MKaur89

Soya milk, rice milk and almond milk are common vegan alternatives. Also, nowadays there are vegan substitutes for lots of things, eg. vegan cheese, ice cream, yoghurt, chocolate, the list goes on. Apparently the dairy industry is more cruel to animals than the slaughtering of animals for meat and I heard that a lot of people (vegetarians especially but also non-vegetarians) turned vegan after watching the documentary 'Earthlings' (you can find it on YouTube) which exposes many industries that use animals for different purposes- meat/dairy/fashion/scientific/medical and so on.

What's your point? What do you expect people to do with this information?

You cannot be serious. I don't understand a word you are saying.

Some people just like to argue for the sake of arguing, and not because they have anything intelligent to add to the discussion. This is the biggest problem in online forums, especially this one. It's a shame because plenty of interesting discussions get derailed once people's big egos start taking over and the thread becomes more about proving each other wrong and "showing off" how much knowledge we have rather than enlightening one another with pyar (love) and nimrata (humility) and these two weapons are the best to use when you want to show somebody the right path.

You raise very valid points, but your post doesn't appear to be gupt.

If you are unable to read it, for whatever reason, then I guess it's ok to listen. But I guess the norm is to just read it, just as we are meant to read all the other banis as part of our daily nitnem.

This is a very interesting question, I have always wondered this too. As far as I understand, the atma originates from parmatma and one day hopes to break free from the cycle of birth and death by achieving union with parmatma. But I am not sure about the exact relation that exists either, hopefully some other people will have more information that they can share.

I wish I could give all that up but what do you eat as a substitute? Those things make up the bulk of my diet, I live away from home so roti is out of the equation.

Where do you even begin in trying to research the answer to this question? I only really know stuff about my family up to my great-grandfather and anything beyond that is a mystery.

I don't see what the issue with the original post is and think it's a very valid topic, essentially the poster is asking for advice on forgiveness from a Sikhi point of view- which would most likely be backed up with gurmat and Gurbani. It's not really about the rights and wrongs of pre-marital relationships or promiscuity, as the person concerned already knows about that, hence their concerns about getting married to someone who has been promiscuous in the past. The main issue innergear is asking for advice about is forgiveness and there are lots of examples of forgiveness that we can learn from in Gurbani, in sakhian and from the lives of our Gurus and other Sikhs of their times and also the present time.

Every gurdwara, no matter how big or small, has similar problems with the committees. Perfectly nice, normal people turn into complete monsters once the power gets to their head after they join the committee.

You're right about 'giani' being a derogatory term nowadays it's because of the backwards attitudes which we've inherited from our elders and the gurdwara committees who look down on 'gianis' and treat them like second-class citizens. Gianis are paid a pittance and most of us wouldn't get out of bed for that kinda money. So the majority of the sangat do not respect them and I know you get the odd bad one or two, but you can't tar them all with the same brush. However, with the rise of social media and YouTube, it's 'trendy' to ridicule just about anything nowadays. And sometimes these kinda funny videos do have elements of truth in them and they do portray a powerful serious message. Especially the video about the gurdwara committees and it's good to know the youth are aware of their failures and hopefully this can inspire some kind of change for the future as after all we are part of the next generation.

Whether eating meat is right/wrong or allowed/not allowed, why would you want it on gurdwara premises? Do what you want in your own homes, but leave the gurdwaras out of it. A simple vegetarian diet is sufficient, even vegan if you can handle it.

