ms514

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA VAHEGURYLU JI KI FATEH Alright, Baba Deep Singh Ji then.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH There have been Sikhs who were celibate from Guru Sahib's time - Baba Deep Singh, Baba Budda Ji were celibate. If that is your choice, so be it. If you, at a later time, decide to get married, so be it.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH You were probably given what is called choola. It is a means to commit you and your parents to raise you as a Sikh. It is not Amrit as in Khanda-Batta Amrit as created by the Punj Pyare in the presence of Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji with Rehat, imparting of Naam and Mool Mantar, and the like. You would not be considered a part of the Khalsa Panth - more like a trainee :biggrin2: . It is typically conducted at birth, but I don't know of any restrictions to prevent this to be imparted after birth. Details: http://www.damdamitaksaal.org/code-of-conduct#h1-birth-ceremony-janam-sansakar-first-ceremony - Janam Sanskar Nothing prevents an Amrit Sanchar being conducted at home, bu the requirements are laid out in detail here: http://www.damdamitaksaal.org/code-of-conduct#h3-amrit-nbsp-ceremony-amrit-sanskar-third-ceremony . Note: I am posting Maryada from Damdami Taksal as it is more in depth than the other Maryadas that are posted, not as an endorsement of any particular Jathebandi. All Jathebandis have to prepare similarly for an Amrit Sanchar and there are very few minor variations.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Most of you must be from the UK, where the system of religious marriage and a registered civil (legally recognized marriage) are intertwined. The Supreme Court decision impacts civil marriage and recognition of same gender marriage. It does not obligate any religious group to perform any marriage ceremony for same gender marriages. There is separation of church and state here and no such obligation is present on any religious group to perform religious marriages for same gender couples. It requires that the law recognize same gender marriages. The implications relate to health care, taxes and other legal matters in which having same gender marriages impart many legal benefits that were not available before.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH In almost all Amrit Sanchars, regardless of whatever Jathebandi does the arrangement (no Jathebandi can claim to have its "own" Amrit Sanchar), the peshis will be done in private between the Sikh presenting himself/herself and the Guru Roop Punj Pyare in the Hazoori of Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. There can be unforseen circumstances in which the peshi is done in front of others, but this typically involves someone who insists on/is require to be presented in front of the Punj Pyare and did not arrive on time for the Amrit Sanchar or was not presented in front of the Punj Pyare during the peshi time and the Amrit Sanchar is just about to begin and all of the participants of the Amrit Sanchar are present for the Amrit Sanchar. Note that everything is at the discretion of Guru Roop Punj Pyare in an Amrit Sanchar - the above can very much vary per their hukam/mauj. Moral of the story: Get there on time and make sure you go present yourself in front of the Punj Pyare when the appropriate time is alloted for peshis.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Agreed with the above - Sangat is very important. First question to ask yourself is what type of Sangat you are keeping. if they are not maintaining a similar level of rehat or higher than you, then you may not have Sangat of Gursikhs who can inspire you upwards and may be dragging you downwards. While outer Rehat is important, understand that Gurbani itself is a Rehat - it advises you to fix your life and walk the narrow path that is Gursikhi inwards and outwards. If you believe that dancing is premitted in Sikhi, please read Gurbani and see what is said about dancing. If you think makeup is ok for Sikhi, think about for who you are applying makeup (look up Gurbani verses related to shingaar and you will get your answer). Bhenji, you need to get better Sangat and understand the beauty of Sikhi. You reference point is with other girls who may not be the best examples of Gursikhs. This