Sikhi Camp Photos

For the past two weeks Daas has been at BOSS SIKHI CAMP, which was held in NORTH WALES, and then at the SIKH MISSIONARY SOCIETY GURMAT CAMP, which was held at Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara Sahib in LEICESTER. Both camps were chardi kalaa and provided a great opportunity to have GREAT SANGAT and be in the company of Guru Sahib.

This year's Boss Sikhi Camp theme was "THE JOURNEY... BIRTH... LIFE... DEATH... ?" It also celebrated 400 years of Guru Arjan Dev jee's SHAHEEDI DIWAS (martyrdom) as well as a number of other historical milestones. In the mornings there would be Amrit-vela Simran and Nitnem, then Aasa Di Vaar keertan, Japji Sahib and explanation of the morning Hukamnaama. After breakfast there would be a talk followed by groups discussions. In the afternoon there would be activities organised by the Army, which included Hiking, water sports, abseiling, and more. In the evening there would be Rehraas Sahib, keertan, explanation of the evening Hukamnama, and Sukhaasan.

The talks were on BIRTH, AMRIT, MARRIAGE and DEATH. There guest speakers at the camp were from abroad. One was Bhai Jarnail Singh, also known as Martin Singh, who is white Canadian Sikh who is President of the Martime Sikh Society and is active in his Sikh community in Nova Scotia in Canada (Read more about him here). The other one was a Bhai Sahib from Toronto who is a white Sikh who has his own television and radio show. Both speakers very inspiring. Also a Jatha (group) of Singhs from Sri Hazoor Sahib were at the camp and did really nice keertan and kaveeshree (poetry singing).

Here are some photos:


Guru Sahib's Pavitar Saroop being carried to the Darbaar Sahib


Guru Jee's Darbaar


Keertan in evening


On the last evening of the camp one of the activities instructors from the Outdoor Leisure Centre who helped with the activities spoke to the Sangat and shared what she had learnt about Sikhi. Everyone was impressed with her enthusiasm, love and respect for Sikhi and Sikh people.


Below are some photos from a Hiking trip in the Welsh countryside:







Dhadi Master jee


Group photo of a few people from our Dorm


On the coach journey to Wales and back to Southall the Sangat did Simran and shabad keertan:

Bhenji doing simran


Mandeep Singh bhaji doing simran


Bhaji Jagpreet Singh doing mind blowing keertan! He had an angelic voice.

Dhan Guru HarKrishan Sahib jee!!

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਰਿਕਿ੍ਰਸ਼ਨ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਜਿਸ ਡਿਠੈ ਸਭਿ ਦੁਖ ਜਾਇ ॥
sree harkrishan Dhiaaee-ai jis dithai sabh dukh jaae.
Think of the holy Harkrishan, whose sight dispels all sorrows.
(Ardaas/ Guru Gobind Singh jee)

Sariaa Nu Lakh Lakh Vadhaaee Hove on today's Gur-purab. Today is the 350th Parkaash Diwas (birth day) of Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji, the 8th Jyot (Light) of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji.

A GILMPSE AT THE LIFE OF GURU HAR KRISHAN SAHIB JEE

Very Young Age

Guru Har Krishan Sahib jee was born on July 23rd in 1656 at Kiratpur Sahib, Panjab. He was the second son of the Seventh Nanak, Guru Har Rai Sahib jee, and Mata Krishan Kaur jee. Guru Sahib was fondly called "Baal Guru" as Guru jee became Guru at a young age of just over 5 years old. This showed the world that age does not determine wisdom and power to bring age to the world.

Aurangzeb's Call to Delhi

Guru Sahib refused the invitation of Aurangzeb. The issue of smallpox was more important for Guru jee as Aurangzeb had not specified why he had invited Guru Sahib.

Breaking the Brahmans Pride

On the way to Delhi Guru Sahib stopped off at the village of Panjokhara near Ambala. But before leaving this place Guru Har Krishan Sahib jee showed the great powers which were bestowed upon him by the Almighty Waheguru. Pandit Lal Chand, a learned scholar of Hindu literature questioned Guru Sahib about the meanings of Gita. Then Guru Sahib called a water-carrier named Chhaju Ram, and with the Guru's grace, this unlettered man was able to expound the philosophy of the Gita. When Pandit Lal Chand listened the scholarly answer from Chhaju, he bent his head in shame and besought the forgiveness of Guru Sahib. Pandit Lal Chand became the Sikh and escorted the Guru Sahib up to Kurukashatra. Guru Sahib showed that even the Shudra (those considered 'low-caste') know everything and that the Guru can shower his Grace upon anyone.

