What is Sikhi's stance about evolution?

Gurfateh Sangat Ji,

My question is what is our stance, on the topic of evolution?

I know that this world, cosmos, universe has existed for many, many yugs.
I know that everything that goes on is Satguru Khel.

But would Sikhi agree to evolution?

Thank you
Inderpal Singh Assi

I think Gurbani has no stance on Evolution. Evolution is about materialism and physical mass whereas Gurbani is all about spirituality . But one thing for sure is that Gurbani does not share the same European and Scientific views of creation. European science views on creation attempt to give an exact description of the physical creations of the world and man through the use of theories. These theories are always changing after discovering new facts , but Gurbani which is unchanging makes it quite clear that the exact origins of physical creation can never be known only the creator can know the story of creation.ਥਿਤਿ ਵਾਰੁ ਨਾ ਜੋਗੀ ਜਾਣੈ ਰੁਤਿ ਮਾਹੁ ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਜਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਿਰਠੀ ਕਉ ਸਾਜੇ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਸੋਈ ॥

We can be content without knowing the exact origins of creation and yet have a curiosity in the processes of nature.

Original Theory of Evolution

Many times many Sikhs misunderstand the theory evolution. Theory of evolution is often accrediting to Darwin but it predates Darwin. The word " Evolution" is an English word which refers to " fitting" or adapting". The French scientist Jean Baptisit Lamark noticed many beings adapting to their environment. Nowadays this fact is quite common we can see it in nature. We see how the brown bear from warmer climates looks very different then the polar bear of colder climates. We see how people from Asia have different futures then those from Africa or Europe. We see how birds have differnt beak sizes according to their habitat. Darwin was influenced by this theory of adaption. Darwin was also influenced by the callous British Economist Robert Malthus who believed nature is in a state of competition with the only intention of surviving. Therefore, influenced by numerous people Darwin coined the phrase " Survival of the Fittest" this view became accepted by scientific cirles and became known as the " Theory of Evolution". Darwin did not mention anything about man descending from apes; he mentioned Man and Ape have a common ancestor. He went further to say Man, ape, and all physical beings have a common ancestor. Gurbani does not reject or apporve this view. Gurbani does not mention anything about us having a physical common ancestor but does mention all physical beings have a common spiritual descent. I really have no quarrels with the belief that mans body was at one time different then the human body we live in. In Satjug, many lived for many years so the body must have looked different then the body we live in.

Todays Theory of Evolution

Today evolution has expanded on Darwins thought. Keep in mind Darwins theory was very simple and came from a very simple time where the common belief was that the Earth was only six thousand years old and mankind came from a man named Adam and a woman named Eve who came out of Adams rib. This common western belief had an understanding that creation is linear. Linear meaning that life on earth had a beginning and a final end. In the Abrahamic traditions mans beginning was the Garden of Eden and the end was hell or heaven depending on ones deeds. Theory of Evolution which was born out of this linear culture shared this belief by believing that mans linear progression lead to evolution. Theory of evolution states we started as molecules, evolved to cells, then to plants and animals, and eventually the pinnacle of evolution lead to the creation of man.

Gurbani is quite different on this stance. We don't believe in a linear progression of creation. We believe in a circular view of creation based on reincaration. We believe physical beings are recycled many times in earth and heavens and hells. Only Sach Khand and Karam Khand are out of physical creation, and only in these abodes does man no longer get recycled. We also believe that beings on earth were destroyed and created multiple times so to say that beings on earth are going through a single linear progression in a single linear creation have no backings in Gurbani.

Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir SIngh Ji mentions in his book " Gurmat Sach Nirnay" that theories always change through new facts thus they can never be accepted as " truth". Wheres as truth in Gurbani never changes from beginning to end. He also mentions how many influenced by temporary truths of science were nastiks. He scolds such people in his poetic book called " Jot Bigas". He also scolded people who try to mix evolution with Gurbani. In those times it was common for people to decribe the panj khands in Japji Sahib as mans evolution to perfection. Even today some gianis explain panj khands with an evolutionary spin.

The below is based on my old posts:

I read the theory of evolution many years ago and one of the notion it preaches is that species can evolute to higher species e.g. humans have originated from apes. This theory does not seem to be according to Gurmat because all the 8.4 million life forms were formed at once and not through evolution. Some life forms may be active and some dormant, at a given time but no life forms converted to other life forms. It just can't. Dogs cannot give birth to cats and insects cannot give birth to lizards.

The human form has Dasam Duaar, Nabh Kamal, that no other life form has. If we believe in theory of evolution, we will then have to believe that Dasam Duaar and Nabh Kamal were products of evolution and formed itself. Furthermore, matter is not animate and as thus does not have intelligence, nor it can think or plan. The theory of evolution is totally contrary to Gurmat. In the evolution theory, matter is intelligent and in Gurmat theory, matter is dead.

