Khalsa Camp Canada 2010...

This year with Guru Sahib's kirpaa, the first-ever Khalsa Camp was held in Canada. Khalsa Camp was established in the UK in 1990 and has been providing inspiration and motivation to young and old seeking to discover the spirit within. With the help of Khalsa Camp UK the Canada Gursikhs organised the first Canadian Khalsa Camp in Hope, British Columbia.

The camp site was in the mountains surrounded by beautiful scenery. The camp site was called 'Camp Hope'. It was run by Sevent Day Adventist Christians. The camp is a meat and alcohol free site. The camp stewards told us that their particular Church believes that the body is the temple of God and for that reason they did not eat or drink anything that pollutes or is unhealthy for the body and for that reason they refrain from alcohol and meat.

It was a great privilege to have Sangat with great Gursikhs like Master Niranjan Singh jee and Bhai Sahib Bharpoor Singh jee whose presence alone was inspirational alone. The young Gursikhs did a great job in organising their first camp. I hope the Gursikhs in Canada continue to do the good work and with Guru Sahib's kirpaa Khalsa Camp in Canada grows in its success.

Some photos from the camp (taken from S1ngh & K@ur flickr):


Mountain View, Camp Hope Cabins.


Mountain View, Camp Hope Cabins.


Langar Hall.


Diwaan Hall


Top of hiking trail.


Archery activity.


Up in the mountains.


Veer Tarun Singh, Bhai Sahib and Veer Prabhjot Singh. Note the plank of wood was creeking and sounding like it was about to snap and break any moment!


Bhai Tarsem Singh jee (UK) doing a talk on "Actions speak louder than Words".


Dr. Ravinder Singh jee (Lose Angeles) doing a talk on being in Chardi Kalaa.


Bhai Sahib Bharpoor Singh jee. He reminds me of Baba Harnam Singh jee Rampur Khera Wale. Such a sweet Gursikh. Waheguru :)



Master Niranjan Singh jee speaking in the Q&A session. Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Pyaare :)


One night Veer Vikram Singh, magic-master from California, did a magic trick whereby he got Master Niranjan Singh jee to stand on one side of the room and me to stand on the other. He tapped Master jee's right shoulder and I felt the tap at the same time on the same shoulder! Very strange and spooky!


An uncle jee who missed out the night time magic show asked Vikram Singh to show some tricks in the langar hall. Veer Prabhjot Singh (California) joined in and showed some tricks as well.


Master jee showing campers some Angs (respected pages) of the handwritten Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee he has written. It took Master jee between 5 and 6 years to write. He is currently proof reading it. Waheguru.

ਸਲੋਕ ਮਃ ੧ ||
ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਕਾਗਦੁ ਕਲਮ ਧੰਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਭਾਂਡਾ ਧਨੁ ਮਸੁ ||
ਧਨੁ ਲੇਖਾਰੀ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿਨਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਲਿਖਾਇਆ ਸਚੁ ||੧||

"Blessed is the paper, blessed is the pen, blessed is the inkwell, and blessed is the ink. Blessed is the writer, O Nanak, who writes the True Name. ||1||" (Ang 1291)


On the last day the Gursikhs took us to a waterfall nearby. Although there were signs stating not to go beyond this point everyone decided to climb up. Satnam Waheguru.


Pali Bhaji (Palwinder Singh), brother of Veer Preetam Singh (Coventry). A very happy Singh!


Veer Bhagatjot Singh (New Jersey)! Another happy Singh :)


Group photo.



Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Belgium Gurmat Camp 2010...

From 2nd to 7th August a Gurmat Camp was held in Belgium at Gurdwara Sangat Sahib, Sint Truiden. For many years the Chalda Vaheer Jatha, founded by late Bhai Sahib Rajinder Singh (Dudley, UK), has been doing annual camps in Belgium as well as countries across Europe. With Guru Sahib's kirpaa, this year's camp was very successful and very inspirational. About 50 local children attended the 6 day camp. The camp included classes for learning Panjabi, memorising Gurbani, learning Keertan and Tablaa, Sikh history, and Mudhlee Vidiyaa (core knowledge). Local sevadaars and parents of children contributed with the classes. The camp would start at 10am with Japji Sahib, Chaupai Sahib and followed by Ardaas. After discussing the meanings of the Hukamnama there was breakfast followed by classes. It was so moving to see that the youngsters were so eager to learn more Gurbani, more Shabads for Keertan and how to tie a Dastaar that some would turn up 8am at the Gurdwara or even earlier to take maximum laahaa (benefit) of the camp. The hunger and thirst for Sikhi shown by the children was inspirational. The most inspiring from the camp was hearing a 6 year old recite full Japji Sahib off-by heart! Some photos from the camp:
Morning Simran led by Bhaji Karanjeet Singh from Germany.

