Den Haag Sikh Family Camp - Feb 2016...

With Guru Sahib Ji's blessings, from Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th February, a Sikh Family Camp was held at Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Den Haag, Holland. The camp was held at the newly built Gurdwara Sahib which just opened in January 2016. Although not complete, the Gurdwara is looking really nice. Over 80 people, young and old, attended the camp over the three days. Sangat attended the camp from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Belgium. The sevadaars included Bibi Baljinder Kaur Ji (UK) from Kaurs Corner and local Dutch Sikh sevadaars, including Theodoras Singh.
 

The theme of the camp was social issues and Gurmat. The camp covered topics like drugs and alcohol abuse, culture vs. religion, superstitions, grooming and social media, marriage rituals vs. anand karaj, female infanticide and abortion, and Sikh identity in a modern world. The workshops were really successful and with Guru Ji's kirpaa the Sangat got involved. The local Sangat of Den Haag showed great respect and pyaar.

In particular it worth mentioning about Bhai Theadoras Singh, whose Sikhi name is Teek-Gur Singh. Bhai Sahib is in 60s and is a semi-retired Nuclear Physicist researcher who embraced Sikhi. Originally he was born in a Dutch Catholic home. He became a non-practising Catholic. Once he was looking on YouTube came across a video of some White Sikhs raising money for something. He was intrigued at the look of the Sikhs. He at the time had long unshorn hair, with a pony tail and a beard. He began researching Sikhi and found that Sikhi fitted in with what he believed. He believed in a natural lifestyle and so did Sikhi. He wasn't interested in ritualism and the same for Sikhi. This way, he began researching more and more. He eventually took Amrit and became a Sikh. He now wears Bana (Khalsa attire) and wears his Kirpan over his chola (dress), despite the Dutch law not officially protecting the right of Sikhs to wear the Kirpan.

Bhai Sahib wears the Kirpan over his clothes as an opportunity for people to ask him questions so that he can tell them about Sikhi. He hopes that one day he stopped by the Police so that he can secure the right of the Kirpan in Dutch law. Bhai Sahib is dedicated to seva of spreading education and awareness of Sikhi in Holland Belgium. He is not linked or related to any Gurdwara, but contacts schools and colleges directly and asks if he can come and share his Sikh faith with them. He has helped many Sikh youngsters struggling with issues surrounding the right to wear the Dastaar and Kirpan in schools. Individual schools have agreed to accommodate individual Sikh students, however, he hopes one day a case goes to court so that he can secure the right of the Dastaar and Kirpaan for future generations to come. The determination and pyaar of Bhai Sahib to do prachaar was very humbling. 

Bhai Sahib has so far translating the 7 Nitnem Banis (daily prayers) into Dutch and is hoping to translate Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to Dutch. He has made a start but the process takes time. He said it takes him 1 week to translate 2 angs (respected word for pages), as he cross references the translations and ensures that he fully understands the concepts and meanings before translating. It was very inspiring to see his determination to understand Gurbani and puts Punjabis to shame who say they cannot understand or relate to the Guru. He shows that effort, love and determination pays off.

Below are some photos from the camp:

Bibi Inderjit Kaur leading Bani workshop on Japji Sahib

Bhai Rajpal Singh leading Bani workshop on Jaap Sahib

  Bhai Theadoras Singh leading Bani workshop on Svaiyye

 Bibi Baljinder Kaur leading Bani workshop on Chaupai Sahib

Bhai Ajinder Singh leading Anand Sahib Bani workshop

 

 Langar in new langar hall of the Gurdwara Sahib

 Class by Bhai Theadoras Singh on comparing Punjabi and Dutch cultures and seeing the relationship and challenges with Sikhi.

 Bhai Ajinder Singh had the most difficult task of teaching the most youngest and most energetic class!

 Parents workshop on drugs and alcohol and how its parents, children and society.

 Bibi Baljinder Kaur's session on superstitions and culture.

 Question and answer session with the elder teenagers. The teenagers had some very thoughtful and deep questions.

Evening Simran and Keertan. The child playing the Tabla is Simran Singh, aged 6 years. Very blessed.

