Boss Sikhi Camp, UK

I applied to go to Boss Sikhi Camp in 2001. It would have been my first experience of a camp and I was really looking forward to but also bit worried because I had recently kept Kesh and didn't know any Sangat. Unfortunately I couldn't make Sikhi Camp 2001 because I fell over and fractured my foot when walking to work from my lunch break - just a week before the camp! Waheguru. My first Sikhi Camp was in summer 2005 that was held in Southampton. As like with Khalsa Camp, there are some misconceptions of Sikhi Camp that it is a camp for Amritdharis or for particular Jatha (group) and that anyone who isn't Amritdhari or cuts their hair is treated badly or not given respect. Far from the truth! Everyone is given respect and dignity in the camp and everyone enjoys the pyaar of Guru Sahib and Gursikhs. It was an excellent camp and I thoroughly enjoyed having darshan of Guru jee and Saadh Sangat for a whole week - so I attend camp in 2006 as well.

What to expect from Sikhi Camp? The organisers always pick nice locations. In 2005 the camp was held at Southampton sea-side and last year it was held in a picturesque part of Wales.


Chardikalaa Gursikhs from early as 2am would start Simran in the Diwaan. At 4am Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee's Saroop was brought with great grandeuar and majesty to the Diwaan and Guru jee's Parkaash seva was done. This was followed with the Amrit-Vela Simran, Nitnem and Aasa Ki Vaar. Although it was not compulsary for all campers, the MAJORITY of campers out of personal choice attended Amrit-Vela and enjoyed it very much. Everyone I have to spoken to who has been to Sikhi Camp will say that the highlight of camp was the way devotion and respect was shown to Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee!


Everyone has to be inside the Guru's Darbaar for 7am for morning Diwaan. In the morning Diwaan everyone recited Japji Sahib that was followed by Ardaas and Hukamnama which was explained and expanded upon in English by knowledgable Gursikhs who related the Hukamnamas to daily life and the individual. This was followed by breakfast.



From 9am to 1pm there were talks followed by informal and open group discussions sitting on the grass. It was very relaxing but if you're not careful you can get sun burnt! Best to sit in the shade! I know some people get worried that the talks or speakers will be talking down to others, however all the campers I spoke to found the the talks as non-judgemental and welcoming. The discussions allowed campers to share their views and raise questions regarding the talks.



Lunch was from 1pm to 2pm. This followed by activities up to 5pm. The activities were organised and run by the Army. The activities were hiking, abseiling, assault course, football, archery and there was a water sport (but I didn't go because most people came back drenching wet from head to toe!).



5pm to 6pm was relax and refresh time. 6pm sharp everyone used to be in the Guru's Darbaar. The atmosphers of the Guru Darbaar is electric. There would be Keertan by campers followed by Rehraas Sahib, Aarti De Shabad sung, Ardaas and Hukamnama. During both camps the weather was very hot. It was amazing to see campers volunteer to fan the Sangat using pieces of large cardboard. Very humbling to see.

Langar was served after the evening Diwaan. The Langar was Chardikalaa! Like Khalsa Camp, the cakes and other nice treats were great! Aunty jees worked really really hard in Langar seva.



Sikhi Camp is great place for making friends from all over the UK. Through Sangat of others you learn from one and another. Its a relaxed environment where you can enjoy yourself and learn about Sikhi.

On the last day of the camp there was an extended Keertan Darbaar. Great Keertan that everyone enjoyed and took part in.



The coach journey going to camp and coming back was memorable. On the Southall coach everyone did Keertan. It was an amazing atmosphere and nice way to end camp with.

Boss Sikhi Camp is really nice camp to meet Gursikhs, make friends and learn about Sikhi. I would recommend it to everyone.

Mark your calendar for Sunday 26th August to Saturday 1st September to participate in the camp. For more information and to apply, check out www.SikhiCamp.com. If you wish to get £10 discount, then apply before 30th June.

