This
year's Toronto Singhs Camp camp was attended by around 100+ campers. The
camp is aimed at people aged 16 years and above, however it had some
younger children who also benefited from the Sangat, Seva, and Simran.
It is a great opportunity to experience Sikhi in a relaxed, friendly
and spiritually charged environment. This year, Toronto Singhs Camp
took place at Pearson Williams Christian Center in London, Ontorio. The
beautiful natural surroundings helped to connect with and appreciate
the Creator and creation.
This
year's workshop facilitators and speakers included Bhai Sukhwinder Singh
(UK) and Bhai Harman Singh (Calgary). The theme of
the camp was based on topics taken from Japji Sahib. Each year the camp organisers pick
thoughtful topics that are relevant to the daily lives of campers.
Some photos from the camp taken by Bhai Ranjit Singh:
Satguru Ji arriving with grandeur and style to the camp site.
The local Sevadaars have a great set up in doing Satguru Ji's Seva. Very inspiring.
Satguru Ji's Darbaar looking amazing.
Singhs Camp dedicated Langar team. Langar is an integral part of the camp! #LangarCamp
Veer Ji Harman Singh's lecture was on Hukam. What Hukam means and why and how a Sikh should follow Hukam.
Sangat listening to the talk.
During Toronto Singhs Camp 2018, Bhai Sukhwinder Singh (UK), aka Sukhi Baba, did the grand launch of his new charity organisation called 'Basics of Sukhi'. His strap line is 'Harm yourself with knowledge'. I think Veer Harman Singh (Basics of Sikhi) has got some healthy competition going on!
Bhai Sukhwinder Singh's talk was on on how Gurbani deals with Dukh (suffering). What is suffering, how we suffer, what is true suffering and how to overcome suffering.
Evening divaan.
Bhai Jagjit Singh (Melbourne) doing Kirtan in the evening darbaar.
Sukhaasan Seva led by campers
Daas' workshop was on using Mool Mantar to explain Sikhi to non-Sikhs and ideas of how to do Parchaar.
Sangat doing group work during discussions.
You cannot escape Big Brother's camera at Toronto Singhs Camp (aka known as Veer Jaspaul Singh. His dedication to Seva is inspiring)!
Pool party (without the party).
When war breaks lose in the camp!
Some campers took things more seriously than others!
Evening Kirtan in the open.
Sangat doing Kirtan.
When someone decides to make a Parshaada that is bigger than their face!
Note: Sikhi diet is not vegan because gheo and milk has been a part and parcel of Langar and Degh Maryada. However, the Sikhi diet is supposed to be ethical, compassionate, cruelty-free, environmentally-friendly, and spiritualised. Although Sikhi allows consuming dairy products, modern-day industrial milk farming is far from the ethical or compassionate.
Some people grow their hair long, and some people have their hair short. Put your hands up if you have long hair or have not cut your hair? [Clearly one child didn't understand the question because he had short cut hair but had his hand up!]
Well! As a Sikh we believe that God has made this body as a gift and we look after it. We don't cut our hair because it helps us to stay connected with God's vibration and feel his holy presence. It always give us spiritual strength, similar to a story in the Bible. To prevent us looking really messy or having your hair go all over the place, we nicely tie it up on top of our head. It looks really cool.
Put your hand up if you are against animal cruelty? [Everyone put their hand up] Now, what is the most cruelest thing you could do an animal? [Someone put their hand up and said "kill it".] Well done! As a Sikh we are are against cruelty and believe an animal's right to live is more important than someone taste. As humans we can still survive without eating animals. Being caring, compassionate and kind to all living beings is really important if we want to stay connected with God's holy presence. What do you find in a garden? [Children said - vegetables, plants, flowers...] Now, what do you find a grave yard? [Children said - grave stones, dead bodies...] Well, as Sikhs we treat our body like a beautiful garden, rather than a grave yard. So we don't eat dead animals. Instead we eat vegetables, lentils, pulses, wheat and fruit.
As a Sikh I am supposed to have pure thoughts and see everyone as part of my family. So I treat all elderly women with the same respect as my mum. Everyone the same age as me, with the same respect as a sister, and anyone younger than me with the respect of a daughter. And the same the other way around.
