Norway Sikh Family Camp...

 

 

From Friday 28th December to 30th December 2012, a Sikh Family Camp was held at Shri Guru Nanak Niwas Gurdwara in Drammen (Lier), Norway, organized by the local Sangat. Giani Kulwinder Singh jee (UK), Bhai Vijay Singh jee (UK) and Daas attended the camp to do seva.

 

Approximately 150 people attended the camp. The camp started with Simran and a short introduction by Giani Kulwinder Singh jee. The campers were divided into groups according to age. There was one special group for parents and adults as well. There were three talks/workshops in the day and viewing of a Gurmat video for the whole Sangat.

 

With Guru jee's kirpaa, the camp had a very positive impact on the youth and was able to clarify their doubts and empower them with knowledge of Gurmat  principles. Following the positive feedback from the Sangat, the Gurdwara is now looking to continue on the seva by encouraging local youth to get more involved and take a leading role in seva, for example through starting a weekly Gurmat class etc.

Many elders and youth used the camp to look at themselves and how they can better Sikhs and progress in Sikhi. It was a pleasure to be in their humble Sangat and receive their pyaar, kindness and hospitality. It was promising to see how positive, forward-thinking and accommodating the Gurdwara Management Committee were. May Guru jee continue blessing the Sangat and may Sikhi flourish further.

 

The opening Hukamnama for the camp was:
ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਗਾਈਐ ਆਤਮ ਰੰਗਿ ||
ਸਰਣੀ ਪਾਵਨ ਨਾਮ ਧਿਆਵਨ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਵਨ ਸੰਗਿ ||੧|| ਰਹਾਉ ||

"Sing the Praises of the Lord and Master, with the love of your soul. Those who seek His Sanctuary, and meditate on Naam, the Name of the Lord, are blended with the Lord in celestial peace. ||1||Pause||" (Ang 679)

Gurdwara Sahib

View outside from Langar hall

Registration - Bhai Sukhvinder Singh, a young Committee member, who is one the main organizers of the camp

 

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee

 

Giani Kulwinder Singh jee giving the introduction talk

 

Saadh Sangat

 

Giving information about groups

Adults session with Giani Kulwinder Singh jee on Gurbani grammar.

Daas with adults exploring Sikh history and Sikh principals

 

15+ group with Giani Kulwinder Singh jee exploring Sikh history and Sikhi spirit

 

15+ with Daas and Bhai Vijay Singh doing Q&A

Langar time

Langar time

Adult/parent class on Gurmat Rehat

Rehraas Sahib da Paath with Sangat

Evening diwaan Keertan by local Raagi Jatha, Bhai Surinder Singh jee.

Prize giving to younger group

Prize giving to middle group

Prize giving to elder youth group

Local Raagi Jatha, Bhai Surinder Singh jee, during Sunday diwaan. Very sweet keertan and very humble Gursikhs.

Bhai Vijay Singh jee doing Keertan during Sunday diwaan.

Talk during Sunday diwaan on Chhote Sahibzaade's Shaheedi

Giani Kulwinder Singh jee during Sunday diwaan talking about Shaheedi, afterlife and Karam philosophy.

Visit to a mountain in Drammen

With local Veer who is Committee member outside Gurdwara Sahib

 

Giani jee and Daas with Veer Vishavjeet Singh jee, local Chardikala Gursikh

 

 

 

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

 

 

 

 

Back to Sikhi: Inspiring Transformations... (Series 12)

ਸੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਸਖਾ ਬੰਧਪੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਵੈ ||
"He alone is a Sikh, a friend, a relative and a sibling, who walks in the Way of the Guru's Will."
(Ang 601)

 

Continuing photos of people who have reverted back or found the True Guru's Path. Many people who are looking for strength and confidence to follow the Guru's Path find these transformation pictures and stories of people's experiences of Sikhi very inspiring and motivating. If anyone else would like to share their story of how they came in or came back into Sikhi and share photos with the Sangat then please email me. (Email address is given in the profile section).

 

 

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Must Watch Video: Sikh Parents & Their Children

Kathaa by Giani Amrik Singh Ji (Chandigarh wale):

 

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Blessed Child from France...

 

On the weekend I went to France. Whenever I am invited to Paris, I usually stay with the same Gursikh family. The family have a three year old grandson named Tejvir Singh. The child is very Chardi Kalaa. Whenever you meet him, he is never shy to say Guru's Fateh. It is as if an old Gursikh is in a child's body. His parents are not Amritdhari, but his grandparents are.

