Summeet Kaur

lol..hunjee, I've noticed dear one :D But koyee na, we can do this together...Look forward to more and of course doing posts together Warmest waheguru fateh

i've read so much about Sants..but wow I've never heard of the 108 thing..someone please shed some light to this moorakh

Sikh community raises $125,000 for hospital ER By Paula Carlson--Surreyleader.com (June 23, 2003) Hundreds come to hear him speak at Sikh temples about family, parenting, life, death and health, and the message was no less important at Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH) Thursday afternoon. Revered Sikh holy leader Gyani Sant Singh Maskeen visited SMH to help launch a new fund-raising campaign to expand the hospital’s emergency department. Accompanying him was a cheque for more than $125,000 — proceeds from a fund-raising dinner at the Grad Taj Banquet Hall last Friday organized by the local Sikh community. “His visit was significant,” said Kate Ludlam, manager of corporate and community partnerships for the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation. “We were very honoured to have him.” Maskeen, 69, is a respected spiritual leader, explained Joginder Singh Sidhu, president of the Canadian Singh Sabha Gurdwara, a Sikh temple in Newton. He is a preacher, and his appearances around the world (India- and U.S.-based Maskeen travels most of the year) draw crowds often numbering in the thousands. Sidhu was expecting more than 1,000 people at his temple Friday night, where Maskeen was appearing in the last of 31 sessions during his two-week stay in Surrey. A regular crowd would number about 200, Sidhu says. “He is such a good speaker,” says Sidhu. “He talks about how we can live a true life and reach our destination, how to be good grandparents, good parents.” A similar message of kindness and compassion was the theme of the Bhai Kanhaiya fund-raising dinner, na med after Sikh humanitarian and healer Bhai Kanhaiya. Through ticket sales and corporate sponsorships, proceeds totalling more than $125,000 have been earmarked for the upcoming expansion of the emergency room at SMH — a project that is expected to cost $14 million. A formal campaign will be announced later this year, with the foundation needing to raise $7 million of that amount. The government will contribute the rest. While details have yet to be finalized, Ludlam says the renovation will enlarge the cramped ER, create a separate area for acute care, and reduce waiting times. Surrey’s emergency room is the busiest in B.C., caring for 70,000 people annually — a third of them children. Forty per cent of patients at SMH are Indo-Canadian. Ludlam says the Sikh community’s donation is “amazing,” and credits a small group of businessmen – and the hospital’s own pediatrician Dr. Pargat Bhurji – with organizing the successful dinner, which may become an annual event. It’s not the first time Bhurji has rallied support for a health cause. In 2001 he helped launch Life Link, a donor program at Canadian Blood Services, after his wife Gurjinder nearly died in childbirth. Twenty-nine units of blood saved her life, and Bhurji wanted to express his gratitude.

..waheguru..waheguru..waheguru.. Thank YOU Vickey Singh Jee...this is the best form of expression!! Finding shabads/bani and presenting it to sangat..so much inspiration, so much knowledge, so much love & purity.

hunjee..we must show the youth (and adults even) that Sikhi is everything..and Guru Jee holds the answers for all our problems, Guru Jee tells us how to conduct our lives, business, marriages, etc...I also think we personally also need to study/understand as much as we can individually. I find that reading translations and Punjabi explanations and then seeing the link with history (or Sakhis) is useful. Then we create a link with everday life and most important how we conduct our spiritual life & connect the two as one... There are so many talented veers and bhainjee's just on this forum, we should step up and try katha at our local gurdwara sahibs. I usually try to explain shabads whilst singing and create some sort of link. Sometimes vudaay veers will hold discussions after diwan like the ones we do, and they serve as small workshops as sort. The best discussion I thought we had was 'Deg Teg Fateh' we figured out the meaning, the history, the reason, and how it is so very critical to daily life... Thanks for the post veera... Warmest waheguru jee ka khalsa..waheguru jee kee fateh!