Small Pox Clinics

When Guru HarKrishan Sahib jee came to Delhi the city was then in the grip of an epidemic of smallpox. Guru Sahib went all over the the city even in narrow lanes. He gave medicine to all in anguish without any discrimination whatsoever. His very presence and the Divine Look would rid the patients of their sufferings. He also opened clinics across Delhi offering medical treatment to the citizens of city.

Baba Bakala - Sikh Nation is Built

Guru Arjan Dev Sahib jee manifested the virtue of making consultative decisions with the Sikhs. However, during the physical passing away of Guru Har Krishan Sahib jee, it was the first time the Sikhs got to find the Guru. The eight generation Sikhs were put to the challenge whether or not they could recognise their Guru. Before breathing the last breaths, Guru Har Krishan Sahib jee said that the next Guru is "Baba Bakala", meaning the Ninth Nanak is residing in the village Bakala (in Amritsar). Opportunist parasites took advantage of this.

ਗਜ ਸਾਢੇ ਤੈ ਤੈ ਧੋਤੀਆ ਤਿਹਰੇ ਪਾਇਨਿ ਤਗ ॥
gaj saadhe tai tai Dhotee-aa tihre paa-in tag.
They wear loin cloths, three and a half yards long, and triple-wound sacred threads.

ਗਲੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਜਪਮਾਲੀਆ ਲੋਟੇ ਹਥਿ ਨਿਬਗ ॥
galee jinHaa japmaalee-aa lotte hath nibag.
They have rosaries around their necks, and they carry glittering jugs in their hands.

ਓਇ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਹਿ ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ ॥੧॥
o-e har ke sant na aakhee-ahi baanaaras ke tthag. ||1||
They are not called Saints of the Lord - they are thugs of Banaras. ||1||
(Ang 476)

22 imposters posed as the successors of Guru Sahib. However, Makhan Shah Labhana recognised the True Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib jee. As Sikhs we learn from this that can we recognise who our Guru is in today's world?

Summary

Bhai Nand Lal Singh Ji writes in his poetry that if one word could describe and summarise Guru Har Krishan Sahib jee's life, that word be "CLARITY." Guru Sahib jee was clear in his response to the egotistical Brahman and to the Emperor. He also showed leadership skills a such a young age, providing clarity for the followers.

Visit to Norway (Part 2)

Continued...


On Monday 17th July, the Gurdwara Sahib organised a trip to a "Fishing and Hunting Museum" (which showed old Norwegian history) for all the elders and children participating in the camp. It was an unforgetable trip! :)


Afterwards everyone went outside to the Museum's park. It had a few rides and beauitful scenary. It was good to see kids enjoying themselves. In this photo we are sitting on the see-saw. The Gurdwara Raagi Jatha also came on the trip. They joined in the fun.


In the park, the aunty jee's and youngsters prepared sandwiches and we all had lunch.


This Mata jee was participated in the camp. She was so chaRdi kalaa. Every time we saw her we got so much energy from her. She was always happy and smiling and vibrated positive vibrations. In this photo Mata jee is enjoying the swings in the park.


After lunch all the young campers were divided into groups and we prepared small sketches/dramas on issues relating to Sikh children. We had about 15 minutes to prepared and then we presented it on a stage in the park. Some of the dramas were very very good!


When we got back to the Gurdwara in the evening, the children performed their drama sketches again for their parents to see. I was surprised that the children were confident and didn't get shy. The parents were pleased and everyone enjoyed the dramas.


On the last day of the camp a Darbaar Sahib workshop was held for the the under 10's age group. They were very excited to see Guru Sahib and understand more about the maryada (conduct) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee.


The last day Diwaan with all Sangat, children and parents, participating in singing the theme shabad.


Special Thanks

During our stay the Sangat gave us a lot of pyaar and satkaar. The sangat were chaRdi kalaa. The house where we stayed, the aunty and uncle jee were so nice. May Guru Sahib bless them with Gursikhi Jeevan and blessings of Naam.


This is a photo with Sumeet Singh bhaji. He is so chaRdi kalaa. He helped us with the camp and did loads of seva! It was great having his sangat for the week.


Also Mandeep Singh bhaji who has been living in Norway for 2 years now. He helped us to manage the under 10s. Again he was a very chaRdi kalaa Gursikh.