Can you drink and drive? [A student said "No."] Why not? [A student said, "Because it is effects your mind and you can have an accident]
Well done! The body is a temple or house of God. Just as you cannot drink and drive because its dangerous and not good for your mind. As Sikhs we do not drink, smoke or take drugs. We always want our mind to stay focused and able to connect with God's vibration and feel His presence.
Lastly, you may be thinking why I look like this. The Guru has given us a special uniform to remind me to stay connected with God. We wear a turban to cover our hair. The turban is a crown. But not any old crown. It is a crown with special jewels. Can you see them? [They looked confused and said no]. My turban is a crown. Just like a king or queen wears a crown and they have responsibilities and duties. A Sikh wearing a turban has responsibilities and duties. The jewels of my crown are values taught by our Guru, a bit like your school values. The jewels are - being fearless, not hating anyone, respecting all, standing up for others, being of service to others, being kind, being fair, etc. On my wrist I am wearing these. What do you think they are made of? [Someone said silver]. They made of iron. Just like God is strong like iron, Sikhs wear an iron bracelet to remind us to be strong in our faith. They also look like handcuffs. It reminds me that I am handcuffed to God and God is always with me, and with these hands I should do good and help others. Inside my turban, I have a small wooden comb which is used to comb my hair. Just like we keep our hair tidy, we are reminded to keep our mind and thoughts tidy each time we comb our hair. You can't see, but I am wearing some long white shorts. They are really wide.... not that I am that fat. There is cord-string which you pull and makes the shorts look like a curtain that goes around my waist. It is really comfortable and it means I can do anything and always be covered and looking respectable. It is white colour and reminds me to behave like a saint and always be careful with my thoughts. Lastly, this is called a Kirpaan! Can you say "Kirpaan" for me. [They all repeated after me].
This a gift by the Guru worn to protect and stand up for others. It is not something to be scared of. Just like you wouldn't be scared of your school cook with a knife, because you know she is going to use for cutting vegetables. You would not be scared of a doctor with a knife, because you know he is going to use it save someones life in surgery. You would not be scared of a Sikh wearing a Kirpaan, because you know that he or she is wearing it for protecting others. Sikhs are God's Police. We have a duty to protect and serve others just like the Police.
To end with... as Sikhs we get together and pray in a place called a Gurdwara. There is a special room where the Guru sits on the throne and we read, sing and pray. Then there is a special dining room where everyone can come and eat food. Wherever Sikhs are in the world, we give free food because our Guru taught us that no one should go hungry. So if you ever see a Gurdwara, feel free to go inside and visit.
The children gave a very positive response. Afterwards I went to the classrooms where students got an opportunity to ask questions. Their questions were really sweet. Hopefully the write-up can give some ideas and confidence to others to do seva in schools and share the message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji with the world and prevent intolerance and racism.
Last Monday I was invited to Bishop Carpenter Primary School. It is a small village school where many of the children have not seen a Sikh before. The school is a Church of England school and has only 100 students.
The day started with the school assembly. The students began with their usual Christian worship and singing of hymns. I was then given 15 minutes to speak to the children about Sikhi. All the children were really respectful and listened very carefully. Afterwards I had an opportunity to talk to the children during their break time and then after the break there was a questions and answers session with the two elder classes.
Below is a short write-up of what was said in the assembly for the benefit of those who wish to have some ideas of what to can say when given the opportunity to speak about Sikhi with young school children from a non-Sikh background.
"Good morning everyone! Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you!
Put your hands up if you have heard of a Sikh before? [Some hands go up]
Today I am going to share with you about my faith.
God made the world and wants to see us happy. However, people became fed up, frustrated, angry and behaving in a not so nice way because they didn't realise how to work the mind and body that God has given. So God decided to come to earth as a special teacher, called a Guru. Can you say "Guru" for me? [They all said Guru]
God decided I will tell you whats inside your mind and body and how to use it wisely so you can be happy. The name of the Guru was Guru Nanak. Can you all say Guru Nanak for me? [They all repeated after me]
Guru Nanak taught us that there is one God. Different people in the world call different names like Raam, Allah, God or Vahiguru. Does anyone know different words for water? [Someone said H2O, wasser, and agua]. If someone said that they wanted H2O, but not water. Or that they wanted agua but not wasser, would that sound right? [Children said no]. At the end of the day, it is the same thing but with different names. Similarly, there is one God but people call Him different names.
