RavidassiSikh

Veer Ji, This is something that has been in my mind for a long time and your post has provided the nudge / inspiration for me to find some time & start a blog / join wordpress. Thank You. Waheguru... Waheguru... Waheguru...

Veero, The reason this happens is that people of Sikh 'background' and non-Sikhs, mix and confuse Punjabi/Bhangra culture with that of Sikhi way of life. Before anyone gets offended I am just stating that this is the norm. A prime example is one of the most famous bhangra songs of all time (played at parties / clubs etc): Lyrics: Baari kholke WAHEGURU bol ke seat utteh beht balliye, nava le leya truck tere yaar ne Babeyan de chal challiye.... ....jadon Zimidara Dhaba billo jad auga jatt murga te motta peg lauga WAHEGURU... WAHEGURU... WAHEGURU.

SarabjeetSingh - Thanks bro. Onlyfive - Brother, I am Sikh, I call myself Sikh & strive to follow Sikhi. It's just a username, it's not supposed to mean anything trust me. I can change it to Tarlochan'sSikh or Namdev'sSikh or even Baba Nanak's Sikh? I am baffled why it bothers people (thats why I hardly post on here), especially as there are people who have usernames that make no sense at all! Anyway I'm happy to agree to disagree.

Brings me great sorrow - I'm trying to control my anger!! As they say God is watching! Waheguru...Waheguru...Waheguru....

Veero, I remember listening to an old audio, I think from Harbhajan Singh Yogi, basically saying that from when Guru Nanak Ji visited Mecca (or Makkah) that there is a plaque or shrine still there. I have been trying to find anything on the Internet and in books but can't find anything - anyone know if this is true that there is still a shrine there? I know difficult to answer because only muslims are allowed in Mecca in modern times.... but I just wondered after seeing a picture of the Gurdwara/ shrine in Baghdad. Thanks.

Veero, There are some absolutely despicable videos on YouTube which have used Sri Ravidass Ji's picture and are depicting him drunk/dancing - together with obscene language & even a second video made to make Sri Ravidass Ji look like he is barking!! This is absolutely DISGRACEFUL and all followers of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji should not stand or tolerate this!! If Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji held Sri Ravidass Ji in the highest highest esteem and included his bani in the Sat Guru Granth Sahib Ji then all followers should respect him & ensure he is treated with the utmost respect. SIMPLE. Please can we not turn this thread into another broken record caste discussion. All i am asking is that we do something to have these videos removed immediately!!!! WHETHER ITS BHAGATS / GURUS / SHEIKHS / SANTS - ALL AUTHORS OF GURBANI SHOULD BE RESPECTED!! Whether it's Baba Nanak, Sri Ravidass, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Sri Namdev, ETC ETC.... NB> i dont want to post links to these videos - but they are on youtube... under 'Ravidass dancing' by some username called Brahmin Prince and another one called Lahore something......! Ek Onkar.

They most definitely could have, no doubt. But just because something wasn't done back then doesn't mean it is pointless today as well. At that point of time, survival was the top priority as we were being hunted right and left. Today things are not that bad. Moreover, in the words of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, the day the Indian army walks into Sri Darbar Sahib, the foundation of Khalistan will be laid. Punjab on this day needs a wake up call first of all. Do not go by what is going on in Punjab because the kind of Khalsa that is envisioned in Khalistan is rare in Punjab today. Like most have posted on here, the masses first need to be educated on Sikhi before anything else. Khalistan will be the last chapter in our "book of struggles" as we need to master the ones before. However, dismissing it as "least important" is what would be a mistake. We have scores of other issues to be sorted before that, and I don't deny that. But just because someone doesn't like a particular idea is no reason to claim that the idea doesn't make sense. And remember, the majority in Punjab that is not in favor of Khalsa Raaj (which most like to talk about and use as a jutification) is not even in Sikhi saroop to begin with, the least requirement to atleast "look like a Sikh". That is chapter 1 which needs to be resolved. The plain and simple truth is, unless you don't wake someone up, they won't realize they were asleep and were dreaming. Simple as that.We could argue pages over pages on this forum, slapping labels and blames on each other. I have faith on what Gurmukhs have seen and said, you can continue to hold on to whatever you feel is right. Because lets get one thing straight, I am not bothered about changing your opinion, and trust me you can't change mine (not like you would be bothered either). Veer JI, in an ideal world WE would have had our own independent homeland but that didn't happen all those years ago so just my thoughts on Khalistan now: rather than focus on Khalistan shouldn't we be teaching our youth to be Gurmukhs and follow: Naam Jaapo, Vand Shako, Kirat Karo... considering a sizeable population of Punjab is more concerned about how they are going to feed their families and run their homes - do you think people of Punjab want to form part of a new country? NOTE how much Pakistan is worse-off from being separate from original India (Bharat) my personal view is that I do not think Sikhi & Shri Guru Granth Sahib teaches us that we need to have a Khalistan 'agenda' and doesnt tell us to brainwash young people about Khalistan/guns/ gangsters etc: our focus should be the path to God & only the path to God. ...Waheguru....Waheguru...Waheguru...