Hunjee..that is what it says pyareo.. waheguru :D

welcome veer :D

Here are the definitions by the Sikh Gurdwaras Act and accepted by Scholars, and this is the basis to vote..I believe you have to check boxes if you cut hair, can recit Mul Mantar, etc. As per Clause 10-A of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, a “Sahajdhari” means a person 1. who performs ceremonies according to Sikh rites; 2 who does not use tobacco or kutha (halal meat) in any form; 3 who is not a “Patit”; and 4 who believe & can recite “Mul Mantar”. I read that In fact, the word sahajdhari appears only after 1699, when some Sikhs found themselves not strong and ready enough to accept the amrit. (From the book Who is a Sikh--problems of Sikh Identity of McLeod) The word “Patit” as per the Act means a person who, being a Keshdhari Sikh, trims or shaves his beard or keshas or who, after taking amrit, commits any one or more of the four “kurahits”. These are: having sex with a person other than one’s spouse; eating kutha meat as per Muslim rites; trimming or shaving the beard or keshas; or using tobacco in any form.

I recall a debate a year ago about if Sehajdhari Sikhs could vote in Gurdwaras, not sure what the outcome was pyareo. I think whatever the SGPC decides/resolves not everyone will be happy, there are always a few flaky people in the crowd--if you catch my drift. Personally, I don't know who should be allowed/not allowed to vote...

..exactly.. waheguru!

Warmest Waheguru Jee Ka Khalsa!! Waremest Waheguru Jee Kee Fateh!! I agree veer..that is a very powerful example no doubt..and amrit is a gift/blessing, from which the yearning has to come from inside. First we develop a loch for it..and then our loch is fulfilled..."Gur Poorai Kirpa Dhaari, prabh pooree loch humaree." Anything can 'make' you take amrit..it is only something in your mind, the lucky ones who are blessed with amrit have already been chosen since the day they were born into this life. You can 'take' it due to this story, or because of pressure from parents/spouse, or because you think it's 'cool'. These are just imaginative thoughts that our mind creates because we are not able to understand the mahaan destiny we have to be blessed with amrit. Yet, once you are purified, once you give your head..life..soul..heart..trust to Guru Jee, those thoughts go away, and you realise this was your duty, your purpose in life :D ..Waheguru.. He places the loch inside of us, he fulfills the loch...Just as he is the ocean and we are the droplets, he creates the waves..the rise..fall..the energy.. Much Love...

As per definitions pyareo..Sahejdharis ONLY believe in the Mool Mantra, owing to their slow progressing nature I suppose, and they are as you said ones without hair and in turn unorthodox. Again looking at definitions 'we' would either fall into Keshdari category (those who keep their hair) and believe in the eternal Guru Granth Sahib Jee. Then the other category is Amritdhari those who have been blessed with Amrit, and live in Khalsay Tradition. Now in the Amritdhari category I suppose some are progressing to the traditional bana..dumalla, shastaars, etc; but that does not make them 'sahejdharis' as connected to the original definition. Honestly veer...do all these things matter?? These terms are useless in my mind...Let us focus on our own progression and help those who ask for it :D Between a true Sikh and a Guru it is only a matter of time..with 'gurprasad' we ALL have the POTENTIAL to become true Sikhs of the Guru... Warmest waheguru jee ka khalsa waheguru jee kee fateh Thanks for the post veer!

..waheguru..thanks for your words of encouragement pyareo!