Guru Nanak taught us that God made this world by saying a Word. The vibration from that Word made all the world and that vibration vibrates in everything that was created. It's pretty cool and amazing! That vibration vibrates in everything you see around you - inside me and you.
When you are tuning the radio, it makes some sounds and eventually you tune into the radio station and you can hear the words. Similarly, the vibration of God when tuned into make a word, that is the Name of God. So to connect with God, we use the Name of God to feel that special vibration of God or the Holy Presence of God. It similar to the Holy Spirit in one sense.
In order to connect with the Presence of God, this amazing vibration of God that is within us and around us, we follow a special way of life that Guru Nanak has shown us.
Who likes sleeping? [Everyone's hand went up] I do as well! I love my duvet and like sleeping. But Guru Nanak taught us that we can give God a very special gift. That gift is giving up our sleep time and waking up to remember Him and connect with Him. So Sikhs wake up before sunrise, when all the iPads are still off, when most people are not watching TV, and people are not up working. It's really quiet and lovely. But its not just Sikhs waking up that time, you can hear the birds and other animals waking up around the same time. It's really peaceful.
So when we wake up, we have a shower, wash our hair, and then we sit down and chant God's Name. By chanting God's Name we feel connected with God's vibration and presence. It's really relaxing and gives you lots of energy and positivity to have a nice day. We then say some special prayers which we read everyday.
During the day we are supposed to remember God in everything we do, and see God's presence and vibration vibrating in all. Then when we come back home from school or work, and say a special prayer to make sure our scattered mind becomes nice and focused and ready for the evening. We sing prayers, go to the Gurdwara - the special place where Sikhs pray with others, and help others. In the evening before going to sleep, we sit on the bed and say a special prayer to make sure our mind is really focused and we are ready for a nice sleep, ready to get up for the next morning....
This month in 1716, Baba
Banda Singh Ji Bahadar was publicly beheaded in Delhi for refusing to
give up his Sikhi. Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji was arrested with 736 Sikhs and brought to Delhi in March 1716. 700 Singhs fearlessly accepted execution but refused to give up their faith.
On 10th March 1716, Sir Lawrence Henry, watching the executions of the
Singhs wrote to the English Governor of Bengal:
"Every day I have seen 100 Sikhs been killed but none accepted Islam. After the 3rd day all of the Sikhs got together and told Sarbrah Khan (Head of Police) don't waste time by asking us to convert we are here to accept death... It was as if every Sikh was Christ and didn't sacrifice his religion."
Our
ancestors gave up their lives but not their Sikhi, today our people have
sacrificed their beards and made patterns in them (looking very much
like the Mughals that wished to rob our ancestors of their Sikhi). The
Kara and Kirpan which our ancestors refused to remove, is today happily
taken off or some have not even worn a Kirpan in their life and claim
you can still be a faithful Sikh without the Panj Kakkaar. The Gurbani
and Nitnem which the Mughals could not get our ancestors to stop
repeating has today been lost to DJs, sleazy songs in the name of
culture, and swearing.
It’s not too late ji! Lets all wake up and
reclaim the glorious Sikhi that ancestors fought and died to preserve.
There is a growing trend amongst youth in the Sikh
community to get tattoos. More worrying is the number of Amritdharis
getting tattoos! Gurbani was to read, listen and sing... but now people
tattoo Gurbani on themselves!
From all the photos have seen, I am pretty
sure people making tattoos shave off the hair where they are going to
make the tattoo. Cutting kesh is the most offensive thing for anyone who
loves and respects Kalgidhar Patshah Ji, in fact its considered worse
than death! The irony then to get a Sikhi tattoo through dishonouring
the Kesh!
It is deepest of offensive to take a Gurbani Gutka to the
toilet yet people think its okay to use arms and hands tattooed with Gurbani to clean themselves when going to the toilet? Would anyone
drink alcohol or smoke next a Gutka? Well there are some with Gurbani
tattooed on their bodies who do that and don’t realise the seriousness
of what they are doing.