The Third Sikh Holocaust

Today, June 6th, marks the 23rd anniversary of when military tanks stormed Sri Harmandar Sahib (the Golden Temple), Amritsar, and the Shaheedi Diwas (martyrdom day) of one of the 20th century's greatest Sikh Saint-Warriors, Mahaapurakh Giani Baba Jarnail Singh jee Bhindran Wale alongside thousands of brave Sikhs who became immortal martyrs. Shaheedaa Nu Lakh Lakh Parnaam.

“No prayers stir the silence under golden dome of the Golden Temple. There are no priests left to intone them. They are all dead or missing. The musical instruments which at all times drummed out the tones and rhythms of worship are quiet for the first time in centuries. There are no visitors, only soldiers. The Sikhs Holy Bible is closed, covered by a blue cloth. There is no one to read its scriptures. It is like the Vatican without a Pope. At the other end of the causeway that links the Temple to the Akhal Takhat, the second most sacred shrine in Sikhdom, the quiet is more permanent.”

- Ross Benson of the Daily Express on June 19 1984

"Akaal Takhat has totally sacrificed itself. I would like you to share with me something which I have been sharing all along. Akaal Takhat has its own independent sovereign identity. Akaal Takhat had to sacrifice itself to awaken these Sikhs. There was no other way...

Out of my pain, I have been praying whenever I go to Gurdwara. Whenever I go to some houses, I have nothing to share because there is liquor and chicken and this and that. Through just seeing this impurity in tons and tons I would pray every morning, "Guru Jee, if there will be no purity, there will be no Khalsa. Do something!" I think that what Guru has done is to ask Akaal Takhat to go ahead now and sacrifice. I think the sacrifice is very timely. It will just awaken every sleeping soul."
- Bhai Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogi jee on July 1 1984 (New Mexico)

On this day let's do Ardaas (pray) for the Chardikalaa of the Khalsa Panth and read Gurbaani that reminds us of the sacrifices and great jeevans of these Gurmukhs.

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ, ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ. ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ।
naanak naam chaRdee kalaa, tere bhaaNe sarbat da bhalla.
Through Guru Nanak may Naam, the Name of the Lord, be exalted; May all Humanity prosper according to Your Will.
(Sikh Ardaas)

Bhagat Puran Singh Jee - Epitome of Seva

Today is the birthday of one of the most prominent Gursikhs of the 20th century - Bhagat Puran Singh jee. He gave most of his adult life to the total selfless service to terminal and mentally ill patients, who in most cases had been abandoned by their families and society at large. He gave his life to provide the last hope for these desperate patients. It is recorded that whenever and wherever he saw a deserted dead body (human or animal), he would immediately prepare by his own hand a grave and give the corpse a deserving burial or cremation as a sign of respect for the dead body. He is recorded to have said, "Dignity in death is a birthright of each living thing." Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Piaare.

SUMMARY OF BHAGAT PURAN SINGH JEE'S JEEVAN (LIFE)
Adapted from article on www.SikhiWiki.org


Childhood
On 4th June 1904, Bhagat Puran Singh jee was born in the house of Bhai Chaudhari Chibu Mal and Bibi Mehtab Kaur at Rajewal, district Ludhiana. As a child Bhagat jee was named "Raamjee Daas" was raised in a Hindu household. Due to poverty he had to leave school and his parents made him do seva at Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj and Gurdwara Dera Sahib. From an early age, Bhagat jee's mother had taught and inspired him to help others and to do Nishkaam Seva (fee selfless service). Bhagat jee wrote: "From my childhood, my mother had asked me to do personal service to all the creations of God. This tender and distinct feelings of virtuous tasks was ingrained in my mind. My mother had taught me to provide water to the animals, plant trees and water newly planted saplings, offer feed to the Sparrows, Crows and Mynahs, pick up thorns from the paths, and remove the stones from cart tracks. This had embedded the Name of the Almighty in my heart. She had entrusted me to the custody of Gurdwara Dera Sahib [in Lahore] and started me on a path of virtuous living. By following this path your mind can never waver."