Evening divaan - Keertan of Rehraas Sahib

 Workshop on Punjabi wedding rituals and Gurmat

 Children awaiting activity time.

Tug of war

Sunday divaan - Bhai Rajpal Singh doing Keertan

 Sunday Divaan - 13 years old Bhenji Anmol Kaur (Belgium) doing Keertan

Sunday divaan - lecture on the pioneers of the Gurdwara Reform Movement.

Ardaas

 

 Children awaiting being given certificates

 Certificates being given

 Group photo


Group photo

A Story from Australia: The Miracle Baby...

When going to Australia last month, I had opportunity of going to Griffith in New South Wales to do a talk at the newly built Gurdwara Sahib. The Gurdwara Sahib opened in July 2015. Whilst in Griffith I stayed with Bhai Avtar Singh Ji and their family at their orange farm. During the stay Bhai Sahib told me that opposite their house on the farm lives a husband and wife who are Highlanders (natives of New Zealand) of Christian background. They are the main workers at their orange farm. Both husband and wife are very hard working and sincere.  

With Bhai Avtar Singh Ji and Mata Ji

The couple didn't have children for 18 years or so. The lady was getting older and losing hope of having any children. The doctors told her two years ago that she had some sort of cancer or disease in her womb, which meant that they would have to operate and remove the uterus. This removed any hope of conceiving a child. Both were very sad and upset about this.

One day, Bhai Avtar Singh Ji was going to the newly built Gurdwara Sahib in Griffith. The Gurdwara had not yet opened. Bhai Sahib was going to do the gardening and clean the grounds of the Gurdwara Sahib. Unfortunately no one else from the Sangat had come forward to help with the cleaning and gardening. Bhai Sahib was going alone. That day the sun was out and it was very hot. The Highlander, who called Bhai Sahib 'Papa', said, "Papa, where are you going?" Bhai Sahib explained that he is going to the Gurdwara to do some seva. The Highlander replied, "Papa I want to come with you and help you." Bhai Sahib tried to persuade him not to come as he had been working on the farm from very early morning and it was very hot. He felt he needed rest and that it was unfair to ask him to help clean the Gurdwara and do gardening when no Punjabi person had come forward. However, the Highlander insisted on coming along with Bhai Sahib.

Arriving at the Gurdwara, Bhai Sahib again insisted on cutting the grass, however the Highlander refused to allow Bhai Sahib to do this. He said, "Please Papa, let me cut the grass. You rest." Despite the burning sun and hot temperature, the Highlander tirelessly cut the grass, dug up the weeds and cleaned the grounds. Bhai Sahib looked at the Highlander sweating and working tirelessly and thought, "this man is a Christian, a person of another faith, and yet doing seva in the Gurdwara. Punjabis have not turned up to do seva, yet this young man has come forward himself to do seva when he has nothing to gain from it."

Near the end of completing the seva, the Highlander was putting the waste into the bins, when the bin how some how went over the Highlander and he was covered from head to toe with the garden waste and dirt. Seeing this, Bhai Avtar Singh felt awful how a non-Sikh is doing so much seva and also getting dirty. Feeling sorry for him, he said, "I am sorry. May God bless you for your helping today."

ਕਰਉ ਮਨੋਰਥ ਮਨੈ ਮਾਹਿ ਅਪਨੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੇ ਪਾਵਉ ॥ 
ਦੇਉ ਸੂਹਨੀ ਸਾਧ ਕੈ ਬੀਜਨੁ ਢੋਲਾਵਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
"The hopes which I cherish in my mind - my God fulfills them all. With my broom, I should sweep the home of the Guru, and wave the fan (over the Sangat). ||1||Pause||"
(Bilaaval M:5, 813)

A few days later, the Highlander comes to Bhai Sahib to tell him that his wife is pregnant. His wife gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy. Realising that the child was a blessing from doing selfless service at the Gurdwara Sahib which Bhai Avtar Singh allowed him to do, the Highlanders decided to name their child 'Avtar Singh'.  The child loves hearing the word 'Vaheguru' and begins to smile. Whenever his parents want him to stop crying and calm him they say 'Vaheguru'. The child loves the company of Bhai Sahib and Mata Ji.