A Sikh (as Bhai Gurdas Jee tells us) is like the lotus-flower who is in the muddy waters BUT never gets mud on it... We are like this lotus flower pyareo, wherever we are we live in the Khalsay Tradition, against all odds. We need not take irrational steps like keeping our children behind locked doors, but wherever we go we keep the grace of our Guru's teachings. I think with this we indeed create our 'own' society--which can be only for us as individuals, or as a family, or sangat, etc. Many Sikh societies as you have discussed are not 'that great' themselves--full of politics, gossip, alcohol, pre-mature relationships, etc... We can go anywhere but always protect our minds, ears, eyes, body, heart, etc from filth. That is indeed the strength of those who face his lotus-feet. Look at this forum, most of us live in countries outside of India (even India is quite polluted with the filth of bad society!) and we have all managed to keep ourselves in virtue, in truthful living, and in the Khalsa spirit. As per making a place in society, those who walk on this path, are always remembered by others, if not now, certainly in due time...Those who are true never go unnoticed... The true Society is that which lovingly repeats the praises of Waheguru and in all their actions/words..in every moment they become that same light... Warmest waheguru fateh, Summeet Kaur

That is a valid point respected Vicky Singh Jee, I would also humbly add that as Sikhs we have to keep ourselves in the Khalsay/Sikhi tradition..regardless of where we are! Though it maybe more difficult when close to mass Indian communities, Guru jee's lotus-feet are everywhere, the strength of Gurdev Pita is enshrined in all our hearts...Let us always be defiant in the face of majorities..always defiant in the face of death..Akal..Akal..Akal.. Hair is such a beautiful gift from the divine, I would be so ugly inside and out without it, but with it I feel grace, chardi-kala, worth, divinity, and strength. When I wash it, comb it, care for it, braid it, tie it up and cover it...I feel like the most beautiful among women..Sisters, we are all the most beautiful among women :D We are the princesses of the Khalsay Tradition, we are the daughts of Gurdev-Pita & and the immortal suhagans (brides) of the formless, immaculate, Waheguru JEE!! The best thing we can do to appreciate this gifts is to love, respect, and cherish it... :D With immense love and respect, Summeet Kaur p.s/So much respects to my sweet brothers out there who give us sisters so much respect, courage, and truly make us feel graceful..waheguru..

LOL...Gur Pyareo...I think my cute little brother (Gursimar Singh) forgot how the joke really goes...This is what an old Sardar jee told me: :D There was a Punjabi Cab driver who just recently moved to America, one day he's driving around and another punjabi flags him for a ride. This Punjabi has lived in America for many years. The cab driver starts driving and suddenly there is a red light and he doesn't stop. The punjabi passenger asks him why he doesn't stop. The cab driver says 'I'm a Sher-e-Punjab I don't fear red lights and I don't need to stop at them' lol..Okay so they keep driving and when they approach a green light, the cab driver stops. The passenger is alarmed and asked why did you stop at a green light? The driver says 'so other Sher-e-Punjab can go through' :D ) silly i know...lol :D but very funny when a 70 year old Sardar Jee is telling it to you lol! peace & love, Summeet Kaur :D

Thank You Jee..

..Bhot Janam Bichray Teh Madho..EH JANAM TUMARAY LEHKHAI.. :D For so many incarnations, I have been separated from You, Lord; I dedicate this life to You.

Gur Pyareo this is a poem I wrote a few weeks ago for Guru Jee's shaheedi diwas... Peace & Respect, Summeet Kaur Guru Jee, I wish I had the ability to express my awe, respect, and love for you! How I wish I had this ability, I could truly serve you then... Yet, you still listen, you still forgive me and all the sinners of this world. You give your hand when I'm barely floating on water's edge, my awakened soul is forever full of sentiments of endless, growing gratitude... Who am I to speak of your greatness, your stories of sacrifice, the achievements, the gifts you gave us all? Oh Guru Jee, the longing you show, the purity in your words, the devotion which never ends... I feel so honoured, lucky, and well-destined that I may even read your words, you even bless me with feeling the sublime sweetness on my tongue, and in my Inner Harmandir which you have built. Your radiance was the light this dark world needed, your love is what continually pierces my heart, my muscles tingle with strength when thinking of your sacrifice...// Oh Guru Jee, How I wish I had the ability to truly serve you... The Sakhis which show your love, nimrita, devotion, and sacrifice are more bountiful than the world's oceans, your achievements, and sweet bani are gifts for this universe, and this maya-infected world. Gifts for us to cherish, love, nourish and promote. "I Live by your bountiful gifts-please shower me with your mercy!" We certainly don't require a special day for you Guru Jee, but rather it keeps us affirmed that you are forev er enshrined in our hearts and soul... Oh Guru Jee, How I wish I had the ability to truly serve you... "Bundhana, har bundhana gun gaavoh gopal rai"~I bow in reverence, I bow in reverence, I sing the glorious praises of my Lord, King~ ...Awe...respect...love...devotion..finally flowing so generously...// Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Jee!! "Jupeyo Jin Arjan Dev Guru; phir sunkat jon garab n aayo"