Becoming a Sikh
In his early life Bhagat jee used to travel a lot from village to village and would stay at a Mandir (Hindu Temple). One day when he was staying at a Mandar (Temple) and the Brahmins (Hindu priests) told him to clean the temple and then when he was done they sat in front of him and ate the food without offering any to him. Incidentally the next time he had to stay at a Gurdwara Sahib, the Gurdwara Granthi Singh not only gave him good food (Langar) but also a cot and a glass of milk afterwards, without asking for any seva (service) for the Gurdwara in return for the hospitality. After this incident of recieving indiscriminate pyaar (love) and affection from the House of Guru Nanank, Bhagat Puran Singh jee embraced Sikhi without thinking twice. Bhagat jee wrote: "Every night 25-30 travellers would come to the Gurdwara to stay; they were all served food from the common kitchen. This culture of the Gurdwaras deeply affected me"


Dedication to the Cause of Humanity
In 1924, at the age of 19, Bhagat jee he vowed a life dedicated to seva and serving humanity. Since then Bhagat jee tirelessly carried out seva barefooted, day and night in scorching heat and biting cold, in rains and under dust storms, undeterred by adversities, undaunted by criticism, and unruffled by the obstacles that crop up on the path of social service. Friend of the abandoned, helper of the helpless, a ready nurse for a patient of any disease however loathsome, infectious, unmindful of his personal health; safety or convenience, making not the slightest distinction on the basis of caste, creed or community regarding the person in need of his service; this single man has, by his example and precept, inspired many and with their co-operation has, in a short space of nine years, built from a scratch what may justly claim to be an institution. Bhagat jee served and cared for both humans and animals.


Institution of Pingalwara
In 1947, Bhagat jee founded the institute called "Pingalwara" meaning "The Home of the Cripple" with a few discarded cripple or sick patients. The word "Pingal" means "Cripple" and "Waaraa" mean "Home". Today, this institute which is run by Bibi Dr Inderjeet Kaur jee cares for over 1000 patients.


Environmentalist & Writer
Bhagat jee was also writer as well as publisher and an environmentalist. Bhagat jee's contribution in spreading awareness about the global dangers of environmental pollution, increasing soil erosion, etc are now well recognised. For his dedication and unreserved service to humanity was awarded with many honours from many quarters. Prestigious among these was the "Padamshri Award" in 1979, which he surrendered in the wake of the army attack on the Sri Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple) and the bloodbath in Panjab in 1984.


Summary
Bhagat jee left for his heavenly abode on 5th August 5 1992, aged 88 years. Bhagat Puran Singh jee's life practically shows Guru Nanak Sahib jee's divine words:

ਭਾਉ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਨੀਚੁ ਸਦਾਏ ॥ ਤਉ ਨਾਨਕ ਮੋਖੰਤਰੁ ਪਾਏ ॥੨॥
Bẖā­o bẖagaṯ kar nīcẖ saḏā­ė. Ŧa­o Nānak mokẖanṯar pā­ė. ||2||
With loving devotional worship, abiding in humility, O Nanak, salvation is attained. ||2||
(Ang 470)

Bhagat Puran Singh would echo Guru Nanak Dev... "I have learnt by the light shed by the Master, perfectly endowed; Recluse, hero, celibate or sanyassi - No one may expect to earn merit without dedicated service — Service which is the essence of purity."

May Guru Sahib do Kirpaa on us all. Bhagat Puran Singh jee's life exemplifies a life of Seva and Simran who practically made a difference in the world through letting Guru Sahib do seva through him. Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Guru Ke Piaare.

More info: http://www.pingalwaraonline.org/

3 K's or 5 K's?

On Saturday, I was cashing up money with the Manager and the Manager asked me what my religion was. I said that I was a Sikh. He replied, "O yeah! Sikhs". He said he lived in Coventry and had seen Sikhs. He then said, "So do you wear the 3 Ks? Let me remember what they are... is the first "K" - "Koran"?" Waheguru! I couldn't stop laughing. I said firstly there are "5 Ks" and secondly "Koran" is a religious book not an article of faith. Shockingly he then said, "So is the Koran your religious book?" Sat Naam, Waheguru. "No, its the holy book of the Muslims," I replied. It was very surprising that he was from the part of Coventry where there lived a lot of Sikhs yet he didn't know who's holy book the Koran was! However, with Waheguru's Kirpaa after showing my Kirpaan and Karaa, he said that he remembered what he had learnt at school years ago. Rab da Shukar.

