sher_panjabi

Woops I didn't imply - Hindu were corrupt! Nor did i wish to imply that we should go around punishing Sikhs who dye their beards. What i wished to highlight is that how are we are going to teach Sikhi to people when the "Sikh" institution is being run by people who are not following Sikhi/Rehat properly?

I was browsing the World Sikh University website. Check out the Management team: http://www.sikh-uni.ac.uk/photogallery01.htm Looking at the Management Team I was suprised to see tha the "Sikh University" is managed by a mix of "Sikhs" and non-Sikhs. And most of the "Sikhs" dye their beard jet black ! (Dying beard = against rehat, and a Sikh who does is considered a "Tankhaaheeyaa" (liable for punishment/chastisement))

I agree! Akhand Paaths = pointless! Unless you read Gurbaani yourself, take your time, don't rush, ensure each word is pronounced accurate as possible and that if we can't read Gurbaani ourselves, we listen ATTENTIVELY to another competent reader to read Gurbaani! Paying people to read Gurbaani = Makes no sense in regards to Gurmat!

few years back the Nanakshahi Calendar was made. THis is the Sikh Calendar (based on Guru Nanak Ji's birth year - like Christian calendar is based on Jesus' birth year). The Nanakshahi Calendar is a solar calendar (based on sun) like Western Calendars - this means dates stay the same and don't change year by year like the Indian calendar. The Indian Calendar (Bikrami Calendar) is a Lunar calendar (based on moon) and therefore looking at moon the dates change (backwards and forward every year). TO keep stability and conformity of dates - based on the historical dates of gurpurbs (i.e. the day and month when a guru recieved guruship or left heavinly abode etc when it happened in that particular year) the Nanakshahi Calendar was made. The Nanakshahi Calendar was passed and approved by the Panth and all Gurdwaras and Sikhs are supposed to celebrate gurpurbs according to that (in accordance to Sri AKal Takht Sahib). The only gurpurb which remains to be marked according to lunar calendar is Guru Nanak Ji's gurpurb and Diwali (Bandi Chhor Diwas). That's because Bandi Chhor coincides with the Indian festival of Diwali (which is celebrated according to Indian calendar) and historically Guru Nanak Sahib Ji was born on 1st Vaisakh - so to save hassle they left those two gurpurbs as lunar dates. I don't know whether i have confused any one. if i have - sorry! woops - forgot to mention... vaisakhi = 14th April (originally in 1699 the date was 30th March - but due to leap years etc - the accurate date to mark the day is 14th April)

I think he's Shiv Charan Singh (Scottish Sikh) lives in UK now

I have used GurbaniAkharHeavy Font I advise to please down all the fonts (doesn't take long) from: http://www.sikhnet.com/s/SGGS-Fonts hopefully it should work <_<

Parshaad!!!!! Have as much Karhah Parshaad you want! BUT Also do as much exercise as you can!!! :wub: Nothing wrong with Parshaad - instead we should be encouraging people to walk and exercise more and not sit around like monks and keep on doing Akhand Paaths and more Akhand Paaths and not have time to go for a nice long walk or even better a jog! <_<

we should also read history records with a pinch of salt and with great caution. We have not written our own history like other nations.... others have written it! Historians have special agendas and their world-view is different - so please be careful. In this case of Archer - it seems the British were making up stories using the Guru Sahibaans to weaken the morale of the people of India and for Sikhs and others to accept defeat and that the British were meant to rule India - defending it with these made up stories. Similarly the British Historians made up stories to say that Maharaja Ranjit Singh's family was cursed by the Sikhs. Maharaja Ranjit Singh built Gurdwaras all across India and he built the Gurdwara Hazoor Sahib - when Guru Gobind Singh Ji said that no Gurdwara should be built where he died because he didn't want the chance that people would come and start worshipping his place of death. Because Raja Ranjit Singh built the Gurdwara - so he was cursed. THe curse was no member of his family shall survive and all his clan will be wiped out. The British murdered his family and justified it! Key point which refutes this story = Sikhs don't believe in CURSING! We believe in praying for someone to realise their mistake and do good! "Sarbat Da Bhala" As we sow - we shall reap - Laws of Karam - its all part of Waheguru's Hukam! Guru Sahibaans or any Gurmukhs never cursed or damned anyone!

Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib Ji

www.allaboutsikhs.com > youth section > stories for the youth also: http://www.lotusmedia.co.uk/sikhstudent/gallery.htm whenever i come across a pic on the internet - i usually save it onto my laptop - made a great screensaver with all the pics

the first painting of guru sahib were done during maharaj ranjit's era - bhai kishan singh (one of early painters). if Guru Sahib allowed paintings of themselves then how come there are so many variations of pictures? How come Guru Sahib didn't get people paint pictures for people to hang at their homes or to display on the Gurdwara? Bhai Gurdaas Ji says (Vaar 11): "gur moorat gur shabad, sun saadh sangat aasan nirunkaaree... The word of the Guru is their idol and the holy congregation is the seat of the formless Lord." "gur kee moorat man mehi dhiaan. gur kai shabad mantr man maan. gur kae charan ridhai lai dhaaro. gur paarbrahm sadhaa namaskaaro.1. mat ko bharam bhulai sansaar. gur bin koe na utras paar. 1. rahaa-o. ...Meditate on the image (i.e. enshrine the feet) of the Guru within your mind. Let your mind accept the Word of the Guru's Shabad, and His Mantra (as the highest and pure Mantras). (The Guru’s Shabad is the Guru’s image), enshrine (this) image of the Guru Guru's feet within your heart. (Recognizing the Guru as Vaheguru’s roop, image) bow in humility forever before the Guru , the Supreme Lord God. (1) Let no one wander in doubt in the world. Without the Guru, no one can cross over. (1) (Pause)" (P. 864, SGGS) Note: You can either place a bowl of plastic fruit in your living room and stare at it; or you can eat fruit and taste the real sweetness. Which one would you choose? Similarly we can either stare at pictures of Guru Nanak Ji (which are merely the artists impression of what Guru Nanak Ji would like) or we can feel Guru, and become the living images of Guru Nanak Ji through Gurbani.

kum hit the nail on the head 1. we don't know what guru ji looked like - so painting or drawing a random face seems not right. 2/ we should respect the wishes of the guru - during the gurus time they had oppurtunities to get their pictures painted and drawn, but they didn't. 3/ you wanna see the guru's face - then see the Khalsa! - Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Kaas... in every Khalsa, you should see the face of Guru ji. <_<

All SGPC staff has to wear Blue Dastaars - particular blue, ask the the Pagh Shop in Panjab "I would like Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committe Blue colour pagh" SGPC paid Granthis (3 Takhats in Panjab, Darbaar Sahib and other Gurdwaras in Panjab etc) wear white Kurta and Pyjama (no other colour) The Kurta = 8 or 12 (think 12) Kal-lee-aa(n) wala Kurta (same for Jathedaar) Kallee = section... the side bits of the kurta have panels - so 12 Kalleeaa(n) wala Kurta has 3 panels on each side of the Kurta (front and back). THe Pyjama = Chooree pyjama also known as "Ray" Pyjama. - Its like a narrow / skin tight pyjama (skin tight/ tight from the ankle to knee usually) All Jathedaars have to carry a Sri Sahib as part of their Jathedaar Attire. Kirpan represents the Khalsa sovereignty, independence and honour. Whether they know Gatka or not - I don't know. hope that helps.

I advise the Veer Ji to contact the Sikh Federation who have specialist people in dealing with these situations: SIKH FEDERATION (UK) Tanglewood House Pine Walk Chilworth Southampton SO16 7HQ Email: info@sikhfederation.com jagtarkhalsa@yahoo.com

For Sisters and Brothers who wish to start a Sikh Youth Group in their local town or Gurdwara - here are a few tips (from daas' experience): 1/ Collect names and emails (or phone numbers) of youngsters which you know of and ask others to pass on details of any other youngster they know of. 2/ Pick a location, time and day for the Sikh Youth Group to meet up. (Gurdwara or Sikh Community Centre might be ideal - if available) 3/ Once you have done (2) then send an email to everyone or ring them to come - also tell their parents as well, this way parents will encourage their children to attend. If you have Sikhs at your school - pass a leaflet (advertising the Youth Club) to the secretary and ask her to pass the memo to Tutors, teachers and classes who can make their Sikh students aware. Also put up posters in Gurdwara, school and college. 4/ In Your first meeting - discuss the reasons for starting the Youth Group - what are your dreams and hopes - what do you want Sikh Youth to do and become - the benefits and negatives of coming to a weekly Youth Group Programme 5/ Do Keertan together or collectively do Sodar Rehraas Sahib.... have discussions on topics which are relevant to the youth and effect you - "why do we come to the gurdwara" "why keep sikh identity" "what problems do you face with your identity" "bullying" etc. 6/ Hold events outside the Gurdwara - for example - trips organised with the help of Gurdwara Committee, or small trips organised by the Youth Group, football, sports, ice-skating, bowling or other hobbies etc which young people enjoy Saadh Sangat is important. Having a Youth Group will give all youngsters support and a voice in the community. "Mero Maadho Ji Satsangat Milai So Tari-aa... O my Dear Lord of souls, one who joins the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, is saved." (Ang 10, SGGS) Please include girls as well as boys. Try to stick to one focus when talking or discussing Sikhi - Guru Granth (Shabad Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) and Guru Panth (Sikh Rehat Maryada/ Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib) "Take one step to the Guru, and the True Guru will take thousands of steps forward to welcome you." (Bhai Gurdaas Ji) Good luck! :T: bhul chuk maaf

