Cotton of compassion, yarn of contentment,
Knots of moral discipline, twists of fidelity.
It is the mind's sacred thread if you have it,
O Pundit put it on me. -- Guru Granth Sahib, p. 471
In this quote from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh's holy book, the four virtues of compassion, contentment, moral discipline and fidelity are presented.
By associating these virtues with cotton, yarn, knots and twists, it is like they clothe a person's mind.
Together, these virtues are likened to "the mind's sacred thread".
In declaring "O Pundit put it on me", the author is suggesting that God grants these virtues to the Sikhs.
Originally posted: February 26, 2007 at 0058H
Updated: February 8, 2013 at 0944H
Showing posts with label Sikh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sikh. Show all posts
20130208
20121231
Why Wade Michael Page Shot Up Sikh Temple
Since 9-11, misdirect biased attacks having been occurring against Sikhs, mainly by people who fail to understand that Sikhs are not Muslims.
Regarding mass media reports, the article in the NY Post did not fully remind Americans that not everyone wearing a turban is Muslim while the NY Times went into detail to show that Sikhs are not Muslims. NBC's report reflects breaking news before forensics experts analyze the crime scene.
According to mass media reports, in this late summer attack in Milwaukee, this misdirected bias attack developed a myth based on the NY Post article: a man dumped by his lover due to his penchant for violence, who in a fit of what was originally misogynist rage, decides to sacrifice the innocent lives of Sikhs, just because they wear turbans. In essence, he went psychotic and made the irrational decision to to channel all his hate against his ex-girlfriend and possibly his mother for not loving him enough to accept him as he is, warts and all, misdirecting it to what are innocent bystanders.
However, this may be a myth.
A closer look at his profile in the Wikipedia article on the Milwaukee shootings give a full background of a man who in his youth worked for the US Army as a missile systems repairman, and when that weapon was rendered obsolete, became a psychological warfare (PSYOPS) specialist until his self-medication with alcohol led to involuntary discharge in 1998. He then returned to Colorado, living in Littleton from 2000-2007. Overall this profile indicates that he comes from a broken home with his step-mother divorcing his father in 2000, leading to estrangement.
His later involvement in white supremacy tends to indicates replacement of parental guidance with a group known for its membership of marginalized white males where group cohesion is maintained by replacing State propaganda with a radical right ideology where empowerment is achieved through catharsis achieved through shame of being a white male and the resulting empowerment consisting of the white supremist ideology without a clearly articulated plan to achieve such supremacy. Without any rules about how to achieve said supremacy, various members of such groups exhibit impulsive acts of violence on their own initiative, often while under the influence of alcohol.
Perhaps hate filters out everything but the turban, despite the fact that most Muslims do not wear turbans anymore. Indeed, none of the 9-11 terrorists wore turbans, thus invalidating any racist's irrational logic that "all men who wear turbans are Muslim."
This logical fallacy is the result of hate propaganda which, by its nature appeals to emotions and thus is false.
Sikhs in turbans daily disprove they are militant by spending most of their time in their temples in prayer and feeding their hungry members.
However, this shooting shows that once again, like the Columbine mass school killing, the Ecole Polytech massacre, the Dawson College shooting, the VTech shooting and even the Newtown Shooting demonstrate that each one of them is a misdirected bias killing in which a target is chosen to direct rage originally experienced with each of the killer's original target of rage (be it father, mother or girlfriend).
Since it is not safe to kill your parents or someone you love, in such a killer's mind, killing a mass of people you hate is preferable to doing something positive to get over the fact that the people you love hurt you, like forgiving them and moving on.
This might also explain violence in general, too.
I propose a simple way to reduce such carnage in the future: institute in public and private schools emotional support for children of divorce and a harm control plan for alcohol and recreational drugs. As well, the culture of silence among today's youth requires the support of whistle-blowers.
Gunman murders Sikhs: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/six_slain_at_sikh_temple_7cY6q7ccRbDBYaMNgf1ATI
Gunman kills 6: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/06/us/shooting-reported-at-temple-in-wisconsin.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
NBC's spin reflects early forensics of Sikh shooting: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/05/13130110-gunman-opens-fire-at-sikh-temple-in-wisconsin-7-dead?lite
Wikipedia article on Wiscounsin Sikh killings: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Sikh_temple_shooting
Columbine massacre: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School_massacre
Marc Lepine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_lepine
Kimveer Gill: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimveer_Gill
Seung-hui Cho: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seung_hui_cho
Regarding mass media reports, the article in the NY Post did not fully remind Americans that not everyone wearing a turban is Muslim while the NY Times went into detail to show that Sikhs are not Muslims. NBC's report reflects breaking news before forensics experts analyze the crime scene.
According to mass media reports, in this late summer attack in Milwaukee, this misdirected bias attack developed a myth based on the NY Post article: a man dumped by his lover due to his penchant for violence, who in a fit of what was originally misogynist rage, decides to sacrifice the innocent lives of Sikhs, just because they wear turbans. In essence, he went psychotic and made the irrational decision to to channel all his hate against his ex-girlfriend and possibly his mother for not loving him enough to accept him as he is, warts and all, misdirecting it to what are innocent bystanders.
However, this may be a myth.
A closer look at his profile in the Wikipedia article on the Milwaukee shootings give a full background of a man who in his youth worked for the US Army as a missile systems repairman, and when that weapon was rendered obsolete, became a psychological warfare (PSYOPS) specialist until his self-medication with alcohol led to involuntary discharge in 1998. He then returned to Colorado, living in Littleton from 2000-2007. Overall this profile indicates that he comes from a broken home with his step-mother divorcing his father in 2000, leading to estrangement.
