Lohri & Sikhism
There are many origins of Lohri all forming part of folklore. The celebration of lohri has it's roots in the worship of fire and sun, it was typically observed as the sun moved out of capricorn and into aquarius.
Fire was used in worship by many cultures at the time and was a sign of regeneration, the ancients believed that the flames carried their messages to the sun.
Lohri is commonly celebrated on the 13th of January. The exact date is hard to trace as we now mostly adhere to the Gregorian calendar, however, in ancient times different cultures adhered to their own calendars, the one used by Hindus at that time would have been the Saka calendar and the one traditionally used in the punjab would have been the Bikrami calendar, which was later changed to the Nanakshahi calendar.
Lohri has no roots in Sikism and does not have any religious significance for Sikhs. It is largely celebrated by Punjabi's some of who may be Sikhs because of it's strong ties to the Punjabi culture. It actually goes against Sikhism's beliefs of equality as it was only celebrated when a son had been born into a family, thereby subjugating a woman's status. This is contrary to the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Added to this is the fact that Sikhs do not worship fire or sun. Nowadays there is a push that people celebrate lohri even when a girl is born into the family. (My opinion is that getting rid of what may seem an obsolete tradition would also serve as a step to equality but without the added cost that in many years from now will become a hugh burden on many people who believe that these traditions have to be kept alive, thus promoting consumerism, which is also against a Sikh's simple way of life)
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Monday, 11 August 2014
Raksha Bandan & Sikhism
Before I get to whether or not Sikhs should tie a rakhree on their arms, lets take a look at history and the significance of this custom. Like many customs in India the female is portrayed as being inferior to a man, the main significance of the rakhee is to symbolise that a brother should protect his sister, and thereby imply that sisters are helpless and not able to look after themselves, I'm sure if I was to put this to a female nowadays I would be told otherwise. Back in the old days things were a lot different to now, but I believe females now are more than able to look after themselves and in most cases look after their brothers too. It saddens me to see females subjugating themselves in these days of equality, and whats worse is they don't even know their doing it. Granted, Raksha Bandan is an old Hindu custom but even during the Mughal era they called upon the Sikhs to protect their sisters, even though it was they who wore the rakhree and pledged to protect their sisters.
Like many old customs that did not originally start off as being orientated around money, I fear this too has become commercialised and now only serves as a money spinner, in fact I would even go as far as to say it breeds greed, nowadays sisters expect money or gifts in return for tying the worthless piece of thread to her brothers arm. To those that say it signifies love, and love is priceless, I say love is not materialistic, well at least not real love. Those that truly love, are loved and need no external reference.
I have said may times before that no religion should become diluted, I have respect for other religions but am disappointed to see so called Sikh's celebrating customs that belong to other religions. Just because we live in a western society does not mean we have to lose our religion or take parts of other religions just to conform to societies expectations. Don't sit on the fence, make a choice and stick to it. If you call yourself a Sikh, then be a Sikh, if you call yourself a Christian, then be a Christian, if you call yourself a Muslim, then be a Muslim.
Back to the rakhee, if it's about protection then wouldn't it be more appropriate for a husband to have a rakreee tied on his arm as he is best placed to protect his wife and not her brother who probably doesn't even live anywhere close to his sister, and is it really feasible that a young boy can protect a sister that is 10 or 15 years older than he.
Raksha Bandan is not a Sikh custom but many Sikh's have celebrated this custom, some say it's harmless, others say they don't want to offend or disappoint their sisters, but wouldn't it be better to have this discussion with her and explain your reasons. Every Sikh woman was given equality and this should be promoted, every Sikh was freed from customs that instead of empowering them, sought to subjugate them.
Like many old customs that did not originally start off as being orientated around money, I fear this too has become commercialised and now only serves as a money spinner, in fact I would even go as far as to say it breeds greed, nowadays sisters expect money or gifts in return for tying the worthless piece of thread to her brothers arm. To those that say it signifies love, and love is priceless, I say love is not materialistic, well at least not real love. Those that truly love, are loved and need no external reference.
