Indo-Canadian Voice Vaisakhi 2022

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EVERY Indian irrespective of his or her religion is familiar with the Spring harvest festival of Vaisakhi. Also spelt as Baisakhi, it is celebrated throughout the country with various names: ‘Rongali Bihu’ in Assam, ‘Naba Barsha’ (First Rain) in West Bengal, ‘Vaishakha’ in Bihar, ‘Vishu’ in Kerala and ‘Puthandu’ in Tamil Nadu. In Punjab, this day is marked as the birthday of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh who formed ‘Khalsa’ on the same date.

Farmers observe Baisakhi as the beginning of a new harvesting season, ‘Vasanta’. In 2022, Vaisakhi will be celebrated on 14th April with the utmost joy and enthusiasm all over the country.

Also known as the Sikh New Year, Vaisakhi is observed either on 13th or 14th day of April, every year. Vaisakhi is being celebrated in Punjab for many centuries. According to the Sikh literature, this day marks the birthday of their tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh who chose this day for laying the foundation of Sikh brotherhood, ‘Khalsa’ in the year 1699.

The northern region of India; mainly Punjab and Haryana,

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Vaisakhi 2022

Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Panj Pyaare (five beloved) Photo courtesy: sikhpa.com observe this day as an an- place at the Golden Temple cient Spring Harvest Festival. in Amritsar where millions of Farmers seek blessings from Sikhs and Hindus visit to oftheir agricultural land and fer prayers. begin harvesting their first Farmers treat this day as crop of the season. As per ‘Thanksgiving’; they express the Hindu calendar, this day gratitude towards the Alis observed on the first day mighty for the blessing of of Vaisakh month i.e., April- the harvest and beginning May, every year. of a new season. In Bihar, As mentioned above, Vai- Vaisakhi is observed as a sakhi or Baisakhi is celebrat- day to honour the Sun God, ed with various customs all Surya. People in Kashmir, over India. Mainly associated organize festivities and a cerwith the Sikh community, emonial bath for celebrating this day calls for an occasion Vaisakhi whereas people in to visit Gurudwara where Himachal Pradesh, visit the devotees offer their services Jwalamukhi Temple for takfor preparing a holy feast ing a holy dip in the natural known as ‘Lungar’ for the hot spring. society.

Major celebrations take Article courtesy of fabhotels.com

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Indo-Canadian Voice Main | Saturday, Apr. 09, 2022

HAPPY VAISAKHI

Saturday, Apr. 09, 2022 | Indo-Canadian Voice Main

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On Vaisakhi Day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh created the order of the Khalsa playing the Sikh martial art of gatka and distributing free food to Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike.

Orange is a colour traditionally associated with Vaisakhi and is worn by many of the participants who take part in celebrations.

For Canadian Sikhs, Vaisakhi is a special time to

celebrate and share their faith with their friends and neighbours. It’s a time to celebrate the well over a century of Sikh history here in Canada and the accomplishments of Sikh Canadians in every facet of society.

Article courtesy of World Sikh Organization

Wishing you & your family 2019 Vaisakhi celebrations in Surrey.

ALTHOUGH Vaisakhi has traditionally been a spiritual aspirant and useful citizen […] the kara harvest festival in Punjab and across South Asia is also on the right hand which is the hand [with for centuries, the day has a very special signifi- which] most people perform their deeds [and] cance for Sikhs. On Vaisakhi Day in 1699, Guru is a constant reminder to perform good deeds.”