May Guru Sahib keep all the Norway Sangat in chaRdi kalaa and may they remain firm in their Sikhi sidq.

Visit to Norway (Part 1)

As you may have noticed Daas has been away for few weeks. Last week a group of us from UK went to Oslo in Norway to hold a Gurmat Camp for parents and youngsters. We arrived in Norway on Friday 14th July in the morning. In the evening the parent’s camp was held. It was a great turn out. On the first day about 60 mothers and 20 fathers turned up. There was an ice-breaker to begin with then there was a discussion about issues parents face and what the solutions are.

The main focus was on how much time parents spend with their children. The evening concluded with Bhenji Navleen Kaur jee giving a presentation on "Rishte" (relationships) and the Guru's Wisdom in regards to building relationships with parents, children, spouse and society.

The next day, on Saturday 15th July the youngsters camp (aged 10 - 16+) began. The youngster's camp began with Ardaas and Hukamanma in Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee's hazooree (presence). The theme shabad was introduced to the campers. The shabad was:

ਸਾਜਨੜਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਾਜਨੜਾ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਖਲੋਇਅੜਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਾਜਨੜਾ ॥
saajanRaa meraa saajanRaa, nikatt khalo-i-Raa meraa saajanRaa.
Friend, my Friend - standing so near to me is my Friend!
(ang 924)
Read Full Shabad

The campers were divided in age groups. Every day the camp would begin with a morning diwaan where the theme shabad would be sung, Ardaas would be done, and a Hukamnaama would be taken and explained in simple Panjabi. Then there would be two workshops with langar in between. In the evening there would be Diwaan with Rehraas Sahib, theme shabad, folllowed by Ardaas, Hukamnaama and then Langar. Alongside the youngster's camp, Bhenji Navleen Kaur led the parent's camp. Both parents and children would meet each other during the Diwaans.

Workshops/talks were held on the following themes and topics: (1) Satguru Sri Granth Sahib jee - How to do sukhaasan, prakaash, take Hukamnaama, do Ardaas and explaining structure of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee; (2) Respecting parents and elders through sharing Saakhis about the Guru Sahibs; (3) History of first five Guru Sahibs and Guru Arjan Dev jee's Shaheedi; (4) Leadership skills - life of Guru Gobind Singh jee's life; (5) Sacrifice - reflecting and appreciating the sacrifice of our Guru Sahibs and also our parents; (6) Discussions and Q&A; (7) Communication and team work exercises; and (8) Dramas and small sketches on issues relating to the Sikh youth and Panth with a Gurmat message.

Below are some photos of the various workshops and talks:

Talk and presentation on the Sacrifices our Guru Sahibs.

Team work exercise. Groups had to build a tower. Whoever built the tallest tower was the winner. This photo is of the winning group, which had the most younger kids in it.

Self-empowering workshop for parents using the Guru's Wisdom.

Leadership workshop. Children were asked to name the best leaders and the worse leaders then in the summary the leadership skills of Dasam Pita (Tenth Father), Guru Gobind Singh jee, was explained to the children.

Darbaar Sahib workshop with the elder youngsters group. How to take a Hukamnaama was explained and everyone had opportunity to have Darshan (a glimpse) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee's angs (respected word referring to 'pages'). A lot of the youngsters had not seen what Guru Jee's saroop looks like. A summary of the structure and organisation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee was also explained.

To be continued...

France Gurmat Camp 2006

The past week has been very busy. Daas was in Paris doing seva at the annual Gurmat Camp in Paris, organised by the DASHMESH SIKH ACADEMY and Paris Sikh Sangat, at Gurdwara Singh Sabha. The camp started on Wednesday 6th July and ends on Sunday 16th July. Unfortunately I was unable to stay till the end of the camp due to another camp taking place in Norway.

The ten day camp educates children and youngsters on GURMAT WAY OF LIFE. The theme of this year’s camp was Satguru Sri Guru Arjan Dev jee's 400 YEARS SHAHEEDI DIWAS (martyrdom anniversary). Over the week over 150 young Sikhs from young as three years old to over 19 years old participated in this year’s camp. The camp involved a series of workshops and classes on Gurbaani Santhiyaa, Sikh Rehat Maryada, Vichaar (discussion) on Gurmat, Sikh History, Panjabi, Keertan, and Saakhiyaa (stories). Various sevadaars from the local Sangat, from Germany and UK taught classes, including Bhaji Kulwant Singh jee from Dudley with the Chalda-Vaheer Jatha.