Campers reciting Japji Sahib.
Camper doing Ardaas.


Camper doing Chaur Sahib. None of the campers had done Chaur Sahib sevaa before and were very excited to be given the opportunity.


Younger children watching a Sikhi film.


Langar


Bhai Harjinder Singh (known as 'Man in Blue') helping children learn Panjabi.


Two sisters, aged 4 and 5, wearing Dastaar :)


Dastaar tying competition (these Veer jees didn't have time to practice).


One of the Dastaar tying competiton winners.


Bhenji who at the age of 2 knew Mool Mantar and say a loud Fateh :)


Campers learning to memorise Japji Sahib with Giani Keval Singh, the local Granthi Singh.

During the camp the elder children prepared presentations on different topics covering personalities from Sikh history. It was amazing to see how the campers researched and prepared very detailed presentations and did a great job in presenting them to the rest of the class:


Bhenji Nirvair Kaur did her presentation on Mata Sahib Kaur jee.


Bhenji Ampritpal Kaur did her presentation on Guru Raam Daas jee.


Bhenji Vigaas Kaur did her presentation on Baba Banda Singh jee Bahadar.


Bhaji Amritpal Singh did a presentation on Guru Hargobind Sahib jee.


Bhaji Ravinder Singh did a presentation on Guru Arjan Dev jee.


Bhaji Jorawar Singh did a presentation on Guru Tegh Bahadar jee.


Bhaji Lovepreet Singh did a presentationon Guru Gobind Singh jee.


Bhai Harjinder Singh taking the elder group's class in Flemish (the children's local language).


Bhenji in blue is the 6 year old who has memorised full Japji Sahib with the support of her mother and Guru jee's blessings.


Bhai Jaspal Singh teaching Tablaa.


Bhaji Jujhar Singh teaching campers keertan.


Campers were tested on what they had learnt and given marks near the end of the camp.

On the last day, campers recieved their certificate and gifts from the Gurdwara Committee members and community elders:




Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee.

Story about Bhai Jeevan Singh Jee...

Bhai Jeevan Singh jee's 1978 Canada Tour & Controversy
From Soora Feb 1979
Translated by Admin www.tapoban.org

Bhai Sahib Jeevan Singh jee was one of the first Gursikhs who did parchaar of Tat (pure) Gurmat in Canada and helped bring people into a Sikh way of life. In 1978, Bhai Sahib visited Toronto and a controversy erupted when he refused to take parshaad or langar in the Gurdwara. The "Khalsa Samaachaar" newspaper and Toronto's "Pardesi Punjab" condemned Bhai Sahib for this "violation" of Gurmat. Bhai Sahib was then a Hazooree Raagee at Takht Sri Patna Sahib and the accusation was leveled that Bhai Sahib does not eat Karah Parshaad nor takes Langar.

Here's what the Soora magazine had to say about the entire issue:

Respected Sardaar Jeeo (editor of Khalsa Samaachaar),

We are astonished to see that a learned man like you, without knowing the truth, in Khalsa Samachaar's December 28, 1978 issue published the news that Bhai Jeevan Singh's not accepting Parshaad and Langar is against Gurmat.

Before publishing this, did you even try to find out why Bhai Jeevan Singh jee, while preaching in Canada does not accept parshaad in those people's langar?

According to the Gurmat Rehit Maryada, the langar prepared by a patit or non-amritdhaaree
is not acceptable and this food cannot be called "Guru Kaa Langar".

In "Nirguneearaa" 1977, Prof. Pooran Singh jee writes in the article "Satguru's Divine Langar":

"In the Baba's langar, there is not un-touchability over caste and class, but this langar is hidden from plain view. This is the langar of an Emperor. Not just anybody (Lundee Buchee) can come here…"tithay jodh maahbal soor" Guru's totally prepared Singhs who are tyaar-bar-tyaar, are the Soldiers (workers) here" etc.