Saturday night was the end of month youth keertan at Southall Park Avenue Gurdwara. It was nice to see new faces and new Keertanis. Next week there's a youth keertan programme on Saturday 2nd June at Seven King's Gurdwara starting 7pm to late, and also there's a programme in Leicester at Gurdwara Gur Panth Parkaash, Ashford Road, from 6.30pm to 10pm.

Here's some photos of Saturday's youth keertan in Southall:








On Bank Holiday Monday I was working! I was standing at the cash desk and I saw a family walk into the store. The customer came up to me with his son and wife behind him. He said, "Excuse me mate... I would like to order two CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA CURRYS please." I glared at him and thought "Hai? Chicken Tikka? Where am I going to get Chicken for you from - forget Tikka Masala Chicken!" I didn't know what to say. I was just shocked that I am standing in an electrical store and a man is asking me for a Chicken Curry! Waheguru. Rab Raakhaa!

Then the man said, "Go on then... Can I order some Currys please." I looked at him with a confused face lost for words! He was either barking mad or I thought he must have been thinking that I reminded him of an Indian restaurant waiter or something (scary if he did think that!). He then pointed to a huge sign at the back of the store that had the store name "Currys" on it. The man said, "I am standing in Currys right?" and then started to laugh. I started to laugh as well. The man said that his son and him had a bet on whether he could ask me for a Curry because the store name was "Currys". He said that his son was moaning and groaning that he felt hungry and that he promised him a Curry for lunch. Instead of taking him to the restaurant, he teased him by bring him to the "Currys" electrical store. Waheguru. It was funny after he told me.

Khalsa Camp, UK

Time has flown by and now summer is just around the corner. Summer holidays means a summer of camps! Last year was my first year at Khalsa Camp. I was slightly apprehensive about going as I didn't know what to expect at the camp. However, I applied and ended up going. The atmosphere at Khalsa Camp was amazing. Everyone was so friendly, warm and welcoming. The amount of pyaar (love) and humility shown definitely moved my heart, and speaking to others who attended the camp (people with cut hair, non-Amritdharis and Amritdharis) - they felt this from the camp sevadaars and the whole camp as well.



So, what to expect at Khalsa Camp? I was pleasantly surprised that everyone got an ensuite room to sleep. This was helpful to go to sleep and get rest without being disturbed! Otherwise camp can be very tiring.


Everyone wakes up before 4am and has to be inside the Guru's Darbaar for 4am sharp for Amrit-Velaa. Everyone I have to spoken to who has been to Khalsa Camp will say that the highlight of Khalsa Camp is the AMRIT-VELA (early morning) Simran and Nitnem together with the Sangat. It was very powerful and you can feel the power and energy of Naam in the environment. 4am to 5am is Naam Simran, 5 am to 6am is Nitnem (daily prayers) followed by Ardaas and Hukamnama.


6am to 8am is SNOOZE TIME. lol. It was good to get time to rest after Nitnem so that one feels fresh and awake for the rest of the day. 8am to 9am was breakfast.



From 9am to 1pm there were two talks with discussions and afterwards campers had the option of choosing a workshop on the subject of their choice. I would describe the talks as very deep, thought-provoking and spiritual relating to the individual and life. It was nice to see a mixture of seriousness and reflection as well as comedy, humour and fun in the talks.



Lunch was from 1pm to 2pm. This followed by activities up to 5pm. The activities ranged from Dastaar (turban) tying class, yoga exercise, netball, football, go-karting, horse-riding and more. Go-karting was funny! Well I shouldn't say that - it was dangerous and PAINFUL for some. No names mentioned, some Singhs from London bashed their cars into one another - didn't look too good! Although I'm not a brilliant driver, with Guru Sahib's Kirpaa I didn't crash into anybody or anything!


5pm to 6pm was relax and refresh time. 6pm sharp everyone used to be in the Guru's Darbaar. There would be Keertan by campers followed by Rehraas Sahib, Ardaas and Hukamnama.



One day everyone went to the sea-side! It was a nice day out. Some people had water fights in the sea, others played volleyball and some just walked on the sandy beach and soaked up the nice weather.