His later involvement in white supremacy tends to indicates replacement of parental guidance with a group known for its membership of marginalized white males where group cohesion is maintained by replacing State propaganda with a radical right ideology where empowerment is achieved through catharsis achieved through shame of being a white male and the resulting empowerment consisting of the white supremist ideology without a clearly articulated plan to achieve such supremacy. Without any rules about how to achieve said supremacy, various members of such groups exhibit impulsive acts of violence on their own initiative, often while under the influence of alcohol.
Perhaps hate filters out everything but the turban, despite the fact that most Muslims do not wear turbans anymore. Indeed, none of the 9-11 terrorists wore turbans, thus invalidating any racist's irrational logic that "all men who wear turbans are Muslim."
This logical fallacy is the result of hate propaganda which, by its nature appeals to emotions and thus is false.
Sikhs in turbans daily disprove they are militant by spending most of their time in their temples in prayer and feeding their hungry members.
However, this shooting shows that once again, like the Columbine mass school killing, the Ecole Polytech massacre, the Dawson College shooting, the VTech shooting and even the Newtown Shooting demonstrate that each one of them is a misdirected bias killing in which a target is chosen to direct rage originally experienced with each of the killer's original target of rage (be it father, mother or girlfriend).
Since it is not safe to kill your parents or someone you love, in such a killer's mind, killing a mass of people you hate is preferable to doing something positive to get over the fact that the people you love hurt you, like forgiving them and moving on.
This might also explain violence in general, too.
I propose a simple way to reduce such carnage in the future: institute in public and private schools emotional support for children of divorce and a harm control plan for alcohol and recreational drugs. As well, the culture of silence among today's youth requires the support of whistle-blowers.
Gunman murders Sikhs: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/six_slain_at_sikh_temple_7cY6q7ccRbDBYaMNgf1ATI
Gunman kills 6: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/06/us/shooting-reported-at-temple-in-wisconsin.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
NBC's spin reflects early forensics of Sikh shooting: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/05/13130110-gunman-opens-fire-at-sikh-temple-in-wisconsin-7-dead?lite
Wikipedia article on Wiscounsin Sikh killings: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Sikh_temple_shooting
Columbine massacre: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School_massacre
Marc Lepine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_lepine
Kimveer Gill: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimveer_Gill
Seung-hui Cho: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seung_hui_cho
Visible Minority Saved Fate of Racist Whites
If it wasn't for the vocal objection of a visible minority, racist whites would still be accepted as the norm. So thank you Canada for enacting the Canadian Charter of Human Rights Act. Sadly though, the way it is written, even a Canadian municipality could use it to protect the majority from legal action by the visible minorities.
However, only the lawless trump justice by resorting to violence, regardless of the consequences such as Canadian crime bills that have the potential to turn your circle of friends on GooglePlus into "gangs".
Yet I am surprised that even the radical reactionaries among the Sikhs haven't retorted to me, when they spend so much time reacting to that radio talk show host who wasn't referring just to them a few years ago, and kept Immigration Canada at bay regarding the illegal immigrant they were rallying around.
Maybe poverty breeds anonymity. My net worth being in the red by almost a hundred C-notes helps me even more anonymous than Anonymous!
Despite the handful of East Asians in the news, I don't see Chinese reactionaries getting as much 300 second sound bytes on the news about those two murders of innocent South Asian women, and very very little from the inconspicuous Japanese - quite probably because mass media would dread the deluge of hate mail if other ethnic groups within the visible minority milieu expressed their free speech rights in a civil manner.
In my opinion, the most ridiculed of other minority groups would be the Christian rednecks amongst the NRA and possibly the reactionary Muslims, the hardliners who are this close to being criminals, but then just uttering an indirect death threat to anyone is criminal.
For a fatwa is not protected by free speech or by the right to freely practice a religious as one sees fit.
If a fatwa involves the death of the object of that fatwa, then whoever among the Muslim clerics supports it is offensive to God by putting the ideology of the holy war before God. Essentially, if a fatwa results in the death of the object of that fatwa, then it is akin to ritual sacrifice. This makes a mockery of God, because such a death is murder sanctioned by man yet excused as "the will of God".
When the will of God consists of devout men willing to kill for their God, this is proof that such men put first their ideology over their God.
For a man cannot serve two masters when it comes to religion.
While I am still at it, the above contentious logic is also reserved for well-meaning but possibly deluded, most likely misinformed and deliberately ignorant fundamentalists, e.g. abortion assassins who can't shoot straight, radical feminists who collaborate with Christian fundamentalists to close down adult stores and legislate pornography, gang members who have harmed thousands of people but have "found Jesus", and police officers going beyond the call of duty to serve and protect only to practice a form of State terrorism abusing people with "non-lethal force" weapons, sometimes with lethal results.
This is religious fascism, be it holy war, assassination of abortion doctors, the legislation of pornography, criminals who find Jesus in prison yet offered no mercy to their victims before prison, and tazer-happy cops being fronted by the company that makes such "non-lethal" weapons.
For fascism only markets violence, of which few participants are able to profit and in which few WWE veterans participate. It offers no social redeeming value and has no plan except to rob people of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Sadly though, few of my detractors are brave enough to register on Blogspot and rise above the usual web page vandalism i.e. spam posts with URLs pointing to scripts to convert unprotected computers into adbots for porn web links. Since I am not referring to the intelligentsia among my fans and critics — your intelligence will protect you from reacting emotionally to this jab at the mouth-breathing script kiddies — hopefully this will occasionally result in a comment.
