Langar Seva Washing Dishes Outside After Dark
Featured Photo: Langar Seva Washing Dishes Outside After Dark
Langar, (serving free food) and Seva (selfless service) are important integral part of every Sikh worship service whether it takes place in the gurdwara ,or like this kirtan program, is held at a private home, where sangat of friends and family lovingly lend a helping hand.
Sikh Tradtion of Seva
Seva - Selfless Service
All About Langar and the Guru's Free Kitchen
Featured Photos Around About.com
Fetured Photo Blogs on the Web
January Round up
In case you missed it the first time around here is a roundup of new articles posted in January 2012 .
Sikhism Gurus and Historical Figures
This quick reference of important Sikh leaders famous and infamous people of Sikh history include:
Ten Gurus
Authors of Guru Granth
Influential Women
Famous Men
Five Beloved
Martyrs
Villains
Nanakshahi 544 Gurpurab Dates:
In 2012 the Sikhism Nanakshahi calendar year 544 observes important Sikhism events including gurpurab dates commemorating the birth, inauguration and death of the gurus:
Guru Nanak Dev
Guru Angad Dev
Guru Amar Das
Guru Raam Das
Guru Arjun Dev
Guru Har Govind
Guru Har Rai
Become a Steward of Creation
January 31st 2012 commemorates the gurpurab celebrating the birth of Guru Har Rai whose compassionate nature exemplified respect for all life in his assumed role of creation's caretaker.
We can apply his example to our own lives in a caring attitude towards the environment of our planet.
March 14th 2102 of the Nankshahi Calendar is the Sikhism New Year 544, the inauguration anniversary of Guru Har Rai and Sikh Environment Day.
It's not to soon to make your Sikhism New Year Resolution a green one and begin thinking of action you can implement in Nanakshahi 544 to become a steward of creation.
Sat Sri Akaal (Truth is Supreme and Immortal)
It is not uncommon for a Sikh to arouse curiosity. Many times people stop to ask us questions about our kakars, turbans, kirpan, or manner of dressing.
On one memorable occasion, a man wearing a cap with graying long hair and full beard came up and greeted us saying, "Sat Siri Akaal."From the inflection of the accent he used it I could tell he had learned the expression from native Panjabi speakers. He went on to say that he had once lived in a place called Milpitas where he used to meet and talk with Sikhs in the park while walking with his young son. He told us, "I instructed my son that if he ever had any trouble he should run to a Sikh gentlemen and ask for help because they have sworn to protect your life with their own."
I couldn't help but feel thankful to those Singhs who inspired so much trust and honored to be counted as one of them. It made me think about what it means to be ready to give your life on behalf of another, and all of what that might entail.
One thing which became clear is that such conviction becomes possible only with trust in the ultimate protector, and faith in divine order. Tasting the elixir of immortality is an occurrence achieved only by grace, after much meditation and the continual contemplation of truth. In the words of Guru Nanak:
"Jap tap sanjam ho-eh jab raakh-ae kamal big-sai madh aas-ra-maa-ee||2||
When chanting, austere meditation and self-discipline become your protectors, then the lotus blossoms forth, and the honey trickles out. "||2|| SGGS||23
What Do Sikhs Believe?
Top Ten Sikh Beliefs
Sikhism Religion
The Letters of God's Name
Names live on long after life expires.
"Kabeer parbhaatae taarae khiseh tio ehu khisai sareer ||
Kabir, just as the stars disappear at dawn, so shall this body disappear.
Ae due akhar na khiseh so geh rehiou kabeer||171||
Only the letters of God's Name do not disappear; Kabeer holds these tight." SGGS||1373
Everybody needs a name, and it better be a good one. A judge in New Zealand actually took a child from her parents who gave her a ridiculous and embarrassing name. China also has regulations concerning names and its judges say that names not only have to be socially acceptable, but have to be able to be read by a computers data base.
Sikhs name their children by reading a random verse (hukam) from Guru Granth Sahib the Sikh scripture. Using the first letter of the Gurmukhi script in which the verse is written, a name is chosen. Nearly every name can be used by anyone regardless of gender which is designated by the suffix Singh for boys, meaning lion, or by Kaur for girls, meaning princess. Sikh Names usually come right from words in Guru Granth Sahib expressing valor or devotion of the soulbride for the creator husband Waheguru.