I have said may times before that no religion should become diluted, I have respect for other religions but am disappointed to see so called Sikh's celebrating customs that belong to other religions. Just because we live in a western society does not mean we have to lose our religion or take parts of other religions just to conform to societies expectations. Don't sit on the fence, make a choice and stick to it. If you call yourself a Sikh, then be a Sikh, if you call yourself a Christian, then be a Christian, if you call yourself a Muslim, then be a Muslim.
Back to the rakhee, if it's about protection then wouldn't it be more appropriate for a husband to have a rakreee tied on his arm as he is best placed to protect his wife and not her brother who probably doesn't even live anywhere close to his sister, and is it really feasible that a young boy can protect a sister that is 10 or 15 years older than he.
Raksha Bandan is not a Sikh custom but many Sikh's have celebrated this custom, some say it's harmless, others say they don't want to offend or disappoint their sisters, but wouldn't it be better to have this discussion with her and explain your reasons. Every Sikh woman was given equality and this should be promoted, every Sikh was freed from customs that instead of empowering them, sought to subjugate them.
Saturday, 1 February 2014
Saturday, 2 November 2013
Halloween
Halloween or All Hallows day was something I grew up taking part in as a child without questioning or even knowing what halloween was about. In my later years I stopped taking part because I could not identify myself with this celebration and what seemed to me to be a day of promoting Satanism by way of dressing up as an evil character.
The 31st October is generally regarded as the day of the dead, where those that have passed away are remembered, especially the hallowed, saints. I don't particularly have a problem with this or any other celebration apart from the fact like most celebrations this has also been hijacked by capitalists for profit, and them knowing that children are taught/coerced to take part in schools and parents not wanting to let their children be left out of what has become a 'normal' and accepted activity. I fear we've come to far from the origins of this day of contemplation and placed too much value on the presentation and trick or treating, we seem to have forgot that people sat quietly in remembrance and it didn't cost anything to do so. It is only in the last few decades that people started wearing witch and devil outfits and now even outfits that are synonymous with evil characters in movies. this has nothing to do with Halloween but no one seems to be stopping this.
Theres a lot of difference between celebrating the dead and masquerading as a witch or wearing a devil mask and when I see Christians doing this in the name of fun, I think to myself surely this is going against their religious beliefs, moreover, when I see other members of the community, Indians, Hindus etc all taking part I wonder why in the name of fun are we diluting our culture and beliefs and do we think we are actually enhancing our culture by integrating into the western culture.
I've always said... you don't have to believe in something to respect it but would you expect a Christian or anyone else for that matter to go to the Gurdwara on our guru's birthdays, vaisakhi, diwali etc and then would you expect them to wear a turban if they did attend out of respect.
What it boils down to is to challenge your actions, think why you are taking part in something and be brave enough to say no, this is not part of our culture or religion as the case may be. I'm proud of integrating into western society but I am not willing to give up or compromise my beliefs in doing so. I have chosen my own path and will do my best to stay true to it.
The 31st October is generally regarded as the day of the dead, where those that have passed away are remembered, especially the hallowed, saints. I don't particularly have a problem with this or any other celebration apart from the fact like most celebrations this has also been hijacked by capitalists for profit, and them knowing that children are taught/coerced to take part in schools and parents not wanting to let their children be left out of what has become a 'normal' and accepted activity. I fear we've come to far from the origins of this day of contemplation and placed too much value on the presentation and trick or treating, we seem to have forgot that people sat quietly in remembrance and it didn't cost anything to do so. It is only in the last few decades that people started wearing witch and devil outfits and now even outfits that are synonymous with evil characters in movies. this has nothing to do with Halloween but no one seems to be stopping this.