Does anyone really think the Chaar Sahibzaade
would have a tattoo? Would Kalgidhar Paatshah have a tattoo? The tattoos
Guru Ji talks about is writing Naam and Bani on your heart, mind and
thoughts, but where have we gone instead? Same Sikhi tattooed bodies can
be seen drinking, in the barbers, indulging in ghor manmat?
Brothers
and sisters, take claim to your Sikhi pride and use it to live and
breathe Sikhi! Lets wake up Amrit vela, read Nitnem, do Seva, keep our
Guru given identity and take Khande-Di-Pahul and become real Singhs and
Singhnian of Kalgidhar Paatshah!
Bhul chuk maaf🙏🏻
Note: There are
some Gursikhs who have tattoos, but they are from their past life before
taking Amrit. Therefore not much can be done, however no excuse for
others ji.
Jago! We are destined to be kings (sardaars), not
to be dancers (nachaar) or entertainment! Our Paatshaahi (kingship)
laid in our Amrit-Vela, Nitnem, Simran, Rehat, moral character, godly
virtues and undying faith in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and
Khande-Di-Pahul.
When our brothers and sisters chose Sharaab instead of
Amrit, filthy immoral songs instead of Gurbani, and fake Babas and
Pakhandi Saadhs instead of Sri Akaal Takht Sahib, they ended up losing
the hand of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji that for centuries had made paupers
into kings, sinners to saints, and virtue-less people to virtuous
people.
The throne of Delhi then bowed before Sikhs, and now so-called
Sikhs dance for those sitting on the throne of Delhi.
ਜਬ ਲਗ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਰਹੇ ਨਿਆਰਾ ਤਬ ਲਗ ਤੇਜ ਦਿਉਂ ਮੈਂ ਸਾਰਾ ।। Jab lag khalsa
rehai niaaraa, tab lag tej deo mai saaraa. As long as the Khalsa remains distinct, I will protect them with my sword (power). ਜਬ ਯੇਹ ਗਹੇਂ ਬਿਪਰਨ ਕੀ ਰੀਤ ਮੈਂ ਨਾ ਕਰੂੰ ਇਨ ਕੀ ਪਰਤੀਤ।। Jab eh gaye bipran kee reet,
mai na karon en kee parteet.
But when they follow anti-Sikh ways, I will no longer have faith in them.
Sandal Sugandh At Komal Kamal Jaise, Kanttak Bilok Na Augan Urdhaareeai ।
Just as Sandalwood is very fragrant and lotus flower very delicate, one should not bring to mind their demerit of the fact that a snake generally wraps itself around the sandalwood tree while a lotus flower has thorn on its stem.
Taise Gur Giaan Daan Sabhoon Sai Maang Leejai, Bandanaa Sakal Bhoot Nindaa Na Takaareeai ॥399॥
Similarly one should take Guru's word and his sermons from everyone and everywhere. Everyone should be respected also. No one should be ever slandered and condemned for his demerit.
This Monday we had a friendly surprise at the Banbury Gurmat Class. Gursikhs from East London - Veer Uttam Singh, Bhenji Kulvinder Kaur, Veer Amanjot Singh and Veer Inderbir Singh were passing by our town and decided to kindly visit the Gurdwara Sahib and speak to the children. The Sangat really appreciated their visit and sharing Vichaar of Gurbani with the children and parents.
A few weeks ago, I came across a black gentleman and said "Hi" to him. He put his hands together (like we say Fateh) and said "Hello, Mr Singh".Seeing how friendly the guy was, I stopped to talk to him. He said, "I respect Sikhs you know."
He was wearing yellow colour trainers that seemed expensive. I made a comment, "I like like your trainers. They look very bright!" He replied, "Mr Singh there is a special story behind these trainers I am wearing."
He continued, "One day I was walking down Soho Road (in Birmingham). I was walking barefooted because I was not in a good situation. A Sikh gentleman like you, with a turban and flowing beard was walking past me on Soho Road and stopped. He took off his brand new trainers and said that he cannot bare to watch me walk barefooted and that he should kindly accept his trainers." The black gentleman said that he refused at first and told the Singh "I cannot do that. What about you?" He said that the Singh replied, "I cannot bare to watch you walk barefooted, I will be fine brother."
The black gentleman had a huge smile on his face and said, "That's why I respect Sikhs!"