On that day Keertan was done on the beach. It was mind blowing. There was a particular young Keertani from India who sang amazingly. Whenever there was Keertan, everyone sang along and you can feel that everyone was immersed in the Sangat and Shabad. It was like heaven on earth.


Langar was served at 7pm. The Langar was Chardikalaa! Like Boss Sikhi Camp, the cakes and other nice treats were great! Summer time always means putting on a few extra pounds for me with all camps having chardikalaa langar :)

8pm to 9pm there were optional discussions that took place in small groups. Usually at the end of day a lot of campers had questions in their mind or wanted answers about something. This was a good opportunity for those people to go along and share their thoughts or even just listen to what others have to say and learn from it. The evening was open to campers. Most campers were in bed by 10pm ready to wake up in the morning!

I am glad I attended Khalsa Camp. You have to experience it yourself to know the feeling. I am looking forward to Khalsa Camp 2007.

Mark your calendar for Saturday 18th to Thursday 23rd August to participate in the camp. For more information and to apply, check out www.KhalsaCamp.com


Next post on camps will be about my experience at Boss Sikhi Camp.

Booze & Bhangra

Last week my mum asked me to get some milk from the local shops. So I went to the shop, picked up the milk bottle and went to the cash desk to pay. The young girl had a glance at my face and then suddenly turned her back to me and bent down to get something. I thought, “Hai? What’s she doing?” Chalo. She came back up and placed a bottle of WHISKEY in front of me. Waheguru, Waheguru. I looked at the bottle and then looked at the lady with a puzzled face not knowing what to say. She then stared at me and said, “O dear me! Sorry Sir! You looked like another customer who comes into the store. He always comes and buys whiskey so my mind automatically got the bottle out when I saw you.” Rab Bhallaa Kare. I said, “Definitely not me” and we both laughed.

where I live. It's possible she mistook the It made me think who the mystery customer could be considering there's not many SardaarsDastaar for a black woolly hat or something. This happened before to me! This lady at work said my dad come to the store looking for me and was very rude. I thought "It doesn't sound right." I asked "Was he wearing a turban and have a beard." She said, "Yes." I said my dad doesn't have a turban. Then I thought, "Hai? Which Singh came in?" Then the man comes in the store again and the supervisor said that "the man who said he's your dad is in the store."

I was curious to see who the person was considering he said he was my dad! She pointed out the man and Rab Bhalla Kare... the man was a Muslim man wearing Salwaar Kameez, half cut beard, wearing a WHITE SKULL CAP. I said to the supervisor, "Firstly, do I cut my beard? And more importantly, how on earth did you mistake a skull cap for a turban!" Worst thing was that it wasn't even a traditional skull cap - it was more of a woolen white cap! Waheguru. I was pretty shocked at how someone could mistake a woolly hat for a big pagh! (The man was the father of the Pakistani cleaner who works at our place - but the lady thought he was referring to me when he said "My son works here.")

On Thursday, a lady came to the store where I work to return a home cinema system. She said that she brought it from a store elsewhere and was promised that she was told that it was brand new and the only thing wrong with it was that it had a tattered box. So she bought it. When she got home she said the found someone’s WEDDING VIDEO in the DVD player and realised that it was second-hand. So she wanted a new one.

I was bit shocked that she found someone’s wedding video in it and got her a new one. I didn’t see what happened to the DVD player and the wedding video as one of the senior staff members took over. Two days later I was walking through the store and the person in charge of the television section of the store asked me to come over to the TVs. I went over and he said, “Have you seen this. Do you know what this is and who these people are?” Waheguru. In big letters it said “BHANGRA” on top of the screen and then it had three screens (like a intro slide) showing snippets of the video. It was EMBARRASING to watch! It had Bhangra written as the title but the music was like QVC channel music or something you expect from a Christmas song. The video was of the wedding video returned by the customer days before.

The people doing Bhangra looked weird! Waheguru. Either someone had messed around with the settings when filming, but it was kind of slow motion and people just twirling and one or two characters looking like they had an electric shock on the dance floor. The Gore couldn’t stop laughing. Then they had Bhangra dancers on the dance stage who looked like they were doing a Mexican wave. It looked awful. It’s a first wedding video I have seen of the kind.

