The Sikh Bulletin Jyt-Hwv 541 Nwnkswhi May-June 2009
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The Sikh Bulletin jyT-hwV 541 nwnkSwhI May-June 2009 <siqguuuuuuuur pRRRswid ] is`K bulytn The Sikh Bulletin A Voice of Concerned Sikhs World Wide May-June 2009 jyT-hwV 541 nwnkSwhI [email protected] Volume 11, Number 5&6 Published by: Khalsa Tricentennial Foundation of N.A. Inc; 3524 Rocky Ridge Way, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762, USA Fax (916) 933-5808 Khalsa Tricentennial Foundation of N.A. Inc. is a religious tax-exempt California Corporation. In This Issue/qqkrw EDITORIAL WHITHER SIKH LEADERSHIP? Editorial: Whither Sikh Leadership……………………….1 A quarter century has passed since the Indian state (World’s largest democracy?) Understanding Japji – 5: The Core Concepts, unjustly attacked and destroyed Akal Takhat, looted, burned and carted away Sikh Karminder Singh Dhillon, Malaysia………………………2 Reference Library and killed thousands of innocent men, women and children who Intra-Religious Dialogue on Sikhism to discuss Originality and Uniqueness of Philosophy of had come for a pilgrimage in remembrance of the first Sikh martyrdom, that of Guru Nanak, Dr. Devinder S. Chahal, PhD. Canada..........7 Guru Arjun. At the time of the attack, a Sikh, ‘Giani’ Zail Singh, was the President Sikhism and Its Inter-Faith Aspects, Bawa Singh Jagdev.12 of India. Today, a Sikh, Manmohan Singh, is the second term Prime Minister of Significance of Kes in Sikh Religion, India. Neither one spoke up against the state tyranny against their people. Gurcharan Singh Jaito……………………………………15 Defining a Sikh, Karminder Singh Dhillon, Malaysia…..18 This issue contains some pictures and letters back home to Punjab by Sikh soldiers Attack on Sikh Houses, Tribune News Service………….25 who fought in Europe during World War I. They were neither defending their A Taliban Outrage “Jaziya” on Sikhs, Tribune Editorial..26 home land, Punjab, nor India. Being under the British colonial rule they were being Pakistani Sikhs flee Swat, The Dawn, Pakistan…………26 World War I through Sikh Soldiers’ Letters, used by the British to save their home land from another European power. They did Bhupinder Singh Holland……………………………….27 most of their fighting and dying in France. France has now returned the favour by U. S. Army discriminates against Sikhs, banning wearing of the turban in its public schools, civil service, Army and when The Sikh Coalition………………………………………30 being photographed for driver’s license. The French banned all the head coverings, Three Sikhs named in “Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants”….31 motivation for which came from Muslim women’s head covering that identified CA Kirpan Education Bill Passes 59-0 …………………33 them as Muslims. Head covering for Muslim women is a cultural requirement not a 1984 & I : It’s June again, A poem by Gurmeet Kaur…..34 religious one. Turban is also largely a cultural head covering common in Middle Sikh Reference Library: 1984, Prof. Gurtej Singh…..….34 East and Indian sub-continent unless you are a Kesadhari Sikh. For them it bfby nfnk dy kRFqI aqy kilafxkfrI AupdysL, avqfr isMG imsLnrI becomes a religious requirement. iswK rihq mrXfdf, isMG sBF ientrnYÈnl… ………....39 iPnlYNf vwly is`K l`KW dy pujwrI toly k`KW dy[, In this country I personally know two Kesadhari Sikhs, one medical doctor and the isMG sBF ientrnYÈnl…………………………………….41 other a dentist, both recently retired from the United States Army after honourably is`KW nUM ieMj krnw cwhIdw hY imrqk dyh dw sskwr Aqy serving in their Kesadhari and turbaned sarup. But in this issue you will also find AMqm Ardws, jgmohx kOr b`sI pTwxw ………………..42 the story of two more Kesadhari Sikhs, interestingly one a medical doctor and the other a dentist, whose professional training was paid for by the United States Army Editor in Chief in exchange for their future service to the country. Now they are being told that Hardev Singh Shergill they have to shave their hair and remove their turbans. Their case is being pursued Editorial Board Avtar Singh Dhami, USA by the Sikh Coalition, one of three known Sikh Organizations in this country, the Gurpal Singh Khaira, USA other two being the United Sikhs and SALDEF. All three are doing useful work Gurcharan Singh Brar, Canada for the benefit of the U.S. Sikhs. After we started publishing the Sikh Bulletin in Dr. Sarjeet Singh Sidhu, Malaysia 1999 we wrote to all three organizations offering them space in the Bulletin for Production Associates their projects with the faint hope to persuade them gradually to unite to create a Amrinder Singh more effective and forceful Sikh lobby. None of them responded. Sachleen Singh We have people close to the power center in Washington D. C. whom we had also This issue of the Sikh Bulletin is only in