On Tuesday I received G. S. Sidhu's new book called "SIKH RELIGION AND WOMEN", which Bhai Sahib kindly posted to me. I read the book going to university and on the way back from university the next day. I couldn't put the book down. It was very interesting, educational and eye opening as well as being written in a way that is easy to read and easy to digest. Something that should be shared with the wider public! If anyone would like to obtain a copy or would like to support the Seva of Sikhi Parchaar through giving their Daswand (one tenth of their earnings in accordancing to Gurmat) towards the work Bhai Sahib is doing then the address and details are below:
On Wednesday Daas was invited to Oxford University to do a talk at the Sikh Society. My cousin drove me down. There was a nice group of twenty students there. They were all a good bunch of people. Though there are not many Sikhs in Oxford they come together on a weekly basis and do Gurmat Vichaar and Simran. The topic Daas chose to talk or do a workshop on was "WHY ARE YOU PROUD TO BE SIKH". Everyone broke off into groups to discuss and share thoughts, which they fed back to everyone else afterwards. This was followed by a talk about Sikh History and the basic fundamentals of Sikhi, which make Sikhi unique and priceless. By the end of the day I had lost my voice and the flu symptoms Daas caught on the weekend I went to Bradford got the better of me!
But in the morning I had to go to work. Compared to last week it was better! In the morning I met a lady who was a Team Leader on the shop floor. I introduced myself and said "Hi" and she smiled and in a warming voice said to me, "Aaah... You are a Sikh? Isn't that right?" I smiled back and said, "Yes...". She was very interested and happy seeing a Sikh. She had lots of questions, which passed the time well.
She asked, "Do you smoke?" "Do you drink?" "Are you allowed relationships?" etc. Sadly she was shocked when she heard Sikhs don't eat meat or drink alcohol because she said she said had "Sikh" friends who had shown her their wedding video. I replied that they are non-practicing Sikhs. I explained the four Bajjar Kurehats (Four Cardinal Sins) and explained that a Sikh seeks to live a life, which makes him or her a better person. A Sikh lives a balanced healthy and holy lifestyle, which is brings happiness, mental peace and contentment.
The lady was taken aback and overjoyed to hear that a Sikh doesn't drink, smoke, take drugs, have relationships outside or before marriage and that we don't eat meat, fish, eggs or kill or torture animals for our appetite. She said, "I am really impressed by the self-control and discipline of Sikhs", especially regarding meat and alcohol. I said to her, "If I were to get a dog and tie it up and then decide to kill and eat it then I would be arrested and people would most probably feel sickened. If I were to kidnap a chicken and keep it hostage for a few days without food and water or freedom to move I would be arrested by RSPCA. However, no one sees it is wrong to keep animals locked and then kill them for our appetite?... We eat animals over Christmas then feel the need to detox the body, when you can avoid all the toxins in the first place."She said it is the first time she has ever met someone who does not drink, smoke, doesn't eat meat or have girl friends etc. She said she felt proud to know such people that live such pure and perfect lifestyle. I explained that this is the basic Rehit (discipline) for a Sikh given to us by our Guru.
I thought to myself how amazing that people are pleasantly shocked, amazed, and taken aback by just hearing about basic Rehat (discipline) of the Bajjar Kurehats. Yet I had not explained the 5 Kakaars (Articles of Faith), about why we keep Kesh, or about Naam or Baani! Through finding about a small part of the basics of Sikhi the lady got so much inspiration! We have so much to be grateful to Guru Sahib. We have been blessed with religion of Truth, the perfect and complete lifestyle with the love of loving everyone and praying for the well being of all humanity. May Vaheguru bless us that we recognise the value of what we have and be able to share these gifts with the world.