The Peace of Sukhmani Sahib

For the past week or so I have been bit stressed because I had some work to complete for university and also it was my brother's wedding. Waheguru! So it was difficult juggling everything - from making Chaa and serving relatives Laddoos to reading books! I remembered that during my A-Levels and time at university in London I would listen to Sukhmani Sahib whilst revising. So I've been listening to Sukhmani Sahib read by Giani Thakur Singh jee on the computer.

WAHEGUROO! The peace and contentment that Sukhmani Sahib brings is amazing. So peaceful! I felt stressed before, but listening to Sukhmani Sahib I felt carefree. I felt nothing to worry about and my mind became relaxed. It's as if Guru Sahib embraces you and says, "Don't worry" and makes the mind feel collective, calm and more alert.

Giani Thakur Singh's voice and the way he reads Gurbaani is beautiful (very paced and smooth). I kept playing Sukhmani Sahib one after another. The way Giani jee reads Paath made me feel as if I was sitting in Guru Sahib's Darbaar in front of Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee with my eyes closed enjoying Guru Sahib's Darshan (presence/vision). It's hard to explain.

Strange feeling, but nice.

I know that during May and June a lot of students will be writing essays or revising for exams. I definitely recommend listening to Sukhmani Sahib during the day and get the feeling of "Sukh" (peace) in this busy and hectic life. :)

Download:

>>>Sukhmani Sahib (Part 1)- Giani Thakur Singh jee

>>>Sukhmani Sahib (Part 2)- Giani Thakur Singh jee


More Audios from Giani jee:

>>> Kathaa & Gurbaani Paath

Interview with Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh

I came across the video interview with Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh jee from Soho Road Gurdwara in Birmingham. The interview is from the Parliament of the world's religions that was held in Barcelona, Spain. The theme of the conference was "Can religion meet the future?" Bhai Sahib gives a well explained, to the point, and inspirational response from the perspective of Sikhi in the interview:

ਕਛਹਿਰਾ - The Significance of the Kachhera

I came across this article on Sikh Philosophy Network forum. It is very informative and helps explain the significance of the Kachhera (special undergarment, which one of the 5K's). Sometimes at camps, talks and forums youngsters have questions about the Kachhera and it's significance. The article below helps to explain the significance of the Kachhera:

Author: Hai Bhi Sach
Date: 30-01-07

The Kachhera is also known as a “Rave Kachhera” or “Barekaa(n) Waala Kachhera”. The name “Rave Kachhera” comes from the fact that the cloth it is turned diagonally (i.e. at 45 degrees to the direction it has been woven) and sewn together to form a tube which is then further shaped. Hence the word Rave (diagonal). The name “Barekaa(n) Waala Kachhera” comes from the fact that unlike a conventional boxer short, which does not necessarily keep your modesty when you sit down on your feet. Whereas the “Barekaa(n) Waala Kachhera”, because the way it is cut and sewn together, it clings to your thighs as if it has put the breaks on hence giving the wearer a dignified appearance. The leg opening closes up tight against the thighs.

Why invent the special Kachhera for the Sikhs? In fact the kachhera predates Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. The main reason for the existence of this particular design is that during the times of our Gurus the “Sikh Warrior” had to be ready for battle at all times (Tyaar bar Tyaaar). The Sikh warrior did not have the time to change clothes if attacked at any hour of the day or night. The Kachhera allowed the Sikh warrior to operate in combat freely and without any hindrance or restriction. Sikhs fought many battles only wearing this undergarment. The Kachera thus plays a very important part in Sikhs daily life. A Sikh Warrior is always ready to go into action. The Kachhera is thus an important part of a Sikh attire.

http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/new-to-sikhism/14434-kacheras.html

"Where is God?"

Children at the Sikh Youth Camp held in October 2006 at Singh Sabha Gurdwara Sahib in Bradford. Bhai Roop Singh jee worked with the youngsters to write poems about Waheguru. The children in video below have been asked to write a poem about "Where is God?"