Please check out: http://www.panthic.org/news/132/ARTICLE/1158/2005-03-27.html

Sorry if i have mada a generalisation - if you check out the websites of the Sanatan Sikh people who propagate the idea that Guru Ji divided sikhs into sewa panthis, nirmale, udaasi and nihungs... on their websites most of the pics of the udaasis are with either shaven heads or dreadlocks - and they have ash smeared on them. Also from personal experience - the Udaasi which i have come across = shaven heads and some had dread locks - and there "Baba" or people they followed was naked saadhu (udaasi). the video which paaji kindly gave the link to: in there one person nicely says: "Baba Sundar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, the 11th head of Damdami Taksal (the Sikh education institution started by Baba Deep Singh with the blessings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji) was asked by people how can we ensure the Sikh Panth remains strong and in chardikala? Baba Ji replied: Everyone should unite and have one main institution where young children should come at a young age. THe first thing they should do is wear all Panj Kakkaar (follow Rehat), take amrit, then learn Nitnem, then learn about Gurmat followed by learning about non-Sikh religions and practices... then these people will be ready to do parchaar and they will never fall down with their Sikhi..." I totally agree! However question: Do Nirmale, Udaasi and Sewa-panthi believe Amrit is necessary? Is it only compulsary for Nihung Singhs? (as preached by Sanatan people) The video is good - if we accept what Baba Sundar Singh Ji says then Udaasi, Nirmal, Sewa-panthi as well as Nihungs should all take Amrit (compulsary), wear Panj Kakaar and all be educated with knowledge of Baani and Gurmat.

Bhai Sahib I was referring to "Udaasi" as i mentioned in the bracket - when referring to the shaving of the heads.

Maaf Karnaa but how has a group of naked roaming saadhus, who shave their heads and smear ash over their bodies (ie. Udaasi) helped Sikhi's existence??? Seems (1) they are not Sikhs (2) they are not following Guru's Sikhi Waheguru help us! I think Kamalroop, Bahadar Singh, and Niddar Singh's propaganda of distorting Sikhi and including these people as Sikhs and twisting facts that these people were blessed by Guru Gobind to start their own sects is a load of rubbish which unfortunately is confusing a lot of vulnerable people who want to learn about Sikhi! bhul chuk maaf

Khalas veer ji.. spot on!:TH: Lets be saved from the Brahmanical thinking and propaganda of (Mughal) Muslim historians and Brahman Historians (who resented Guru Nanak and the Ten Saroops for destroying the Brahman clutch on society and breaking the caste system) Why would you want to have more than one wife? <_< What does Guru Sahib say about marriage and the marital partnership - is it a "couple" or "group" marital relationship? All rehat is equal for man and woman. So if it is okay for man to have more than one wife than a Singhni can technically have more than one husband? Why are trying to dishonour or Gurus by saying they had more than one wives - people have more than one wife and kids with different women are the living Gurmat Jeevan? Lets no fall in the traps of the four hundred years old trap of the anti-panthic, anti-guru, anti-sikh people. Guru Gobind Singh Ji has told us: "Jab Lag Khaalsa Rehai Niaara, Tab Lag Tej Deeo Mai Saara. Jab Eh Gaye Bipran Kee Reet, Mai Na Karo En Ki Parteet.... as the long Khalsa remains distinct, I will guide and protect them with my Sworrd. But if the Khalsa ever starts following Brahmanism (or anti-Gurmat) then I will no longer have faith or trust in the Khalsa." :wub:

translations are from: 1/ Sikhi To The Max (internet version) 2/ www.sridasam.org 3/ Searches on the net for shabad translations

Deras = nothing too with Sikhi Sikhs have Gurdwaras Deras "can be" a breeding ground for "sant-worship", abuse and practices contrary to Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib's Maryada.

<_< Dhan Guru - Dhan Guru Ke Piaari'o!

Daas is a Sikh of the Guru not of a Sant or individual (despite of their bhagti or kamaayee) Sikhs shud get married according to Guru Ji - if an individual prefers not to get married then thats their personal decision. All Guru's (apart from eigth Guru due to young age) were married. THe best example of how to live Gurbaani and be the best Sikhs is look at the jeevan of our Gurus. When i sed this once - a singh sed, "but Baba Nand Singh ji was not married so its okay for sikhs not to marry and remain celibate all their lives" Life celibacy = not part of Sikhi. If an "individual" wishes to do this - then thats "their choice". but when doing parchaar or expressing opinions of the Panth then Sikhs = household gristt jeevan. bhul chuk maaf (by the way i am no way try to offend mahapurkh gursiksh in this post - but we shud clarify that if we are Guru Ke Sikh then we follow Guru's jeevan and sikhiyaa over jeevan and sikhiyaa of a gursikh)

Aape Gur Chela! "Khalsa Mera Satgur Poora" Khalsa is the disciple of Guru Ji, and Guru Ji is the disciple of the Khalsa Rehat of the Khalsa applies to Guru Ji - and Guru Ji's Rehat = Khalsa's Rehat! So lets not get caught up in traps of "its okay for Guru Ji to do x,y or z but for not Sikhs" or "its okay for Sikhs to do x,y or z but for Guru ji to do that" again lets go back to Gurbaani!!!!!! and save our selves from this silly controversies!