The below claim to be Sri Guru Gobind
Singh Ji according to the maker and seller. Which of these are true?
If
none are really true, why would you have a fake/false/untrue image of
Guru Patshah Ji? People became upset and said Nanak Shah Fakeer movie
had committed Beadbi (sacrilege) because an actor was playing Satguru
Patshah Ji. But isn’t the face of someone else being used to be called
or labelled (or even worshipped in some cases) as Guru Patshah Ji the
same thing?
I went to someone’s house and saw the above plastic idol
claiming to be of Kalgidhar Patshah Ji. Shocked? (Side note: notice the
“Om” symbol at the bottom). All that has happened is that we have moved
from paper idols to plastic idols and there are even stone idols of
Satguru Ji now. Satguru Patshah Ji in Bani told us how the Hindus became
spiritually dead...
ਬੁਤ ਪੂਜਿ ਪੂਜਿ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਮੂਏ ਤੁਰਕ ਮੂਏ ਸਿਰੁ ਨਾਈ ॥
buth pooj pooj hindu mooe turk mooe naaee.
“Worshipping their idols, the Hindus (spiritually) die; the Muslims die
bowing their heads (towards Mecca thinking God lives there)”.
(Ang 654)
A question for us all, are going towards spiritual death or spiritual
life?
THE MOST IMPORTANT FAIL-SAFE TICK LIST FOR SIKH PARENTS PLANNING TO RAISE CHILDREN.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਔਲਾਦ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਪੱਕਾ ਤਰੀਕਾ । A SHORT GUIDE ON HOW TO
GUARANTEE GURSIKH CHILDREN WHO WILL TURN INTO SUCCESSFUL ADULTS – FROM
BEFORE BIRTH TO AFTER CHILDHOOD
Every parent wants their children to grow-up into good adults. The
process to achieve this can only be guaranteed if efforts are made by
the parents from before conception to the late childhood years. Without
dedicated efforts from the parents during these important years,
achievement to gift good personalities to the world is uncertain and
left to chance. To raise a child into a GURSIKH adult is the most
wonderful achievement for parents – and it is also the primary purpose
of having offspring. If one is GURSIKH, then all other successes will
follow automatically, including a peaceful, happy and prosperous life.
FAIL-SAFE TICKLIST – Here is a short list of pointers to guarantee children that will grow into successful adults:
1) DOING ARDAAS BEFORE TRYING FOR CHILDREN:
It starts at family planning. After the Anand Kaaraj marriage and
before conception, the parents should always ask the Creator Lord to
send pure souls. This should be from the bottom of one's heart.
Remember, the children will always belong to the Creator Lord – you have
simply volunteered for the task to raise them. The attitude of "I will
bring up my children however I want" is only the voice of ego, because
the only way to raise them is to raise within the laws of righteousness,
with good, morally strong, God-like qualities to gift to the world.
2) KEEPING PURITY OF MIND AND BODY DURING PREGNANCY:
When the child is in the womb, the parents should stay away from
negative environments and all vices. Intimacy between husband and wife should be avoided during pregnancy. When the child is in the womb, it
is developing and is also learning through the activities of the mother.
3) READ GURBANI AND SIKH HISTORY DURING PREGNANCY:
When the mother is carrying the child, she should endeavor to read
as much Gurbani and Sikh history as possible, and take into her mind all
knowledge that is good and true. From here the child's journey of
learning begins (and that journey to learn should never end - hence
"Sikh", a learner).
4) AVOID NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR AND ENVIRONMENTS DURING PREGNANCY:
When expecting, the mother should completely avoid listening to
slander, gossip, particularly vulgar music, television serials/movies
that contain negative/useless information and refrain from being present
at adverse environments such as parties. This undoubtedly has a
negative effect on the mother herself, but it also effects the
developing mind of the unborn child. She should read good factual books,
Sikh history and listen to valuable knowledge and Gurbani Kirtan
instead (whilst trying to understand its meanings too).
5) AVOID TELEVISION AND RADIO DURING PREGNANCY:
The mother of the unborn child should avoid reading magazines and
negative/useless stories/tabloids, and stay away from pointless
radio/television discussion shows that would be of no use to the child's
mind.