A beautiful description of Amritvela by Guru Ram Das Ji on Ang 734: ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਰਤਨੁ ਜਵੇਹਰੁ ਮਾਣਕੁ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੈ ਨਾਲਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੈ ਵਤੈ ਹਰਿ ਭਗਤੀ ਹਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ॥ Har Dhhan Rathan Javaehar Maanak Har Dhhanai Naal Anmrith Vaelai Vathai Har Bhagathee Har Liv Laaee || The Lord's wealth is like jewels, gems and rubies. At the appointed time in the Amrit Vaylaa, the ambrosial hours of the morning, the Lord's devotees lovingly center their attention on the Lord, and the wealth of the Lord. ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੈ ਵਤੈ ਕਾ ਬੀਜਿਆ ਭਗਤ ਖਾਇ ਖਰਚਿ ਰਹੇ ਨਿਖੁਟੈ ਨਾਹੀ ॥ Har Dhhan Anmrith Vaelai Vathai Kaa Beejiaa Bhagath Khaae Kharach Rehae Nikhuttai Naahee || The devotees of the Lord plant the seed of the Lord's wealth in the ambrosial hours of the Amrit Vaylaa; they eat it, and spend it, but it is never exhausted. ਹਲਤਿ ਪਲਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੈ ਕੀ ਭਗਤਾ ਕਉ ਮਿਲੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥੩॥ Halath Palath Har Dhhanai Kee Bhagathaa Ko Milee Vaddiaaee ||3|| In this world and the next, the devotees are blessed with glorious greatness, the wealth of the Lord. ||3|| May Guru Ji bless us all with Amritvela and Nitnem.

We can only speculate, no one truly knows what increases or decreases your kamai. There is no formula set in stone. But I don't feel that doing ardas for others can harm you in any way or have a negative effect on you. What better thing is there than to do ardas for others from the bottom of your heart? Also a lot of us are so caught up in ourselves and our own egos that we only want to help others (ie. do ardas for them) if there is some kind of gain in it for us or if we are not going to lose out on something. When really and truly, we should be willing to help those in need no matter what. Sometimes you see some people at the gurdwara donate £10 to the nearest giani ji and then he does ardas for that person. Sometimes I see this and feel that in SOME cases, ardas has just become like a 'ritual' as in the ardas will be mumbled by the giani ji in exchange for some money, the person requesting ardas just listens, matha teks and then goes on their way. And I think would it not be best for that person to totally surrender to Guru Ji themselves and personally do their ardas themselves. Ardas is not just about what you say, it's also about what's on your mind and what's in your heart and Guru Ji alone is all-knowing and listens to us in our time of need. All in all, I think it's good to do ardas for ourselves and others, but only if you truly mean it and it's not for any sort of selfish gain. If you do it without meaning, then ardas is just empty words.