Otherwise, I will retain this ridiculous delusion that I am talking to myself.
Though, as I wrote in a previous article, it's probably a side-effect of being Buddhist: I tend to pick my words carefully but end up subtly saying something important, or sometimes just inserting the main point in the bottom third of the article. That way, the reactionaries will go WTF and do what they do best — abreact — and thus fall on the swords they've made of their ego projections.
Depending the level of rhetoric and based on which response requires legal intervention, I can empower myself c/o the CCHRA.
Or not.
That all depends on who is ugly enough to turn up on my doorstep to get the dharma from me!
I also deliberately write long entries because this is a personal blog, and it's a world that I am "conquering".
After discovering how much work it is to run a web server, I am hooked on using GooglePlus and Blogspot for my benefit and yours to conquer the Internet.
Though my original plan was to one day move this content to another blog web service under my control and administration, GooglePlus fits this bill, but I don't have to move any content when I can share it with the world.
Given the totalitarian nature of the Internet, if I cannot rule the world, then I can start my own blog and write about my own!
However, only the lawless trump justice by resorting to violence, regardless of the consequences such as Canadian crime bills that have the potential to turn your circle of friends on GooglePlus into "gangs".
Yet I am surprised that even the radical reactionaries among the Sikhs haven't retorted to me, when they spend so much time reacting to that radio talk show host who wasn't referring just to them a few years ago, and kept Immigration Canada at bay regarding the illegal immigrant they were rallying around.
Maybe poverty breeds anonymity. My net worth being in the red by almost a hundred C-notes helps me even more anonymous than Anonymous!
Despite the handful of East Asians in the news, I don't see Chinese reactionaries getting as much 300 second sound bytes on the news about those two murders of innocent South Asian women, and very very little from the inconspicuous Japanese - quite probably because mass media would dread the deluge of hate mail if other ethnic groups within the visible minority milieu expressed their free speech rights in a civil manner.
In my opinion, the most ridiculed of other minority groups would be the Christian rednecks amongst the NRA and possibly the reactionary Muslims, the hardliners who are this close to being criminals, but then just uttering an indirect death threat to anyone is criminal.
For a fatwa is not protected by free speech or by the right to freely practice a religious as one sees fit.
If a fatwa involves the death of the object of that fatwa, then whoever among the Muslim clerics supports it is offensive to God by putting the ideology of the holy war before God. Essentially, if a fatwa results in the death of the object of that fatwa, then it is akin to ritual sacrifice. This makes a mockery of God, because such a death is murder sanctioned by man yet excused as "the will of God".
When the will of God consists of devout men willing to kill for their God, this is proof that such men put first their ideology over their God.
For a man cannot serve two masters when it comes to religion.
While I am still at it, the above contentious logic is also reserved for well-meaning but possibly deluded, most likely misinformed and deliberately ignorant fundamentalists, e.g. abortion assassins who can't shoot straight, radical feminists who collaborate with Christian fundamentalists to close down adult stores and legislate pornography, gang members who have harmed thousands of people but have "found Jesus", and police officers going beyond the call of duty to serve and protect only to practice a form of State terrorism abusing people with "non-lethal force" weapons, sometimes with lethal results.
This is religious fascism, be it holy war, assassination of abortion doctors, the legislation of pornography, criminals who find Jesus in prison yet offered no mercy to their victims before prison, and tazer-happy cops being fronted by the company that makes such "non-lethal" weapons.
For fascism only markets violence, of which few participants are able to profit and in which few WWE veterans participate. It offers no social redeeming value and has no plan except to rob people of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Sadly though, few of my detractors are brave enough to register on Blogspot and rise above the usual web page vandalism i.e. spam posts with URLs pointing to scripts to convert unprotected computers into adbots for porn web links. Since I am not referring to the intelligentsia among my fans and critics — your intelligence will protect you from reacting emotionally to this jab at the mouth-breathing script kiddies — hopefully this will occasionally result in a comment.
Otherwise, I will retain this ridiculous delusion that I am talking to myself.
Though, as I wrote in a previous article, it's probably a side-effect of being Buddhist: I tend to pick my words carefully but end up subtly saying something important, or sometimes just inserting the main point in the bottom third of the article. That way, the reactionaries will go WTF and do what they do best — abreact — and thus fall on the swords they've made of their ego projections.
Depending the level of rhetoric and based on which response requires legal intervention, I can empower myself c/o the CCHRA.
Or not.
That all depends on who is ugly enough to turn up on my doorstep to get the dharma from me!
I also deliberately write long entries because this is a personal blog, and it's a world that I am "conquering".
After discovering how much work it is to run a web server, I am hooked on using GooglePlus and Blogspot for my benefit and yours to conquer the Internet.
Though my original plan was to one day move this content to another blog web service under my control and administration, GooglePlus fits this bill, but I don't have to move any content when I can share it with the world.
Given the totalitarian nature of the Internet, if I cannot rule the world, then I can start my own blog and write about my own!
20121210
Manjit Panghali's Husband and Brother-in-law Caught
Manjit's husband and brother-in-law were jailed in connection with her murder.
My guess is Manjit wanted her brother-in-law out of the house due to stalking his ex-girlfriend in Richmond.
In retaliation, both brothers killed her.
Was it Sikh culture that conditioned them to act this way? No.
Was it Hindu culture? No.
