EktaOne.com

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh A truly amazing event. Well done to sevadars from SikhKIDS.com Audio from the event is up at http://www.ektaone.com/audio/index.php?q=f...Birmingham,+UK) :D Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Vaheguroo jee ka Khalsa. Vaheguroo jee kee Fateh! Congratulations to ALL sangat celebrating the physical coming of Dhan Dhan Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee! We wish that all sangat have a very happy day celebrating this auspiscious occasion. "Aap Narayan Kalaa Taar, Jag Mein Parvariyo"... Maharaj has Himself came in the form of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Jee and gave us the amazing gift of Sikhi. Be proud to be a GurSikh of Guru Nanak Dev Jee. Meditate on the name of Vaheguru. Encourage others to do the same. Spread peace. Spread love. Spread compassion. Lets keep on fulfilling the mission of Guru Nanak Dev Jee. Once again, congratulations to all! Love, EKTAONE.COM TEAM

Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Pyaareh...

Vaheguroo jee ka Khalsa. Vaheguroo jee kee Fateh. There has just been an update to EktaOne.com with keertan from Veer Manpreet Singh (Anuragi) from UK. He went to Malaysia earlier this year and they made some absolutely beautiful recordings. http://www.ektaone.com/audio/index.php?q=f...2FMalaysia+2006 Hope you enjoy. Vaheguroo jee ka Khalsa. Vaheguroo jee kee Fateh. EktaOne.com

VJKK VJKF Just a quick mention that www.ektaone.com have uploaded a video (over an hour long) produced by SaReGaMa which has some really beautiful stories on Guru Nanak Dev Jee. Its quite simple punjabi format aimed at kids with lots of video snippets and images as well as its own story teller :wub: Please do check it out :wub: VJKK VJKF

B U M P :umm: THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!

Happy birrrrrrrrrrrthday! Keep up the good seva u do jio. u r very lucky to have been blessed so much. chat to u soon

yup, i agree with Bass Singh veer jee Best to come to the rehansbhais, rather than listen to just recordings or broadcast on a pc. next one is in wolverhampton - September 2nd 2006 at Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbaar http://www.ektaone.com/rehansbhai/ ss topic : http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showtopic=20380