 

The child loves wearing a Dumallaa. When he is not wearing anything on his head, he will make sure he covers his head with a Keski (chhotti dastaar) before eating or listening to keertan or paath. He is always playing with toy swords and jumping around pretending to fight Mughal soldiers. He loves talking about and mentioning Baba Banda Singh Ji Bahadur and Baba Deep Singh Ji etc. Every day without fail he will watch the Vismaad animation movies (Bhai Taru Singh Ji, Sahibzaade etc). I think he probably know the dialogue off by heart!

 

Tejvir Singh loves to hear Keertan. He will say "Singh Ji, Keertan Sunaao Ji" (Dear Singh, please do Keertan). Every morning he listens to Dukhbhanjani Sahib da Paatth recording from Sangat TV and doesn't like anyone disturbing him. When I was upstairs doing Keertan by myself, he came running up, tied a Keski, wore a Hazooria and started playing Tablaa. Vaheguru!

 

His grandmother told me that when he went to India last month, he didn't go near his relatives who had cut hair. He said that he only wants to play and talk to Singhs. One relative said, "Play with me, I will keep my Kesh." He replied, "Keep your Kesh first and then come to me. Then I will play with you." Waheguru. He loved visiting all the puraatan (old) Gurdwara Sahibs. When I asked him, he loved talking about visting the different Gurdwara Sahibs.

 

On Bandi Chhor Divas, he heard of the Saakhi of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. He dressed himself up and sat patiently in his room by himself. When his mother asked what he is doing, he replied, "I am waiting for Guru Hargobind Ji to come and visit me. Mum, I keep praying that Guru Ji visits me tonight and I can see him. Don't you also want to see him?" All night he stayed up calling out for Guru Ji. (I hope that Guru Ji blessed him with his wish. Waheguru).

 

 

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

School Trip to Gurdwara...

On Wednesday 5th December, I arranged for the school where I work to visit Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Coventry. Currently I had been teaching the Year 8s Sikhi (since September till December). Everyone was very excited to go the Gurdwara Sahib. Two other teachers and a retired devout Christian who helps out with the school accompanied the students.

When we arrived outside the Gurdwara Sahib, the students were shown the Nishaan Sahib and its importance was explained. The students then entered the Gurdwara Sahib, removed their shoes, covered their heads and washed their hands. Coming into the Langar Hall, the local sevadaars (volunteers) were introduced (Bheni Manjit Kaur, Veer Tarunjeet Singh TJ, and Veer Raman Singh). The 60 or so students were divided into groups of 3. Each local sevadaar gave a group a guided tour around the Gurdwara. The students had a worksheet with questions that I had prepared. For example they needed to know what is the Langar and its importance and then know what the Sachkhand is and how is Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji treated. This helped students to ask questions and explore more.

After a 45 minute or so guided tour, the students all came back to the Langar Hall. The importance of Pangat was explained. The students sat on the floor in lines. Sevadaars distributed the trays and Langar was poured for them. The students could not believe how generous Sikhs were. They all loved eating the chowl (rice) with masraa dee daal (yellow lentils). Most of them asked for seconds, thirds and fourths! (And they were happy that no one minded pouring them more).

The Philosophy & Religious Studies Teacher, who is from Turkey, was really impressed by the Langar and helped give out the dishes and spent time afterwards cleaning the dishes with other sevadaars in the kitchen. Vaheguru! He found doing seva very rewarding and enjoyable! He also asked for a Dastaar to be tied on him and said he found it very comfortable and relaxing to wear.

After Langar there was a Q&A session with Bhenji Manjit Kaur and then the children were given chocolates as they left. The Gurdwara Sahib kindly provided two large tins of chocolates for the school children as a gift. The school staff and students were really taken aback by the generosity and kindness of the Gurdwara Sahib, considering the Gurdwara asked for no donations.

The next week it was Year 8 Parents Evening. Each parent I met commented how their child loves Religious Studies and how they come home and tell them about what they have learnt about Sikhi. Those students who had been on the trip praised how their children enjoyed the Gurdwara. One particular mother smiled and said to me, "Mr. Singh, my child comes home and always tells me what she has learnt in Religious Studies. After the Gurdwara visit, my daughter came home and said that feels like becoming a Sikh." She said that she asked her daughter, "Why is that?" She replied, "Sikhs are the most loving, generous, kind and welcoming people I have ever known. They are not just nice and loving to their own people, but they share their love and generosity to strangers and people they don't know. They share love and kindness through feeding everyone without asking for anything in return." Vaheguru. I sat there all evening and in my mind contemplated "Dhan Guru Nanak! Dhan Guru Nanak!"

Yesterday, the retired lady who is a devout Christian, came up to me to wish me well for my new job. With a loving smile she said, "Manvir, I really enjoyed going on the trip. It was really educational and just lovely. I came home and told my husband that do you know - if I were not a Christian I would become a Sikh. They are just such lovely people. Thank you so much." Vaheguru.