Theres a lot of difference between celebrating the dead and masquerading as a witch or wearing a devil mask and when I see Christians doing this in the name of fun, I think to myself surely this is going against their religious beliefs, moreover, when I see other members of the community, Indians, Hindus etc all taking part I wonder why in the name of fun are we diluting our culture and beliefs and do we think we are actually enhancing our culture by integrating into the western culture.
I've always said... you don't have to believe in something to respect it but would you expect a Christian or anyone else for that matter to go to the Gurdwara on our guru's birthdays, vaisakhi, diwali etc and then would you expect them to wear a turban if they did attend out of respect.
What it boils down to is to challenge your actions, think why you are taking part in something and be brave enough to say no, this is not part of our culture or religion as the case may be. I'm proud of integrating into western society but I am not willing to give up or compromise my beliefs in doing so. I have chosen my own path and will do my best to stay true to it.
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Diwali
Hinduism
For Hindus, Diwali welcomes in the New Year and symbolises the defeat of the darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge.
The festival was originally held to honour the return of Lord Rama and his family back to their kingdom in Ayodhya after his years of absence fighting the demon king of Sri Lanka. As they returned home at night, people lit oil lamps to guide their way. For these reasons, homes and businesses are decorated with lights at this time of year. Diwali can fall at the end of October or the start of November because it is celebrated on Amavasa, the 15th day of the dark fortnight (new moon) of the Hindu month Kartika.
Hindu celebrations stretch over five days:
Day One – Lakshmi Pooja: On the first day of celebration, homes are cleaned in order to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi. They are then decorated with lamps, mango leaves and marigolds around the doorways and gifts are given in the family.
Day Two – Naraka Chatrudashi: On this day, there is a focus on abolishing evil and the Goddess Kali is worshipped.
Day Three – Diwali Day: This is the end of the Hindu year and is celebrated by lighting lamps in the home and fireworks displays.
Day Four – Nutan Varsh: This day is the start of the Hindu New Year.
Day Five – Bhai bij or the Teeka Ceremony: This day is important to Hindus as it celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters.
Jainism is one of India’s most ancient religions. It was revived by Bhagwan Mahavir, who organised the teachings in their current form. Jainism teaches the path of non-violence towards all living beings and attempts to explain the meaning of life and the purpose of existence.
Diwali is celebrated by the Jains as it is the day that Lord Mahavir attained moksa – this is believed to be the final liberation of the soul, which brings an end to all of the suffering that is attached to being caught in the repeated cycle of death and rebirth. For Jains, Diwali commemorates this permanent happiness of the soul. Leicester boasts the largest Jain temple in England.
Bandhi Chhorr Divas
For Sikhs, the story of Diwali, or ‘Bandhi Chhorr Divas,’ is a story of the struggle for freedom. Concerned by the growing power of Sikhism in India, the mogul emperor Jahingir devised a plan to imprison the 6th Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji. Guru Hargobind Ji was held for 40 days at the Gwalior Fortress with fifty two Hindu Rajas (Kings) who were deprived of their kingdoms and badly treated in the fortress. Seeing this, Guru Ji shared all of his rations with the Hindu Rajas and survived on very little himself. Outside the fortress, many influential people and Holy Men were outraged with the actions of the mogul emperor, including the highly regarded Muslim holy man Hazarat Mian Mir, who demanded Guru Ji should be released immediately. The emperor agreed to this but Guru Ji refused to leave on his own, stating that he would only leave if the 52 Rajas were also set free. After being told that only those who could hold onto the Guru Ji’s robe would be released, Guru Ji had a special robe made with 52 Khalia (tapers) so that each of the Rajas could walk free with him.
The release of Guru Ji and the Hindu Rajas coincided with Diwali Day - this is why Sikhs celebrate the day. Guru Ji was named ‘Bandhi Chhorr’, the deliverer of prisoners. Sikh’s celebrate in Amritsar (Golden Temple) by lighting candles on the sacred water that surrounds the temple, called the sarowar. Out of love and respect for the Guru Ji, this tradition continues today. Sikhs around the world celebrate
in Gurdwaras (temples).