If he chooses to forgive her past and goes ahead and marries her, the most important thing is that from that day onwards, they both remain committed and faithful to one another. If he feels that she is able to be loyal and faithful to him after marriage, then he should think about whether he can forgive her past deeds. It would be a bad idea for him to rush his decision, marry her and then still resent her inside for her past, as I'm sure it will always play on his mind and he will be unable to fully trust her and most likely would always use her past as ammunition during arguments about other things. Trust, loyalty, open communication and being faithful to one another is the foundation of any successful marriage so he needs to think long and hard about whether he can forgive her for this. Forgiveness is a tricky issue. On the one hand, it's good to be able to overlook someone's past mistakes from their youth, a time when they were naive and misguided. On the other hand, sometimes some people are just unable to forgive certain things (ie. promiscuity) especially if they were not like that themselves. It all depends on the individuals involved and whether or not they have now repented and learned the error of their ways. We have all made mistakes and done things we are not proud of and usually the only thing standing between us and forgiveness is our big, fat ego. A person who is able to forgive is truly blessed. Pride, duality and ego prevent us from being able to forgive one another. On Ang 1372 Bhagat Kabir Ji says the following: ਕਬੀਰਾ ਜਹਾ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਤਹ ਧਰਮੁ ਹੈ ਜਹਾ ਝੂਠੁ ਤਹ ਪਾਪੁ ॥ Kabeeraa Jehaa Giaan Theh Dhharam Hai Jehaa Jhooth Theh Paap || Kabeer, where there is spiritual wisdom, there is righteousness and Dharma. Where there is falsehood, there is sin. ਜਹਾ ਲੋਭੁ ਤਹ ਕਾਲੁ ਹੈ ਜਹਾ ਖਿਮਾ ਤਹ ਆਪਿ ॥੧੫੫॥ Jehaa Lobh Theh Kaal Hai Jehaa Khimaa Theh Aap ||155|| Where there is greed, there is death. Where there is forgiveness, there is God Himself. ||155|| ਕਬੀਰ ਮਾਇਆ ਤਜੀ ਤ ਕਿਆ ਭਇਆ ਜਉ ਮਾਨੁ ਤਜਿਆ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਇ ॥ Kabeer Maaeiaa Thajee Th Kiaa Bhaeiaa Jo Maan Thajiaa Nehee Jaae || Kabeer, what good is it to give up Maya, if the mortal does not give up his pride? ਮਾਨ ਮੁਨੀ ਮੁਨਿਵਰ ਗਲੇ ਮਾਨੁ ਸਭੈ ਕਉ ਖਾਇ ॥੧੫੬॥ Maan Munee Munivar Galae Maan Sabhai Ko Khaae ||156|| Even the silent sages and seers are destroyed by pride; pride eats up everything. ||156|| On Ang 223 Guru Nanak Dev Ji says: ਖਿਮਾ ਗਹੀ ਬ੍ਰਤੁ ਸੀਲ ਸੰਤੋਖੰ ॥ Khimaa Gehee Brath Seel Santhokhan || To practice forgiveness is the true fast, good conduct and contentment. Also, on Ang 343 Bhagat Kabir Ji says: ਬਿਨੁ ਪਰਚੈ ਨਹੀ ਥਿਰਾ ਰਹਾਇ ॥ Bin Parachai Nehee Thhiraa Rehaae || Without enlightenment, the body does not remain steady. ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਮੇਟਿ ਖਿਮਾ ਗਹਿ ਰਹਹੁ ॥ Dhubidhhaa Maett Khimaa Gehi Rehahu || So erase your duality and hold tight to forgiveness, ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਕੀ ਸੂਲ ਨ ਸਹਹੁ ॥੭॥ Karam Dhharam Kee Sool N Sehahu ||7|| And you will not have to endure the torture of karma or religious rituals. ||7|| At the end of the day, you can give your friend all the advice you want, but the main thing is that he needs to determine if he can forgive her past actions and move forward with his life and build a future together with her or not. If he is unable to forgive, it's best for him to cut contact with her and save them both future heartache.

Heartbreaking news. So sad.

I was referring to the forum as a whole, and not this thread in particular. People argue about lots of other things on here, not just what is gurmat and what is manmat. Every Sikh has a duty to educate the misguided, I agree with that and it's important to explain the correct Gurmat way of doing things. But so many times on this forum these discussions boil over into arguments, personal insults, the bashing of other religions etc. I have been reading this forum for many years, and only post every now and then. I never get involved in back and forth arguing or rebuttal of points. If I think something is wrong or something needs to be said, I make my point once and then tune out. Sometimes you can argue your point till you are blue in the face, but people don't want to listen and you can never change their way of thinking. A lot of the time on here, it's like the blind leading the blind.

As you are probably already finding out, unfortunately a lot more arguing takes place on this forum compared to any learning or teaching...

A lot of people forget that although gianis/raagis get paid a salary, it's usually very low, even when you take into account their free accommodation and food. Most of them have families in India and they are no doubt sending money back home and paying their children's school fees etc so I doubt their salaries stretch very far. Also, they have to put up with a lot of rubbish from the gurdwara committees and a lot of us wouldn't do that. So all in all, I don't see any issue in sangat giving them donations, it's not like they are going around begging for it. Nobody is being forced to give them anything, people give money because they want to. It's very easy to say that people should do all kinds of seva in gurdwaras for free and there should be no paid employees in the gurdwara and we shouldn't bring gianis/raagis over from India, but hardly any youth from UK/USA/Canada would be willing to quit education or their jobs and do full-time seva at their local gurdwaras, as most of the time their parents are pushing them to study more and work hard to get a job with a high salary. It's sad that gianis/raagis do seva in gurughar day and night, and yet they are looked down upon and disrespected by most of the sangat and treated like something on the bottom of someone's shoe by the committee members, yet it should really be the other way around. Hardly any parents in UK/USA/Canada would be happy if their kids turned around and said I want to be a giani/raagi, but instead our parents are happy to encourage us to spend our whole lives chasing high salaries and maya in endless circles as we can never be satisfied with what we have and will always want more. But then when we come to the gurdwara and open our wallets to find some change for the golak or raagis on stage, we always hunt for the lowest-value coin. A lot of us need to re-evaluate our priorities and attitudes, otherwise our religion and society cannot flourish how we want it to.