Rather, it was a misunderstanding of Sikh principles about how to be men. I'd say mainstream Sikh values played a small part in Manjit's death.
By killing Manjit, both the brothers Panghali are only two Indo-Canadian men subject to Canadian law.
My guess is Manjit wanted her brother-in-law out of the house due to stalking his ex-girlfriend in Richmond.
In retaliation, both brothers killed her.
Was it Sikh culture that conditioned them to act this way? No.
Was it Hindu culture? No.
Rather, it was a misunderstanding of Sikh principles about how to be men. I'd say mainstream Sikh values played a small part in Manjit's death.
By killing Manjit, both the brothers Panghali are only two Indo-Canadian men subject to Canadian law.
The Sword of Wisdom
This Apni is blessed by Baba Nanak!
I apologize to the source at Sikh Spectrum for copying it verbatim.
The Sword of Wisdom
- Harsimrat Kaur Khalsa
Shlok Seheskritee, First Mehl (Ung 1353)
You study the scriptures, say your prayers and argue;
you worship stones and sit like a crane, pretending to meditate.
You speak lies and well-ornamented falsehood,
and recite your daily prayers three times a day.
The mala is around your neck, and the sacred tilak mark is on your forehead.
You wear two loin cloths, and keep your head covered.
If you know God and the nature of karma,
you know that all these rituals and beliefs are useless.
Says Nanak, meditate on the Lord with faith.
Without the True Guru, no one finds the Way. ||1||
The mortal's life is fruitless, as long as he does not know God.
Only a few, by Guru's Grace, cross over the world-ocean.
The Creator, the Cause of causes, is All-powerful. Thus speaks Nanak, after deep deliberation.
The Creation is under the control of the Creator. By His Power, He sustains and supports it. ||2||
The Shabad is Yoga, the Shabad is spiritual wisdom; the Shabad is the Vedas for the Brahmin.
The Shabad is heroic bravery for the Khshaatriya; the Shabad is service to others for the Soodra.
The Shabad for all is the Shabad, the Word of the One God, for one who knows this secret.
Nanak is the slave of the Divine, Immaculate Lord. ||3||
The One Lord is the Divinity of all divinities. He is the Divinity of the soul.
Nanak is the slave of that one who knows the Secrets of the soul and the Supreme Lord God.
He is the Divine Immaculate Lord Himself. ||4||
“You study the scriptures, say your prayers and argue.”
Why do people study scriptures? What is prayer, and arguing? Who was Guru Nanak addressing in this Shabad? The language and literary style of this hymn is elite and classical grammar. The Guru blends this Seheskriti language combined with Sanskrit, Parkriti, Punjabi, Hindi, Farsi, and other languages. It appears as if Guru Nanak was addressing pakhandi (hypocritical) religious scholars of the time, in a region dominated by Brahmanism. Brahman pundits (priests) publicly argued about their knowledge of scriptures and spiritualism. Often they would exploit people with superstitious rituals that were contrary to the faith of the scriptures that they taught. If you study this shabad (hymn) more closely, you will see that Guru Nanak did not criticize the Brahmans directly. The Guru only uses corruption among the Brahmans as an example of human weakness. Our ego and the five vices confuse us, causing self-centeredness that makes us clever, greedy, and corrupt people constantly looking for opportunities to main gains at the expense of others.
“You worship stones and sit like a crane, pretending to meditate in a saintly fashion.”
Worship of a stone is foolish. Rocks have no biological function, they have no free will, and they are non-productive. The rock as it is, is the opposite of production and self-improvement. The rock is lifeless, passive, hard, and stable; and very little can affect it. Likewise, the crane first appears the same, standing one-legged in a humble, yoga position on the stone - a foundation for its deceitful hunting pose. The bird looks colorful like a flower, harmless and calm yet it is on lookout for an opportunity to strike. The fish are not aware that they are a quick prey. And when the crane quickly shovels the fish into its mouth, there is no escape. The path to the crane’s stomach is long and slow that prolongs the suffering. The fish slides tightly down the crane’s throat, as it cannot even wiggle or expand its gills to gasp for breath. Unfortunately, some Sikh leaders today are like the crane preying on the unsuspecting community.
“You speak lies and well-ornamented falsehood.”
The Guru explains how pundits go out of their way, misleading people of a simple faith away from reality and trick them into superstitious, meaningless rituals that guarantee no benefit. People are lured into wasting time and effort for the profit of the greedy. It is to the advantage of the crane that the fish remains ignorant of the danger. Alas, most people are easily enchanted with exquisite language full of false promises.
“and recite your daily prayers three times a day.”
Cranes swallow the fish and then fly away howling in pride and satisfaction. The prayers of the hypocritical religious leaders are nothing but expressions of their gratitude for the blind, innocent followers who allow these leaders to feast on them. If these blind followers had known any better, they would have avoided the pundit’s trap.
“The mala of sacred beads is around your neck, and the sacred tilak mark is on your forehead.”
Notice that the beads that hang over the heart is mentioned before the mark on the head. This shows how corrupt people are governed by emotions rather than intellect. Like the beauty of the colored religious beads that cover up the evil plot of these pundit’s, the crane has a destructive scheme hidden under its beauty - the beautiful beak and exotic, fluffy feathers covering its chest.
“You wear two loin cloths, and keep your head covered.”
One cloth isn’t enough, so two are worn to double fool those of blind faith. The loin cloths do not fit tightly around the body. Falsehood can be easily detected if one observes with careful eyes. Without the knowledge of Gurbani, one can easily get caught up in trusting the very people who have no care for your well-being.
