Thursday, June 01, 2006

Foxes in Lions Skin

Last weekend was very Chardikala. However, on Saturday night I had a very UPSETTING and DEPRESSING experience. I don’t wish to name names however I wish to share the gist of the experience and what happened so that we can become conscious of issues and learn something about Gurmat.

At the Monthly Youth Keertan Darbaar at Park Avenue Gurdwara I met someone who takes active role in organising the Sikh Student Camp and other events (as I have said, I don’t wish to name names as the purpose of this post is not to name and shame but to bring awareness of Gurmat). I shared my concerns with this Bhaji regarding a certain middle-aged individual in London who is propagating MANMAT (ideas contrary to the Guru’s way) and steering youngsters AWAY from REHIT (discipline), GUR-MARYADA (code of conduct) and GURBAANI.

Before I came to University I believed that anyone who had uncut hair and wore a Dastaar (turban) was great and I had HIGH EXPECTATIONS. I had even MORE RESPECT for those that were Amritdhari and I felt like touching their feet, as I believed that all Amritdharis woke up at Amrit-vela (early hours before dawn), read Nitnem and Gurbaani, didn’t swear, followed basic Sikh Rehit Maryada, and spoke the truth. When I came to University I had encounters with certain NEGATIVE INDIVIDUALS which shattered my hopes and reality came crashing.

Somebody once said to respected Baba Nihaal Singh jee, "Some Nihangs have become thieves." Baba jee answered: "It is not that Nihangs have become thieves, it’s that THIEVES HAVE BECOME NIHANGS." Similarly we should be conscious and aware that we do not brandish Amritdharis or Singhs as “bad” or “Manmukh”. Rather realise that Manmukhs have taking the GUISE (appearance) of Gursikhs, like a FOX wearing the skin of a LION.


I told the Bhaji at the Keertan Darbaar that I cannot tolerate any camp or event where this controversial character is involved in organising or is present there. I explained that this person preaches to youngsters and has said to me in front of other students that “Sikhs can drink alcohol (liquor) for Dutch courage”, “You shouldn’t read Nitnem or wake up Amrit-Vela as it increases one’s ego”, (and my tongue burns to say that he has also said that) “Gurdas Maan’s songs are more spiritual than Shabad Keertan” and that “Why did Guru Arjan Dev Ji compose Sukhmani Sahib? Its boring Paath. Who wants listen to 2 hours of paath. I suppose it’s good to go sleep to.”


I was shocked that Bhaji responded “Manvir Singh YOU CAN'T TAKE A JOKE. You should know he’s joking.” JOKING? Rab Bhalla Kare. I told Bhaji that, “There are two things which we can NEVER joke about. 1) We can NEVER joke about RAB (God), and 2) we can NEVER joke about Guru Sahib." The depressing thing was that Bhaji replied, “You are WRONG! We can joke about God and Guru jee.” I feel my tongue burning just reiterating what I heard. Waheguru. He said, “Look at the world this is God’s play. He has made a joke out of you… he has made a joke out of us. Why can’t we make a joke out of God?” This showed the painful truth of how people's thoughts and ideas change according to their company.
ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹਿ ਵਿਸਾਰਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਭਉ ਹੇਤੁ ਅਪਾਰੁ
maa-i-aa mohi visaari-aa gur kaa bha-o het apaar.
Attached to Maya, the mortal forgets the Fear of God and Guru, and love for the Infinite Lord.
(Ang 1250)

ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਮਨਿ ਭਉ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਉ
naanak jinH man bha-o tinHaa man bhaa-o. ||2||
O Nanak, those whose minds are filled with the Fear of God, have the love of God in their minds as well. ||2||
(Ang 465)



Then I asked, “Is telling students that its okay to drink sharaab, go clubbing, don’t read Nitnem and don’t do Amritvela and to insult Gurbaani right?” He said that I am NARROW MINDED and that I need to “expand my mind and THINK OUT OF THE BOX.” I asked twice, “Do you think you can do ‘kentoo prentoo’, question and undermine, the Guru.” He replied, “YES”. Isn’t one showing that they are higher than the Guru? “Can we do ‘Kentoo Prentoo’, question, Amrit and Kesh?” The reply he gave was “YES”, and he also said, “How do you know your interpretation of Sikhi is the right one?” Waheguru. There is one Waheguru, one Guru, one Panth, one Guru's Rehit. There is no doubt about Guru’s Hukam. Guru Ji says:

Kesh (unshorn hair):
ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤ ਰੱਬ ਦੀ, ਭੰਨੇ ਬੇਈਮਾਨ।
ਦਰਗਹਿ ਢੋਈ ਨਾ ਮਿਲੇ, ਕਾਫ਼ਰ, ਕੁੱਤਾ, ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ।
saabat soorat rab dee, bhanne be-eemaan.
dargehi dhoee na mile, kaafar, kuthaa, shaithaan.
"God has made the human perfect, but the dishonourable destroy it. They will find no place in the Court of God, like the unbeliever, dog and Satanist."
(Guru Nanak, Janam Saakhi)

Alcohol:

ਜਿਤੁ ਪੀਤੈ ਖਸਮੁ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਦਰਗਹ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਜਾਇ
jit peetai khasam visrai dargeh milai sajaa-e.
Drinking alcohol, one forgets their Lord and Master Waheguru, and is punished in the Court of the Lord.
(Ang 554)


Reading Nitnem (daily prayers):

ਨਿਤ ਉਠਿ ਗਾਵਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ
nit uth gaavhu prabh kee baaNee.
Rise early, and sing the Glorious Word of Waheguru's Baani.
(Ang 1340)


Waking up Amrit-Vela:

ਫਰੀਦਾ ਪਿਛਲ ਰਾਤਿ ਨ ਜਾਗਿਓਹਿ ਜੀਵਦੜੋ ਮੁਇਓਹਿ
ਜੇ ਤੈ ਰਬੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿਆ ਤ ਰਬਿ ਨ ਵਿਸਰਿਓਹਿ
੧੦੭
fareedaa pichhal raat na jaagi-ohi jeevad-Ro mu-i-ohi.
je tai rab visaari-aa ta rab na visari-ohi. ||107||
Fareed, if you do not awaken in the early hours before dawn, you are dead while yet alive. Although you have forgotten God, God has not forgotten you. ||107||
(Ang 1383)


“Manvir Singh didn’t you question the Guru when you came into Sikhi.” My answer was, “No. I PUT A QUESTION with faith to Guru Sahib and Guru Ji gave me an answer. I never questioned and undermined my Guru or Gurbaani.” How can we undermine and QUESTION the Guru's Hukam and yet do Matha Tekh (bow) in front of Satguru Sri Granth Sahib Ji? HYPOCRISY? Analysing and trying understand the Guru's Hukam is different from 'questioning' and 'kentoo prentoo'. Waheguru.



Then I asked “Is it right for a person who considers themselves as a Parchaarik (Sikh preacher) to go CLUBBING?” He responded “There is more than one approach to Sikhi, how do you know your approach is right?... Quality is good but you NEED TO GET NUMBERS also...” Rab Bhalla Kare. In order to attract more people to "Sikhi" and Sikh Student events, programmes and the camp we are willing to WASH DOWN SIKHI.


Do we not fear Waheguru, and realise that we have to PAY FOR EACH AND EVERY ACTION. Sat Naam. I was very upset that standing in the Gurdwara this person could defend Manmat and speak such hurtful things about Guru Sahib and Waheguru and yet this person along with others are doing so called seva of organising the Sikh Student Camp as well as other events and youth programmes. The Giani jee from the Gurdwara was standing nearby and overheard the poisonous words being uttered and asked me I was okay. Rab Sabhnaa Nu Sumat Bakshe.

ਕੂੜੁ ਕਮਾਈਐ ਗੁਰ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਪਚੈ ਪਚਾਨੁ
kookar kooR kamaa-ee-ai gur nindaa pachai pachaan.
Those who practice falsehood are dogs; those who slander the Guru shall burn in their own fire.

ਭਰਮੇ ਭੂਲਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਘਣੋ ਜਮੁ ਮਾਰਿ ਕਰੈ ਖੁਲਹਾਨੁ
bharme bhoolaa dukh ghaNo jam maar karai khulhaan.
They wander lost and confused, deceived by doubt, suffering in terrible pain. The Messenger of Death shall beat them to a pulp.

ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਸੁਭਾਨੁ
manmukh sukh na paa-ee-ai gurmukh sukh subhaan. ||3||
The self-willed manmukhs find no peace, while the Gurmukhs are wondrously joyful. ||3||
(Ang 21)


Benti:- This is NOT Nindiyaa (slander). The purpose of the post is to highlight GURMAT ISSUE rather than becoming personal and naming & shaming people. I just wish to share the thought that people are POSING as Gursikhs and in the GUISE of Gursikhs but there intentions and actions are the contrary.

