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Authenticity of Standard Version of Dasam Granth: History and Its Text in Literature*
Authenticity of Standard Version of Dasam Granth: History and its Text in Literature* By: Jasbir Singh Mann M.D. Granths with title as Sri Dasam Granth/or Dasam Patshahi Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, also known as Standard Version of Dasam Granth has been seen since 1897 AD in Circulation in Title prints with fixed compositions/contents with and arrangement of contents in 1428 pages, which was published after correction of 32 Granths by a Sodhak committee 1896AD and in Print form since 1900AD. Review of Literature shows no such Granth with Title Sri Dasam Granth or Dasmi Patshahi Ka Granth (with fixed pattern of Compositions/contents and arrangement) was seen in Punjab or Delhi area Sikh institutions in 18th century. Indian sources, Persian sources & over 30 European sources were silent about this Granth during 18th Century. In Literature Title “Dasmi Patshahi Granth” was first time reported by Malcolm in 1810 AD (early 19th century). Then onwards in early 19th century, such Granths started appearing in Sikh institutions in Punjab, initially in hand written Birs and then in print form in 19th century. By 1895AD, over 32 versions, with variable patterns of compositions in hand written birs, including six printed versions were available in Punjab. Sodhak committee prepared final standard version in 1897 AD which has been extensively used in literature during 20th century (1900AD-2000AD). This Granth has always remained controversial among scholars and Sikh community and issues of authenticity of its compositions can be traced during Cunningham during Pre-Singhsabha /Singh Sabha period and from 1947AD onwards till 2013. -
The Institution of the Akal Takht: the Transformation of Authority in Sikh History
religions Article The Institution of the Akal Takht: The Transformation of Authority in Sikh History Gurbeer Singh Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; [email protected] Abstract: The Akal Takht is considered to be the central seat of authority in the Sikh tradition. This article uses theories of legitimacy and authority to explore the validity of the authority and legitimacy of the Akal Takht and its leaders throughout time. Starting from the initial institution of the Akal Takht and ending at the Akal Takht today, the article applies Weber’s three types of legitimate authority to the various leaderships and custodianships throughout Sikh history. The article also uses Berger and Luckmann’s theory of the symbolic universe to establish the constant presence of traditional authority in the leadership of the Akal Takht. Merton’s concept of group norms is used to explain the loss of legitimacy at certain points of history, even if one or more types of Weber’s legitimate authority match the situation. This article shows that the Akal Takht’s authority, as with other political religious institutions, is in the reciprocal relationship between the Sikh population and those in charge. This fluidity in authority is used to explain and offer a solution on the issue of authenticity and authority in the Sikh tradition. Keywords: Akal Takht; jathedar; Sikh institutions; Sikh Rehat Maryada; Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC); authority; legitimacy Citation: Singh, Gurbeer. 2021. The Institution of the Akal Takht: The 1. Introduction Transformation of Authority in Sikh History. Religions 12: 390. https:// The Akal Takht, originally known as the Akal Bunga, is the seat of temporal and doi.org/10.3390/rel12060390 spiritual authority of the Sikh tradition. -
The Sikh Ceremonies