“If you know God and the nature of karma,”
The only way to know God is by learning about His Hukam and living by it. All natural laws are God’s hukam. When we accepts this, we learn to live truthful. So how can one become truthful? And how can the false veil of illusion be torn away?
O Nanak, it is written that you shall obey the Hukam of His Command, and walk in the Way of His Will” and “Merits and demerits are read out in the presence of Dharma (Righteous Judge”). “According to their own actions, some are drawn closer, and some are driven farther away.” (Jap Ji Sahib)
“You know that all these rituals and beliefs are useless.”
When one understands hukam and karma, it is easy to recognize falsehood, because trying to bribe God is a foolish insult. Even worse is to use religion to intentionally mislead others. Imagine a government official lying about what forms to fill out to receive benefits. The damage could be devastating.
“Says Nanak, meditate on the Lord with faith.”
Take the message of Gurbani and reflect on it, day and night. Faith is belief in something that is beyond your understanding. Giyan/Truth will always be beyond our comprehension. We only understand that Truth is stable, yet we will never know all the intricate details of the universe.
“Without the True Guru, no one finds the Way. ||1||”
If we do not follow the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, we will be lead astray by deceivers of truth, like the crane preying on the innocent fish. Sat Guru is exactly the concept of God teaching us truth with the nature that He created, because of His grace. Guru Nanak realized this truth, and blessed humanity with this revelation. Guru Nanak has taken the Giyan Shabad and expressed it in a more contemporary literary style for people to understand. Satgur is not the physical form of anyone or anything- it is the Giyan Shabad itself which is not limited to language, form, or time. For this reason, many hymns in Guru Granth Sahib are from different places, different times, different languages, and different classes of people. Our Guru Granth Ji Maniyo is the Giyan Shabad in the language of the mortal man. Gur giyan is so deep that language can only describe it in a limited way.
“The mortal's life is fruitless, as long as he does not know God.”
To believe in God means to know and accept God’s hukam, and Guru Nanak teaches us about hukam through the Guru Granth Sahib. Without the foundation of the knowledge of the world we live in, how can we survive? From infancy we learn about our environment, created and governed by God’s hukam.
“Only a few, by Guru's Grace, cross over the world-ocean.”
Knowledge of the Guru’s teaching is the only way to survive in this world of deception. Crossing over the sea is a figure of speech, meaning, ”deliverance from our sufferings”. “The faithful is carried across the sea of trouble, and also carries the Sikhs of the Guru across. ” (Jap Ji Sahib) So why are only a few rescued? It is because only a few of us are willing to take the challenge of looking beyond ourselves into truth.
“The Creator, the Cause of causes, is All-powerful. Says Nanak, after deep deliberation.”
Creation undergoes an eternal process of recycling. Molecular changes always happen within and without every object, interacting and reacting constantly with other things. “Some are givers, and some are beggars; God is above the heads of all.” “Oh Nanak, all are subject to birth and death. (Jap Ji Sahib)
“The Creation is under the control of the Creator. By His Power, He sustains and supports it. ||2||”
Although it seems out of control, everything is always in its correct place, because everything obeys hukam. All natural laws of the universe are eternally fully functional
“The Shabad is Yoga, the Shabad is spiritual wisdom; the Shabad is the Vedas for the Brahmin.”
Just as Yoga teaches about the body, so does Gurbani teach the secrets of life. Just as Vedas is valuable to the Brahmin, Gurbani is vital for mankind.
“The Shabad is heroic bravery for the Khshaatriya; the Shabad is service to others for the Shoodra.”
Shabad gives us the knowledge of how to battle our five vices. When we recognize hukam, we function better. We learn to make better decisions in life, and our behavior toward improves. Giyan shabad is our kiyatri weapon to defend ourselves against falsehood. It is bravery in the sense that truth need not prepare itself for battle against falsehood. Truth is always ready and always prevails. “He is from the beginning lover of truth and other virtues.” (Bhagat Jaidev, p. 526) Shoodr are the lowest castes of people who serve all the other castes above them. Shabad unlimitedly serves us. We learn that God’s Hukam of grace operates so intricately and constantly to sustain the universe in which we reside. God is as if our servant, yet we think that He needs our help.
“The Shabad for all is the Shabad, the Word of the One God, for one who knows this secret.”
Shabad of truth is only one for all mankind. It does not know caste or status.
“Nanak is the slave of the Divine, Immaculate Lord. ||3||”
Guru Nanak has devoted his life towards making God’s shabad known to all.
“The One Lord is the Divinity of all divinities.”
There is only one God that exists and He has the power of all gods worshipped. He is self-sufficient and almighty.
“He is the Divinity of the soul, the Supreme Lord who knows the its Secrets.”
God has reserved space within Himself for all of us to exist. Only He knows Himself, which is infinitely beyond our capabilities to understand fully.
“Nanak is the slave of that. He is the Divine Immaculate Lord Himself. ||4||”
All creation testifies to God’s majestic hukam, we are all equally blessed with the essence of reality. This relish of Amrit is offered for everyone.
In conclusion, Guru Nanak uses the image of a crane (pakhandi Brahman pundits) only as an example to teach us that whatever religion anyone practices, he must accept God’s hukam and live truthful. All of us, at times, fall into this category of missing the whole point of living faithful and saintly. Among our own Sikh religious circles, we are blessed to have faithful raggies, preachers, and granthis. However, there are some wealthy granthis, preachers, and greedy raggies also.