The meaning of this writing is that in the Pangat (area where langar is eaten) there is no caste or class distinction or discrimination, but in preparing the langar, it is the Guru's specific maryada that not just anyone can prepare the langar. For this task, it is necessary to be "guru vala" or amritdhaaree.

That is the Guru's Langar where the food's preparers and servers are Guru's Singhs. "Vaydeenaa(n) kee dostee vaydeenaa(n) kaa khaaN" i.e. according to the Guru's orders eating the food of those without the Faith is restricted in Gurmat. According to the Sikh Rehit Maryada, a Sikh should have food and social relations with other Sikhs only.

We've found out that Bhai Jeevan Singh jee in last year's Canada tour did keertan in a Gurdvara. After the keertan, that Gurdvara's Committee President was about to give Bhai Sahib a Siropa. That President was a Patit (apostate) Sikh with no kesh or beard. Bhai Sahib in the Deevan said "Daas cannot accept a Siropa from the hands of a Patit Sikh, so please forgive Daas for this."

The disease of Patit-ism is very big in Canada and many Gurdvara organisers are Patits. In this situation, if Bhai Jeevan Singh jee refused to eat the parshaad of a Patit individual, then this is following the Guru's orders. Is it a crime to remain steadfast in Gurmat Rehit and obey the Guru's orders?

If our other preachers and ragis in an attitude of greed go to those countries and eat the food of these sharabee-kababee (meat/liquor consuming) patit individuals, it does not mean that one should start pointless propaganda against such a person who remains firm in Gurmat maryada and refuses to eat this food. We can expect this from the patit individuals but it's beyond our understanding when a Panthic Newspaper does this propaganda.

It's regrettable you haven't bothered to know the truth about how Bhai Jeevan Singh has gone there without any greed and is humbly preaching Gursikhi. So we request you try to find out the reality and make the Sangat aware of this reality and Gurmat.

Soora Parivar

Despite all the controversy and pressure, Bhai Jeevan Singh jee remained firm in his bibek (conscious living), and took a stand, even where it alienated some people who refused to accept or understand Gurmat. This episode teaches us that no matter what, we must take a stand when it comes to following the rehit of Guru Sahib.

------


Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Teree Sikhee.

Bradford Sikh Family Camp 2010...

From Saturday 24th July to Sunday 25th July, Bradford Guru Nanak Gurdwara held the Sikh Family Camp for all ages. The Gurdwara Sahib is a youth-run Gurdwara, with it's President and majority of the committee being UK born Amritdhari Gursikhs. The Gurdwara is definitely a role model for Gurdwaras with so many projects aimed at inspiring and serving the Sangat and promoting Gurmat. On August 15th the Gurdwara Sahib is opening it's own gym called "Khalsa Fitness". Only recently, the local youngsters did the seva of renovating the Darbaar Sahib, which looks really nice.

With Guru Sahib's kirpaa there was a really good turnout at the camp from young and old. There were lots of different activities and zones for campers to find out more about Sikhi. There were four zones - the spiritual zone, open zone, inspirational zone, and warrior zone. In addition to the zones, on Saturday campers had a chance to see and find out more about wild animals like monkeys, tortoises, and reptiles. On Sunday someone brought in falcons and birds of preys for the Sangat to have a look, as Guru Gobind Singh jee used to keep a falcon with him which apparently was brought to India from Northern Europe.

The camp had a really buzzing atmosphere and was very inspiring. I found the "Khalsa Kaur" puppet show to be one of memorable things from the camp (which the younger children really enjoyed - and also the elders!). It was a creative way of teaching children Saakhis etc. Children also experienced how to do different sevas in the Gurdwara Sahib and learnt about the basic Maryada that should be followed when doing seva and coming to the Gurdwara Sahib. May Guru jee bless all the organizers and sevadaars to do more sevaa!

Some photos:


Morning assembly.


Signs for the different zones.


Inspirational zone.


Warrior Zone.


Elder boys group.


Superman Singh entertaining the children.


Bhaji Jagjit Singh showing children why and how we do Chaur Sahib sevaa.


Langar.


Bhaji Inderjeet Singh doing poster work with the children.


Cute Khalsa Singhnee.



Animal charity workers showing the different animals they look after in their sanctuary.

Bhenjee holding an owl.

12 to 14 year old group.


Younger group.


Youngest group.


Parents/adults group.


Bhenjee singing theme shabad with campers.


Camper doing Ardaas.


Camp sevadaars group photo.



Gurdwara website - http://www.gurunanakgurdwara.org/



Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!