ETHICS AND BUSINESS
Evidence from Sikh Religion
Keywords:
sikhs, investment, ethics, labour, business, workforceAbstract
Sikh religion, the youngest and most recent of the major world religions, follows a two pronged approach – on the one hand, it guides to practice discipline and positive approach in all walks of life and, on the other, explicitly mentions about various aspects of conduct and business practices. In brief, Sikhism encourages enterprise, workforce participation and economic progress. Rather, it redefines the concept of Maya, illustratively wealth – and preaches that not Maya but attachment to Maya that has to be avoided. One of the three pillars of Sikh religion is to work hard and earn an honest living while the other is to share with others the fruits of such labour. The third pillar, meditation, implies cultivating virtues. As the emphasis is on family life, Sikhism encourages participation in economic and social activities. As Sikh religion does not discriminate between castes, gender or religion, it encourages high work force participation. Finally, for a Sikh, human life in itself is a business, with every breath being a business period, and the highest priority of life being Truthful Living.
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