Gobind Singh created the order of the Khalsa. * Kachhera – cotton breeches: They resemble The Khalsa are those Sikhs who have accepted boxer shorts with a drawstring. They are a “… the Sikh initiation or “khande kee paahul” and symbol of restraint of passion, of chastity, and a commit to live their lives in the spirit of service constant reminder of the prohibition of adultery, to all, equality and compassion. The founding both in lusting and indeed.” of the Khalsa was a seminal event in Sikh history * Kirpan – most closely resembles a sword in which gave the Sikh faith its final form. a wooden or metal sheath, and wrapped in a It was also on Vaisakhi day in 1699 that Guru fabric holster (gatra). The word itself means Gobind Singh asked the Sikhs to adorn them- “mercy, grace, or magnanimity.” It “speaks of selves with the Sikh articles of faith: law and morality, justice and order and has be* Kes – unshorn hair covered with a turban come ‘an instrument of the divine itself”.” It rep(Keski or Dastaar): Uncut hair represents the resents spiritual power and is never to be used inviolability of the human body” and must be as a weapon. covered with a turban or Keski (or in the case of The Sikh articles of faith make Sikhs easily identiSikh women, a turban or head scarf). The turban fiable wherever they are found and are a remindrepresents humility, and belief in the equality of er of the spiritual commitment each Sikh makes men and women, before a universal and omni- to the principles of the faith. present God. Vaisakhi is marked with prayers and celebrations * Kangha – wooden comb: This is to be worn in in various local Gurdwaras but Sikhs in Canada the hair at all times, and is to be used for comb- also gather to mark Vaisakhi with colourful paing of one’s hair, it represents hygiene […] rid- rades or “nagar kirtans” in all major cities. ding oneself of impurities and what is morally The parades are led by the “Punj Pyaaray” or the undesirable. five beloved who represent the first five Sikhs to * Kara – an iron bracelet: The circular design have become members of the Khalsa. They are of the kara signifies the oneness and eternity of followed by a decorated float carrying the Sikh God and “…is the symbol of perfection […] a re- scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs follow in minder of the wearer to be mindful of his role as procession behind the float singing hymns, dis-

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Taking a dip in the sacred Amrit Sarovar at Golden Temple on Vaisakhi is a tradition to cure people and wash their bad karmas.

Vaisakhi at the Golden Temple also becomes significant because it was the place where Guru Gobind Singh laid the foundation of the Khalsa Panth.

HAPPY

rchfoundation.com

HAPPY VAISAKHI

Saturday, Apr. 09, 2022 | Indo-Canadian Voice Main

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1699: Guru Gobind Rai establishes the Khalsa religion. After his inspirational discourse, he flashed his unsheathed sword and said that every great deed was preceded by an equally great sacrifice: Then calling out to the assembled crowd, ‘My sword is hungry for a head’, He demanded one head for oblation. After some trepidation one person offered himself for the Guru’s ‘great sacrifice’. The Guru took him inside a tent.

A little later the Guru came out of the tent, his sword dripping with fresh blood only to ask for another head.

One by one four more earnest devotees offered their heads. Every time the Guru took a person inside the tent, he came out with his sword dripping fresh blood.

Thinking their Guru had gone mad and afraid He would ask for more heads some of the congregation started to disperse when suddenly the Guru emerged with all five men dressed pi-

2019 Surrey Vaisakhi Parade WITH the criteria of cour- beards. age and strength to sacri- On Baisakhi Day, March fice, Gobind Rai became the 30, 1699, hundreds of thoutenth Sikh Guru. He wanted sands of people gathered to instill these principles in around his divine temporal his downtrodden followers. seat at Anandpur Sahib. The He wanted to uplift their Guru addressed the congremorale to combat the evil gants with a most stirring forces of injustice, tyranny, oration on his divine misand oppression. sion of restoring their faith Every year at the time of and preserving the Sikh Baisakhi (springtime), thousands of devotees would come to Anandpur to pay their obeisance and seek the Guru’s blessings.

Guru Gobind Rai was 33 years old when he had Divine inspiration to actuate his designs. In early 1699, months before Baisakhi Day, Guru Gobind Rai sent special edicts to congregations far and wide telling all the Sangats that that year’s Baisakhi was going to be a unique affair. He asked them not to cut any of their hair — to come with unshorn hair under their turbans and chunis, and for Women cooking “Langar” during 2019 Surrey Vaisakhi Parade the men to come with full

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ously in white and in a new ceromony that changed the way that one became a Sikh the Guru now initiated the five into a new and unique order of Sikhs. The ceremony was called pahul, what Sikhs today know as the baptism ceremony or Amrit Shakna. Then the Guru

asked the first five Khalsa Sikhs to baptise him, in the same manner. He then proclaimed that the Panj Pyare -- the Five Beloved Ones -would be the embodiment of the Guru himself: “Where there are Panj Pyare, there am I. When

the Five meet, they are the holiest of the holy.”

And so, as it was carried out on that historic day, the ceremony of Pahul continues to this day.