Mata Ji with baby Avtar Singh

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

A message for Valentine's Day...

A short movie entitled 'Valentine's Day' by Panj Teer Productions:


 A message from Bhai Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale:


Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji says:

ਨਿਮਖ ਕਾਮ ਸੁਆਦ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਕੋਟਿ ਦਿਨਸ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ॥    
ਘਰੀ ਮੁਹਤ ਰੰਗ ਮਾਣਹਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਪਛੁਤਾਵਹਿ ॥੧॥    
“For a moment of sexual pleasure, you shall suffer in pain for millions of days. For an instant, you may savour pleasure, but afterwards, you shall regret it, again and again. ||1||”    
(Ang 405) 

Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurdaas Ji says:

ਦੇਖਿ ਪਰਾਈਆਂ ਚੰਗੀਆਂ ਮਾਵਾਂ ਭੈਣਾਂ ਧੀਆਂ ਜਾਣੈ ॥    
“Men should look at the opposite gender as mothers, sisters and daughters, (women should look at the opposite gender as fathers, brothers and sons).”    
(Bhai Gurdaas: Vaar 29/ Pauri 11)

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji says:

ਨਿਜ ਨਾਰੀ ਕੇ ਸਾਥ ਨੇਹੁ ਤੁਮ ਨਿੱਤ ਬਢੈਯਹੁ ॥
ਪਰ ਨਾਰੀ ਕੀ ਸੇਜ ਭੂਲਿ ਸੁਪਨੇ ਹੂੰ ਨ ਜੈਯਹੁ ॥ “Love your own wife more and more, but never touch another woman's bed either by mistake or even in dream. Know that the love of another's wife is like a sharp dagger”. (Dasam Granth, Part-11, p-842)

Anti-Sikhi Parchaar (Part 4): Topic - Dietary Bibek (4 of 4)

Continued...

Below are some questions relating to the topic of dietary Bibek that have been asked by other people at different occasions and the Gurmat based replies:

#13. "Sikhi believes in equality. Are Amritdharis that keep Bibek really promoting equality? Equality means you should be able to eat from anyone."

RESPONSE: Bhai Bijla Singh provides a well explained answer about Bibek has got nothing to do with inequality:

"Gurmat irrevocably advocates equality of all humans. No one is born low or high, superior or inferior, bad or good etc. All are children of Vaheguru (God). Thus, refusing to eat from the hands of others on such a basis is unjustified, immoral and anti-Gurmat. All Sikhs are supposed to uphold Gurmat principles unequivocally. Therefore, in Gurmat the practice of eating from only Amritdharis is not grounded upon inequality but something else. Amritdharis refuse to eat from others (non-Sikhs) because they lack qualification and merit to prepare the food that would imbibe spiritual qualities. Anyone can take Amrit, become a Sikh and earn the merit of preparing food for langar. 

Take the example of preparing Amrit. Only five Amritdharis (who keep rehat) are qualified to prepare Amrit by following strict guidelines prescribed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It cannot be considered Amrit if five non-Sikhs follow the same methods. At the same time, it cannot be considered Amrit even if only one of the five is a non-Sikh. Not only this, all five must be physically healthy to have the privilege and blessing of preparing Amrit. Any person who does not have a good eyesight, cannot sit in a required posture, is missing any of the ten fingers, and cannot recite Gurbani from memory is disqualified. Even a slight lapse in rehat (code of conduct) by any one of the Amritdharis does not bear the same results. But we never consider it a discrimination against non-Sikhs or disabled because the matter is not about their inferiority but lacking physical and spiritual qualifications. Similarly, preparation of food also requires the same rules to be followed.

Only Amritdharis have the qualification of instilling Naam in the food because they have had the blessing of Naam implanted in them by the Satguru. They must recite Gurbani while preparing food. Those who lack Naam cannot spiritually bless the food. Thus, they remain unqualified. This is no different than educational institutions selecting the best candidates for admission based on the qualifications. When qualifications are the main criteria, nothing else matters. In Gurmat, any person can be blessed with Amrit and become qualified to prepare food. Just because all are equal does not mean all are equally qualified. We must not mix the two together."

