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.

Yo, I wrote it fast, help me edit?

I sent a one dollar cheque, with certain legal language and it paid for $1800.

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.

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.

Personally, vegan is too much for me, although I've given up on even the vegetarian food I love (pasta, rice, noodles, bread, and cheese) and it's helped rather a lot. It's tough but it had to be done.

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.

I don't get the why the new trend is to ridicule giani's. Sure there's a few bad apples but it's sad 'giani' has become such a derogatory term.

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 do kirtan for free for sangat who call me....

FYI- raagis and sewadaars are given home food and salary to serve Gurudwara

Apart from this they get chadawa like people who donate to them.

Get some information some of the raagis ask for so much money that poor people can't even to think to call them at home or in local Gurdwaras

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.

Wahegurujikakhalsawahegurujikifateh,

Thanks for your suggestions. Hanji they are already memorising Sr Japji Sahib.

Wrt "sakhian and history of sikhs would be a good way to start..." - Where would start? Would you cover the whole life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji including the reasons why maharaj manifest physically? Why this is the tisarpanth? What the social/religious circumstances were at the time? And then progress through Maharaj's interactions/parchar and ucharan of Dhur ki bani?

The main failings at sikhi classes when I would used to attend were:

1. Too much emphasis on Sakhian

2. No exploration of morals/how to relate history to your own life

3. No discussion - interaction

4. Difficult to ask questions/share your own opinions in a large group

5. No real structure - very ad hoc and intermittent. No syllabus or spiral ladder curriculum.

6. Teacher was frequently unprepared and didn't really know what they were 'teaching' all that well.

7. No real effort to teach sikh philosophy and theology at a basic level to children. No real understanding of why we do abhiyaas/nitnem/bani.

8. No explanation of why we do what we do at the gurudwara sahib - what is so special about langar, degh, gutka/pothi sahib's, Nishan Sahib, seva, Panj Pyaare, Amrit.

9. Did not encourage children to develop debating skills, leadership skills, problem based learning.

10. No real homework or encouragement to research topics and come back to present to the class.

11. No activities to engage in as a group. Very one dimensional method of teaching/learning I.e lecture based.

12. Not provided with other resources such as books, interactive software, sikhitithemax etc

I don't want the children to come in 10 years time and list the same failings so would appreciate the sangat's input on how we can address these.

Wahegurujikakhalsawahegurujikifateh

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.

Very valid point raised by you.

I had started a thread on why Sikhs are not using Singh and Kaur as their last names.

The answers received as to why some Sikhs do not use Singh and Kaur as their last names were incredulous and shocking to say the least.

We have failed to follow the far sightedness of our Great Gurus to create a caste less religion and use our tail names instead

of Singh and Kaur.

.

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