This is a really good topic and I'd like to give suggestions later when I have more time but one quick thing I wanted to mention was these Sikh Comics designed for children which you can find here http://www.sikhcomics.com/ Even though they are meant for kids, I quite enjoyed reading them myself and you can even download them via the Amazon Kindle app on to iPads and other tablets. I think there are 4 Comics covering the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, two have already been released, and the first one briefly mentions the reasons for Guru Ji's physical manifestation on this earth. Also I like that the comics include quotes from Gurbani in English when touching on points or explaining sakhis and then the ang number is given for easy reference which is something I was not expecting from a comic. I think something like this will complement Sikhi classes for children quite nicely, as kids between 8-14 want something a bit 'fun' and need something stimulating. Also, if they read these themselves at home, or say in groups of 2-3 during a class, then they are actively learning themselves and not being 'talked at' or 'lectured' which will just turn them off. Another good starting point would be introducing them to Mool Mantar, explaining its meanings and origins as this would allow them to begin to understand the importance of jaap of Mool Mantar and gurmantar. I think you are raising really important points and the structure of current Panjabi/Sikhi classes need to be overhauled. I don't really know much about what Sikhi Classes are like as I've never been to any but if it's anything like what some of my old Panjabi classes used to be like then a lot needs to be changed. Most teachers were just uninterested aunties who couldn't relate to the kids on a personal level and then there's the communication issue as a lot of them didn't have great English. Whilst it's important to promote Panjabi, we also need to remember that a lot of children may lack confidence in speaking Panjabi or they just don't know much so it's important to strike the right balance between the two languages- use both English and Panjabi in class and also make them understand the importance of learning to speak/read/write Panjabi either through attending separate Panjabi classes or just simply speaking it more at home.

You can get special deodorants that help those who sweat excessively you just need to try different ones if you feel mainstream deodorants aren't doing the job. Also shower twice daily and wash that area thoroughly with a good soap or shower gel and wear loose clothing.

Try using a good conditioner after shampooing to prevent tangling or after you wash your hair and once it's dry rub a small amount of oil through your hair as then it'll be easier to comb and handle. You can also buy a detangling spray to spray on your hair after you wash and dry it and before you comb it you can find it in the same section as shampoo etc in shops.

ਸਲੋਕ ਮਃ ੫ ॥ Salok Ma 5 || ਪਹਿਲਾ ਮਰਣੁ ਕਬੂਲਿ ਜੀਵਣ ਕੀ ਛਡਿ ਆਸ ॥ Pehilaa Maran Kabool Jeevan Kee Shhadd Aas || First, accept death, and give up any hope of life. ਹੋਹੁ ਸਭਨਾ ਕੀ ਰੇਣੁਕਾ ਤਉ ਆਉ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਪਾਸਿ ॥੧॥ Hohu Sabhanaa Kee Raenukaa Tho Aao Hamaarai Paas ||1|| Become the dust of the feet of all, and then, you may come to me. ||1|| I understood 'renka' to mean 'dust of the feet' as 'sabhna' means 'all'. So 'sabhna ki renka' translates as 'dust of the feet of all' which represents humility as far as I understand. This shabad can be found on ang 1102. Here's the link http://www.searchgurbani.com/guru_granth_sahib/ang/1102 Use this link http://www.searchgurbani.com/guru_granth_sahib/search when you want to find tuks you can search in English, Gurmukhi and even use transliterations.

Where is this thread? I can't find it.