What do Sikhs learn from Jesus Christ's Parable of The Prodigal Son

I carry a copy of the Bible with me in my kindle (also the holy Koran).  Today while I was reading the parable of the prodigal son and found that this parable has similar underlying themes compared to Guru Nanak's teachings on Oneness.
 

Parable of the Prodigal Son:

In this parable (see below for text), the prodigal son's journey from separation and folly to reunion and forgiveness is analogous to the journey of the individual soul seeking to return to its divine source. The father's
unconditional love and forgiveness symbolize the divine's unwavering compassion for all beings, regardless of their past mistakes. This story illustrates the oneness between humanity and the divine:

1. Unity of Humanity and God: The prodigal son's story reflects the idea of unity between humanity and God. Just as the son realizes his separation from his father and longs to return, humans often feel a spiritual longing to reconnect with their divine source. This parallels the Sikh concept of recognizing the divine presence within all, highlighting the unity of creation.

2. Forgiveness and Compassion: The father's forgiveness and embrace of the prodigal son highlight the concept of divine forgiveness. This mirrors Guru Nanak's teachings of divine compassion and forgiveness, which emphasize the all-encompassing nature of God's love and the importance of forgiveness in cultivating unity and harmony among humans.

Confluence of Guru Nanak's and Jesus' Teachings:

While Guru Nanak's Sikhism and Jesus' Christianity are distinct religious traditions, there are similarities in their teachings that underscore the concept of oneness:

1. Oneness of God: Both Guru Nanak and Jesus emphasized the oneness and universality of God. Guru Nanak's teaching of "Ik Onkar" and Jesus' proclamation of the greatest commandment as loving God with all one's heart align in stressing the singular, formless, and all-encompassing nature of the divine.

2. Universal Love and Compassion: Both Guru Nanak and Jesus emphasized the importance of love and compassion. Guru Nanak's teachings of selfless service and love for all beings parallel Jesus' teachings of loving one's neighbor as oneself. Both teachings underscore the unity of humanity and the divine through acts of love and service.

3. Equality and Inclusivity: Both spiritual leaders advocated for the equality of all people. Guru Nanak rejected caste-based divisions, and Jesus' interactions with societal outcasts emphasized his commitment to inclusivity. These teachings highlight the interconnectedness of all humans and emphasize their equal worth in the eyes of the divine.

4. Inner Spiritual Journey: Guru Nanak's emphasis on inner meditation (simran) and realization of the divine within aligns with Jesus' teaching that the kingdom of God is within. Both traditions encourage individuals to look inward for spiritual growth and connection to the divine.

In my view, the parable of the prodigal son and the teachings of Guru Nanak and Jesus converge to emphasize the concept of oneness in several ways: unity between humanity and the divine, forgiveness and compassion, love and service, equality, and the significance of inner spiritual awareness. While these teachings emerge from different religious backgrounds, they share common threads that highlight the interconnectedness of all beings and their relationship with the divine.

Luke 15:11-32


The Parable of the Lost Son
(also called the prodigal son)

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

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