a. MADNESS OF BELIEF IN CASTE: JAAT-PAAT 

Excerpt from article : " In Gurmat — Divine Teaching or Wisdom of the Gurbani, Sri Guru Granth Sahib — there is no place for the caste system. Baabaa Nanak introduced the concept of a society with no caste distinction - Jaat Paat etc. This concept was followed through by all Sikh Gurus.
 Yet, the madness of belief in castes has a very strong hold in Sikhs! In one hand the propagators of the Dharma mouth platitudes about a casteless society preached by the Sikh Gurus, but on the other hand, they practice it madly. What a paradox and hypocrisy!
Per Gurmat (the wisdom of the Shabad-Guru), any one who believes in Jaat Paat cannot be a true Sikh; for the castes only relate to the body; not to the True Self (Soul, Spirit, Truth, etc.). In other words, the caste-conscious person is a material being (Manmukh) who has confounded his True Identity for the physical body. Consequently, he identifies himself and others as Jatt Sikh, Saini Sikh, Bhaapaa Sikh, Rorra Sikh, Tarkhaan or Raamgarheeaa Sikh, Mazhabee Sikh, Khatree Sikh, Lavaanaa Sikh, Kookaa Sikh, Naamdhaaree Sikh, Nihang Sikh, Nirmalay Sikh, Brahmin Sikh, list goes on and on."

b. JAAT PAAT

Excerpt from article: "The ten Gurus of the Sikhs, during their life time, took necessary steps to eliminate the differences of varn and caste which had become a canker on society.

The Sikh institutions of sangat and pangat did not discriminate against anyone. No special places were reserved for people of high rank or caste. Pangat refers to the rows of persons seated on the floor at meal times. The pangat institution was strengthened by Guru Amar Das and he encouraged everyone to partake of the simple vegetarian food in the langgar – dining area – when coming for sat sangat."

 www.Gurbani.org

&

http://sikhismgurbani.com

JOTISH

Quote from article: "The SGGS further indicates that any belief in astrology or Jotish is sheer dealing in Maya. Therefore, the SGGS does not support any belief in Jotish and future prediction by it. Yet, the practice is becoming pretty common than before among the Sikhs!"

GOOD AND BAD OMENS

Excerpt "The gurbani questions: "When He (God) kept Himself, All-in-all, unto His Own Heart, then who considered omens to be good or bad?" In other words, when all power, wisdom, scriptures, etc. were latent within God, then who was there to consider omens (to be good or bad) and superstitions? Therefore the Gurbani boldly declares that "Only idiots and fools worry about these omens and days".

  www.gurbani.org

09

Yoga

Excerpt from article: "(Union with God or Yoga) is attained by remaining unblemished in the midst
of the worldly filth (Maya) — this is the way to attain Yoga (sggs 730).
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Undoubtedly, there are many misconceptions and misunderstandings that exist with regard to the purpose and meaning of Yoga. In this Reflection, we will attempt to reflect on the followings in the context of Yoga, through the Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS)."

 www.gurbani.org

July

09

THE GURBANI AND THE USE OF ALCOHOL

Excerpt: "Maanas bhariaa aaniaa maanas bhariaa jaai. Jit peetai mati door hoi baral pavai vich aai. Apnaa paraayaa n pahhanaee khasmahu dhakke khaai. Jit peetai khasam visrai dargah milai sajaai. Jhoothaa madu mool n peechaee je kaa paar vasaai: One men brings (a full vessel, bottle, etc. - of  intoxication, wine, spirituous liqueur, etc.), another comes and fills a cup there from. By drinking it, one's intelligence departs, and madness enters his mind. Then he cannot distinguish between his own and others, and he is buffeted by his Master. By drinking it, he forgets his Master, and suffers. Don't drink the false (intoxication, wine, etc.) at all, if it is in your power (sggs 554). "

Oct

09

Calculated Relationship With the Guru /God

Example of a calculated relationship would be like “If you do this for me then I will do this for you.”

For example, “if you cure my sickness”; “if you improve my business … “; “if you give me more wealth …”; “if you help me win case in the court … “; “if you help my children pass their exams … “; “if you help me pass my driving test ….”; and so on.

“Then I will perform Akhand Paath or Saadhaaran Paath or Sukhmani Sahib Paath” or some sort of Paath; “Then I will offer Rumaalaa” or “Langar” or “Parsaad” or “donation”; and so on.

Isn’t this what most of us (if not all) witness routinely in our Gurdwaras, specifically when Bhais (priest) perform Ardaas! Usually, Bhais reads from a big list containing names of those who paid them or the Gurdawara, in return for favors from God. In order to secure return-business, these shameless priests or Bhais will say or read anything to please their host!

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