A very positive cause (I know not solely job related) is to: log onto www.UnitedSikhs.org & donate generously to support the relief effort in Pakistan (Taliban conflict) United Nations estimates over 1million people have been displaced as a result of the conflict. UNITED SIKHS Aid team is working to provide food and supplies for those who need it the most. Waheguru...Waheguru...Waheguru....

Ji, Not sure which Kirtanee you heard, but this is the Shabad you are talking about & so it may jog someone else's memory. :D Waheguru...Waheguru...Waheguru

Veer Ji - I was compelled to respond to your comments... just to say this is an excellent posting! Waheguru...Waheguru...Waheguru...

by whom? so are you Sikhs to prove a point to 'people' and not to 'guru'. you seem to think you are what you are because of what people think about you and not the guru. that is what you call low self esteem which gets instilled since when you are born and walk in society. another of your type, jason, put it quite plainly that you live in 'society' and not in 'sggs'. you guys would even grow tails in your backside if 'society' demanded it. no wonder you have been at the receiving end for thousands of years and will remain so unable to let go of the shackles that bind your soul and will stay on your pysche one way or another. can you specifically point to those people in this Forum since i don't live in your society. you are doing same thing. you too identify with your caste and not your guru. so don't complain about it. then why the insistence on 'ravidasi sikh'? do you think guru gobind singh would approve of it? so is 'labrador'. have you seen how cute the dog is and obedient too. and why isn't 'chamar' a beautiful name too? it rhymes just about right. chamaar, what a beautiful name. derived from chamri, that is skin or leather. and it was there before bhagat Ravidas and you guys changed it. It is the treatment which was not beautiful, not the name. But has the treatment changed? What has changin names got you? nobody said so here. only you have been screaming this since you came on this forum. and i bet calling yourself that does not get you better treatment either. you are the same person a change of name does not change it. either way you are just confiriming that you are 'chamar'. and since you are NOT Khalsa, the rule does not apply to you. right? therefore you are free to stick to being a chamar. what oppression did you face in Britain? those chamaars who were protesting calling a ban on kirpan didn't look like they were being oppressed. without being a proper Sikh, just like so many. and since the world is not perfect you can continue following 'Manmat' and not 'Gurmat'. so is there no discrimination among Chamars? or any other place? what about your home? Again 'someone', i.e. yourself, ignored my original post about the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev JI & chose to argue about my views on caste-ism creating divides. 'Ravidass JI' is not caste-ism or a caste, I could easily change my Username to 'Guru Nanak Ji's Sikh' or 'Guru Gobind's Sikh' or Kabir Ji's Sikh!!! There would be no difference & no-one would even mention it. Also how in the world can you even compare Guru Ravidass Ji's name to that of a labrador!!!!!!!! THIS is an example of the ignorance & provocation that divides all backgrounds in Sikhi & creates divisions and silos. I think you have also proven my point, by making offensive comments associating people from so-called low backgrounds with "low self-esteem & manmat". A Panji asked about by Username & I responded. On the otherhand I think your post is offensive, divisive & inherently looking for an argument. I will not stoop to this level & make any further responses but I urge you to at least understand why I am disagreeing with you & leave you to decide. I wish to put my focus in positive Sikhi actions. Waheguru...Waheguru...Waheguru...

Why are you calling yourself a "ravidassia" Sikh? You've just proven his point, no matter if he's a ravidassi, a sikh or neither. ...The fact that readers are questioning my Username & not referring to my post where I have explained the three key teachings from Shri Guru Nanak JI, is an example of the problem we have in Sikhi society. All, I have mentioned my username on a few occasions & I am happy to copy & paste my answer from another topic & elaborate... ""People from low castes who are Sikhs and have been for generations & generations are told that we are not real Sikhs because we are of Chamar or Dalit background.... But you have people saying they are Jat Sikh or Ramgarhia Sikh - when there should be no caste-ism in SIKHI. A point to note is that Guru Ravidass Ji cannot be compared with any caste or creed - he has gifted us with his teachings & life on earth as per Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. TO ME - 'Ravidassi Sikh' is a beautiful reference, taking the name of Ravidass Ji Maharaj. Why should people say we are not Sikhs OR why should we be Chamar Sikhs?? Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj's Hukam was for the Khalsa to be one regardless of caste - oppression is the reason why some low-caste people prefer to be Hindu, some Ravidassia & some like me who will always stay behind the Sikh banner regardless. So in a perfect world I would be just "Sikh" - but discrimination in our Sikh society does not allow that."" ...Waheguru...Waheguru...Waheguru...

Ji, I couldnt agree with you more. Is anyone inside Sikhi let alone outside of Sikhi aware of the pillars of Sikhism?? - Kirat Karo - to live an honest family life & earning by the sweat of one's brow - Vand Chhako - to share with the community through charitable giving - Naam Japo - continual remembrance of Waheguru & focus on his name It's a sad reflection when people say what's Sikh or "ahhh you're Sikh: you guys like a drink or you guys <insert Punjabi stereotype here>" Too much time wasted on in-fighting & building monuments rather than to actually spread Gurbani. Waheguru...Waheguru...Waheguru...