#14. "Brahmins believed that if any non-Brahmin touched their food it would get defiled. How are Sikhs who portray they superior by not eating from non-Amritdhari any different?"

RESPONSE: Bhai Bijla Singh provides a well explained answer how Gurmat Bibek is totally different from brahmanism:

"Brahmins believe the food gets defiled if it is prepared by non-Brahmins and is thus filthy. On the other hand, Sikhs do not believe the food gets defiled if prepared by non-Sikhs. Food is food and it remains so regardless of whoever prepares it. The food can still be eaten by anyone for their health.

The reason Amritdharis refuse such a food is because it gets affected by the qualities of its preparer. Not only the thoughts and words of the person affect the food at the time of cooking, but also the inherent qualities of the person. A lustful, angry or greedy person would obviously impart the same qualities to the food he/she is preparing. A person may be a good hearted, kind and generous but if he is not a Sikh, he lacks the essential ingredient for the food, i.e. Naam. Gurbani instructs Sikhs to consume food that is filled with Naam/Amrit.

The two main criteria for selecting food for consumption are given in the following verse:

ਬਾਬਾ ਹੋਰੁ ਖਾਣਾ ਖੁਸੀ ਖੁਆਰੁ ||
ਜਿਤੁ ਖਾਧੈ ਤਨੁ ਪੀੜੀਐ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ||੧|| ਰਹਾਉ||     
“The pleasures of those foods lead to ruin; eating which, the body becomes diseased (i.e. unhealthy), and wickedness and corruption enter into the mind. ||1||Pause||” (Siree Raag M:1, 16)

We see that the two conditions require that the food must be good to the physical health and must not induce vices in the mind. It clearly proves that the food that we consume does affect the mind and can have the power to induce vices such as lust, anger, greed, ego etc. in the mind. Thus, it becomes of utmost importance to carefully select the food for consumption. This can only be done by inquiring who prepared the food because only the preparer can impart good or bad qualities in the food.

While most Sikhs can easily discern which food is good for their health by picking and choosing items from the langar, they are completely oblivious to the spiritual properties of the food which affect the mind and thereby their physical health. Those who lack Naam Simran are already under the full force of the vices and hence cannot realize any difference. Only those who practice Naam Simran can realize the effects of spiritually unsuitable food because they can intuitively know that their mind is affected. This is why Sikhs must ensure that they consume food that is spiritually healthy and does not affect the mind negatively.

Brahmins refuse to eat from others by looking down upon others while Sikhs do it to help increase their spirituality." 

#15. "I understand that food should be cooked whilst reciting Gurbani and if someone doesn't do that then an Amritdhari has a right to not eat that meal. However, if a non-Amritdhari prepares food whilst reciting Gurbani then shouldn't this be acceptable to eat for an Amritdhari who follows Maryada? There are lots of people who are not-Amritdhari but have better characteristics and qualities than many outwardly appearing Amritdharis. Isn't it better to eat from someone who has good qualities but is not Amritdhari rather than someone who just looks Amritdhari but lacks good qualities?"

RESPONSE: Bhai Bijla Singh provides a well explained answer:

"This person making this argument is respectfully asked if they would ever go to an unqualified doctor for their medicine? Their answer would be an obvious no. Then how about going to a doctor who is corrupt, immoral and prescribes medicines that harm his patients? Their answer again would be a no. Then how about going to a qualified doctor who is immoral but the patients do not know this fact? In this case, those who do not know would have no problem in going to see this doctor. In first two cases, the fault lies with the patients but in the third case, the fault is in the doctor only. All three analogies can be applied to Gurmat bibek.

Eating from the hands of a non-Amritdhari is similar to going to an unqualified doctor. Eating from the hands of a person who maintains the GurSikh appearance but does not practice Gurmat is analogous to going to an immoral doctor. Eating from the hands of an Amritdhari whose misdeeds are not known to others is like going to a reputable doctor but not knowing how corrupt he is from the inside. Again, in first two cases, GurSikhs are at fault but in the third case the GurSikhs are not at fault because they are optimist that the person who looks like an Amritdhari is also a practising Amritdhari."