6) KEEP IMAGES OF SIKH MARTYRS, HISTORY AND GURBANI AROUND THE HOUSE:
It is the advice of wise people that for the expecting mother, and
also for the child to constantly observe throughout his/her childhood,
that the Sikh home should be decorated with beautiful art depicting
inspirational Sikh history, Shaheed martyrs, saints and Gurbani
Shabad's. Sikhs do not worship pictures and photos, but such pictures
and photos are used as reminders for the parents and learning tools for
the children. Children should be encouraged to ask questions as part of
their learning and mental development process. There is no benefit and
little point in family photos (although they are by no means forbidden
or considered to be anything bad as such), but there is an abundance of
benefit in the former recommendation. What the mother sees in her
environment on a daily basis affects the unborn child. What the born
child sees on a daily basis during childhood certainly does affect
his/her adulthood.
7) PERFORM A SEHAJ PAATH AFTER GIVING BIRTH:
After the birth of the child into the world, preferably a Sehaj Paath
should take place whereby the entire Guru Granth Sahib Ji should be
read in the presence of the new-born baby – small amounts each day at
one’s own reading or listening pace. This should not be as a ceremonial
ritual, but should act as the beginning of the child’s learning process.
8) KEEP BABY IN ROUTINE OF DOING NITNEM:
Parents should give the baby child a bath each day and do the Nitnem
routine with the baby child listening on a daily basis. This will also
help the discipline and routine-keeping learning process.
9) SING GURBANI INSTEAD OF CHILDREN'S RHYMES:
As the child grows, instead of teaching them "Twinkle Twinkle Little
Star" and feeling some sort of pride when the child begins to remember
it and sing it, the parents should instead teach them rhyming Gurbani
verses. That will truly be something for the parents to be proud of.
Slowly, over time, those rhyming Gurbani verses during childhood will
turn into practical knowledge in adulthood.
10) READ SIKH HISTORY STORIES AT BEDTIME:
Without fail, the parents should read the child bedtime stories
every night before bed. These should be stories of the Guru's and of
Sikh history. The child from a young age should be flooded with good
moral based stories and useful knowledge to help his/her brain develop
and thirst for further knowledge. Other impractical rhymes, an overdose
of solely television cartoons and useless fairy-tale bedtime stories
should be avoided to ensure the child is being given a Gursikhi,
moral-based and knowledge-orientated head start in life. The stories
told to the child during these years will never be forgotten throughout
his/her life and will always help in the later adult years. Once the
child is a little older, Sikh history books and other knowledge based
information should be given to the child to read, and the parents should
then only assist the child in his/her reading. This will help the child
form habits to always have a thirst to acquire new information and to
absorb that information fast – and will almost certainly make them into
exemplary students at school later.
11) TEACH YOUR CHILDREN KIRTAN AND GATKA:
Sikh children should be taught Kirtan, Gatka and other sports from a
young age so they become active in extracurricular activities, remain
physically fit and also spiritually nourished.
12) FEED YOUR CHILDREN SPIRITUALISED AND HEALTHY FOOD:
The mother should always read Gurbani or listen to Kirtan when
preparing the household food. She should avoid listening to music whilst
cooking and follow the protocols we learn at the Gurdwara. If eating
out, it is best to avoid restaurants or takeaways that serve dead animal
food (meat) so the young child is not brought into the presence of the
smells and site of such unnatural and unhealthy food. This will help the
child stay accustomed to the healthier and natural human diet – i.e. a
non-meat diet.
13) KEEP YOUR CHILDREN IN GOOD COMPANY:
It's extremely important that the child is kept within good
surroundings, particularly in the younger years. At all costs, parents
should totally avoid taking the child to parties and dance floors where
almost all vices will begin to quickly breed within the child's mind
during the important development years. The child should not be allowed
to interact with other children, or adults, that will have a negative
influence. The company one keeps also has an effect on one’s mentality.
The child should interact with appropriate role models or practising
Sikhs that will have a positive influence towards a Gursikhi Jeevan.