is not my statement, this is what Gurbani says. If you can read one Shabad from Gurbani to test this, read "Gur Satgur Ka Jo Sikh Akhayiae" - which explains that the duty of a Sikh is to be attached to the Guru at all times and not waste a single breath away without contemplating the Almighty. Nobody is expecting perfection and the embodiment of Gurbani is days from any Gursikh - but the Sikh's job is to try and move forward, not take examples from others who could possibly drag you down. You must ask yourself why you are not getting the satisfaction that Gurbani describes will make all other pleasures feel faded and inferior to the Anand of Simran and Gurbani paath/keertan. If they are giving to this Anand, then ask why you are looking at those who may not be experiencing the same. Do Sangat of those who feel the same and are trying to excel to the higher spiritual stages.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Fix the institution. First and foremost, it is vital to understand that without the Akaal Takht Sahib, the Panth will splinter into factions and it is very possible that infighting will become the norm. Whereas now, we can all look towards the one central authority for a decision and guidance, without the Akaal Takht Sahib, every group will claim to be the one true group and any hopes of unity will be dashed. Badal can be blamed, Jathedars can be blamed, but in reality, Badal is voted in by the public, who then controls the SGPC, who then controls the Akaal Takht Sahib. It is the Sikh Panth's responsibility to understand this cycle, break the tie between Punjab politics and the SGPC and demand that the SGPC cater to the Sikhs rather than their own selfish needs (only under threat of grave consequence to the SGPC and the Takht Sahib sevadaars would this be achieved, given the pervasive infiltration of the government into Sikh affairs). The institution itself is not bad, but the Sikh Panth has let it be delivered into the hands of the government. And understand that the government would like nothing better than to have the Sikhs ignore the Akaal Takht Sahib - the Sikhs remain the only force in India to combat a total Hinduvta agenda from being implemented in the India. These types of conversations and thoughts is EXACTLY what the government wants. Fix the system and don't destroy the one platform of unity in the Sikh faith. Ignoring the Akaal Takht Sahib and eliminating its power in the Sikh Panth will take decades, if not centuries, to repair and get the Sikh Panth back towards a unified body. If you think things are bad now, imagine every major Sikh jathebandi fighting amongst themselves like children - a much scarier picture.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH The below does not imply any particular Sikh group is correct or incorrect. However, it is provided for a more complete picture. Just as an addition - Taksal Maryada mentions that the Hukam for all Sikhs is to wear a turban. 3.10.1. Kesh – Unshorn HairFrom your head down to your toes all hair is to be kept unshorn and your hair is to be tied and complemented with a turban, …ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤਿ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਸਿਰਾ॥ "…complete form is with turban donned."SGGSJ Ang 1084 For the respect of your hair, two turbans are to be tied, tying each layer one at a time. There should be a small turban tied underneath and a larger one tied above this. Women must not plait their hair and should keep their hair tied in a bun/top-knot, in order to respect your Kesh a small turban should be tied. Keski is not a kakkar (one of the five K’s). ਇਹੈ ਮੋਰ ਆਗਿਆ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਹੇ ਪਿਆਰੇ ॥ ਬਿਨਾ ਸ਼ਸਤਰ ਕੇਸੰ ਦਿਵੋਂ ਨ ਦਿਦਾਰੇ ॥ "Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee says, listen to this command oh beloved, This is the essential pre-requisite to attain my darshan. Without arms and kesh I will not give you darshan." http://www.damdamitaksaal.org/code-of-conduct#h3-10-1-kesh-unshorn-hair - not that there is no exemption for women under this Maryada to not wear a Dastaar. Also, the Mastuana Mahapurakhs also encouraged Sikh women to wear Dastaars, as is demonstrated by their students at Baru Sahib Academy.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Please read this: http://www.sikhs.org/nosymbol.htm