The main criticism in Guru Nanak’s Seheskriti Shlok is against man in general. The Guru uses Pakandi Brahmins as an example of man’s tendencies to be suckered into his own ego trap, which ensnares him and others affected by his evil. The only way to protect ourselves from our own self destruction is to, first, understand and live the message of Guru Granth Sahib. Second, empower humanity with this divine knowledge, and finally to defend ourselves and the weak by using the sword as a first resort. I mean, the sword of wisdom of Guru Granth Sahib.
Copyright© Harsimrat Kaur Khalsa.
I apologize to the source at Sikh Spectrum for copying it verbatim.
The Sword of Wisdom
- Harsimrat Kaur Khalsa
Shlok Seheskritee, First Mehl (Ung 1353)
You study the scriptures, say your prayers and argue;
you worship stones and sit like a crane, pretending to meditate.
You speak lies and well-ornamented falsehood,
and recite your daily prayers three times a day.
The mala is around your neck, and the sacred tilak mark is on your forehead.
You wear two loin cloths, and keep your head covered.
If you know God and the nature of karma,
you know that all these rituals and beliefs are useless.
Says Nanak, meditate on the Lord with faith.
Without the True Guru, no one finds the Way. ||1||
The mortal's life is fruitless, as long as he does not know God.
Only a few, by Guru's Grace, cross over the world-ocean.
The Creator, the Cause of causes, is All-powerful. Thus speaks Nanak, after deep deliberation.
The Creation is under the control of the Creator. By His Power, He sustains and supports it. ||2||
The Shabad is Yoga, the Shabad is spiritual wisdom; the Shabad is the Vedas for the Brahmin.
The Shabad is heroic bravery for the Khshaatriya; the Shabad is service to others for the Soodra.
The Shabad for all is the Shabad, the Word of the One God, for one who knows this secret.
Nanak is the slave of the Divine, Immaculate Lord. ||3||
The One Lord is the Divinity of all divinities. He is the Divinity of the soul.
Nanak is the slave of that one who knows the Secrets of the soul and the Supreme Lord God.
He is the Divine Immaculate Lord Himself. ||4||
“You study the scriptures, say your prayers and argue.”
Why do people study scriptures? What is prayer, and arguing? Who was Guru Nanak addressing in this Shabad? The language and literary style of this hymn is elite and classical grammar. The Guru blends this Seheskriti language combined with Sanskrit, Parkriti, Punjabi, Hindi, Farsi, and other languages. It appears as if Guru Nanak was addressing pakhandi (hypocritical) religious scholars of the time, in a region dominated by Brahmanism. Brahman pundits (priests) publicly argued about their knowledge of scriptures and spiritualism. Often they would exploit people with superstitious rituals that were contrary to the faith of the scriptures that they taught. If you study this shabad (hymn) more closely, you will see that Guru Nanak did not criticize the Brahmans directly. The Guru only uses corruption among the Brahmans as an example of human weakness. Our ego and the five vices confuse us, causing self-centeredness that makes us clever, greedy, and corrupt people constantly looking for opportunities to main gains at the expense of others.
“You worship stones and sit like a crane, pretending to meditate in a saintly fashion.”
Worship of a stone is foolish. Rocks have no biological function, they have no free will, and they are non-productive. The rock as it is, is the opposite of production and self-improvement. The rock is lifeless, passive, hard, and stable; and very little can affect it. Likewise, the crane first appears the same, standing one-legged in a humble, yoga position on the stone - a foundation for its deceitful hunting pose. The bird looks colorful like a flower, harmless and calm yet it is on lookout for an opportunity to strike. The fish are not aware that they are a quick prey. And when the crane quickly shovels the fish into its mouth, there is no escape. The path to the crane’s stomach is long and slow that prolongs the suffering. The fish slides tightly down the crane’s throat, as it cannot even wiggle or expand its gills to gasp for breath. Unfortunately, some Sikh leaders today are like the crane preying on the unsuspecting community.
“You speak lies and well-ornamented falsehood.”
The Guru explains how pundits go out of their way, misleading people of a simple faith away from reality and trick them into superstitious, meaningless rituals that guarantee no benefit. People are lured into wasting time and effort for the profit of the greedy. It is to the advantage of the crane that the fish remains ignorant of the danger. Alas, most people are easily enchanted with exquisite language full of false promises.
“and recite your daily prayers three times a day.”
Cranes swallow the fish and then fly away howling in pride and satisfaction. The prayers of the hypocritical religious leaders are nothing but expressions of their gratitude for the blind, innocent followers who allow these leaders to feast on them. If these blind followers had known any better, they would have avoided the pundit’s trap.
“The mala of sacred beads is around your neck, and the sacred tilak mark is on your forehead.”
Notice that the beads that hang over the heart is mentioned before the mark on the head. This shows how corrupt people are governed by emotions rather than intellect. Like the beauty of the colored religious beads that cover up the evil plot of these pundit’s, the crane has a destructive scheme hidden under its beauty - the beautiful beak and exotic, fluffy feathers covering its chest.
“You wear two loin cloths, and keep your head covered.”
One cloth isn’t enough, so two are worn to double fool those of blind faith. The loin cloths do not fit tightly around the body. Falsehood can be easily detected if one observes with careful eyes. Without the knowledge of Gurbani, one can easily get caught up in trusting the very people who have no care for your well-being.
“If you know God and the nature of karma,”
The only way to know God is by learning about His Hukam and living by it. All natural laws are God’s hukam. When we accepts this, we learn to live truthful. So how can one become truthful? And how can the false veil of illusion be torn away?