Guru Ang Sang Sahaa-ee Hovan. Rab Rakha.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bhai sahib ji, WKWF

Thanks for bringing this evil practise to the sangat's attention - I think that Sikhi has no room for these people and you should feel brave and strong enough to name these individuals. Sikhism is not a cultural thing but a very upright, deeply involving, serious and fascinating religion which with Guru's blessings is spreading to all corners of the world. We need to make sure that these spiritually poor individuals have nothing to do with our next generation. They are misguided and they bring the same confusion to the new generation. Let us propagate the pure and serene word of the Guru and nothing else. Das hari singh.

Anonymous said...

Guru Ki Ninda Sunnai na Kan.....

How precious maharaj's Bani is...

eih baanee mehaa purakh kee nij ghar vaasaa hoe ||40|| Dakhni Oankar.

Satguru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj.

Gur paramaesar eaeko jaan||
Jo this bhaavai so paravaan.||

Satguru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj. Guru Asthuthar.
Raag Goand, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Ang 864.

Anonymous said...

Bhajee, you need to reveal who this is so that other people are made aware of them and their beliefs.

Pritam Singh Khalsa said...

This Manmukhi not "bhaiJi" is a complete misleader. He is feeding the crowd poison that tastes sweet.
He doesnt belong in Sikhi or he doesnt belong teaching anything I think he should be able to teach his own kids this garbage. He needs to be thrown out of the Gurdwara on in face by the seat of his pants.

But some people will be attracted to righteous living while others will be pushed away. He is evidence of why you should with full heart praise God and remember the Gurus.


SatNam

Ravjeet Singh said...

People are using Sikhi saroop as a fashion to do false parchar. Nothing different to narakdharhis. I am not refering to one individual theres alot of these people all over.

Its more like sheep in lions skin.

People keep the saroop and then do parchar which is against sikhi.

Prabhu Singh said...

These are not jokes, no matter what somebody says.
I cannot hear a negative word against the Guru or Sikhi. It just upsets me. When people start saying 'Sikhs do this or that,' I usually interject that people do those things, Sikhs try to follow the Guru's path. I don't know any committed Sikhs who would consider making these statements even as jokes.
You're not being close minded at all, your just asking for somebody who claims to be a Sikh to be respectful of his and our master. I'm glad you didn't post their names, the whole internet doesn't need to know. Just give the names to local people who want to make a difference in this regard. It will require humility and clarity to face this man, but it is important. Good luck, stand strong. WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa, WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!

Anonymous said...

waheguru
that is true what u say paaji
this does happen

Ravjeet Singh said...

I just read this and thought it should be shared.


What is false I will call false.
Even though the people may try to silence me.
I do not care for what anybody says.
I will speak but the truth from my mouth.

- Guru Gobind Singh Jee

Anonymous said...

A nice quote from Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), a famous Italian poet in European litary history:

"The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in a period of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality"
--Alighieri, Dante

Anonymous said...

vaheguru soo sad, feel for u, why do these ppl want to disrespect sikhi??

veerji stay strong in ur sikhi and stay away from such manmukhs

guru ji is ang sang

stay in chardi kala

Anonymous said...

Gurufateh ji....

i am so upset to hear this...but we all know that a lot of people pose as GURSIKHS and like u said in the guise of gursikhs.....lifes like that....I too have encountered this b4 i took the Gursikhi path and was nearly put of taking amrit because i never thought gursikhs do slander/gossip so forth i assumed they all followed a strich rehat, but not all are the same. However this did not stop me i took my amrit over a year ago nearly, and am so much happier it is a real eye opener so uplifting words cant describe.....WAHEGURU!!

oochaa nehee kehunaa mun mehi rehunaa aapae jaanai jaano

Anonymous said...

Stary strong bhaji...god is with u always....

Anonymous said...

paji i know u r talkin about sikh student camp that happens in chigwell. i am glad u had courage to share ur experience. like everyone sed god is with u. stay charhdikala.

Anonymous said...

On Discover Sikhi forum i just read about this kaamee camp.

http://forums.waheguroo.com/Has-The-Ukand39s-Sikh-Student-Camp-Really-Changed-t23675.html

i know now what you mean when you write in post.

keep away from these manmukhs and keep in the sangat of gurmukhs and you will always be in charhdikala.

akaal sahaai

Anonymous said...

Reading this post and reading the link given by "Sikhi4Life" I feel horrified and sickened to see that such individuals are claiming to promote and teach Sikhism!

May dear God help them and bring them back on the true path!

I am worried for young people who attend their events and do their company.

Thanks for letting people like me know that stuff like this is happening in the real world!

Satnaam.