Jainism
Jainism is one of India’s most ancient religions. It was revived by Bhagwan Mahavir, who organised the teachings in their current form. Jainism teaches the path of non-violence towards all living beings and attempts to explain the meaning of life and the purpose of existence.
Diwali is celebrated by the Jains as it is the day that Lord Mahavir attained moksa – this is believed to be the final liberation of the soul, which brings an end to all of the suffering that is attached to being caught in the repeated cycle of death and rebirth. For Jains, Diwali commemorates this permanent happiness of the soul. Leicester boasts the largest Jain temple in England.
Sikhism
Bandhi Chhorr Divas
For Sikhs, the story of Diwali, or ‘Bandhi Chhorr Divas,’ is a story of the struggle for freedom. Concerned by the growing power of Sikhism in India, the mogul emperor Jahingir devised a plan to imprison the 6th Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji. Guru Hargobind Ji was held for 40 days at the Gwalior Fortress with fifty two Hindu Rajas (Kings) who were deprived of their kingdoms and badly treated in the fortress. Seeing this, Guru Ji shared all of his rations with the Hindu Rajas and survived on very little himself. Outside the fortress, many influential people and Holy Men were outraged with the actions of the mogul emperor, including the highly regarded Muslim holy man Hazarat Mian Mir, who demanded Guru Ji should be released immediately. The emperor agreed to this but Guru Ji refused to leave on his own, stating that he would only leave if the 52 Rajas were also set free. After being told that only those who could hold onto the Guru Ji’s robe would be released, Guru Ji had a special robe made with 52 Khalia (tapers) so that each of the Rajas could walk free with him.
The release of Guru Ji and the Hindu Rajas coincided with Diwali Day - this is why Sikhs celebrate the day. Guru Ji was named ‘Bandhi Chhorr’, the deliverer of prisoners. Sikh’s celebrate in Amritsar (Golden Temple) by lighting candles on the sacred water that surrounds the temple, called the sarowar. Out of love and respect for the Guru Ji, this tradition continues today. Sikhs around the world celebrate
in Gurdwaras (temples).
Saturday, 17 November 2012
Jainism
Jainism believes that universe and all its substances or entities are eternal. It has no beginning or end with respect to time. Universe runs own its own accord by its own cosmic laws. All the substances change or modify their forms continuously. Nothing can be destroyed or created in the universe. There is no need of some one to create or manage the affairs of the universe. Hence Jainism does not believe in God as a creator, survivor, and destroyer of the universe. However Jainism does believe in God, not as a creator, but as a perfect being.
When a person destroys all his karmas, he becomes a liberated soul. He lives in a perfect blissful state in Moksha forever. The liberated soul possesses infinite knowledge, infinite vision, infinite power, and infinite bliss. This living being is a God of Jain religion. Every living being has a potential to become God. Hence Jains do not have one God, but Jain Gods are innumerable and their number is continuously increasing as more living beings attain liberation.
Jains believe that since the beginning of the time every living being (soul) is attached with karma and also it is in delusion (ignorant) state of its true nature. The main purpose of the religion is to remove this delusion through self-knowledge and self-effort. This knowledge will remove karma which are associated with it from the beginning of time. When all karma get removed, the soul becomes liberated soul.
Friday, 22 June 2012
Sunday, 18 March 2012
Satan
Satan - What the Scriptures Teach
Human philosophy and theology have not offered a better explanation of the origin of evil than that given in the Bible. What the Scriptures say about Satan is fundamental to understanding the origin of evil and of human suffering, as well as why the worst imaginable violence gets worse each year.
Some may ask: 'If God is the good and loving Creator, how could he create a wicked spirit creature like Satan?' The Bible lays down the principle that all of Jehovah God's works are perfect and that all of his intelligent creatures are endowed with free will. (Deuteronomy 30:19; 32:4; Joshua 24:15; 1 Kings 18:21) The spirit person who became Satan must, therefore, have been created perfect and must have deviated from the way of truth and righteousness by deliberate choice.—John 8:44;James 1:14, 15.