Training Aides The Sikh Ceremonies There are five key ceremonies in life that most Sikhs undergo. These inform who they are as Sikhs, how they should be raised and how they should live their life. The ceremonies can also be viewed as the five stages of life a person will go through: Janam Sanskar - birth Vidya Sanskar - education Amrit Sanskar - initiation Anand Karaj - marriage Antam Sanskar - death Janam Sanskar - birth When a child is born the first rite is to utter in his or her ear the name of God, Vaheguru (lit: Wonderful Enlightener God) along with the first stanza from the Sikh Scriptures, the Mool Mantar. These are uttered immediately to imprint them upon the child, in the hope that it grows up reciting them. After birth, as soon as he or she and the mother are in good health, the child will be initiated as a Sikh. A practising Sikh prepares nectar, amrit, by reciting the first Sikh Prayer, Japji Sahib, whilst stirring a kirpaan in a small iron bowl that has had water and puffs of sugar added to it. After the prayer, the amrit is administered first to the child, by putting five drops from the tip of the kirpaan into the baby’s mouth and then the mother is to drink the rest. She is instructed to breast feed the baby and the parents told the child has become a Sikh and is to be raised as a practising Sikh. They should endeavour to get the child fully initiated when he or she come of age, can practice wearing the 5 K’s and can keep the discipline. -
HUKAMNAMA CONSPIRACY! [Editorial from the Sikh Bulletin November 2003]
LANGAR HUKAMNAMA 1935 HUKAMNAMA CONSPIRACY! [Editorial From The Sikh Bulletin November 2003] When a Sikh speaks of a Hukamnama he or she is commonly referring to the Hukamnama taken from Guru Granth Sahib, whether it is the one relayed worldwide from Darbar Sahib, from the neighborhood Gurdwara or from the scriptures at home. The Encyclopedia of Sikhism defines it as: “A compound of two Persian words hukam, meaning command or order, and namah, meaning letter, refers in the Sikh tradition to letters sent by the Gurus to their Sikhs or sangats in different parts of the country. Currently, the word applies to edicts issued from time to time from the five Takhats…”. It is the latter that is now the center of controversy. If we examine the hukamnamas during the period of most recent three Jathedars, Ranjit Singh Ghataura, Puran Singh and Joginder Singh Vedanti, they were not only controversial but also part of a grand conspiracy. It is also clear that the unquestioned supremacy of Akal Takhat in the hearts and minds of Sikhs has been abused by corrupt politicians to silence their critics and win personal favors from Delhi at the expense of the Panth through appointments of yes-men subservient to them as Jathedars. They have used these incompetent weaklings to pass hukamnamas that serve their agenda and annul those that bring them grief. They have further succeeded in making the position of the Jathedar of Akaal Takhat synonymous with the Akaal Takhat itself. Herein lies the danger. Even the most educated Sikhs can be mislead into believing that any opposition to any ‘hukamnama’, right or wrong, from Akaal Takhat is tantamount to disrespect to the seat of Almighty and therefore ‘anti - Panthic’. -
Good and Bad, Right and Wrong: How Do We Decide? Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Atheists 13-14 Year Olds
Sandwell SACRE / RE Today © 2019 Unit 3.12 Year 8 or 9 Good and bad, right and wrong: How do we decide? Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Atheists 13-14 Year Olds Sandwell SACRE, 2019 1 Sandwell SACRE / RE Today © 2019 What is good and right? What is wrong and evil? Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Atheists Age Group: 13-14 About this unit: This non-statutory unit is offered to teachers as an exemplar for guidance in planning and delivering RE for 13-14s using the Agreed Syllabus. The unit explores questions such as ‘how do we know what is good and evil or right and wrong?’ and ‘Does religion do any good?’ ‘How do Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Atheists and Christians decide what is right and wrong? The unit is about the theme of goodness and evil, and examines issues about right and wrong, religious and other kinds of authority and the values and commitments by which each person chooses to live. It can be taught alongside PSHE / Citizenship or enrichment and general studies programmes with mutual concerns – though it is important for RE objectives to be carefully planned and realised if this is attempted. The investigation sets challenging standards for students: the higher order thinking the unit requires would not be out of place for gifted and talented students. Some elements of this enquiry could be fully integrated with GCSE RS (which many schools teach from Year 9). As well as being a legal requirement, it is important that schools plan quality in RE for all pupils. This unit is a model for such planning. -