Sometimes parents unknowingly conduct bad, immoral or negative actions,
but they expect their children to be good adults in the future. Children
will always see their parents as inspirational figures to mimic –
children will always try to copy their parents. The actions of the
parents in front of the child will most definitely impact their
adulthood. It is important for parents to become good Sikh role models
for their children – they will closely be watching 'Mum and Dad'. If
parents curse unnecessarily, use bad language, listen to vulgar music,
are ill-mannered etc, no matter what they say to the child, he/she will
follow in those footsteps. If the father drinks alcohol and dances
unconsciously at the parties, why would the son not want to follow in
the same footsteps? If the mother smokes tobacco, why would the daughter
not follow and do the same? Without the right role models, the child’s
future in the current vice-orientated society will only be drugs,
alcohol, non-education, eloping, no care for a career and so forth. If
the parents themselves read Gurbani, only then will the children follow.
If the parents themselves are in the physical outer Sikh form, only
then will the children want to look the same. If the parents themselves
are morally true inside, speak pleasantly and conduct honest actions in
their everyday life, only then will the children have the same
mentality. The parents being practical examples for their children is
absolutely vital. If not, one leaves the fate of their children to
chance.
If you are a Sikh and therefore you believe the raising of good GURSIKH
children is a task given to you by God through the creation, then it is
extremely important that you, as parents, seriously consider the
important responsibility BEFORE VOLUNTEERING to commit to the God-given
task. Help a human being grow into what it was meant to be…
Whilst staying in Amritsar, I rang Giani Joginder Singh Ji Vedanti, former Jatheder of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. I asked whether it is possible to meet up with him. He was so friendly and invited me to visit his home. My family and I went one evening to Giani Ji's house. I must say, usually when people reach positions of power and influence, they usually become unapproachable and arrogant. However, Giani Ji and his wife were so down to earth and welcoming, that it was really inspiring and humbling.
Giani Ji respects the Maryada of Bibek and Sarbloh. He said that the whole Panth should be following this as it is the Maryada of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. However, due to our personal weaknesses we have lost these traditions and instead only a small number of Sikhs strive to observe them. He said any Gursikh who keeps Bibek or Sarbloh Maryada is respect worthy and said some of the closest Gursikhs that he admires and respects follow this Maryada. He mentioned that sometimes there two Langars in programmes, one with 'Khullaa' (open/relaxed, i.e. made by anyone without question) Langar and the other 'Bibek' Langar (prepared by Rehat observing Gursikhs only). He said this is not a bad thing as the majority of the Sangat has let go of Maryada and are happy for smokers and Patits to make Langar. He said "Where else can the Guru-abiding Gursikhs go and eat? They have to make Langar. I always feel blessed to be served such Langar."
I asked Giani Ji about the Mangals (beginning lines) that appear before 'Sir-lekhs' (titles) of Banis. I have noticed differences in Mangals in particular with the Nitnem Banis from Dasam Granth. Different Pothi/Gutka Sahibs have different Mangals. Giani Ji, who is a researcher of Gurbani and has a wealth of knowledge of historical copies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Dasam Granth and Sikh literature, explained what is written in old copies of Dasam Granth.
Chaupai Sahib
I had heard different variations of the 'Mangal' for Benti Chaupai Sahib. It was interesting to find out that in Dasam Granth, Benti Chaupai Sahib doesn't have a 'Mangal', and begins as: "ਕਬਿਯੋਬਾਚ ਬੇਨਤੀ || ਚੋਪਈ ||".
Jaap Sahib
I have read in SGPC Gutka Sahibs the Mangal of "ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ || ਜਾਪੁ || ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁਖਵਾਕ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੧੦ ||" In other Gutka Sahibs I have read "ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ || ਸ੍ਰੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ ||ਜਾਪੁ || ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁਖਵਾਕ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੧੦ ||" Which one is right I asked Giani Ji. Giani Ji said in the scanned copies of Dasam Granth that he has in his position, the Mangal is: "ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ || ||ਜਾਪੁ || ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁਖਵਾਕ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੧੦ ||"
Svaiyye
Similarly, for the Svaiyye we read in Nitnem I have seen different Mangals. Svaiyye read as part of Nitnem is part of Akaal Ustat. Giani Ji showed that in accordance to Dasam Granth, there is no Mangal, as it is part of a larger Bani (i.e. Akaal Ustat), and therefore the Mangal appears above the beginning of Akaal Ustat.
Time passed so quickly talking to Giani Ji. He walked us out to the road and showed everyone Pyaar. A very pleasant experience.