http://www.ektaone.com/sikhismcastes.php "Know people by the light illuminating them and do not ask their caste; for in the hereafter no one is differentiated by caste." Guru Nanak Dev Ji Historical Context Almost all the evils of Indian society and the misfortunes of the Indian subcontinent can be attributed to the introduction of the caste system. When Aryans migrated to the sub-continent from Central Asia (approx. 500 BC), they were having a tough time at the hands of the native Dravidians. Caste system at that time was expediency, so that the migrants might be able to devote their single-minded attention to the pursuits of education, statesmanship, agricultural and artisan activities. To begin with, the duties were assigned to various citizens on the basis of their aptitude, intelligence and valour. But as the conditions stabilised, birth and not worth became the exclusive factor for determining the caste of a person. This sowed the seeds of India's political, social and economic evils. Education became the exclusive monopoly of the Brahmins (priests). They did not have to work for their livelihood, and enjoyed themselves on the offerings of others. Kshatriyas, the martial class, assumed the entire political power. The Vaishayas (working classes) were kept illiterate, because their low caste did not entitle them to any benefit of education and privilege of statesmanship. The Shudras, the lowliest members of society had no rights, but all obligations of menial work. The Brahmins began to regard themselves as touch-me-nots and the Shudras were despised as untouchables. The Guru's Reforms The teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the succeeding Guru's produced important reforms. Sikhi recognises no caste. All people are equal irrespective of their calling and social positions. Prince or serf, rich or poor, Brahman or shudra, man or woman, black or white, all as human beings, were considered to be equal. "The caste of all mankind is one and the same." Guru Gobind Singh Ji In order to counteract the traditions of inequality the Guru's introduced langar (common kitchen) where Hindus and Muslims, Brahmans and Shudras, princes and paupers all sat down in rows together (pangat) and took food. Even Emperor Akbar of Delhi had to sit down and dine with sweepers and beggars in the Guru's kitchen before he was allowed to see the Guru in person. Sikhi is a great leveller of people and emphatically declares the equality of all. Equality Of All People - The Guru's Basic Teachings In order to demonstrate practically that the Gurus meant what they said. Guru Arjan Dev Ji (the 5th Guru) included in the Guru Granth Sahib the hymns of Muslim and Hindu Bhagats (Saints) some of whom belonged to the so-called low castes. One of these Saints was Bhagat Kabir Ji, he was born into a Shudra family of cloth weavers in 1398 AD Kabir worshipped One formless God, led a pious life, preached love of God and fellow beings, as God's light was equally present in all. He raised a powerful voice against caste and challenged the high caste Brahmans: "How is it that you claim to be a Brahman and brand us as untouchables ? Do you dare call yourself milk-white and label us as polluted blood? "If you claim to be a Brahman because you were born to a Brahman woman; Do you also dare to claim that you were born differently?" Bhagat Kabir Ji Actions make people high or low, good or bad, the ignorant person is the one who is proud of their birth : "God created light; His omnipotence gave birth to all; All beings are born from the same light, how can some be good and some bad? Your caste and rank depend on your own actions. Do not be proud of your caste. O ignorant fool, this pride is the root of all evils." Guru Nanak Dev Ji The Gurus created a casteless society, but what is happening today ? Why is it when you ask a person what he/she is they say :" Oh, I'm a Sikh " but then they also proudly say: " I'm a JAT !! " .. "I'm a Ramgharia !!" .. "I'm a Ravidasi !!" or .. "I'm a Parjapat !!". The Guru's shown us the way and yet we don't even follow the Guru's basic teachings; have a look at ourselves, are we contradicting ourselves by calling ourselves "Sikh" and then believing and holding onto the caste system. The fundamental assumption of the caste ideology is that people are not born equal, but are forever unequal. Do we want to believe in this ? How Can We Release Ourselves From The Evil Chains Of Caste ? The previous generation has shown their ignorance of the Guru's teachings by believing in caste marriages and going to the extent of naming Gurdwaras by caste. We the next generation need to look at the mistakes of our parents and amend them to the Guru's teachings. The solution to free ourselves from caste is by love and attachment to The Truth, we will be immensely pressurised by our parents, peers and society to believe in the caste system, in the same way other prejudices become the norm, but whilst respecting our parents we must attach ourselves to the truth - that caste has no place in Sikhi. The more closer we get to Guru Ji (Guru Granth Sahib Ji) the more God will shower his grace upon us, and free us from the evil chains of caste which have stalled the development of our society. By arming ourselves with the knowledge of Gurbani we will also gain the answers to the mythology we will be challenged with. We may ask 'How can I get closer to Guru Ji and God ? - There are many ways which can be tried - it is all about making the effort to take steps towards Guru Ji. The relationship between the true Sikh and Guru Ji is unique and special: "By taking one step towards the Guru, the Guru will take thousands of steps towards you." Guru Granth Sahib Ji We can try to read translations, try to understand what the Guru is saying to us, learn our great history; the greatest timeless philosopher is Guru Ji and yet we don't even make an effort to understand what the Guru is saying- this says a lot about today's Sikhs. Amrit - The Answer At the time of baptism ceremony (Amrit Sanskar), the Guru enjoined on all who have joined the Khalsa that they should consider any previous 'castes' erased and deem themselves as brothers and sisters; all members of one family. When initiated into the Khalsa order there is no question of so called caste. Amrit is drank from the same iron bowl to shatter all barriers. The example of the Panj Piara's, all five from different background and place of origin, shows us the way to unification into the family of God.

WELCOME It’s the month the camps end along with the school holidays. However, September is a month of rejoice as we celebrate the 402nd Anniversary of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee – our eternal Guru. So whether you are going back to studies or just want to end the summer camps with a spiritual boost, we would like to invite you all to the first International Naam Ras Rehansbhai at Gurdwara Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbaar in Wolverhampton, UK. This is a chance to drop all your stress and worries for at least one night and join the Saadh Sangat to sing the Praises of the True Guru. Keertani from UK and India, young and old, will join together, to unite on one stage, embracing the sangat with beautiful, warming, enlightening Keertan. THE EVENT The event is the first Naam Ras Rehansbhai. This is to begin at 7pm sharp on Saturday 2nd September 2006 at Gurdwara Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbaar in Wolverhampton. There will be continuous keertan and simran being sung until 6am the following morning on Sunday 3rd September, which will include Asa Di Vaar keertan. THE VENUE Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar Mander Street Wolverhampton WV3 0JZ Gurdwara Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbaar is one of the most beautiful Gurdwaras in the Midlands and one of the most active, with youth and elders working together to serve Guru Jee and the community. Recently, they launched their own website [www.nanaksar.org] which constantly updates with new multimedia of events as they take place there. There is also information on projects they are involved with throughout the world. http://www.ektaone.com/rehansbhai and http://www.nanaksar.org

PHOTOS NOW ONLINE :D http://www.ektaone.com/photos/2006/0730KirtanInThePark/

..and a new one! This one is produced by Bibi Amrit Kaur... http://www.ektaone.com/blog/?p=41

Next UK adult camp (16+) is : Khalsa Camp [http://www.khalsacamp.com/uk]