G.S.Sidhu
116 Waltham Close,
Abbey Park, West Bridgford,
Nottingham, NG2 6LE.
gssidhu116@ntlworld.com OR gssidhu30@yahoo.co.uk
Tel+Fax: 00(44) 115 9743423
On Wednesday Daas was invited to Oxford University to do a talk at the Sikh Society. My cousin drove me down. There was a nice group of twenty students there. They were all a good bunch of people. Though there are not many Sikhs in Oxford they come together on a weekly basis and do Gurmat Vichaar and Simran. The topic Daas chose to talk or do a workshop on was "WHY ARE YOU PROUD TO BE SIKH". Everyone broke off into groups to discuss and share thoughts, which they fed back to everyone else afterwards. This was followed by a talk about Sikh History and the basic fundamentals of Sikhi, which make Sikhi unique and priceless. By the end of the day I had lost my voice and the flu symptoms Daas caught on the weekend I went to Bradford got the better of me!But in the morning I had to go to work. Compared to last week it was better! In the morning I met a lady who was a Team Leader on the shop floor. I introduced myself and said "Hi" and she smiled and in a warming voice said to me, "Aaah... You are a Sikh? Isn't that right?" I smiled back and said, "Yes...". She was very interested and happy seeing a Sikh. She had lots of questions, which passed the time well.
She asked, "Do you smoke?" "Do you drink?" "Are you allowed relationships?" etc. Sadly she was shocked when she heard Sikhs don't eat meat or drink alcohol because she said she said had "Sikh" friends who had shown her their wedding video. I replied that they are non-practicing Sikhs. I explained the four Bajjar Kurehats (Four Cardinal Sins) and explained that a Sikh seeks to live a life, which makes him or her a better person. A Sikh lives a balanced healthy and holy lifestyle, which is brings happiness, mental peace and contentment.
The lady was taken aback and overjoyed to hear that a Sikh doesn't drink, smoke, take drugs, have relationships outside or before marriage and that we don't eat meat, fish, eggs or kill or torture animals for our appetite. She said, "I am really impressed by the self-control and discipline of Sikhs", especially regarding meat and alcohol. I said to her, "If I were to get a dog and tie it up and then decide to kill and eat it then I would be arrested and people would most probably feel sickened. If I were to kidnap a chicken and keep it hostage for a few days without food and water or freedom to move I would be arrested by RSPCA. However, no one sees it is wrong to keep animals locked and then kill them for our appetite?... We eat animals over Christmas then feel the need to detox the body, when you can avoid all the toxins in the first place."She said it is the first time she has ever met someone who does not drink, smoke, doesn't eat meat or have girl friends etc. She said she felt proud to know such people that live such pure and perfect lifestyle. I explained that this is the basic Rehit (discipline) for a Sikh given to us by our Guru.
I thought to myself how amazing that people are pleasantly shocked, amazed, and taken aback by just hearing about basic Rehat (discipline) of the Bajjar Kurehats. Yet I had not explained the 5 Kakaars (Articles of Faith), about why we keep Kesh, or about Naam or Baani! Through finding about a small part of the basics of Sikhi the lady got so much inspiration! We have so much to be grateful to Guru Sahib. We have been blessed with religion of Truth, the perfect and complete lifestyle with the love of loving everyone and praying for the well being of all humanity. May Vaheguru bless us that we recognise the value of what we have and be able to share these gifts with the world.
4 comments:
Thanks for sharing this story. I have many of the same experiences talking to people as you do Manvir Singh Ji. I have had people tell me the same thing before: 'Thank God people like you exist in this world.' and also I've heard 'I never knew a religion so beautiful existed.'
Dhan Guru Nanak!
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!
For us Sikhs in Ireland, being such a small community that is often misunderstood, it becomes even more vital to bring the ever- so beautiful ideals of sikhi forward. I'd just like to say thanks very much for sharing your experiences. They'll always be an inspiration.
Vaaheguroo!!!
Bhaji Prabhu Singh jee - Thanks for sharing your experiences. Very powerful comments people have said to you about Sikhi. Great is the Guru, Great is His Sikhi.
Guru Rakha
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
You have made my day, Singh saab. waheguru tuhanu chardi kala ch rakhe!
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