GURDWARA MEDFORD COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE Youth/Chidren Page Who are our Gurus? Let’s Learn Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Amar Das Ji, Guru Sikhi….. Ramdas Ji, Guru Arjun Dev Ji, Guru Hargobind Ji, Guru Har Rai Ji, Guru Q&A on the Har Krishen Ji, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Our Basics of Sikhism present Guru is Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Questions by Brejvinder Singh What is our Holy Book/Scripture? Answers by Sitvinder Kaur The full name is Aad Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj. Meaning of words: Aad‐ First, Shri – Leading, Guru – Spiritual Master, Ji – What is God? Respectable, Maharaj – Lord. The opening paragraph of the Guru Granth Sahib provides the answer. What is inside our Holy Book? EK – He is One. OANGKAR – He is The Banee (writings) of Guru Nanak omnipresent. SATNAM – He is Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru forever. KARTA PURAKH – He is Amar Das Ji, Guru Ramdas Ji, Guru the creator‐being, meaning He Arjun Dev Ji, many Hindu, Muslim resides in everything He creates. and Sikh Bhagats such as Kabeer, NIRBHAO – He is fearless. Fareed and Bhai Mardana from all NIRVAIR – He has no enmity. over India. Reason for both – He has no competitor. AKAL‐MOORAT – His What is a Shabad Guru? being is beyond time and space. The Guru Granth Sahib is in the AJUNEE – He is not born, nor does form of the Shabad – spiritual He die. SAIBHANG – He is self‐ messages received by our Gurus created. GURPARSAD – He is while in communication with God. It realized through the grace of the is thus the shabad that is our Guru – Guru. Master and Spiritual Guide, not the paper it is written on and not the Who is a Sikh? person who reads or interprets its for He who worships One God, has faith us. The Shabad has the power to in the Guru Granth Sahib as his unite us with Waheguru hence the spiritual guide and takes Amrit from term Shaktee Guru for Shabad Guru. Panj Pyares. Shaktee means power. 96 GURDWARA MEDFORD COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE Eating of meat prepared/slaughtered Some people claim to be Gurus. ritualistically. 4. Adultery. Sikhs believe in Shaktee (power of the Committing any of the above makes Shabad) Guru not Veakti (physical a Sikh Patit (a fallen Sikh) who needs person) Guru. The world has plenty to be re‐baptized. of individuals calling themselves Gurus, Saints,Prophets, even God. Who are the Panj Pyares (Five They make a living out of such fraud Beloved Ones)? and make fools out of their victims. 1. Bhai Dya Singh Ji. 2. Bhai Dharam A Sikh does not fall prey to such Singh Ji.3. Bhai Himmat Singh Ji. 4. tricksters. Bhai Mohkam Singh Ji. 5. Bhai Sahib Singh Ji. What are a Sikh’s Daily Prayers? In the morning – Japji Sahib, Jaap Why are they called Pyares? Sahib and Amrit Swaiyas. In the They answered the Guru’s call to evening Rehras, and before bedtime give their heads on Baptism Day, Kirten Sohela. 1699. For that the Guru gave them the honor of being His beloved. What are the Five K’s? Keshas – Unshorn, Uncut, Natural Who are the Chaar Shaibjades? Hair symbolizing living as Nature They are the sons of Guru Gobind created us. Kanga – wooden comb Singh Ji. 1. Baba Ajit Singh Ji. 2. Baba symbolizing the diligent upkeep of Jujhar Singh Ji. 3. Baba Zorawar Keshas. Kara – Iron bracelet Singh Ji. 4. Baba Fateh Singh Ji. symbolizing God and creation being a continuous process with no Why are they called Baba even beginning and no end, with no though they were children? circumference and no center. Baba is used for those who are wise Kachaira – Sikh Shorts symbolizing and mature. The Sahibjades morality. Kirpan – Small Sword accomplished feats that defy wisdom symbolizing preparedness to fight and maturity despite their tender evil within the human mind and ages. The two elder ones (16 and 14 outside of it. years) died fighting for Sikhi in Chamkaur and the younger ones (9 What are the Four Kurehits (Major and 7 years) were bricked alive in Sins)? Sirhand for refusing to give up Sikhi. 1. Cutting, removing or otherwise interfering with the natural growth Who is a Khalsa? of hair. 2. Use of Liquor, Tobacco Guru Gobind Singh provides the and other intoxicating substances. 