The Paris Gurmat Camp is a UNIQUE CAMP. The kids were so chardikala! They had so much pyaar and enthusiasm, and it was great to see all the sangat and parents come together and help with the camp. My voice has nearly gone after talking continously for a whole week from morning to evening, however the atmosphere of the camp was brilliant and the best part was to see the children smile and enjoy themselves. Yesterday the new animation film called 'RISE OF THE KHALSA' about Baba Banda Singh jee Bahadar was shown to the children. I was moved when afterwards three children aged about six and seven years old came up to me yesterday and all three said "Bhaji, Bhaji, I am now going STOP CUTTING MY HAIR and KEEP KESH, and not eat MEAT OR EGGS anymore." Seeing them say this with pyaar and with smiles on their faces I felt so happy. I asked them "Have you asked your parents - make sure you tell them as well." The next day they came back and said they told their parents and they said its okay for them to become vegetarian and keep Kesh. Today one of them brought some material and asked me to tie a Dastaar on them. May Guru Sahib bless these children and keep them in Chardi Kalaa.

Here are some photos:

Very young children getting ready to read Nitnem Banian (daily prayers).


This is age 9-11 years old class. This was my last class I taught today before coming back to England. We shared Saakhis (stories) about Guru Sahibs and children shared their thoughts and experiences of how non-Sikh children treat them at school and what they learn from Guru jee's stories.


This is a photo of Bhaji Ranjeet Singh jee from Germany who teaches children Keertan in the camp and is a great person! He makes everyone laugh, has a great sense of humour and is a very wise GurSikh. Standing on the right-hand side of Daas is Giani Preetam Singh jee from Southall. For the week I stayed in Paris, I stayed with Giani Jee and did Sangat with them. They have a lot of Giaan and experiences and have a good sense of humour. Standing right at the end is Veer Jasveer Singh jee. He is a Chardi Kala youngster! He does great keertan, and today he read the Hukamnama in this morning's Diwaan. Sadly he was refused entry into school because he wears a Dastaar (turban).


In the evening Diwaan Gurdial Singh Uncle jee would lead Simran and then the children collectively read Rehraas Sahib da Paath. After doing Simran, Uncle jee would ask the children "WHY DO WE DO SIMRAN" and whether doing Simran is good a thing. The kids were AMAZING! All the children sitting there would collectively say "SIMRAN KARNAA BAHUT JAROOREE HAI" (doing simran is very important). Uncle jee would ask "If you don't do Simran then what do you become?" The children would shout in Panjabi "AKRIT-GHAN" (ungrateful). Uncle jee would ask, "What doe 'akrit-ghaN' mean?" And the children would shout "SABH TO GANDHAA BACHAA" (the most dirtiest child). The children's hearts are in the right place and they are so intuned when Simran starts. (I will try to upload a recording of the Simran in next week or so).


Uncle jee would ask the kids whether their parents did Simran. Some mums felt bit embarassed, when their kid put their hand up saying that they didn't do Simran. By the end of the week, the majority of the mums in the sangat had their hand up when Uncle jee asked, "Which mothers do simran". It was really INSPIRING.

Also I had an opportunity to see the building which the Paris Sangat are considering to buy and make a Khalsa School. The building is VERY BIG and VERY NICE. Please do Ardaas that Paris Sangat can raise the needed funds with Waheguru's Kirpaa and support of the Panth to buy the building so that the future of the Sikh children of France and Europe can be secured and their Sikh appearance, identity and way of life can be preserved.

Annual Gurmat Camp for 9 - 15 yr olds

The Sikh Missionary Society (UK) in Southall are holding their 29th annual Gurmat camp for Sikh students aged 9 to 15 years old. The Gurmat Camp will be taking place from Sunday 30th July to Sunday 6th August 2006 at Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadar, 106 East Park Road, Leicester. In the camp children will taught and inspired about Gurmat in detail alongside sports and games.

The objective of the camp is to introduce the Sikh way of life to the campers, bringing awareness about Sikh religion, culture and history, and to inspire them to be proud of their identity. The camp programme will include religion sessions, reading and exploring Gurbani, Nitnem, Kirtan, talks and fun and mind-stimulating workshops. Also there is a one day trip to a theme park as a treat to the children.

