''Haumai'' (
Punjabi: ਹਉਮੈ) is the concept of self-centeredness (egoism or ''
Ahankar'') in
Sikhism
Sikhism (), also known as Sikhi ( pa, ਸਿੱਖੀ ', , from pa, ਸਿੱਖ, lit=disciple', 'seeker', or 'learner, translit=Sikh, label=none),''Sikhism'' (commonly known as ''Sikhī'') originated from the word ''Sikh'', which comes fro ...
.
[ This concept was taught by ]Guru Nanak
Gurū Nānak (15 April 1469 – 22 September 1539; Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ; pronunciation: , ), also referred to as ('father Nānak'), was the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His birth is celebrated w ...
, the founder of Sikhism, as the source of five evils: lust, covetousness, wrath, pride and attachment. According to Sikh Gurus teachings, it is ''Haumai'' that leads to endless cycles of transmigration (rebirth
Rebirth may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
Film
* ''Rebirth'' (2011 film), a 2011 Japanese drama film
* ''Rebirth'' (2016 film), a 2016 American thriller film
* ''Rebirth'', a documentary film produced by Project Rebirth
* ''The Re ...
), and makes a person "manmukh".[ They state that one must turn away from ''Haumai'', become a "gurmukh" and follow the path of the Guru to receive God's grace.]Simran
Simran (Gurmukhi: ਸਿਮਰਨ; hi, सिमरण, सिमरन ; from Sanskrit: , ''smaraṇa'', 'to remember, reminisce, recollect'), in spirituality, is a Sanskrit word referring to the continuous remembrance of the finest aspect of ...
'' and '' Sewa''. It is a combination of the words ''Hau'' (ਹਉ) meaning "I" and ''Mai'' (ਮੈ) meaning "me".
The opposite of ''Haumai'' is humility (or ''Nimrata
Nimrata (Gurmukhi: ਨਿਮਰਤਾ ''nimaratā'') is an important virtue that is vigorously promoted by Gurbani and Sikh history. The literal translation of this Punjabi
Punjabi, or Panjabi, most often refers to:
* Something of, from, or rel ...
''), which is considered a virtue in Sikhism. Selfless service
Selfless may refer to:
* Selflessness, the act of sacrificing one's own interest for the greater good
** Selfless service
* ''Selfless'' (album), a 1994 album by English industrial metal band Godflesh
*'' Self/less'', a 2015 film starring Ryan Rey ...
called ''Seva'', and complete submission to Waheguru
''Waheguru'' ( pa, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ, translit=vāhigurū, translit-std=IAST) is a word used in Sikhi to refer to God as described in ''Guru Granth Sahib''.
The meaning of the word (usually spelled in English as ''Waheguru'') is tradi ...
, or God is the Sikh path to liberation.[
]
Related concepts
The concept of destructive self-centeredness and covetous attachment, similar to ''Haumai'' in Sikhism, is important in other Indian religions. In Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it is referred to as "Ahankar'' (अहङ्कार), ''Ahammana'' (अहम्मान), ''Ahammati'' (अहम्मति), ''Mamatta'' (ममता) and ''Maminkāra''.
See also
* Sri Guru Granth Sahib
The Guru Granth Sahib ( pa, ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ) is the central holy religious scripture of Sikhism, regarded by Sikhs as the final, sovereign and Guru Maneyo Granth, eternal Guru following the lineage of the Sikh gur ...
References
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Sikh terminology
Sikh philosophical concepts