3. answer in Jagat Jot Japai Nis Basur… 97 GURDWARA MEDFORD COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE A Khalsa adores the ever‐glowing to do daswand – give a portion of Waheguru, is immersed in Him, our income for charity work. does not believe in rituals, and has an illuminated and pure conscience. What the way to behave in a Gurdwara? What is the Sikh Fateh? One should go in humility and the When Sikhs meet up they greet each right frame of mind. The frame of other with Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, mind is set by our purpose of going Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh. Meaning the there. The purpose is to pray, share, Khalsa belongs to Waheguru and learn and help. Arriving punctually victory belongs to Waheguru. The is important. Go the Guru first. Bow creator of the Fateh is Guru Gobind respectfully and sit down attentively Singh Ji. with devotion and concentration. Enjoy the Kirten; listen to the What is the Sikh slogan? messages and the Hukamnama. Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal. Meaning: Stand attentively during Ardas and Whoever calls (Bole) on God who is participate in the Jaikaras. Everlasting, Supreme and Eternal, is blessed (Nihal) by Him. This slogan What is the reward for those who was used in wars; it is now used at come with the right frame of mind? the close of our Ardas in the form of Bhai Gurdas answers that in his a Jaikara (Cry of Victory) to express shabad – Charan Saran Gursikh Ek our unity and unshakable faith in Paenda….IF you come with the right Waheguru. frame, for every one step you take to come to Me, I (the Guru) will take a What is the function of a million steps to get to you). Gurdwara? A Gurdwara allows us an What is the wrong frame of mind opportunity for Sangat and Sewa. In for a Gurdwara? the sangat we sit and pray as a Going there to socialize. Going to common group. Listening to Banee show off. Being late. Sitting in the and Kirten and doing Ardas is langgar hall and yacking away over praying. The Gurdwara is also a a cup of tea. Discouraging others place to learn. Katha and Kirten are from going into the Sangat. Not instruments in this regard. It is a sitting in the Sangat at all, or coming place to do sewa. The making and into the Sangat during Degh distribution of langgar, washing and distribution. Letting your children cleaning up are examples of this run around and scream. Leaning sewa. The Gurdwara is also a place against the walls and or sleeping. Not switching off hand phones. 98 GURDWARA MEDFORD COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE Taking note of who comes, who others breaks their Dhyan (attention) wears what etc. Talking to other with God. Dhyan is a difficult thing people in the Sangat. Commenting by itself. about others. Gossiping. Criticizing other sewadars. Scrambling for Degh What is the position of Castes in and Langgar. Coming just to eat. Sikhism? Complaining about the langgar, Sikhs have no castes. They belong to Degh and service. Not helping out. one caste – Khalsa caste. Gurbani Wearing other people’s shoes or says those who believe in castes are jackets due to carelessness. Littering. Murakh Gavars– lost fools. Jaat Ka Garab Na Kar Murakh Gavara. What is the injunction for those who come with the wrong frame of Do Sikh Fast? mind? Fasting has no place in Sikhism. The Guru Granth Sahib provides the Sikhs eat to live. answer. Nawan Chale Teerthi, Mun Khote…Those who come with the Do Sikhs have any special days ? wrong frame of mind…they wash off The Guru Granth Sahib says: All one sin (just by coming) but take on days are special as long as God is many more (with their wrong frame remembered. And all days are of mind). Saadh Bhaley Unnahthean..It cursed when He is forgotten. There is better that they don’t come are no sacred days in Sikhism. (because that way they don’t add on more sins). Guru Gobind Singh says How can I be a better Sikh? sins committed in a Gurdwara are The word Sikh means a learner. So worse than those committed outside. keep learning. Learn about Sikhi, Paap Karey Parmatam Key… learn Punjabi, learn Gurbani, and learn Kirten. The word Sikh also What is the injunction for those means a disciple. So be a disciple – who create disturbance in the inculcate discipline and Gurdwara? responsibility in your Sikhi – The Rehat is extremely strict for personally and at the Gurdwara. those who talk in the sangat and Follow the teachings of the Gurus distract others. Guru Gobind Singh and practice what you have learnt. A once answered this question from a Sikh also means a leader. So be a Sikh named Bhai Chaupa Singh Ji. good example to everyone around He said a Sikh who talks during you. A Sikh is a reflection of our Kirten, Katha or the Hukamnama earns Gurus. So do our Gurus proud by himself a place in hell. The reason for being exactly that. A Sikh stands out such harshness is that disturbing in a million. So lets stand out.