Saffron Cloud
WAY OF THE SAFFRON CLOUD MYSTERY OF THE NAM-JAP TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION THE SIKH WAY A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CONCENTRATION Dr. KULWANT SINGH PUBLISHED AS A SPECIAL EDITION OF GURBANI ISS JAGG MEH CHANAN, TO HONOR 300TH BIRTHDAY OF THE KHALSA, IN 1999. WAY OF THE SAFFRON CLOUD Electronic Version, for Gurbani-CD, authored by Dr. Kulbir Singh Thind, 3724 Hascienda Street, San Mateo, California 94403, USA. The number of this Gurbani- CD, dedicated to the sevice of the Panth, is expected to reach 25,000 by the 300th birthday of the Khalsa, on Baisakhi day of 1999. saffron.doc, MS Window 95, MS Word 97. 18th July 1998, Saturday, First Birthday of Sartaj Singh Khokhar. Way of the Saffron Cloud. This book reveals in detail the mystery of the Name of God. It is a spiritual treatise for the uplift of the humanity and is the practical help-book (Guide) to achieve concentration on the Naam-Jaap (Recitation of His Name) with particular stress on the Sikh-Way of doing it. It will be easy to understand if labeled "Transcendental Meditation the Sikh -Way," though meditation is an entirely different procedure. Main purpose of this book is to train the aspirant from any faith, to acquire the ability to apply his -her own mind independently, to devise the personalized techniques to focus it on the Lord. Information about the Book - Rights of this Book. All rights are reserved by the author Dr. Kulwant Singh Khokhar, 12502 Nightingale Drive, Chester, Virginia 23836, USA. Phone – mostly (804)530-0160, and sometimes (804)530-5117. -
The Sikh Marriage
Anand Karaj: The Sikh Marriage State of the Panth, Report 2 February 2018 State of the Panth The State of the Panth series is a report on Sikh matters presented by the Sikh Research Institute to the global Sikh community. The series reports on matters affecting either a large section of the Sikh Nation or a perspective on critical issues facing the human race at large. It surveys the self-identified Sikhs on their stances. It outlines a Sikh perspective based on Gurmat (the Guru’s Way) traditions of Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle). It offers recommendations for the individual Sikhs and Sikh institutions in best practice approach to strengthen the bonds within the community. Report prepared by Harinder Singh, Senior Fellow, Research & Policy Parveen Kaur, Research Assistant Inni Kaur, Editor Acknowledgments Reviewers We are indebted to Sundeep Kaur, Gurmukh Singh, and Bhayee Sikandar Singh for their insights during the research phase of this report. Their comments on early versions of the manuscript were invaluable in shaping its final iteration. Any omissions or errors found in the report are a full responsibility of SikhRI. Skyrocket We thank Skyrocket team for sharing their design expertise and making the report as beautiful as it is. The strength of our brand is supported by their knowledge. V 1.0, confidential and not for circulation 3 Table of Contents Summary 5 Bani Wisdom 7 Tavarikh History 15 Rahit Lifestyle 21 Survey 24 Recommendations 29 References 33 Lava Original and Transcreation 35 V 1.0, confidential and not for circulation 4 Summary The Anand Karaj (Sikh marriage ceremony) is one of the life stages outlined with specific sentiments and ceremonies for Sikhs. -
State of the Panth, Report 5 November 2019