The important thing to re ConTInued on 12

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Saturday, Apr. 9, 2022 | Indo-Canadian Voice Vaisakhi

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12 CONTiNUED FROM 09 member about that day is that the five volunteers and the whole sangat thought or were “under the impression” that the five Sikhs were really walking to their deaths--being killed, one by one. The Sikhs who volunteered, had demonstrated their willingness to give their heads--in the same way that Guru Tegh Bahadur had done that day in Delhi. The Guru’s bit of showmanship, his seemingly--all to real test, was performed to prove the

Indo-Canadian Voice Main | Saturday, Apr. 09, 2022

HAPPY VAISAKHI devotion and dedication of his Sikhs. Those who were ready to give themselves up to their Guru were the bravest and most devoted. These brave men had unkowningly chosen to be part of a new paanth - the Khalsa Panth.

Guru ji joined the Khalsa Panth after his devoted Sikhs - the initiator becoming the initiated. Today, as then, they lead the Khalsa alongside the Guru: “Where there are Pyare, there am i…”

Panj

He said whenever and wherever five baptised (Amritdhari) Sikhs come together, the Guru would be present.

All those who receive Amrit from five baptized Sikhs will be infused with the spirit of courage and strength to sacrifice. Thus with these principles he established Panth Khalsa, the Order of the Pure Ones.

At the same time the Guru gave his new Khalsa a unique, indisputable, and distinct identity. The Guru gave the gift of bana, the distinctive Sikh clothing and

headwear. He also offered five emblems of purity and courage. These symbols, worn by all baptised Sikhs of both sexes, are popularly known today as Five Ks: Kesh, unshorn hair; Kangha, the wooden comb; Karra, the iron (or steel) bracelet; Kirpan, the sword; and Kachera, the underwear. By being identifiable, no Sikh could never hide behind cowardice again.

Political tyranny was not the only circumstance that was lowering peoples’ morale.

Discriminatory class distinc-

tions (--the Indian “caste” system--) promoted by Brahmins and Mullahs was also responsible for the peoples’ sense of degradation. The Guru wanted to eliminate the anomalies caused by the caste system. The constitution of the Panj Pyare was the living example of his dream: both the high and low castes were amalgamated into one. Among the original Panj Pyare, there was one Khatri, shopkeeper; one Jat, farmer; one Chhimba, calico printer/tailor; one Ghumar, water-carrier; and

one Nai, a barber. The Guru gave the surname of Singh (Lion) to every Sikh and also took the name for himself.

From Guru Gobind Rai he became Guru Gobind Singh.

He also pronounced that all Sikh women embody royalty, and gave them the surname Kaur (Princess). With the distinct Khalsa identity and consciousness of purity Guru Gobind Singh gave all Sikhs the opportunity to live lives of courage, sacrifice, and equality.

(Courtesy of Sikhi Wiki)

Vaisakhi of the Pure and Sovereign Vaisakhi, which is fervently celebrated in the global Sikh community, has its traces back to the early stages of Sikhi (Sikhism).

From the time of Guru Amardas Sahib, the third Guru (1552-1574), Sikhs had started gathering in large numbers during the festivals of Divali and Vaisakhi at Goindwal Sahib, Panjab. This provided the Gurus an opportunity to bring the diverse community together and lead them to prosperity, while still treading the righteous path shown by the founder of Sikhi, Guru Nanak Sahib (1469-1539). ...the sikh Gurus took essential steps...

In addition to illuminating society with the light of the Ik-Oankar (Divine) and its attributes, the Sikh Gurus took essential steps to keep the community unified and in high spirits, especially in those turbulent times when the oppressors were in the form of foreign Mughals and upper-caste natives.

The inhumane level of cruelty, injustice and deceitful nature of the Mughals and the upper-class had created a sense of fear and terror among people.

The fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Sahib’s martyrdom engendered by the ‘iron-hearted’ Mughals and their ‘boiling’ levels of cruelty and jealousy impelled the sixth Guru, Guru Harigobind Sahib, to introduce the principle of Miri-Piri (temporal and spiritual).