electronic format approached to work together. We were rebuffed there as well. Same was the case being sent to those whose email addresses we have. If you with self styled Sikh human rights activists in U. K. and India. In case of these or someone you know would like to receive it please individuals we soon found out their reasons to stay away from working in provide the email address. You may also pass it along to collaboration with others. They had the Indian State as their master to whom they those on your email list. owed their ‘leadership’ status. They have all been named in the previous issues of The views expressed by the authors are their own. Please the Sikh Bulletin, including their authentic Green Cards and Indian passports but send the feedback and inputs to: under false names; and their involvement in covering up and protecting child [email protected] molester ‘priests’. Even those who know all this still rub shoulders with them. Our Website: www.sikhbulletin.com Sikhs will have to wait for its leasdership to emerge. Hardev Singh Shergill K. T. F. of N. A. Inc. 3524 Rocky Ridge Way, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762 1 The Sikh Bulletin mwG-P`gx 539 nwnkSwhI May-June 2009 UNDERSTANDING JAPJI - 5: Translation: This Godly Ocean is full of treasures in the THE CORE CONCEPTS. form of jewels. He who attaches to Gurbanee becomes the owner of such treasures. By Karminder Singh Dhillon PhD (Boston). Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His melody was also no ordinary melody either. Guru Nanak’s spiritual genius, devotional brilliance and intimate [Part 1 appeared in Nov.-Dec. 2007; Part 2 in March-April 2008; Part 3 in relationship with God enabled him to crystallize his Bhram May-June 2008 and part 4 in November-December 2008 issues of The Sikh Bulletin. Readers may access them at www.sikhbulletin.com ED.] Vicaar centered Gurbanee lyrics and 48 chosen rattuns (jewels) of Raags, and 17 Ghars into a priceless and This article looks at another core concept as expounded by valueless jewel which the Guru called Keertan. Keertan, Guru Nanak in Japji. The third Pauree introduces what may consisting of two words Kee (question) + Rattun (Jewel) be considered to be the most crucial, central, and pivotal was a product in the form of a precious entity whose value concept of practical Sikhi, namely Gavna (singing). This forever remained beyond calculation. So precious was this concept can be considered to be the foundation on which the Rattun that even Guru Nanak decided that its nature, price structure of Sikhi practice stands. If Hukam (as argued in the and value would have to be left as an open ended question. previous article) is the single most underpinning of the entire It was pointless trying to put a value on something that had philosophy of Sikhi, then Gavna is the keystone of the its origins in the heart, mind and soul of Guru Nanak. It was practice of Sikh spirituality. Guru Nanak’s spiritual practice equally futile trying to put a price on a diamond whose shine was rooted in song. His devotion was operationalized through lit the pathway to the abode of the Almighty. The value was music. And his spiritual communication with God took the thus best left open for discovery through experience by form of melody. Music and melody was the language with those souls who chose Gavna in the form of Gurbanee which Guru Nanak spoke to God. Raag and taal was the Kirten in their spiritual practice. vehicle which carried Guru Nanak’s prayer to the door step of God’s throne. In other words, Guru Nanak sang his way Paurree three of Japji introduces the concept of Gavna in into God’s abode. But it wasn’t just any song. His song an all encompassing and definite way. consisted of lyrics and poetic composition of Bhram Vichaar (Godly discourse), called Gurbanee. As the Gurbani states Gavai Ko Taan, Hovai Kisay Taan. Gavai Ko, on page 335 of GGS Daat Janey Nisan. Gavai Ko, Gun Vadeayian Chaar. Gavai Ko, Log Janey Eh Geet Hai, Eh To Bhram Vichaar. Vidya Vikham Vichaar. Translation: People consider this (Gurbanee) to be (just) a Gavai Ko, Saaj Kre Tan Khey. Gavei Ko, Jee Lai song, but it is Godly discourse. Fir Deh. Gavai Ko, Japay Dissey Dur. Gavey Ko, Vekhay His music wasn’t just any music. It was a music that had the Hazra Hazoor. force to stir the inner recesses of the human soul. To create Kathna Kathee Na Avey Tot. Kath Kath Kathee that divinely music Guru Nanak dived into the inner depths Kotee Kot Kot. of the existing Raag world to crystallize the powerful Denda Deh Lendey Thak Pahe. Juga Jugantar emotions and proceeded to mould and direct them as Khahee Khaey. catalysts towards the Sikh spiritual journey. Guru Nanak’s Hukmi Hukam Chalahe Raho. Nanak Vigsey music became the vehicle on which the soul of a seeking Veparvaho.