikhism."

Because SPN was created to inform a broad, international audience about Sikhs, Sikhism and the Sikh religion, the network has historically encouraged individuals from other religions, cultures and language groups to be active members. SPN membership includes professed Hindus, Christians, Jews, Muslims, and followers of various other faiths, as well as agnostics and atheists. The official language of SPN is English. However, native speakers of Punjabi, Hindi and other languages spoken on the subcontinent of India, French, German and Swedish participate in forum discussions.

The extensive educational content of many threads distinguishes SPN from similar internet forums. For example, threads pertaining to Asian music contain discussions and videos of Sikh religious music that are difficult to find commercially or on the Internet. These are threads that feature "gurmat sangeet," traditional performances of Kirtan [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirtan] that uses historically authentic musical instruments. Organizations such as the Raj Academy of Asian Music and Raj Karega Khalsa are frequently linked so that high quality gurmat sangeet is accessible. The musical form of "Qawaali," indigenous to northern India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, is also published. Old videos and difficult to find video performances of Ustaad Nursrat Fateh Ali Khan, Farid Ayaz, and Abu Muhammad are available in abundance. Various other performances from Sikh, Muslim and Hindu musical traditions are available.

SPN also makes language learning information available to members and nonmembers. The primary value of these resources is for teaching and learning Gurmukhi, a form of Old Punjabi which is also the language of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (the sacred scriptures of the Sikhs) [http://www.searchgurbani.com] . Sikhs are enjoined by their religion to learn Gurmukhi. Even those who speak and read modern Punjabi may not have this ability. Thus readers born into the Sikh religion, converts, religious scholars and students of classical Asian languages have access to learning resources that enhance the acquisition of Gurmukhi vocabulary and grammar. These resources have been organized in the forum threads as articles and discussions by members, and as links to external Internet resources. Moreover, the forum provides access to discussion about the strengths and limitations of modern translations of the scriptures.

Several threads provide access to scholarly articles by Sikh theologians on a variety of topics that are fundamental to Sikh belief, such as: reincarnation, free will, the nature of God, service to society, mukhti (liberation from the cycle of life and death), stages of spiritual development, and metaphysics. Interfaith dialogs on the forum are extensive, although at times acrimonious. These debates examine perspectives on the creation of the universe, different understandings of creation, tenets of Hindu belief systems (sanatan dharma), Hindu scriptures (e.g., vedas and puruanas), Sikh scriptures (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Dasam Granth, and others), comparisons of Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh perspectives on truth, morality or life after death.

Recently SPN has also broadened its mission beyond discussions of the Sikh religion. Discussions of health and nutrition, small business development and entrepreneurship, jobs and careers, counseling and advice, and other topics address the interests of a modern audience.

Threaded discussions are grouped in 17 forums. Forums with a religious focus include such titles as: Sikh Gurus, Sikh Scriptures, New to Sikhism and Interfaith Dialogs. Forums that focus on Sikh culture and lifestyle include Sikh Youth and Sikh Sikhi Sikhism There are other forums that focus on topics related to the arts and literature: Sikhism Book Reviews, Articles and Archives, Arts and Literature and Leisure. Other forums -- Business and Lifestyle, Jobs and Careers, Health and Nutrition, Sikh Media Watch, and Counseling and Advice-- round out the non-religious topics offered by the network. There is also a game arcade.

Social networking resources on SPN include networking profile pages, blogs, and member albums. Resources that are also available to members include a bookstore that makes hundreds of titles related to the Sikh religion, culture and history available at discount prices, online "Gurbani Kirtan" (the sacred music of the Sikhs), online access to Sri Guru Granth Sahib, a matrimonial service, a calendar of religious celebrations and world-wide cultural events, as well as links to other web sites related to Sikh religion and culture.

Member profiles are designed to contribute to social networking. Conversations between and among members occur using a Visitor Messages feature (or comment wall) is an alternative to the more traditional private messaging. Profiles can be modified so invite and display friend networks. SPN members can also communicate with one another through subscribed chat and voice-over-IP services such as AIMS, Yahoo Messenger, and Skype.

ources

"Kirtan", Retrieved October 11, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirtan

"Search Gurbani: The Gurbani Research Website", Retrieved October 11, 2008 from http://www.searchgurbani.com

Shackle, C., Singh Manair, Arvind-pal, & Singh, Gurharpal (2001). "The Sikh Religion," Routledge Taylor-Francis Group: London

"The Sikh Philosophy Network", Retrieved October 11, 2008 from http://www.sikhism.us

References

1. http://www.sikhism.us

2. http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=AbvEvRK5vkgC&dq=Sikh+religion&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=6A5ZoHPrNA&sig=IOMOd4JyFk2UjdIUFVI_moYMYMo&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=12&ct=result

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirtan

4. http://www.searchgurbani.com