This led to a monumental revolution in the

Something to ponder upon: Even in those turbulent and inconsistent times, the lifeprinciples of a Sikh were never compromised or diluted while undergoing the phase of untangling the complex web that the society was trapped in. When the Mughals were burning and beheading them, the true spirit of Sikhi was kept inflamed by several Sikhs like Bhai Lakhi Shah Lubana, who set his own house to flames for cremating the body of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib, the ninth Guru (16211675). It delivered an inspiring message of courage, sacrifice, and selflessness to the whole community.

Vancouver Vaisakhi Celebrations 2019. community and prompted them to focus equally on spiritual enrichment and governance skills to overcome the challenges faced by them. ...the empowerment of each and every individual...

The ‘state of the art’ of the community was still in the process of taking its final

form and shape. The discriminatory practices of the upper-class and the daunting brutalities of the Mughals were hindering the community’s social, psychological, economic, and political development. The time had come when the empowerment of each and every individual was crucial for the survival and prosperity of the community.

...deep contemplation, churning, and preparation...

After Guru Teghbahadar Sahib’s martyrdom, Gobind Rai (later to be known as Guru Gobind Singh Sahib), the tenth Guru, took over the responsibility of moving the caravan forward. Moving the community forward required deep contemplation, churning, and preparation.

At that time, crops of the oppressors were infected with such deep diseases that the mere use of a sickle to harvest them was not sufficient. Something greater and transformative was needed, to uproot the bad crops and sow the seeds of purity and serenity. The creation of a novel and integrated social order was required. Guru

Happ Va akh !

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Saturday, Apr. 09, 2022 | Indo-Canadian Voice Main Gobind Singh Sahib recognized that for such an order to be implemented, people needed to be infused with wisdom, devotion, and power.

After more than two decades (1675-1699), the ‘Order of the Khalsa’ was established on the Vaisakhi of 30th March 1699. It led the Sikh community to a paradigm that had the magnificence of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib and the politeness of Guru Nanak Sahib. As Guru Nanak Sahib had proclaimed: Righteousness (dharam) is the son of compassion (daya).

- Guru Granth Sahib 397 So it happened. First came kindness, then righteousness. Soon after arose courage and strength. Finally, yet importantly, came governance.

On Vaisakhi 1699, the tenth Master transformed the Sikhs into ‘Khalsa’ which is the sum of the above five attributes. One wonders if it is a coincidence or Divine will, that the five: Daya Ram (compassion) Dharam Das (righteousness) Himmat Rai (courage) Muhkam Chand (strength) Sahib Chand (sovereignty) Representing five divine qualities, who responded to the Guru’s call and became beloved (pyare) of the Guru. They came from five different directions/regions: Lahore (Pakistan) Hastinapur (Delhi) Dwarka (Gujarat) Jagannath Puri (Odisha) Bidar (Karnataka) They belonged to five different castes (khatri, jat, jhiwar, chhimba, nai), related to five different occupations: shopkeeper, farmer, water-carrier, calico-printer, barber (The five youths were from five castes –Panth Prakash, Ratan Singh Bhangu).

The underlying message was that the Guru,

in his all-embracing approach, wanted to adorn everyone with higher human values and unite them into one – without any discrimination of caste, creed, color, country, form, gender, race, region, etc. (I shall merge all the castes into one –Tankhahnama, Bhai Nand Lal).

That is why, the Guru’s first message was the annihilation of or freedom from previous lineage, occupation, actions, beliefs and doubts (kul nash, kirat nash, karam nash, dharam nash and bharam nash). It meant that Guru Sahib was making a ‘khalisah’ (pure and sovereign) human being, who needed to come out of the yoke of their old lineage, occupation, actions, beliefs, doubts, etc. to be the Guru’s Khalsa, by discarding the rituals associated with their ancestors and embracing the Guru’s teachings. Becoming a Guru’s Khalsa meant shedding all doubts and completely subduing one’s ego (It involved renouncing one’s descent and accepting the Guru’s lineage –Panth Prakash, Ratan Singh Bhangu).

The Guru bleached them with a doubleedged sword (khanda) and treated them with an application of wisdom (bani). Every one of them became an embodiment of kindness (daya), righteousness (dharam), courage (himmat), strength (muhkam) and sovereignty (sahib). They had the generosity of an ocean and serenity of water.

and slander others, but instead acts on every social concern and cause, and leads from the front; who breaks the shackles,

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Khalsa, Who? Khalsa contemplates upon the Living Light (Infinite Wisdom) day and night, and never allows any other thought to influence their mind.

