Buddhism does not preach an extreme way...nor does Sikhism.
The beauty of Buddhism lies in The Eightfold Path:
Right Understanding
Right Intent
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration
These are the eight aspects of life and if consciously integrated in our every day living....in every thought we have....in everything we do....in how we are with ourself and with others, it will definitely make life understandable and allow for quiet peacefulness and happiness.
The beauty of Sikhism lies in the three beliefs proferred by Guru Nanak. Like the Eightfold Path, these are to be practiced in our daily life:
- To selflessly serve and share with others especially with those less fortunate than yourself. “Share and Consume together”. Every Sikh has to contribute in whatever way possible to the common community pool.
- Earning/making a living honestly, as a householder, without exploitation or fraud.
- Meditating on God's name to control the weaknesses of the human personality.
It is living a life founded on decency and controlled by high spiritual, moral and social values.
How will we know if we are on the right track? When we do things according to the very do-able ways these wise men recommended, a very special calmness fills us and we know in our bones that we have done the right thing or been the right kind of person.
Both the Buddha and Guru Nanak knew that true morality could only be gauged in terms of one’s interaction with one’s neighbours. And who is our neighbour? Jesus said any man in distress or stumbling on life's path is our neighbour...