"Kad kasidaa pehreh cholee tan tumh jannhu naaree||
She alone is known as the Lord's bride, who embroiders her gown with God's Name." SGGS||1171
All About Sikh Baby Names
Glossary of Sikh Baby Names and Spiritual Names
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Free February 2012 Sikhism Events Calendar
This beautiful February 2012 Sikhism events calendar marks important gurpurab and historic dates.
The February 2012 Golden Temple Gurpurab Calendar with Gurbani quote
features stunning photographs of Darbar Harmandir Sahib taken by Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa.
Calendar is printable (instructions included),
or save it to your desktop and is free for personal use.
I hope you enjoy it!
Baba Deep Singh Banner
Featured: Baba Deep Singh Banner
This truck pulling a float in the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade is adorned with a banner depicting the scribe Baba Deep Singh, an illustrious warrior and martyr.
Baba Deep Singh is best remembered as the head of the Shaheed (martyr) Missal who fought his way for over three miles to reclaim the Golden Temple after receiving a mortal wound which severed his head.
A monument at Darbar Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) marks the place where he fell.
Sikh Martyr Shaheed Baba Deep Singh (1682 - 1757)
"Baba Deep Singh The Great Sikh Martyr and Scholar" by Sikh Comics
Trivia Quiz: Shaheed Martyr Baba Deep Singh
Shaheed Martyrs of Sikh History
Featured Photos Around About.com
More Wednesday Photo Blogs on the Web
Trivia Tuesday Quiz: Amritvela
Trivia Tuesday Quiz: Amritvela
Trivia Tuesday is inspired by the Sikh Odyssey Trivia Game.
This week Trivia Tuesday features Amritvela. Take the quiz and test your knowledge to see how well you understand the concept of Amritvela. Check back again each week for new Trivia Tuesday quizzes.
Answer: Amritvela
Read Stories Related to Amritvela:
Amrit Vela Rose
Appointed Hour
Stilling Wanderer
Wings of Light
The Best Musician
Maryada Monday Quiz: Role of the Panj Pyare
Maryada Monday Quiz: Role of the Panj Pyare
The role of the Panj Pyare is so important to Sikhism that it is mentioned in the code of conduct and conventions document titled Sikh Rhet Maryada or SRM. Take the quiz and test your knowledge of how well you understand Sikh the role of the Panj Pyare. Check back next Monday for more about Maryada.
Answer:Role of the Panj Pyare
Author Jessi Kaur's Royal Falcon to be Musical Stage Play
Author Jessi Kaur's book The Royal Falcon has been adapted for a musical stage play opening January 28, 2102 in Palo Alto, California. Both book and play promote the concept of "compassion, forgiveness, and sharing" central to Sikhism. When a young Sikh boy Arjan faces a tough decision, he flies through time and space with Guru Gobind Singh Ji's falcon and learns by example lessons which enable him to make conscious choices.
Though set in a Sikhism back drop, the non-denominational message is one of unifying brotherhood. The cast and characters feature 20 players, of whom 16 are children, chosen to represent a multi-cultural message which crosses borders and breaks down barriers of race and gender. With the musical adaption of her book, Jessi herself is breaking barriers, but that is nothing new for her. Jessi Kaur has been making history for as long as I've known her, as a woman taking an active roll in the Sikh community. We met about 1996 at an International Institute of Gurmat Studies (IIGS) camp near my home where I overheard Jessi telling stories to campers seated around her in an outdoor theater arena. She went on to publish story books, and I imagine her musical play is just another step along the path of her passion for sharing Sikh values.
"The Royal Falcon" Musical
by Jessi Kaur
Directed by Tanna Herr and Tony Kienitz
Music by Manesh Judge and Mike Anand
Showing:
Cubberley Community Center Theater
Saturday 6 p.m. January 28, 2012
Sunday 4 p.m. January 29, 2012
4000 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto California
Ticket information:
www.musical.theroyalfalcon.org
Jessi Kaur is also the author of Dear Takyua