- Dasam Granth 712 Khalsa, who overcomes all doubts and reins in vices; who controls the impulses of lust, wrath, greed, material attachment, etc. and surrenders one’s conceit.

Khalsa, who has a pure and untainted personality, without any lies, deceit, and dishonesty. Khalsa, who ceases to blame

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Indo-Canadian Voice Main | Saturday, Apr. 09, 2022

HAPPY VAISAKHI

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Saturday, Apr. 09, 2022 | Indo-Canadian Voice Main

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HAPPY VAISAKHI

Indo-Canadian Voice Main | Saturday, Apr. 09, 2022

Wishing You A Very Happy, Healthy & Prosperous VAISAKHI

AKALI SINGH SIKH SOCIETY 1890-SKEENA STREET, VANCOUVER, B.C, CANADA PHONE: 604-254-2117

GURUDWARA PRABANDHAK COMMITTEE Tel:604-254-2117 Fax: 604-254-5309

HAPPY VAISAKHI

Saturday, Apr. 09, 2022 | Indo-Canadian Voice Main CONTINUED FROM 13 in despair.

Khalsa, who has the heart to stand with the low, the weak and the distressed, and the courage to berate the belligerent and oppressors.

Khalsa, who attaches one’s mind to the Almighty; who has firm faith in the all-pervading Divine existence and does not recognize anyone else as equal to the Almighty.

Khalsa, who develops a spiritual relationship

with the Divine and the Divine manifestation, the creation.

Nanak’s Sovereign is immanent and manifest.

- Guru Granth Sahib 397 Khalsa, who identifies with the Creator and practices divinity in daily life; not a mere ragi, nadi, bedi, sabadi, moni, yogi, or gyani, but ‘Khalsa’ who cultivates a life full of loving awareness and devotion to the Divine Kabir says, those beings become Khalsa who

know the loving devotion.

- Guru Granth Sahib 655 Khalsa, who is an epitome of wisdom (bani), not merely its heir; and who not just carries the khanda (double-edged sword), but is also duly qualified and eligible to carry it.

This is the Khalsa on whom Guru Gobind Singh bestowed the honor of carrying the weapons and riding the horses (Khalsa is one who adorns the arms…Khalsa is one who rides the horse –Tankhahnama, Bhai

17

Nand Lal).

This is the Khalsa whom the Guru referred to as ‘my perfect and Eternal Guru’ and finally, invested with the responsibility of carrying forward the teachings and legacy of Guru Nanak.

On this historic Day of Khalsa Inauguration (Khalsa Sajana Divas), let’s introspect and reflect on how we can rekindle the spirit of Khalsa in our lives today.

(Courtesy of Sikhri.org)

Who are Sikhs? What is Sikhism?

SIkhISM: The word Sikh (pronounced “sickh”) means ‘disciple’ or ‘learner.’ The Sikh religion was founded in Northern India in the fifteenth century by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and is distinct from Islam and Hinduism. Sikhism is monotheistic and stresses the equality of all men and women.

Sikhs believe in three basic principles; meditating on the name of God (praying), earning a living by honest means as well as sharing the fruits of one’s labor with others. Sikhism rejects caste and class systems and emphasizes service to humanity.

Turbans are worn to cover our long hair and with respect to God. Sikhs have unshorn hair, beards and moustaches. The Sikh faith teaches us the humanitarian principles of freedom, equality, and justice - the same principles this great democracy is founded on.

There are about 25 million Sikhs in the world. Sikhs

have been in the United States for over 100 years.

Sikhism recognizes the universal truths that underlie all human endeavors, religions and belief systems. The universal nature of the Sikh way of life reaches out to people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds, encouraging us to see beyond our differences and to work together for world peace and harmony. history and Beliefs

Guru Nanak surrounded by the successive 9 Guru’s.

Photo courtesy: Sikhnet.com

The almost 25 million Sikhs worldwide constitute the fifth largest religion in the world. Despite almost a million Sikhs living in North America (USA and Canada), Sikhs are often confused as Arabs or Muslims. Sikhs arrived in North America in 1897 and played a pivotal role in the opening of the West and construction of the Panama Canal in 1904.