Gur Pyareo...I found this shabad tonight, it really touched the depths of my soul...Here is a quote by one of my favourite authors, with the shabad underneath.. "each day we stand in the throne-room of the beloved. we utter our prayers in a cathedral inside the cave of our belly. the living truth is not a mere intellectual "truth", but the knowing, the command, the word, the Sabd, the Beloved that lives inside all of us. it wants to expand, it wants us to choose it, to choose life, to choose love, to be its own, its khalsas, to do remarkable things, for it has no meanness, it wants the best for us, to be its valiant heroes, it gives us chances and that means offering us a choice...to be the eyes with which god sees the world in love...or blind."--K.R.Singh Kaydaaraa, Fifth Mehl:(Ang 1121) My Beloved dwells in the cave of my heart. Shatter the wall of doubt, O my Lord and Master; please grab hold of me, and lift me up towards Yourself. ||1||Pause|| The world-ocean is so vast and deep; please be kind, lift me up and place me on the shore. In the Society of the Saints, the Lord's Feet are the boat to carry us across. ||1|| The One who placed you in the womb of your mother's belly - no one else shall save you in the wilderness of corruption. The power of the Lord's Sanctuary is all-powerful; Nanak does not rely on any other. ||2||2||10|| With Love, Summeet Kaur

THE KEY VIRTUE (Emailed from Ishwinder Singh) Once Bhai Bala Sandhu, a Sikh, came to see Guru Angad Ji. Bala Sandhu and Mardana, the rebec-player, had accompanied Guru Baba, the first Mahal, travels to different parts of the world. Both were witness to the events at all places. Thus Bhai Bala was one of the blessed Sikhs. Guru Baba conferred the 'guruship' on Guru Angad, and himself merged with the Supreme Soul. Bhai Bala survived him. On hearing that Guru Angad had succeeded Guru Nanak, Bala came to see him. Guru Angad seated him besides himself with due respect and courtesy. After offering his obeisance, Bhai Bala sought the Guru's permission to ask some questions, which the Guru was pleased to grant. "Great Guru, You are a real hero because you won the approbation of the Great Guru. It is indeed difficult to completely win over a man like him. He could take pain as well as pleasure in the same strain, and was not affected by I calumny or praise, or lured by gold, treating it as no more than a lump of clay. Pleasing such as him is a rare feat. It is by no means easy. You won his favour. I offer my congratulations. God has blessed you with this marvellous achievement. But be kind and explain to us what particular service or act of devotion was rendered by you, which pleased the Guru so much that he transferred his own spirit unto you. I am very anxious to hear this. Pray, tell me in detail," asked Bhai Bala. "It is only His grace that I invoked. I am incapable of making any effort. And whatever effort might have been made, was also due to His grace," replied Guru Angad. "O Guru, you utter the truth. This is the cup of the Ma ster's love. He bestows it on whom-so-ever He pleases. This is indeed the correct version. There is, however, always a doer. The initiative and strength to act are granted by the True Guru. Faith is also a gift granted to a Sikh. I want to know the job that led to this great trust. What was the specific act carried out through you for the Guru Baba, which pleased him. Pray, narrate the whole story to me." "Bhai Balaji, you were the Guru's companion. As such you are not different from him. So I must comply. But the number of times the Guru showered his grace on me, if described in detail, will make a very lengthy account. I only make a brief reference to my faith in him. The rest, you can yourself divine." Guru Angad then narrated the various acts which had pleased Guru Nanak: "Once I was in his presence. So was Baba Buddha. It was night time. The Guru asked Baba Buddha to go out and see what part of the night had passed, and how much remained. Baba Buddha went outside, and on return said, 'O, True Master, the night has covered two and a half pahars (one pahar