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Back to Sikhi: Inspiring Transformations... (Series 11)

ਨਾਈ ਦਾ ਹਥ ਸੀਸ ਚਿਹਰੇ ਨ ਲਗਣਾ ਪਾਵੈ । ਕੇਸਾਧਾਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ ਪੰਥ ਕਹਾਵੈ ।
“The head (of a Sikh) should never have to pass through the hands of a barber. The Guru’s Panth calls itself Keshdhari (those with unshorn hair).”
(Bansaavaleenama, Bhai Kesar Singh Chhibar)

Continuing photos of people who have reverted back or found the True Guru's Path. If anyone else would like to share their story of how they came in or came back into Sikhi and share photos with the Sangat then please email me. (Email address is given in the profile section).

 

 

ਜਬ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਸਬ ਸਿ੍ਰਸਿਟ ਉਪਾਈ । ਤਬ ਹੀ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹਿ ਬਨਾਈ । ਤਨ ਇਸ ਕੇ ਸਿਰ ਕੇਸ ਜੁ ਦੀਨੋ । ਸੋ ਇਹ ਤਨ ਸ਼ਿੰਗਾਰਿਹ ਕੀਨੋ । ਦਾੜ੍ਹਾ ਮੁੱਛ ਸਿਰ ਕੇਸ ਬਨਾਈ । ਹੈ ਇਹ ਦਿ੍ੜ ਜਿਹ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਰਜ਼ਾਈ । ਮੇਟ ਰਜ਼ਾਇ ਜੁ ਸੀਸ ਮੁੰਡਾਵੈ । ਕਹੁ ਤੇ ਜਗ ਕੈਸੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਵੈ ।

“God created the whole universe and then he fashioned the human body. He gave man a beard, moustaches and hair on the head. He who submits to His Will steadfastly adheres to them. They who deny His Will how will they find God in this world?”

(Bhai Desa Singh Rehatnama)

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Vaheguru Simran by non-Sikhs...

Below is a video from Khalsa Aid's seva in Haiti. The locals wished to know more about Sikhi from the sevadaars. The orphanage manager is leading children in chanting 'Vaheguru'. It is amazing seeing the concentration and love in everyone's chanting. Vaheguru.

This week I played this video to my Year 8 school students (who are non-Sikh English children). The students have been studying Sikhi for the past two half terms. This week we looked at Seva, Simran and Sacrfice. All the class did Vaheguru Simran (including atheist children) for 5-10 minutes. Everyone enjoyed the experience and said they felt calm and peaceful afterwards.

ਵਡਭਾਗੀਆ ਵਾਹੁ ਵਾਹੁ ਮੁਹਹੁ ਕਢਾਈ || 
vaddbhaageeaa vaahu vaahu muhahu kaddaaee || 
How very fortunate are those, who with their mouths, chant Waaho! Waaho! 
(Ang 514) 

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Sikhee!

Khalsa Camp Canada 2012 Video...

Ik Onkar TV (S2E24) show on Khalsa Camp BC 2012 that took place at Khalsa Centre at Miracle Valley.

For more information visit www.KhalsaCamp.ca

Bhai Rama Singh Jee (AKJ UK) - Funeral Video...

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਨਮੁ ਸਵਾਰਿ ਦਰਗਹ ਚਲਿਆ ||

ਸਚੀ ਦਰਗਹ ਜਾਇ ਸਚਾ ਪਿੜੁ ਮਲਿਆ ||

"Spending this life fruitfully, the Gurmukh goes to the other world. There in the True court (of the Akaal Purakh) they get their True place."

(Bhai Sahib Gurdaas Jee, Vaar 19: 14)

Funeral of Bhai Sahib Bhai Rama Singh jee, Jathedaar of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha UK, 10th August 2002. 

Keertan being performed by Bebe Nanaki Jatha (Birmingham), Bhai Prithvipal Singh (Southall), Bhai Manjit Singh (Glasgow).

Born in a Hindu family. He spent his earlier years searching for a true path to God and then he eventually found it in the Sikh religion. He took Amrit and from that day he became totally devoted to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee. 

Continuous Naam Simran, recitation of Mool Mantar, reading of Gurbaani Paath, Seva, and living by the Sikh code of Conduct (Khalsa Rehat) were more dearer to him than life itself. He travelled with Gursikhs to all parts of the world to do Gurmat parchaar. Countless sangat took Amrit and became Khalsa. Bhai Sahib showed love and respect to all that came in contact with him. He was the image of humility, which inspired many non-Gursikhs to follow the Guru's Path.

Bhai Sahib was appointed the respected position of Jathedaar of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha UK, in recognition of his Seva and his high spiritiual jeevan that Satguru had blessed him with. He had remained in this position when the call came for depature to sachkhand.