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Jio, Canada is a big country - you may want to specify a specific province or city (BC, Surrey, Vancouver, Toronto, etc.).

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Have you called the local Gurdwaras to inquire? The only one that I know of that happens every year around this time is the Akhanda Kirtani Jatha Smagam in New York (my former neighboring major city). http://akj.org/skins/one/programs.php?countryid=5 - Details. You can call the organizers at the smagams to find out of there is an Amrit Sanchar planned for any of the other smagams (including Houston, which is in a few weeks per the above).

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Guru Sahib/God know why you did the seva and that is the most important - that you engaged in Nishkam Seva (seva without desire for a returned reward). If the seva you did meets the requirements of community service, have it signed and submitted. It is a formality that would satisfy your school requirements. It is not as if you did the seva knowing that the school would need this paper. Thank the Almighty that arrangements were made for you to be able to do this seva and, in turn, the Almighty arranged that this seve would alleviate further burden of having to make extra arrangements for doing community service. Imagine if you hadn't done seva - what would you do now?

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH "He permitted his followers to drink liquor and eat pork. However, he forbade them beef in deference to the Hindus."

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH I was going to post a whole wall of text, but that went by the wayside (browser went back, I click forward and all text disappears. Nice). Post your question/concern here: http://gurmatbibek.com/forum/list.php?3 Why there: Some of the things you are referring to are practiced by these Sikhs. They may be able to answer your questions in a bit more detail. It is very easy to dismiss it all away and be frustrated, but understand the some (not all) of the above you have posted above actually does have its roots in Sikhi. The whole washing hair and cutting nails at night doesn't seem to (unless you are helping to do Sukhasan seva at night - then having a full body ishnan before the seva has a reason)., but the food concerns you have do have reasons behind it. It is better to get the explanations from those who actually practice the discipline. You can use the responses provided here as a counterpoint to their responses.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Maybe it is not 9 continents, but rather ancestral regions? https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/regions/

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH The below is my own prespective from reading the Bible - the below will apply to the New Testament. If you actually read the bible, you will see that the New Testament (the primary section dealing with Christianity) has parts. The gospels from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the story of Jesus of Nazareth. In this contains what can truly be called the life and teachings of Jesus. There is very good content here. What is said by Jesus himself shows as a reformer and a person who wanted to dissipate the fakeness that was prevalent in the preaching going on. The other sections, from Paul (formerly Saul) the Apostle, Revelations and such are not quite the same type of content as the gospels. Contrasted to Jesus's message of reformation, simplicity and devotion, the chapters have a variety of themes. Paul the Apostle has a bunch of the compositions within the New Testament. Frankly, I took a lot of issue with Paul's writings, as they seemed to be at odds with the simple and religious theme of Jesus. One verse detailed how men should not keep long hair (seems to be the opposite of what was ordained to the region's people per the Old Testament) and women should only learn that which comes from their men's mouth (was not a fan of women learning). Revelations, seemingly attributed to a person named John, was about the doom and gloom that was to come. Again, this was not really in line with the simple message of Jesus as enshrined in the 4 gospels. One experiences a very dramatic change in tone and content when transitioning from the gospels to the other content. Similarly, in the Old Testament (read most of it), there are glimpses of the true Divine - Psalms and (to a lesser extent) the Proverbs, that are truly prayers or compositions to the Almighty. Other parts are more historical and commentary in nature. The Bible (specifically the New Testament) should be understood for what it is: it is a compilation of texts that were written many years after the passing of Jesus. Some disagree to the compilation itself and there are other versions and additional compositions that some consider should be part of the Bible. What pertains directly to Jesus, his life and message, is inspiring and uplifting. All other stuff - seems...not as inspiring and uplifting. Be it historical in nature, commentary of someone who supposedly is a devotee of Jesus (referring to Paul the Apostle) or having visions of the future (Revelations), they are not as in line with the Gospels' message. The Bible was not directly recited and recorded fro Jesus's mouth. You cannot read and analyze its contents like Gurbani, which was directly revealed and scribed AND THEN PROOFREAD AND EDITED directly by Guru Sahib. Conclusion: Stop beating up on Jesus.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH In this, the verse from Vaaran Bhai Gurdas is to be taken at face value/literally. Vaheguru is the Gurmantar, and through its recitation, one will find relief from the ego. Ritualistic repetition - recitation is not ritual, it is rememberance. If I was to say the word mother/mom/mummi/mataji/biji (whatever wordd you call your mother), your mind instantly connects to the thoughts and the being that is your mother. Similarly, by recitation of the Gurmantar, one connects to the Almighty and its continuous recitation keeps the person connected to the Almighty continuously. If you want to know the thought process of Gurbani recitation of Gurmantar, you have only as far as to read Gurbani about Naam Simran, which is the very theme and basis of Gurbani. Recitation of Gurmantar = Naam Simran. It has stages, the first of which is recitation out loud. Gradually, the Simran internalizes more and more to where you become one with the Almighty. Some information on this: (referenced previously as this video is as concise as possible for such an in depth topic).