The camp is admission fee is £50, and for families sending more than one child the fee is £45 per person. The Sikh Missionary Society provides financial support for any families which cannot afford the camp, promoting the value of children being inspired and learning about Gurmat regardless of financial status. There are approximately 100 places, and applications will be taken up to 20th July 2006. Application forms beyond this date will not be accepted.

For further details or to obtain an application form please contact the Sikh Missionary Society (UK):

Write to:
8-10 Featherstone Road,
Southall,
Middlesex, UB2 5AA

Or

Telephone:
07949 762761

Sixth Form RE Day Talk (Part 2)

Continued...

I then shared my personal experiences. I gave them a choice of three experiences to choose, which I had written down, (1) Dealing with school racists, (2) Being approached by the drunken tramp at McDonalds, and (3) Dealing with an ignorant security guard in the library. All the students choose option 2 for me to talk about.

Here is the story:

“In my first year at University, it was summer time and I was revising. I felt like drinking milkshake. So I thought I would pop by to the McDonalds at the Waterloo station (I dread the thought of going to McDonalds now!). As I passed the station I saw a DRUNKEN TRAMP, which is always there and usually shouts VERBAL ABUSE at passers by. I tried to ignore him and walkked passed but he caught a glimpse of me and started to shout “Oih mate! Come here”. I thought, “I just want a hassle-free strawberry milkshake” so I walked around to other entrance of McDonalds.

I thought I was free from the drunken tramp. I was standing in the queue and looked to side to find that the drunken Irish tramp was standing next to me STARING at me. He was looking in a rough state and was holding a beer can. He said, “SHAKE MY HAND.” I felt uncomfortable to shake his hands because I sensed he wanted to do something sinister, perhaps spill his beer can on me. I just smiled and waved 'hello' to him.

He then began to get AGGRESSIVE and started shouting. By this point the whole of McDonalds is staring at the tramp and me. He began shouting “I came to this country and look at me, how come you come from abroad but have everything.” He sounded jealous and angry at why foreigners have homes, clothes and jobs and he is a tramp. In a way I felt sorry for him and felt that he had problems, which he needed to get off his chest, but at the same time I didn’t want to give him a counselling session as I had just come to get a strawberry milkshake. I just kept smiling and trying to remain unbothered by the man.

He then started shouting, “I have a KNIFE. I am going to STAB YOU. I am going to KILL YOU.” At this point I am thinking, “Ermm… My smiling is not getting me far.” Everyone could hear him but everyone instead just stared and watched while munching their burgers (they probably thought its free entertainment). I then said to him calmly and politely with a smile on my face, “MAY GOD BLESS YOU.” As soon as I said that he FLIPPED and started SCREAMING and shouting. Well it was more like GROWLING. He couldn’t accept that I was unbothered by his aggression and that he said he is going to kill me and instead I replied, “May God bless you.” Eventually the Manager came out and asked the man to leave before he calls the police.

I explained the concept of a ROSE to explain how Guru jee see's humanity. I asked them, "which flower is usually given to one's partner or mother to show one's love?" They replied "ROSES". Then I asked, can someone please describe the physical features of a Rose? Everyone pointed out that the beautiful rose has THORNS:

"A rose plant is used to show love through it beautiful PETALS but it also grows THORNS. Touching thorns when can bleed or prick themselves.

If I were to say "Roses are full thorns, they are dangerous and they are ugly" then I would be doing injustice to the Rose as I am denying it of its beauty. Similarly to believe or to say someone is bad through and through is denying the fact that the Divine is within that person.

Some people have more thorns than others, and therefore one wisely chooses to not associate oneself with that person and keep their distance. However still, every single person has beauty within, even if it is a small amount or very minute. When you start seeing everyone has a rose, you realise that people have negative points but positives also, then the world view changes. How you approach your enemies and friends and general public changes. This is how the Divine Mystics, the Gurus, see the world.

To end with I used a quote from the Bible to explain the Guru's Wisdom of being in a state of "ChaRdi Kalaa" (High Spirits).

Matthew 5:39 says:
“But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

What does turn the other cheek mean?
* Let others trample over you?
* Never fight back?
* Keep quiet to injustice?

Make your PYSCHE and INTERNAL SYSTEM so strong that when someone strikes you with negativity, that you do not fall down but instead you are become so strong that you can turn you other cheek PENETRATE it and still into the face of the aggressor.

The feedback from the students was good. They enjoyed learning Sikh philosophy with the examples from Sikh history, relating to everyday life.