O Nanak, it is written that you shall obey the Hukam of His Command, and walk in the Way of His Will” and “Merits and demerits are read out in the presence of Dharma (Righteous Judge”). “According to their own actions, some are drawn closer, and some are driven farther away.” (Jap Ji Sahib)
“You know that all these rituals and beliefs are useless.”
When one understands hukam and karma, it is easy to recognize falsehood, because trying to bribe God is a foolish insult. Even worse is to use religion to intentionally mislead others. Imagine a government official lying about what forms to fill out to receive benefits. The damage could be devastating.
“Says Nanak, meditate on the Lord with faith.”
Take the message of Gurbani and reflect on it, day and night. Faith is belief in something that is beyond your understanding. Giyan/Truth will always be beyond our comprehension. We only understand that Truth is stable, yet we will never know all the intricate details of the universe.
“Without the True Guru, no one finds the Way. ||1||”
If we do not follow the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, we will be lead astray by deceivers of truth, like the crane preying on the innocent fish. Sat Guru is exactly the concept of God teaching us truth with the nature that He created, because of His grace. Guru Nanak realized this truth, and blessed humanity with this revelation. Guru Nanak has taken the Giyan Shabad and expressed it in a more contemporary literary style for people to understand. Satgur is not the physical form of anyone or anything- it is the Giyan Shabad itself which is not limited to language, form, or time. For this reason, many hymns in Guru Granth Sahib are from different places, different times, different languages, and different classes of people. Our Guru Granth Ji Maniyo is the Giyan Shabad in the language of the mortal man. Gur giyan is so deep that language can only describe it in a limited way.
“The mortal's life is fruitless, as long as he does not know God.”
To believe in God means to know and accept God’s hukam, and Guru Nanak teaches us about hukam through the Guru Granth Sahib. Without the foundation of the knowledge of the world we live in, how can we survive? From infancy we learn about our environment, created and governed by God’s hukam.
“Only a few, by Guru's Grace, cross over the world-ocean.”
Knowledge of the Guru’s teaching is the only way to survive in this world of deception. Crossing over the sea is a figure of speech, meaning, ”deliverance from our sufferings”. “The faithful is carried across the sea of trouble, and also carries the Sikhs of the Guru across. ” (Jap Ji Sahib) So why are only a few rescued? It is because only a few of us are willing to take the challenge of looking beyond ourselves into truth.
“The Creator, the Cause of causes, is All-powerful. Says Nanak, after deep deliberation.”
Creation undergoes an eternal process of recycling. Molecular changes always happen within and without every object, interacting and reacting constantly with other things. “Some are givers, and some are beggars; God is above the heads of all.” “Oh Nanak, all are subject to birth and death. (Jap Ji Sahib)
“The Creation is under the control of the Creator. By His Power, He sustains and supports it. ||2||”
Although it seems out of control, everything is always in its correct place, because everything obeys hukam. All natural laws of the universe are eternally fully functional
“The Shabad is Yoga, the Shabad is spiritual wisdom; the Shabad is the Vedas for the Brahmin.”
Just as Yoga teaches about the body, so does Gurbani teach the secrets of life. Just as Vedas is valuable to the Brahmin, Gurbani is vital for mankind.
“The Shabad is heroic bravery for the Khshaatriya; the Shabad is service to others for the Shoodra.”
Shabad gives us the knowledge of how to battle our five vices. When we recognize hukam, we function better. We learn to make better decisions in life, and our behavior toward improves. Giyan shabad is our kiyatri weapon to defend ourselves against falsehood. It is bravery in the sense that truth need not prepare itself for battle against falsehood. Truth is always ready and always prevails. “He is from the beginning lover of truth and other virtues.” (Bhagat Jaidev, p. 526) Shoodr are the lowest castes of people who serve all the other castes above them. Shabad unlimitedly serves us. We learn that God’s Hukam of grace operates so intricately and constantly to sustain the universe in which we reside. God is as if our servant, yet we think that He needs our help.
“The Shabad for all is the Shabad, the Word of the One God, for one who knows this secret.”
Shabad of truth is only one for all mankind. It does not know caste or status.
“Nanak is the slave of the Divine, Immaculate Lord. ||3||”
Guru Nanak has devoted his life towards making God’s shabad known to all.
“The One Lord is the Divinity of all divinities.”
There is only one God that exists and He has the power of all gods worshipped. He is self-sufficient and almighty.
“He is the Divinity of the soul, the Supreme Lord who knows the its Secrets.”
God has reserved space within Himself for all of us to exist. Only He knows Himself, which is infinitely beyond our capabilities to understand fully.
“Nanak is the slave of that. He is the Divine Immaculate Lord Himself. ||4||”
All creation testifies to God’s majestic hukam, we are all equally blessed with the essence of reality. This relish of Amrit is offered for everyone.
In conclusion, Guru Nanak uses the image of a crane (pakhandi Brahman pundits) only as an example to teach us that whatever religion anyone practices, he must accept God’s hukam and live truthful. All of us, at times, fall into this category of missing the whole point of living faithful and saintly. Among our own Sikh religious circles, we are blessed to have faithful raggies, preachers, and granthis. However, there are some wealthy granthis, preachers, and greedy raggies also.
The main criticism in Guru Nanak’s Seheskriti Shlok is against man in general. The Guru uses Pakandi Brahmins as an example of man’s tendencies to be suckered into his own ego trap, which ensnares him and others affected by his evil. The only way to protect ourselves from our own self destruction is to, first, understand and live the message of Guru Granth Sahib. Second, empower humanity with this divine knowledge, and finally to defend ourselves and the weak by using the sword as a first resort. I mean, the sword of wisdom of Guru Granth Sahib.