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH "I was wondering if it is possible to read along while listening to, to perform a sehj paath, is that okay according to maryada?" It is absolutely acceptable to read along with a recording to get better acquainted with proper pronunciation and Gurbani structure. The ideal state is to be able to do paath yourself (and then fully understand and follow, but that comes with Guru Sahib's Kirpa), but this is an excellent beginning step.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/28/spyparty-new-characters-indie-aa/ A Sikh in a video game. Interesting is this quote: "Take Mr. K, a follower of Sikhism, for example. If Mr. K debuted in SpyParty drinking a martini, Hecker would want someone to let him know that Sikhs don't drink alcohol. He's not looking to offend anyone, for any reason. "If someone's just offended that we put a Sikh in a video game, then they get a copy of this video," Hecker says." If he does put something offensive in the game to Sikhs, it seems he is amenable to work with the community to alter it. It may truly be something that should receive community support and recognition.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Firstly, calm down. Life is full of challennges - some have it easier than others and others have a very difficult time. I see two problems. One is that your santhiya teacher was taken away and the other dyslexia. Dyslexia is a different way to perceive writing and most Western developed countries have a means to work around it. Have you been working with any school administration - telling them you have dyslexia and having them making appropriate accommodations to learn and test around it? If not, this is really a must. If you have, it will require constant effort on your part to ensure that you are given a fair chance at education. You have to FIGHT for this (duty of the Khalsa). As for your santhiya teacher - I don't understand the why - why would they take a teacher of Gurbani away from you or how. Do they have concerns over the teacher (may be valid concerns), is this a Jathebandi issue (not a valid concern), and have they, if they have valid concerns, been able to refer you to an alternate teacher? To deny someone access to learn proper pronounciation of Gurbani is a great sin, so for these individuals (sounds like fellow, over-zealous youth) to do so is not correct unless there are valid concerns. As for leaving Sikhi - you gave your head to the Guru and are abandoning the Guru like the 40 Beymukhs (only 40 Mukhtae after Mata Bhag Kaur returned them towards the Guru). This is not appropriate behavior for a Sikh. And sorry to tell you, but lift does not get easier as time goes on. Tighten your kamarkasa, slap yourself a few times and get with it: Nobody ever said Sikhi was easy and life is definitely not easy. It is not the outcomes that matter: the WAY in which you handle the journey, the intent, is more important than you would realize. Stop getting overly emotional over this and understand that at minimum, you have this cyber sangat to vent on, get support and move forward. I don't know you, but being a brother to you (and most likely an elder one), I would send a virtual slap to you upside the head, tell you to toughen up and find solutions to your problems and move forward. Listen to katha of what the Sikhs had to go through in their lives, put your challenges in perspective and draw inspiration from their lives to move forward. This is not a mathematical religion: X paaths don't = victory. Work towards your goals and don't stop until you get there. THAT is the Khalsa way. You are trying to take the "easy" way out by suicide, only you don't realize what you will be losing and how much punishment you will receive upon trransitioning to the next world. Calm down, analyze, make a plan and move forward - this is life.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH A) Get enough sleep. Go to bed early and wake up early. B) Don't get too comfortable. The body will fall asleep. Be alert. C) Know and understand the task. Prepare for it. Know why you are doing Simran. Your mind should go to bed knowing you will have to get up and do Simran/Amritvela Sambhal and accept this as fact, not a negotiation. D) Eat appropriately. Adjust your meals so that you can wake up and stay awake for Amrivela. Drinking more water so you have to get up to pee may work as well. E) Most important: Do Ardaas to Guru Sahib to do Kirpa and wake you for Amritvela. Most of these may seem to apply to Amritvela, but they also contribute to a wakeful and healthy state throughout the day. Anything that deprives you of sleep or otherwise imbalances your day will affect your wakeful state during Simran.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Singh/Kaur's attempt at what the post is asking makes more sense. Deleting mine to remove further confusion,

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH You tell them what happened. They may ask follow up questions. Listen carefully and accept the decision of the Punj Pyare fully and commit within yourself to do exactly what they say and in the time frame they say if so specified. Dastaar/Dumalla - As long as the center top of the head is accessible to pour Amrit into freely, it should be fine. Some Amrit Sanchars may require that a Boonga or Keski be incorporated into the Kesh (Dumalla), so be prepared to tie it a bit loose so as to facilitate the process. If you have any doubts of this, as the pehradaar or any of the other sevadaars involved in the Amrit Sanchar to assist.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Answer in first 2 minutes.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH This is definitely about someone not expressing due diligence in keeping his firearm and mind under control (mostly the mind, as that is what keeps the firearm under control). Stupid is stupid, regardless of country, race, gender, creed, occupation. Let's learn to identify stupid and stop associating politics, regions or even religion with the discussion. If this had occurred at a church, it would still be just as stupid. If it occurred at an atheist convention - still stupid. Word of day: Stupid.