May Guru jee bless us all that we can learn from Bhai sahib's life in the hope that we can build our own Jeevans and get closer to Guru jee. 

Related posts:

• Remembering Bhai Rama Singh Jee (A Short Glimpse at Bhai Sahib's Life)
• Kathaa by Bhai Rama Singh Jee
• Old Photos of Singhs
• Order Bhai Sahib's Book "In Search of the True Guru" via GuruKhoj.com

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee

Your Help is Required!

The Human rights group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) will file a petition before US President Barack Obama on December 15, urging the Obama administration to recognise the 1984 anti-Sikh pograms as a 'genocide' rather than 'anti-Sikh riots.'

The online petition created on the White House official website requires 25,000 signatures by December 15 to warrant a response from Obama. 

The petition urges the Obama administration to fulfil its obligation under Article 1 of the UN Convention on genocide by recognising the 1984 government orchesterated massacre of Sikhs as as a 'Sikh genocide'. The petition argues that the intentional and deliberate nature of the attacks on Sikh lives, properties and places of worship during November 1984 makes them the crime of genocide.

Can everyone please sign the petition and ask others to do so!

Steps to sign the petition

Step 1.  Please sign into http://www.wh.gov/XZj1  
Step 2. Click on "CREATE AN ACCOUNT" (must create an account in order to sign the petitions). FIll in the required information and submit. You will than receive an email. Now follow the instructions and click on the link to confirm and finalize your account. Also in the same email you will find your PASSWORD.  
Step 3. Now govto http://www.wh.gov/XZj1  
Step 4. Click on "Login".  Use your EMAIL and PASSWORD to login.  
Step 5. In a new browser window goto http://www.wh.gov/XZj1   
Step 6. Sign the Petition 

Explaining Guru Nanak Ji's Gurpurb to Non-Sikhs...

I've made a poster on Guru Nanak Dev Jee's Parkaash Divas Gurpurb which I forwarded on to non-Sikh colleagues. Below is the information from the poster in case anyone wishes to use for educating their friends and colleagues on the Sikh festival. If anyone would like the information in a pdf or word format then please email me.

On 28th November 2012, the Sikh community celebrates the advent of Guru Nanak Ji, the founder of the Sikh religion. Sikhs don't tend to say "birth date" of the Guru because the Guru is Light. The word 'Guru' means 'Light that dispels darkness'. The Guru is neither born nor dies. The light is illuminated and then passed from one Guru to the next. Now the light of the Guru is in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikh Sacred Scripture, which is considered the Living Word of God.

Background

Through Guru Nanak Ji (1469 - 1539) the Sikh religion and was revealed over 500 years ago, the youngest major world religion. From a young age he had mystical experiences and those whom came in contact with him began to recognise the Light of God shining through him and that he was speaking the Words of God. He began to preach service, humility, truthful living and meditation upon God, which became the foundation of the Sikh philosophy. A champion for the rights of women and the socially oppressed, the Guru was arrested by the rulers of the time for challenging their tyranny over the common people. Travelling throughout India, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Russia, parts of the Arab world, and Eastern Africa he discussed his revelation with people he met, and inspired admirers and followers from different communities.

Guru Nanak Ji showed people that everyone has the potential to be divine and live a spiritually elevated life that inspires others and society. The Sikh religion is not an evangelical religion and believes everyone has the human right to peacefully practise their beliefs and that we should show respect and love to all God's creation irrespective of labels of religion, colour, gender or social status.Guru Nanak Ji showed people God's Path which is a Path of love and compassion.

Teachings of Guru Nanak

“See the brotherhood of all humanity as the highest sect; conquer your own mind, and you conquer the world.” (p. 4)

“Why call women bad, when from women great kings are born?” (p. 473)

“The Omnipresent is with you. He is with you as is the fragrance in a flower or the image in a mirror. Similarly God resides within you where you should look for Him.” (p. 684)

“There is but One God; Truth is the Name; The Creator, pervading in all; Without fear; Without hatred; Immortal; Without Birth; Self Illuminated; Known through His Grace.” (p. 1)

“I am not called good, and I see none who are bad. O Nanak! One who conquers and subdues their ego, becomes just like the True Lord.” (p. 1015)

How do Sikhs celebrate the advent of Guru Nanak Ji?

Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak's advent day and the other Gurpurbs (festivals which celebrate the lives of the Gurus) by reading and reflecting on the revealed teachings of the Guru contained in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikh Sacred Scripture. The Sikh community would come together to celebrate through singing hymns played with music (called Keertan), which reflect the Guru’s message and life. The community would also serve Langar or free community kitchen to all visitors and the public. Everyone sits together and enjoys a vegetarian meal to celebrate humanity and love for all creation.

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