Copyright© Harsimrat Kaur Khalsa.
20121209
"All Sikhs are Khalsa"
From my research of Sikhs and their practice, the current Sikh Rehat Maryada is inspired by the Guru_Granth_Sahib.
However, it is a recent document approved by the Panth in 1950 when mainstream Sikhism predominated the Sikh religion.
Much of what is supposedly traditional Sikh in culture is actually influenced strongly by Hindu culture.
Overall though, all Sikhs are Khalsa. No edicts by a high priest are binding, because the last Guru Gobind Singh left no such instructions.
Regarding the Five K's, the only thing Gobind asked was for all Sikh males to wear five kinds of spiritual weapons.
Instead, only the Guru's Word is binding, not what one Sikh priest says. This Guru is the Sikh holy book, the Adi Granth
For all Sikhs are worthy of forgiveness if the act of meditation on, singing and chanting God's name causes them to forsake violence for peace.
At least, this is the impression I get from the Sikh concept of Nam Simran.
This is all that Guru Gobind Singh asks of all Sikhs:
He who meditates on the Supreme Light, night and day, and believes not in another, has perfect love in the heart and puts not his faith in fasting, tombs, graveyards and convents, and for whom the pilgrimages consist in being compassionate, charitable, chaste and self-disciplined and who recognises in all no one but the One alone, and whose heart is illumined with the Divine Light is a Khalsa, purest of the pure. (Guru Gobind Singh, 33 Swaiyyas).
References:
Sikh: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh
Khalsa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalsa
Sikh Rehat Maryada: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehat_Maryada
Guru Granth Sahib: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Granth_Sahib
The Five K's: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh#Five_Ks
Nam Simran: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naam_Simran
Guru Gobind Singh: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobind_Singh
All that Guru Gobind Singh asks of all Sikhs: http://www.sehajdhari.co.uk/code.htm
However, it is a recent document approved by the Panth in 1950 when mainstream Sikhism predominated the Sikh religion.
Much of what is supposedly traditional Sikh in culture is actually influenced strongly by Hindu culture.
Overall though, all Sikhs are Khalsa. No edicts by a high priest are binding, because the last Guru Gobind Singh left no such instructions.
Regarding the Five K's, the only thing Gobind asked was for all Sikh males to wear five kinds of spiritual weapons.
Instead, only the Guru's Word is binding, not what one Sikh priest says. This Guru is the Sikh holy book, the Adi Granth
For all Sikhs are worthy of forgiveness if the act of meditation on, singing and chanting God's name causes them to forsake violence for peace.
At least, this is the impression I get from the Sikh concept of Nam Simran.
This is all that Guru Gobind Singh asks of all Sikhs:
He who meditates on the Supreme Light, night and day, and believes not in another, has perfect love in the heart and puts not his faith in fasting, tombs, graveyards and convents, and for whom the pilgrimages consist in being compassionate, charitable, chaste and self-disciplined and who recognises in all no one but the One alone, and whose heart is illumined with the Divine Light is a Khalsa, purest of the pure. (Guru Gobind Singh, 33 Swaiyyas).
References:
Sikh: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh
Khalsa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalsa
Sikh Rehat Maryada: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehat_Maryada
Guru Granth Sahib: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Granth_Sahib
The Five K's: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh#Five_Ks
Nam Simran: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naam_Simran
Guru Gobind Singh: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobind_Singh
All that Guru Gobind Singh asks of all Sikhs: http://www.sehajdhari.co.uk/code.htm
20070416
Gurjeet Dhahan: "Girls will make a decision for themselves. Girls never made a decision before. Now's the time to do that."
The Indo Canadian woman who was shot twice in the head back in October 2006 by her estranged husband is speaking out against domestic abuse by Indo-Canadian men.
Gurjeet Dhahan may be blind, but she's outspoken.
After she comes back from her vacation in the UK, she'll be ready to urge changes in the Indo-Canadian community.
Hopefully her outspokenness won't put her on the radar by any misogynist Indo-Canadian males.
Gurjeet Dhahan may be blind, but she's outspoken.
After she comes back from her vacation in the UK, she'll be ready to urge changes in the Indo-Canadian community.
Hopefully her outspokenness won't put her on the radar by any misogynist Indo-Canadian males.
20070223
The Shame of South Asia in Canada
This post is for Manjit Panghalia and Amanpreet Kaur Bahia, brave martyrs of traditionalism and its misogyny of South Asian women.
Let not a day go by that their murderers feel guilt and shame for their horrible deeds.
Let not a day go by that the oppressors of wives and daughters are reminded that their actions bring guilt and shame to the South Asian community.
Even Baba Nanak hangs his head in shame.
When the whole mankind takes birth
from the woman and there is need
for woman to perpetuate
the life cycle asked,
then why is woman villified?
-- Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Let not a day go by that their murderers feel guilt and shame for their horrible deeds.
Let not a day go by that the oppressors of wives and daughters are reminded that their actions bring guilt and shame to the South Asian community.
Even Baba Nanak hangs his head in shame.
When the whole mankind takes birth
from the woman and there is need
for woman to perpetuate
the life cycle asked,
then why is woman villified?
-- Guru Nanak Dev Ji
20061126
Sikh's True Way
The true way to attain God was to worship Him who is eternal and contained in the whole Universe. - Guru Nanak
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