is three hours), leaving one and a half pahars'. This was the time for operating the Persian wheel. Then Guru Baba instructed me to go and find out how much of the night was over and how much remained. Obediently, I went out and looked at the night. Returning to his benign presence, I said, 'O, True Lord, whatever part of the night you have allowed, has passed. You are all-knowing.' When I said this, he was pleased with my faith in him." ANOTHER SAKHI RELATED In order to satisfy Bhai Bala Sandhu's curiosity to know what was the specific job that was executed by him, that had pleased Guru Baba, Guru Angad narrated a number of stories: "Once, it was midnight time, I was alone with him, and none besides. He said, 'Angad, the day has dawned,' and I repeated, 'Yes, O Lord, the day has dawned.' Then the Guru gave me his clothes to wash which I carrie d to the pool. There it was mid-day. I washed the clothes, dried them, and brought them back for the Guru to wear. When I returned it was still night. He again asked me if it was day time or night. I replied, 'O my True Lord, night and day are all your creation. When you will, night comes, and when you will, it is day.' This demonstration of my faith again brought his pleasure on me." ANOTHER SAKHI RELATED "Once in a village there was a pond filled with black dirty mud. When it rained, filth from the entire village drained into it. Approaching it, the Guru dropped his bowl into it. Both the sons of the Guru were also with him. First, he looked to Sri Chand and said, 'My son, the bowl has fallen in the pond. Please take it out'. Sri Chand ji replied, 'My Lord, let us keep going. The bowl can be recovered later at leisure.' Then the Guru looked towards Lakhmi Chand, saying, 'My son, will you take out the bowl that has fallen into the pool?' Lakhmi Chand said, 'Very well, my Lord. We shall get somebody to take it out.' Then Guru Baba looked in my direction. I immediately jumped into the pool unmindful of soiling myself and my clothes, took out the bowl, and handed it to him. Then also the Guru was pleased with me for my faith in him." ANOTHER SAKHI RELATED "Once the Guru was camping in the countryside. Even there, many people started gathering around him. One day a group of persons arrived who were all hungry. They prayed for food. The Guru said, 'Dear congregation, this is a jungle with only kikar (Acacia) trees. Let somebody climb and shake the trees for food.' The gathering thought that the Guru was joking, because an Acacia tree bears no fruit. After a pahar passed, another Sikh repeated the request, 'O True Lord, the group is hungry. Pray get them something to eat.' Again the same words were uttered, 'Brother, there are the Acacia trees, climb and shake them for food.' The Sikhs again thought t hat the Guru was putting them off. The Guru nodded to me saying, 'Angad, go and shake the Acacia, and feed the congrega-tion.' At this command I girded up my loins, climbed up to the top of the tree, and started shaking it. Lo! Sweets like jalebis and patashas, started falling like rain and piled in heaps. Everybody ate to his heart's content. At that time also it was my faith in the Guru that made him happy." ANOTHER SAKHI RELATED "Once the Guru undertook a long fast. He would neither eat nor drink anything. Several years passed. He would not put even a grain in his mouth. Offerings of money were abundant. Cooks amongst the disciples were in- structed to prepare and serve food to the Sikhs for their sustenance. All kinds of food were available which the cooks served to the Sikhs with the permission of the Guru. But the Guru himself would not take anything. There was always a big gathering of people at meal times. As many as twenty thousand people joined in at meal time. The Guru put on the appearance of a lunatic to frighten the people away. He took three or four hounds with him and went to live with the sansis (a tribe of hunters). Anybody approaching the Guru was given blows with sticks, and stones were hurled at him. People left in fright, saying that the Guru had gone mad. All bandoned the