Sikhi & Abortion State of the Panth, Report 5 November 2019 Sikhi & Abortion | State of the Panth, Report 5 1 State of the Panth The State of the Panth series is a report on Sikh matters presented by the Sikh Research Institute to the global Sikh ocmmunity. The series reports on matters affecting either a large section of the Sikh Nation or a perspective on critical issues facing the human race at large. It surveys the self-identified Sikhs on their stances. It outlines a Sikh perspective based on Gurmat (the Guru’s Way) traditions of Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle). It offers recommendations for the individual Sikhs and Sikh institutions in best practice approach to strengthen the bonds within the community. Report prepared by Harinder Singh: Senior Fellow, Research & Policy Jasleen Kaur: Researcher Inni Kaur: Editor Imroze Singh & Vitor Leão: Designers Sikhi & Abortion | State of the Panth, Report 5 2 Acknowledgments Reviewers We are indebted to Gurdit Singh, Gurmukh Singh, Jaspreet Kaur, Rajvinder Singh, and Ritu Bhasin for their insights during the research phase of this report. Their comments on early versions of the manuscript were invaluable in shaping its final iteration. Any omissions or errors found in the report are a full responsibility of SikhRI. Design Consultants We thank Misha Berveno, and the Skyrocket team for sharing their expertise. The strength of our brand is supported by their knowledge. Sikhi & Abortion | State of the Panth, Report 5 3 Table of Contents Summary 5 Bani Wisdom 7 Tavarikh History 15 Rahit Lifestyle 21 Survey 27 Recommendations 35 References 38 Sikhi & Abortion | State of the Panth, Report 5 4 Summary Abortion as defined by the the Oxford dictionary is a “deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.” Abortions have long been performed and long been the subject of considerable debate. -
D:\New Books\Ernest Trumpp & Mc
AUTHOR’S INTRODUCTION O thou that buttest the high mountain, seeking to dislodge it with thy horns, take pity, not on the mountain but on thy head Sheikh Ahmed Al-Aawi: Al-Balagh There is a Buddhist legend narrated by Rumi in one of his famous stories which aptly describes the attitude of some arrogant intellectuals towards Sikhism. Sikhism is for them is an elephant, which a group of blind men touch, and each describes it according to the part of the body his hands had touched; to one the elephant “appeared like a throne, to another like a fan or like a pillar. But none was able to imagine what the whole animal was like. From Dr Ernest Trumpp, a fanatic Christian missionary of nineteenth-century to Dr William Hewat McLeod, a leading light of Batala-Berkley Christian Missionary group of the twentieth-century critics of Sikhism, and from Swami Dayanand leader of Anti-Sikh Arya-Samaj Hindu-cult to a host of turbanned and bearded communists, atheists, agnostics, opportunists, bearing the name “Singh”, there have been a number of spiritually blind, intellectually corrupt, highly conceited writers and scholars who have described Sikhs and Sikh ism in a manner, no ordinary person with even a rudimentary intellectual honesty and historical insight can ever comprehend or describe. Sikhism offers many points of attraction, many subline doctrines of universal interest, many moral and spiritual values for which Sikhs and their faith are admired all over the world. The aesthetic beauty, the poetry and music 2 which forms the backbone of Sikh Scriptures, and the mystical dimensions of the profound spiritual experiences of Sikh Prophets, recorded in their own authentic and canonized sacred works, is a vast field of study for all seekers of Truth and honest exponents of Sikh religion. -
Teachers' Handbook
Teachers’ Handbook World Faiths Today Series Exploring Sikhism Tania ap Siôn and Diane Drayson Illustrated by PhillipVernon In theWorld FaithsToday Series,Rees and Sara learn aboutthe major world faiths in their own country.The seven stories inthe series are: • Exploring Islam • Exploring Judaism • Exploring the Parish Church • Exploring the Orthodox Church • Exploring Hinduism • Exploring Buddhism • Exploring Sikhism First published 2009 by theWelsh National Centre forReligious Education, Bangor University (sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government). Second edition (online) 2019 by Bear LandsPublishing, The St Mary’s Centre, Llys Onnen, Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd, LL33 0LD,Wales. World Faiths Today Exploring Sikhism 1 Exploring Sikhism The story Sikhs believe that: Rees and Sara spend their holiday with two Sikh • there is only one God who is creator of the friends called Sanjit and Yasmin who introduce Universe; them to key beliefs and practices in Sikhism. The • God is present in creation and in every living children explore a gurdwara and learn about God thing; (Waheguru) in