The evolution theory as invented by Charles Darwin and as propagated by science today is not in accordance with Gurmat. Gurmat believes in the evolution or devolution of the Jeev-Aatma depending on its Karma but the life-forms or the species don't evolve into something else. Gurbani says that the whole creation has 8.4 million life forms (life forms or Joonis are not same as species) and this has been the truth from the beginning. At any given time there have been 8.4 million life forms. If we believe that one life form evolves to another, then there would be an additional life-form thereby violating the Gurmat principle that states that there are fixed 8.4 million life forms.

These Chaurasi Lakh life forms not all active at any given time. Some are dormant and some are active but all are existent at any given time.

Gurmat does not promote the idea that humans have evolved from Baandars (monkeys). Jo kichh paaiya so ika Vaar.

The kids brought up in Western countries have become Mutaasir (influenced) by the modern education that promotes such anti Gurmat notions like evolution and homosexuality etc.

ਲਖ ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਮੇਦਨੀ ਘਟੈ ਨ ਵਧੈ ਉਤਾਹਿ ॥

The above Pankiti clearly states not only that there are 8.4 million life forms but also that this number does not go up or down. There are more such Pankitis as well but for a Sikh just one Pankiti will suffice.

Now if we believe that one life-form can evolve or devolve to something else, then we have to accept that a new life-form has been created and this will violate the above Hukam of Guru Sahib.

I am not an expert on the evolution theory but know that one of the claims it has made is that humans have possibly evolved from Baandars (monkeys). The human life form is very special and as per Gurbani this life form is the doorway to Vaheguru and only in this life form it is possible to meet Vaheguru and for this reason this body has secret Dasam Duaar or the mystical tenth door. How did the genetic mutation or whatever it is called, caused to create a life form that contains something as specific as the Dasam Duaar?

It is the Jeev-Aatma that goes through different life forms and but the life forms don't evolve to different life forms. A cat is going to stay a cat and will not become a dog, no matter what. Yes within the parameters of the cat life form, it may become large, small, Black, White etc. but it cannot become a different life form.

What to talk about and trust science that changes every now and then. Now with the discovery of the so called "god particle" it has rendered many old theories obsolete. The theory of evolution is just a theory and nothing else. Most of it including its concept of the survival of the fittest is garbage. According to Gurbani, Vaheguru is Deena Naath and Ghareeb Nivaaz. He would never allow the survival of the strong just because of their strongness. He according to His will may many times let the biggest underdog to survive and let the fittest perish. Darwin's evolution theory is for Manmukhs who believe that Vaheguru jee is not leading the world and that it came into being and evolved to this level as part of some accidental chemical reactions. Can we believe such nonsense when we know that even a leaf does not move without Vaheguru's will?

Kulbir Singh

There has been a debate on evolution before, on this site. Please refer to these links:

[gurmatbibek.com]

[gurmatbibek.com]

Kulbir Singh

Kulbir Singh ji,

WIth respect, it is not true that there are only 8.4 million life forms in the creation. There are fixed 8.4 million life forms on this particular karam bhoomi - earth, but in the wider creation of Vaheguru there are countless beyond imagination number of various life forms.

Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh has written this in his book Anditi Duniya and has quoted the following Gurbani pankti to prove this point:

keI koit nwnw pRkwr jMq ]
kee kott naanaa prakaar ja(n)th ||
Many millions are the beings of so many descriptions.

"kee kott" means several tens of millions or in reality countless. Not merely 8.4 million.


Just like there are only one type of pavan, paani, agni in this world but there are actually many tens of millions or countless different types of these in Vaheguru's overall creation:

keI koit pvx pwxI bYsMqr ]
kee kott pavan paanee baisa(n)thar ||
Many millions are the winds, waters and fires.

Quote

WIth respect, it is not true that there are only 8.4 million life forms in the creation. There are fixed 8.4 million life forms on this particular karam bhoomi - earth, but in the wider creation of Vaheguru there are countless beyond imagination number of various life forms.

Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh has written this in his book Anditi Duniya and has quoted the following Gurbani pankti to prove this point:

keI koit nwnw pRkwr jMq ]
kee kott naanaa prakaar ja(n)th ||
Many millions are the beings of so many descriptions.

"kee kott" means several tens of millions or in reality countless. Not merely 8.4 million.

But we were talking about this world, and not the whole creation. In Dharam Khand too there are different rules but here we are discussing this world we are living in, which definitely has 8.4 million Jooniyaan, and not more or less The proof has already been posted my previous post on this subject.

Kulbir Singh

Vivek Jee,[

Western Scientist classify species differently then the Ancient Indians did. Even today Western Scientist debate whether a certain animal is a new specie or a variation of a certain specie. When animals were classified into species during Darwins time this was the biggest issue they faced and debated with. I have seen a few articles by Western Scientist that say there are around 8 million types of different species, but still there is no consensus among Western Scientist about the number of species. .

If you want a better understanding on how Indians classified species you can refer to Mahan Kosh. There is little detail about how each class of animals is classified.