In 1906, Sikhs established their first gurdwara, or place of worship, in the United

States. 700,000 Americans and Canadians are Sikh and nearly every major city has a Sikh place of worship and community center.

The Sikh faith is five hundred years old. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, taught a message of love.

He spoke of a universal God, common to all mankind, not limited to any religion, nation, race, creed, color, or gender. The Sikh religion is strictly monotheistic, believing in one supreme Creator, free of gender, absolute, all-pervading, and eternal.

Sikhism views lfe not as a fall from grace, but a unique opportunity to discover and develop the divinity in each of us. Human rights and justice form a cornerstone of Sikh belief, and Sikh history features countless examples of Sikh Gurus and their followers making tremendous sacrifices for the cause of religious freedom and justice. More recently, Sikhs have been some of the most highly decorated

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In India’s struggle for independence from the British, over two-thirds of all the Indians who were sentenced to life imprisonment or death were Sikh. This is in spite of the fact that Sikhs form less than two percent of India’s population.

The Sikh Identity In 1699, the tenth and last living Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, summoned his followers to the town of Anandpur in Punjab; over 80,000 came. According to history, Guru Gobind Singh appeared before his people, flashed a naked sword, and demanded a head. He repeated his call until five Sikhs volunteered. These five individuals came from CONTINUED ON 19

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HAPPY VAISAKHI

Indo-Canadian Voice Main | Saturday, Apr. 09, 2022

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Saturday, Apr. 09, 2022 | Indo-Canadian Voice Main CONTINUED FROM 17 different parts of India and from different castes. To these five, and subsequently to many others on that historic day, Guru Gobind Singh bestowed a new discipline, a creed to his Sikhs. The Guru initiated these five in the new order of the Khalsa and then, in a dramatic and historic gesture, they in turn initiated him. On that day, he gave the Sikhs a unique identity which includes five articles of faith: - unshorn hair as a gift of God and Guru and a mark of Sikh identity - a small comb for the hair - a steel bracelet which signifies a reality with no beginning and no end, and is also symbolic of a Sikh’s commitment to the ideals of his faith, much as wedding ring might indicate fealty and identity - a sword indicative of resolve and commitment to justice - knee-length breeches in keeping with the disciplined life-style of a Sikh For the past 300 years, male Sikhs have been easily recognized by their long unshorn hair covered with a turban. Notably, in traditional Indian society only males of high caste or the elite, ruling class wore turbans. In requiring all Sikhs to don turbans, Guru Gobind Singh envisioned all individuals as noble. Sikh women adhere to the same life style, symbols, rules and conduct, but relatively few choose to wear turbans. Young Sikh boys, instead of wearing a turban, often cover their uncut hair, which is tied in a top-knot, with a simple piece of fabric.

Along with the aforementioned physical identifiers, Guru Gobind Singh went further in distinguishing Sikhs. In Indian society, an individual’s name reveals one’s caste and social status. Guru Gobind Singh freed Sikhs from the rigid caste system by ordering all Sikh males adopt the surname “Singh,” meaning a lion, and women use the surname “Kaur” meaning princess, thus shedding their caste identity. Each year, Sikhs worldwide com-

memorate and celebrate the historic events of Vaisakhi 1699 as a milestone in Sikh history when Guru Gobind Singh decreed the formation of the Khalsa and fashioned the nation of Sikhs.

The Sikh Scripture Guru Gobind Singh (pictured to the right) also decreed an end to the line of Gurus in human form. The writings of the earlier Gurus were collated along with those of Hindu and Muslim spiritual figures whose teachings strongly resonated with Sikh beliefs.

This collection of writings is known as Guru Granth Sahib, a uniquely ecumenical and eclectic collection of spiritual writings. For Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib is the repository of all spiritual knowledge and authority. In temporal matters all authority rests with the Sikh community worldwide acting democratically and in mindful prayer with an awareness of the spiritual heritage which is embodied in the Guru Granth. Sikhs revere the ten Gurus, Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh, because they delivered the divine word of the one, timeless God. The word “Guru” acquires, therefore, a very special meaning for Sikhs.