Sikhism and how their friends worship • all living beings have a soul which is trapped in a God. They celebrate the festival of Baisakhi and continuous cycle of rebirth, which is determined attend a Khalsa initiation ceremony which teaches by people’s good and bad actions (karma); the them about belonging in a Sikh community. Rees and ideal is liberation (mukti) of the soul from the Sara are introduced to special teachers and guides, cycle of rebirth to experience eternal union with and they learn about how God guides Sikhs through God; these gurus. They investigate Sikh attitudes to the • liberation is possible if a person stops being self- environment through a visit to a planetarium and a centred (manmukh) and becomes God-centred visit to a park. -
Iqbal Singh's Patna Edict
ੴ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਿ ॥ ਅਖੰਡ ਕੀਰਤਨੀ ਜੱਥਾ ਇੰ ਟਰਨੈ ਸ਼ਨਲ (ਰਹਜ.) Akhand Keertani Jatha International (Regd.) Head Office: Ranglay Sajjan Memorial Charitable Trust (Regd.), Chownk Baba Sahib, Sri Amritsar ਹੈਡ ਆਫਿਸ: ਰੰਗਲੇ ਸੱਜਣ ਮੈਮੋਰੀਅਲ 繍ਰਸ繍 (ਰਫਜ.), ਚ⸂ਕ ਬਾਬਾ ਸਾਫਹਬ, ਸਰੀ ਅੰਫਮਰਤਸਰ ਮੱਖ ਸੇਵਾਦਾਰ: ਜਥੇਦਾਰ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੀਸ ਫਸੰਘ ਜੀ Ref. No.: AKJ/01/2017 January 9th, 2017 Poh 27, 548 Nanakshahi Rejection of so-called ‘Hukamnama’ by Self-Appointed ‘Jathedar’ Takhat Sri Patna Sahib, Iqbal Singh, on January 5th, 2017. Guru Roop Khalsa Jio, Waheguru Jee Ka Khalsa Waheguru Jee Kee Fateh. Akhand Keertani Jatha completely and unequivocally rejects the inflammatory, divisive, and damaging statement made by the self-appointed so-called ‘Jathedar’, Iqbal Singh, at the 350th auspicious celebrations of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj at Takhat Sri Harmandir Sahib Patna on January 5th, 2017. 1. Using an occasion of Sri Dasmesh Jee’s 350th Parkash Purab to issue such an unethical Hukamnama proves that enemies of the Panth always look for big gatherings to do more damage to Khalsa Panth. The so called ‘Hukamnama’ was a cover-up for a direct attack and challenge to the supreme authority of the Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee published Sikh Rehat Maryada. The purpose of the Sikh Rehat Maryada is to keep Khalsa Panth unified on one platform. Every Sikh is duty bound to established protocols and uphold this basic doctrine. No Takhat Jathedar, especially the one who has been rejected by the Panth, has any authority to change it. -
Sikhi Sewa Society Associazione Per L’Integrazione Via Lorenzo Bandini 7 42017 Novellara (RE)
Sikhi Sewa Society Associazione per l’integrazione Via Lorenzo Bandini 7 42017 Novellara (RE) Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki fateh I would like to start by thanking the organisers for inviting me to speak at this event today. It is an enormous privilege both to be here but to also have been given the opportunity to address you on the topic of dharma and logos For Sikhs, the word "Dharma" means the "path of righteousness". “duty” --the way”, What is the "righteous path"? It is the path given to us by God - God revealed the path to Guru Nanak the founder of the Sikh faith who then revealed it to us through the shabad, the words which are enshrined in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, the last and final guru of the Sikhs. ਹਉ ਢਾਢੀ ਵੇਕਾਰੁ ਕਾਰੈ ਲਾਇਆ ॥ I was a minstrel, out of work, when the Lord took me into His service. ਰਾਤਿ ਤਿਹੈ ਕੈ ਵਾਰ ਧੁਰਹੁ ਫੁਰਮਾਇਆ ॥ To sing His Praises day and night, He gave me His Order, right from the start. ਢਾਢੀ ਸਚੈ ਮਹਤਲ ਖਸਤਮ ਬੁਲਾਇਆ ॥ My Lord and Master has summoned me, His minstrel, to the True Mansion of His Presence. ਸਚੀ ਤਸਫਤਿ ਸਾਲਾਹ ਕਪੜਾ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ He has dressed me in the robes of His True Praise and Glory. ਢਾਢੀ ਕਰੇ ਪਸਾਉ ਸਬਿੁ ਵਜਾਇਆ ॥ His minstrel spreads His Glory, singing and vibrating the Word of His Shabad. Guru Nanak travelled the four corners or this world to spread the message of dharma Sikhi Sewa Society www.sikhisewasociety.org [email protected] P.IVA / C.F : 90014800354 Via Lorenzo Bandini 7, 42017 Novellara (RE) Sikhi Sewa Society Associazione per l’integrazione Via Lorenzo Bandini 7 42017 Novellara (RE) Gurbani Shabad of "Jaisi Mein Aavey Khasam Ki Bani, Tesra kari gyan vey Lalo.