Guru. Only I and three other Sikhs stayed. Then the Guru moved into the forest, taking the dogs with him. We followed, keeping out of his sight. There he started singing this hymn: 'By my side, are a hound and two bitches, That each morning raise terrible howl. The dagger of falsehood and robbed carrion with me I carry. Know Lord-Creator, a low-caste nomad am I. (1) Neither precept to the good life nor good actions have I adopted. Foul and frightful is my aspect. Thy Name alone to the whole world brings liberation., In that lies my hope; this my prop. My tongue day and night utters slanders. Low m y caste, house-breaker am I. Lust and wrath, of the foulest amongst castes, in my self abide. Lord! thus abide I in low-caste nomad form. (2) My mind holding lassos; my aspect deceptively gentle. A robber, robbing the land am I. Trying to be clever, with sin am I burdened. Lord! thus abide I in low-caste nomad form. (3) Ungrateful, I realize not Thy blessing, Lord! Evil-doer, dishonest - with what face before Thee shall I stand? Saith Nanak of low actions, after deep contemplation: Lord! no better than nomad am I in my aspect. (4)' The Guru Baba was moving about, singing this above shabad in an ecstatic mood. We also kept moving at a distance, keeping him within sight. Then, out of infinite mercy, he called us. We were very happy to get close to him. We were asked, 'Since you are following me, will you do what I tell you?' We replied, 'You are the one to make us obey.' Then he said, 'All right, if you want to obey me, go and eat the corpse lying there.' The body he pointed to, was covered with cloth, but its outline was clearly visible. We said, 'True is your order.' We reached the corpse and asked, 'O, Master, shall we start from the head or the feet?' He ordered us to eat the feet. Removing the cloth I applied my teeth to the feet, which tasted like sugar. And, in fact, it was sugar and not a corpse. There were several other similar dramatic situations created by the Guru. But due to his grace, I did not waver in my devotion. My faith remained intact. In every situation, I did the Guru's bidding without hesitating. The Guru looked at me with kindness and said, 'O man, you have won the game, I congratulate you.' His words were extremely sweet. He took me in his embrace leading me to spiritual fulfilment. He then said, 'O man, he who obeys you, shall obey me. He who serves you, serves me. You are me and I am you. He who regards you and me as different, will stay separated from the Guru.' Earlier my name was Lehna. He gave me the new name of 'Angad', consecrating me as a part of his own self. He then made an offering of five paise and a coconut, made obeisance to me, and seated me on the throne of guruship in his lifetime. Addressing the sangat (congregation) he ordered 'Pay obeisance to him, he is your Guru.'" Hearing this account Bhai Bala became very happy and recited the following verse from gurbani: 'Those who meditate on Naam get liberated, says Nanak. Their faces are radiant with Divine Light; many shall find release through them.' [Extracted from: EPISODES FROM LIVES OF THE GURUS - PARCHIAN SEWADAS - ENGLISH TRANSALTION by Kharak Singh & Gurtej Singh, Institute of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh]

Gur Pyareo...I also agree with the calendar--it is a wonderful step forward..a question though. Who is the man who created it?? I know there must have been a team of Sikhs, but does anyone know the main person? Also, is their research (for fixing dates) available for the public? I guess it would be interesting to see how they derived these dates.. Yours in Learning... Summeet Kaur p.s/I know I haven't posted in ages--but I'm back now :D

Gursimar Singh, my veer (he really is my brother! lol) I must say that I am impressed, the love that you show, it's inspiration for us 'older ones' as well..Waheguru.. Waheguru's love is awake and aware in EACH & EVERY heart..no matter how old.. With Love, Your Sis, Summeet Kaur :D

..waheguru.. Thank you for posting this, absolutely wonderful! Naam is our vessel in this voyage of truth...