Nām Japō

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sikh beliefs
Sikhism

Nām Japō (Gurmukhi ਨਾਮ ਜਪੋ), refers to the meditation, vocal singing of Hymns from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib or of the various Names of God, specially the chanting of the word Waheguru, which means Wonderful Lord. Singing of hymns generally is also referred to a ‘Nām Jap’, sometimes also called ‘Nām Simran’.

Nām Japō is a main pillar of Sikhism and is the term used to refer to this very important activity in the everyday life of a Sikh — the singing, quiet meditation, listening of sacred text or sacred words. Critical importance is given to the meditation in the Guru Granth Sahib.

Naam Japo or Naam Japna - Is the remembrance of God by repeating and focusing the mind on His name. The names given to God primarily refer to the attributes of the Almighty and His various qualities. The guideline in the Rehit Mariyada of Guru Gobind Singh demands that the Sikh engages in Naam Simran as part of his or her everyday routine.

This concept is also permeated in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the way in which humans can conquer ego, greed, attachment, anger and lust, together commonly called the Five Evils or Five Thieves and to bring peace and tranquility into ones mind. The Sikhs practise both the quiet individual recitation of Naam in ones mind and this is commonly called Naam Simran while the loud and communal recitation of Naam is called Naam Jaap. However, this is not a strict definition of these phases and variations are found among the different Sikh communities.

The term Naam refers to the various names given to God as used by the Sikhs. Naam Japo refers to the meditation, vocal singing of Shabads or hymns, from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib or the chanting of the various Names of God, specially the chanting of the word Waheguru, which means Wonderful Lord. Singing of hymns with musical accompaniment is generally referred to as Kirtan.

This act of meditation, singing and chanting is a one of three main pillars of Sikhism and is the term used to refer to this very important activity in the everyday life of a Sikh – the singing, quite meditation, listening of sacred text or sacred words. Critical importance is given to meditation in the Guru Granth Sahib. The other two pillars are Kirat Karni and Wand kay Shako.

Guru Ji says in the Guru Granth Sahib: Read Text in Red

Guru Granth Sahib Page 189
With my hands I do His work; with my tongue I sing His Glorious Praises.

With my feet, I walk on the Path of my Lord and Master. ((1))
It is a good time, when I remember Him in meditation.
Meditating on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, I cross over the terrifying world-ocean. ((1)(Pause))
With your eyes, behold the Blessed Vision of the Saints.
Record the Immortal Lord God within your mind. ((2))
Listen to the Kirtan of His Praises, at the Feet of the Holy.
Your fears of birth and death shall depart. ((3))
Enshrine the Lotus Feet of your Lord and Master within your heart.
Thus this human life, so difficult to obtain, shall be redeemed. ((4)(51)(120))


[edit] See also

v • d • e
   Sikhism topics   
Gurus
Philosophy
Practices
Scripture
Other topics
   Portal:Sikhism