In many ways, Satan's rebellious course parallels that of "the king of Tyre," who was described poetically as "perfect in beauty" and 'faultless in his ways from the day of his being created until unrighteousness was found in him.' (Ezekiel 28:11-19) Satan did not contest Jehovah's supremacy or his Creatorship. How could he, since he had been created by God? Satan did, however, challenge the way Jehovah was exercising his sovereignty. In the garden of Eden, Satan insinuated that God was depriving the first human couple of something to which they had a right and upon which their well-being depended. (Genesis 3:1-5) He succeeded in causing Adam and Eve to rebel against Jehovah's righteous sovereignty, bringing sin and death upon them and their descendants. (Genesis 3:6-19;Romans 5:12) Thus the Bible shows that Satan is the root cause of human suffering.
Sometime before the Flood, other angels joined Satan in his rebellion. They materialized in human bodies to satisfy their cravings for sexual pleasures with the daughters of men. (Genesis 6:1-4) At the Flood, these renegade angels returned to the spirit realm but not to their "original position" with God in heaven. (Jude 6) They were abased to a condition of dense spiritual darkness. (1 Peter 3:19, 20; 2 Peter 2:4) They became demons, no longer serving under Jehovah's sovereignty but living in subjection to Satan. While apparently unable to materialize again, the demons can still exercise great power over the minds and lives of humans, and they are doubtless responsible for much of the violence we are witnessing today.—Matthew 12:43-45; Luke 8:27-33.
Human philosophy and theology have not offered a better explanation of the origin of evil than that given in the Bible. What the Scriptures say about Satan is fundamental to understanding the origin of evil and of human suffering, as well as why the worst imaginable violence gets worse each year.
Some may ask: 'If God is the good and loving Creator, how could he create a wicked spirit creature like Satan?' The Bible lays down the principle that all of Jehovah God's works are perfect and that all of his intelligent creatures are endowed with free will. (Deuteronomy 30:19; 32:4; Joshua 24:15; 1 Kings 18:21) The spirit person who became Satan must, therefore, have been created perfect and must have deviated from the way of truth and righteousness by deliberate choice.—John 8:44;James 1:14, 15.
In many ways, Satan's rebellious course parallels that of "the king of Tyre," who was described poetically as "perfect in beauty" and 'faultless in his ways from the day of his being created until unrighteousness was found in him.' (Ezekiel 28:11-19) Satan did not contest Jehovah's supremacy or his Creatorship. How could he, since he had been created by God? Satan did, however, challenge the way Jehovah was exercising his sovereignty. In the garden of Eden, Satan insinuated that God was depriving the first human couple of something to which they had a right and upon which their well-being depended. (Genesis 3:1-5) He succeeded in causing Adam and Eve to rebel against Jehovah's righteous sovereignty, bringing sin and death upon them and their descendants. (Genesis 3:6-19;Romans 5:12) Thus the Bible shows that Satan is the root cause of human suffering.
Sometime before the Flood, other angels joined Satan in his rebellion. They materialized in human bodies to satisfy their cravings for sexual pleasures with the daughters of men. (Genesis 6:1-4) At the Flood, these renegade angels returned to the spirit realm but not to their "original position" with God in heaven. (Jude 6) They were abased to a condition of dense spiritual darkness. (1 Peter 3:19, 20; 2 Peter 2:4) They became demons, no longer serving under Jehovah's sovereignty but living in subjection to Satan. While apparently unable to materialize again, the demons can still exercise great power over the minds and lives of humans, and they are doubtless responsible for much of the violence we are witnessing today.—Matthew 12:43-45; Luke 8:27-33.
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Oldest Religion In The World
Religion goes back at least as far as human civilisations. Nobody knows what the first religion was. The Egyptians predate the Jews, The Mesopotamians predate them. The Chinese predate them...
