Sikhism

By Annie Besant (1847 - 1933).

47 Pages | First edition 1963, third edition 2005 | Paperback | Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 8170594677.

Annie Besant (1847 - 1933), second President of the Theosophical Society (1907 - 1933) was described as a 'Diamond Soul', for she had many brilliant facets to her character. She was an outstanding orator of her time, a champion of human freedom, educationist, philanthropist and author with more than three hundred books and pamphlets to her credit. She also guided thousands of men and women all over the world in their spiritual quest.

In 1896, Dr. Annie Besant gave four Convention Lectures on Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Chrisitianity at Adyar, Madras, on the twenty-first anniversary of the Theosophical Society, the President-Founder, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (1832 - 1907), being in the Chair. In 1901, she continued the series with another four lectures on Islam, Jainism, Sikhism and Theosophy or 'Divine Wisdom' as the common source of all religions at the twenty-sixth anniversary, Colonel Olcott again presiding. Each of the lectures on the seven religions has been published as a separate booklet with the exception of the lecture on Divine Wisdom, and the whole series as a single volume under the title Seven Great Religions.

From page 1/2:

" Most people in thinking of the Sikh think of a gallant warrior, a brave soldier. But we shall err seriously if we look on him as only, or even as fundamentally a fighter. The movement itself is fundamentally a religious one. It grew up in the midst of Hinduism, having for its ideal the joining together of the Hindus and the Muslims in one league of love to God and service to man. The thought of its founder, Guru Nānak, as we find it expressed not only in his words, but far more in his life, was to join together these warring elements of the Indian people on a platform, that both could accept. "