It is reserved only for the ten Gurus who gave us the divine message and to this message contained in the Guru Granth Sahib.

The Gurdwara The Sikh place of worship, or Gurdwara, is more than a place of worship. It has historically served as a refuge for the homeless and the destitute. Gurdwaras usually display the Nishan Sahib, a saffron-colored triangular flag bearing the khanda, the symbol of the Sikh faith. Visitors, irrespective of their religion, are offered shelter, comfort, and food.

The prerequisites for entering a Gurdwara are removing shoes and covering one’s head with a handkerchief, scarf, or other cloth.

In a Gurdwara, no special place or seat may be reserved or set aside for any dignitary, as all are considered equals. The service consists of singing of the liturgy, as well as the exposition of Sikh history, tradition, and the-

ology. Non-Sikhs are always welcome. Sikh gurdwaras all over the world usually run free community kitchens, which provide meals to all. These kitchens are run and funded by volunteers. In traditional Indian society, people of high and low caste were rigidly segregated.

To combat this social problem, the Sikh community kitchen, or langar, requires everyone to sit side by side and eat together, thereby teaching the concept of equality by shattering all barriers of caste and class. Every major city in the United States and Canada has Sikh gurdwaras and they are open to all.

The Sikh Way of Life Sikhism is a practical religion and Sikhs are a pragmatic people. The emphasis is on a leading a worldly, successful life as a householder and a contributing member of society, but with the mind attuned to an awareness of God. Sikhism rejects all distinctions based on caste, creed, gender, color, race, or national origin. For Sikhs, God is not found in isolation or by renouncing the world, but is attained as an active family member and member of one’s community. The word “Sikh” means student. Therefore, a Sikh is and remains a student of the meaning of life. The core values of Sikhism are derived from three equally important tenets: an honest living and an honest day’s work, sharing with others what God and life have given, and living life fully with an awareness of the divine within each of us. Sikhism enunciates a philosophical concept termed Miri-Piri, which means living a life with an active, strong sense of commitment to the world and humanity, governed and directed by a strong foundation and underpinning of spirituality. Thus, the Sikh ideal is to strike a perfect balance and integration of these two states of existence.

In matters that affect the Sikh community, Sikhs have throughout history followed a simple but effective mechanism whereby individual voices are heard and decisions reflect the current state of knowledge, information and technology. In all such matters, and in honor of the first five Sikhs who heeded the call of Guru Gobind Singh in

19

1699, the voice of the community is channeled through five initiated Sikhs selected and authorized to resolve issues and speak as the voice of the community. Sikhs believe that God and Guru pervade the congregation when five Sikhs act in mindful prayer.

Decision making, thus, becomes a collective process. Sikhs do not have a priestly hierarchy with its associated ecclesiastical authority.

Women The Sikh faith is committed to the equality of women, and necessarily so, as it defines God as gender neutral, perhaps one of the few major world religions to do so. There is no activity in a gurdwara or within the community that is permitted to a man but not to a woman. There is no religious function from which women are barred at any time of their lives.

Dietary Restrictions Sikhs have no food taboos except those that stem from one simple injunction – a life of moderation in which we shun all that harms the body or the mind. Animal sacrifice is forbidden and so is the consumption of animals killed in such manner. This also means that all intoxicants – tobacco, alcohol or any mind altering “recreational” drugs – are forbidden.

Other Religions Sikhism recognizes the universal truths that underlie all human endeavors, religions, and belief systems, though people differ in how they institutionalize those beliefs into a code of conduct and a way of life. Much as Sikhs love their religion, Sikhism is equally respectful and accepting of other ways of life and beliefs. Sikhism asks a non-Sikh to discover and live the essential message and meaning of his or her own religion so that a Christian can become a better Christian, Jew a better Jew, Hindu a better Hindu, while a Sikh becomes a better Sikh.

(Courtesy of Sikhnet.com)

Wishing community a very Joyous &

Hon. Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay MP FOR SOUTH SURREY-WHITE ROCK 135-1959 152nd Street, Surrey, Phone : 604-542-9495 Email: kerry-lynne. ndlay@parl.gc.ca, Web: kl ndlay.com

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Indo-Canadian Voice Main | Saturday, Apr. 09, 2022

HAPPY VAISAKHI

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