Religions with a creation story often claim to be the oldest, since the world began with that creation and with the god or gods of that religion. Others say that animism would be the oldest known type of religion. This is a primitive religion, which sprang up independently in many areas of the world, but in most countries has mainly been replaced by more formal religion. In animism, spirits are considered to inhabit familiar objects in the landscape. For example, Australian aboriginal beliefs probably go back 60,000 or more.
Remnants of animal worship survived in Judaism and Christianity. Satan was a serpent; Jehovah, like Osiris, was worshiped as a bull; Christ was the lamb of God, and the Holy Ghost appeared in the form of a dove. However, these are only symbols of the worshiped object, and are not worshiped in themselves.
The Egyptian religion can also be considered the oldest religion. Its origins date back beyond 3000 BCE.
Religion comes from "religare," which is to bind, or have union with, etc. so humans throughout our history have been seeking this union. Yoga, in Sanskrit, means union. This longing for connection to god, to worship god, is innate in most all human beings.
Hinduism: Since Sanskrit is the oldest written language, as far as religion being written down, and as far as organized religion is concerned, it would be Hinduism. It is said that when Rama appeared, according to our calendar, was a million or so years ago (not sure of the exact date, but it's a long time!) And Krishna, god himself according to the Vedic scriptures, appeared here 5,000 years ago. Buddha, about 500 B.C., Jesus, about 2,000 years ago. If you go through the different religious book and study this question deeply, you will find out that Hinduism is the oldest religion of the world. There are no dates and facts, but its history is about more than 50000 thousands years ago....
Further reading...
Remnants of animal worship survived in Judaism and Christianity. Satan was a serpent; Jehovah, like Osiris, was worshiped as a bull; Christ was the lamb of God, and the Holy Ghost appeared in the form of a dove. However, these are only symbols of the worshiped object, and are not worshiped in themselves.
The Egyptian religion can also be considered the oldest religion. Its origins date back beyond 3000 BCE.
Religion comes from "religare," which is to bind, or have union with, etc. so humans throughout our history have been seeking this union. Yoga, in Sanskrit, means union. This longing for connection to god, to worship god, is innate in most all human beings.
Hinduism: Since Sanskrit is the oldest written language, as far as religion being written down, and as far as organized religion is concerned, it would be Hinduism. It is said that when Rama appeared, according to our calendar, was a million or so years ago (not sure of the exact date, but it's a long time!) And Krishna, god himself according to the Vedic scriptures, appeared here 5,000 years ago. Buddha, about 500 B.C., Jesus, about 2,000 years ago. If you go through the different religious book and study this question deeply, you will find out that Hinduism is the oldest religion of the world. There are no dates and facts, but its history is about more than 50000 thousands years ago....
Further reading...
Evidence of Black Africans in the Bible
Is the Bible a book by a white God for white people? Of course not. God is spirit and does not have "color" in our human and earthly sense. There is nothing in the Scriptures to indicate that people are excluded from God’s saving grace on the basis of ethnic origin or skin color.
http://www.gci.org/bible/africans
http://www.gci.org/bible/africans
Monday, 29 August 2011
Religion Timelines
Religion Timeline. This post is under constant construction and links will be added as research permits.
Links to further articles:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/time/origtime.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_religion
http://cominganarchy.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/timeline-of-world-religion3.jpg
Links to further articles:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/time/origtime.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_religion
http://cominganarchy.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/timeline-of-world-religion3.jpg
Gurdwaras
The word 'Gurdwara' means Guru's home. It is the Sikh place of worship. Gurdwaras, or Sikh Temples, were built at important Sikh historical places in memory of events that had occurred there. It is not easy to name each and everyone. However, like all religions, Sikhism has some Gurdwaras that have more historical significance than others. Harmandir Sahib is the most famous and world known Gurdwara.
Harmandir Sahib is commonly called Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple. The Golden Temple name is given because it is covered in the gold plating. It is the most holy and chief shrine for the Sikhs. It was built by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Amritsar. It is built in the middle of a square tank called Sarovar. It has four doors, one in each direction, indicating it is open to all. Golden Temple is known world wide. Visitors from all over the world visit this Gurdwara.
There are also the following five Takhats meaning thrones which are of great significance in Sikhism :
1) Akal Takhat 2) Keshgarh Sahib 3) Damdama Sahib 4) Patna Sahib 5) Hazoor Sahib
Akal Takhat
The Akal Takhat is the oldest and the first Takhat of the Sikhs. It is inside the Golden Temple Complex in Amritsar. It was built by Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. The Akal Takhat is the political center or in other words the highest seat of justice and worldly activity of the Sikhs.
Keshgarh Sahib
Keshgarh Sahib is a very important Gurdwara at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab. This is the place where Guru Gobind Singh Ji had started the Khalsa Order by creating Khalsa brotherhood on the Baisakhi of 1699 AD, explaining the Panj Pyaras and five K's.
Damdama Sahib
Damdama Sahib is located in Talwandi Sabo in Punjab. Guru Gobind Singh Ji stayed here for nearly a year and prepared the Guru Granth Sahib Ji by revising and recompiling scriptures and this revised version is the eternal Guru of the Sikhs..
Patna Sahib
Patna Sahib, also Known as Sri Harmander Sahib is a very important Gurdwara in Patna, Bihar. It is the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Hazoor Sahib
Hazoor sahib is a very important Gurdwara in the City of Nanded in Maharashtra. Guru Gobind Singh Ji went for his heavenly abode here. It was here that he passed the permanent Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib Ji before his heavenly abode.
http://www.infoaboutsikhs.com/gurdwaras.htm
Harmandir Sahib is commonly called Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple. The Golden Temple name is given because it is covered in the gold plating. It is the most holy and chief shrine for the Sikhs. It was built by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Amritsar. It is built in the middle of a square tank called Sarovar. It has four doors, one in each direction, indicating it is open to all. Golden Temple is known world wide. Visitors from all over the world visit this Gurdwara.
There are also the following five Takhats meaning thrones which are of great significance in Sikhism :
1) Akal Takhat 2) Keshgarh Sahib 3) Damdama Sahib 4) Patna Sahib 5) Hazoor Sahib
Akal Takhat
The Akal Takhat is the oldest and the first Takhat of the Sikhs. It is inside the Golden Temple Complex in Amritsar. It was built by Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. The Akal Takhat is the political center or in other words the highest seat of justice and worldly activity of the Sikhs.
Keshgarh Sahib
Keshgarh Sahib is a very important Gurdwara at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab. This is the place where Guru Gobind Singh Ji had started the Khalsa Order by creating Khalsa brotherhood on the Baisakhi of 1699 AD, explaining the Panj Pyaras and five K's.
Damdama Sahib
Damdama Sahib is located in Talwandi Sabo in Punjab. Guru Gobind Singh Ji stayed here for nearly a year and prepared the Guru Granth Sahib Ji by revising and recompiling scriptures and this revised version is the eternal Guru of the Sikhs..
Patna Sahib
Patna Sahib, also Known as Sri Harmander Sahib is a very important Gurdwara in Patna, Bihar. It is the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Hazoor Sahib
Hazoor sahib is a very important Gurdwara in the City of Nanded in Maharashtra. Guru Gobind Singh Ji went for his heavenly abode here. It was here that he passed the permanent Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib Ji before his heavenly abode.
http://www.infoaboutsikhs.com/gurdwaras.htm
Oldest Temple in the World
Six miles from Urfa, an ancient city in southeastern Turkey, Klaus Schmidt has made one of the most startling archaeological discoveries of our time: massive carved stones about 11,000 years old, crafted and arranged by prehistoric people who had not yet developed metal tools or even pottery. The megaliths predate Stonehenge by some 6,000 years. The place is called Gobekli Tepe, and Schmidt, a German archaeologist who has been working here more than a decade, is convinced it's the site of the world's oldest temple.
Links to related articles:
Thursday, 28 April 2011
If religion was a candle
If religion was a candle that lights up the darkness in our lives, would we still need it when we entered into the daylight?
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Vaisakhi 13th or 14th April?
Whilst I was growing up Vaisakhi was to my knowledge always celebrated on the 13th, (which corresponds to April 13 in the Gregorian calendar), however of late, the date appears to alternate between the 13th or the 14th. So why is this, one source tells me that this is because the Gurduwara's are going by the Sikh Calender known as Nanakshahi Calender. Apparently this was adopted in 1998 when it came into use.
So does this mean Sikh's should celebrate their own birthday's according to the Nanakshahi calendar? If they don't, wouldn't this be hypocritical. What was the need to adopt the Nanakshahi calendar now after so many years, surely this will only serve to split peoples views, most of the older generation won't want to change what the've been doing for a lifetime.
So does this mean Sikh's should celebrate their own birthday's according to the Nanakshahi calendar? If they don't, wouldn't this be hypocritical. What was the need to adopt the Nanakshahi calendar now after so many years, surely this will only serve to split peoples views, most of the older generation won't want to change what the've been doing for a lifetime.
Saturday, 9 April 2011
A Young Religion
Sikhism is the youngest of the World Religions, barely 500 years old. It was founded by Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 1469 who laid the basic principles of Sikhism. It offered the people a simple Sikh religion teaching "Oneness of God", whose name is TRUTH. Nine Gurus followed him who all reinforced and added to what was taught by the first Guru. After which in 1708, the holy book of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was proclaimed to be the only Guru by the last Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This holy book embodies the philosophy and fundamentals of Sikhism. It is the only holy book of a major religion which was written and authenticated by its founders.
All the fundamentals of Sikhism emanate from the concept of love for God which follows the love of man. God is the Supreme being, Universal and all powerful. For a Sikh, all human beings are creatures of God and must be treated equally. One must work hard and share one's earnings with the less fortunate which had to be earned by righteous means. One must be always active in mind and body.
The 5 K's
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the last Guru gave the Sikhs a distinct Uniform and appearance so that they were easily recognized. So, in 1699 on the day of Vasakhi April 13, he assembled his Sikhs and baptized five beloved who were brave and obedient to his orders and called this brotherhood - The Khalsa. Also he gave them a new surname "SINGH" (Lion) to be added to their first names. He gave them the five symbols and five basic prayers. These saints - soldiers were devoted to mankind. The women were given equal status with men as the new brotherhood had no distinctions of caste, creed, color or sex. The women were to add "KAUR" (Princess) to their names and were to be always protected.
The five symbols are necessary for the strength and unity of the religion and also for the value each had. All Sikhs were to have Kesh or unshorn hair, a Kanga or the comb to keep this hair neat and clean, Kaccha or the underwear worn as a symbol of agility and readiness for action, Kirpan or sword which is an emblem of courage and adventure to be used for defensive purposes and lastly, Kara or the Steel bracelet to remind the Sikh of his bond to the God.
The five symbols are necessary for the strength and unity of the religion and also for the value each had. All Sikhs were to have Kesh or unshorn hair, a Kanga or the comb to keep this hair neat and clean, Kaccha or the underwear worn as a symbol of agility and readiness for action, Kirpan or sword which is an emblem of courage and adventure to be used for defensive purposes and lastly, Kara or the Steel bracelet to remind the Sikh of his bond to the God.
The Golden Temple
The history of The Golden Temple reveals that at the invitation of Guru Arjan, Sant Mian Mir, a Muslim divine, laid the foundation of Hari Mandir, the temple of God. The shrine was purposely built on a lower level than the surrounding land so that the devotees has to step down to enter it, this symbolised the new faith which required even the lowest to go still lower, it's doors were on all sides and open to one and all at all times.
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