Highlights

The Bi-monthly Newsletter of the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board

This is the 20th article in the series Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khaas (Who is a Khalsa?), started in Apr 2008. In our previous articles, we discussed the virtues of the Khalsa. In this article, we will discuss the means that help achieve these virtues in life.

Issue No : 49

Oct/Nov 2011 Inside this issue

2. - Dr.Tony Tan accepts CSGB invitation - Family outing to - West Coast Park - Numeracy and literacy development talks - Katha & Seminars by - Bhai Esher Singh - Guru Nanaks teachings - Vacant position in Sikh Centre - Anhad Kirtan - Sri Guru Nanaks 543rd birthday - Sikhs in the City - Bahadur Bachey 2011 - NUS International Students Visit - Visit by ACM volunteers - Obituary-Late Mata - Udham Kaur - Progress report on - Sikh Community Mentorship Program - Does anyone have old photos of CST? - Punjabi language learning website - 17th Century Sikh Weapons

The Means to Reach the Virtues of the Khalsa Jaswant Singh

Forsaking vices and seeking virtues is the way of a Sikh. He leads a practical way of life as preached by our ten Gurus and prescribed in the Guru Granth Sahib. He shuns all other superstitious beliefs, practices and meaningless rituals. True spiritual bliss can only be attained by developing divine attributes in life. A virtuous person explores virtues and finds peace, whereas a non-virtuous person continues suffering in misery.1

3.
What are the means that can help us imbibe these virtues in life and reach the Divine? The Gurbani describes them as identification with the Divine through the Gurus word, and the company of the wise and virtuous: Seek guidance through the Gurus word and associate with virtuous people. Your mind shall merge into the Divine, and you shall not suffer anymore. Without the divine Name, what use are rituals?2 One succeeds and accomplishes in life by joining the company of good people, and practising the Gurus wisdom in life.3 Good people are the key to success in life. Thats why the Gurbani advises that to lead a successful and accomplished life, one should sit with the wise and benefit from their companionship.4 When Guru Nanak had a dialogue with the yogis, they asked the Guru, What miracles have you shown to the world? Kindly, show some to us. The Guru replied wisely, I have no miracle to show you. Other than the Gurus congregation (company of devout people) and the Gurus word (divine wisdom), I do not rely on any other support. 5 Similarly, when the tenth Guru offered the spiritual Guru-ship to Guru Granth before his demise in 1708, he proclaimed three commandments to end with: Sahib

4.

7.

pUjw Akwl kI

prcw Sbd kw

dIdwr Kwlsy kw

Worship* of the Timeless Divine, awareness of the Gurus Word, and company of the Khalsa
*Worship for Sikhs means attending a congregation (sadh sangat) and singing/listening to the Gurus hymns contained in the Guru Granth Sahib.

8.

It is very important for a Sikh to join the sadh sangat, where Sikhs congregate and partake in the benefits of the teachings of the Gurbani. The sadh sangat is the school of the Guru, where the divine virtues are learnt.6 Gradually in the company of the good, one becomes good.7 For all Sikhs, reflection upon the Gurus word and its practice in life is the highest of all religious activities.8 They do not adhere to any other means. In the society of the virtuous, they ponder upon the divine attributes.9 Through the Guru's word they reflect on the divine Name, and constantly strive to enshrine divine virtues in their lives. 10
References: 1) guxvMqI gux vIQrY AauguxvMqI JUir ] (17) 2) siqgur pUiC sMgiq jn kIjY ] mnu hir rwcY nhI jnim mrIjY ] rwm nwm ibnu ikAw krmu kIjY ] (905) 3) imil sMgiq swDU aubry gur kw sbdu kmwie ] (65) 4) sqI phrI squ Blw bhIAY piVAw pwis ] (146) 5) isiD bolin suix nwnkw quih jg no krwmwiq idKweI]gur sMgiq bwxI ibnw dUjI Et nhI hY rweI] (Bhai Gurdas Ji) 6) sqsMgiq siqgur ctswl hY ijqu hir gux isKw ] (1316) 7) aUqm sMgiq aUqmu hovY ] (414) 8) sBsY aUpir gur sbdu bIcwru ] (904) 9) SMq sBw gux igAwnu bIcwru ] (1343) 10) Avro n jwxih sbid gur kY eyku nwmu iDAwvhy ] (923)

Objectives:
To promote Sikh heritage. To meet the needs of the Sikh Community. To organise and promote the learning of Gurbani and Kirtan. To lead the Sangat to become and remain Amritdhari Sikhs. To propagate Sikhism by providing quality religious services. To inculcate the practice of the Sikh way of life.

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Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights

Dr. Tony Tan accepts CSGB invitation

The Singapore President, Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam, has honoured the Sikh community by accepting the Central Sikh Gurdwara Boards invitation to officiate at the completion of the newly upgraded Central Sikh Temple. The Officiating Ceremony is scheduled for Friday 23rd December 2011 at 7.00pm in the evening. The programme for His Excellencys visit includes a presentation on the Sikh Community in Singapore, touring a Photographic Exhibition on Sikh Heritage, Inauguration Ceremony in the Prayer Hall, and partaking a meal in the Langgar Hall with the Sikh Community.

Family Outing to West Coast Park

Care & Share organised a family outing to West Coast Park on Sunday 4 September 2011 in conjunction with Guru Arjan Dev Jis shaheedi (martyrdom). More than 100 men, women and children attended this outing. When the buses reached the park, the children made a beeline run to the playground while the parents grouped together under the trees and had a picnic. Interestingly, most of our female senior citizens gathered under a shelter and danced the gidda. At sunset, they proceeded to the waterfront to continue their dance. Overall, it was a very pleasant outing and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The Sangat returned to the Silat Road Gurdwara at 7.30pm.

Numeracy and literacy development talks attract good attendance

The Sikh Centre and Singapore Khalsa Association jointly organized two interesting talks on numeracy and literacy development for parents of kindergarten pupils on Saturday 24 September 2011. The speakers were highly qualified and experienced professionals attached to the National Institute of Education. They answered many questions and gave useful tips in addition to sharing their knowledge and experience with their appreciative audience.

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Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights

KATHA & SEMINARS BY BHAI ESHER SINGH

Well-known preacher Bhai Esher Singh will once again be here from 25 November 2011 to 8 January 2012 to promote Sikhi among the Sangat in Singapore. Details of the dates, times, and venues of his Katha and Seminars will be publicized shortly by e-blast, posters, flyers, and also posted on our website.

Gurbani:

Jap Ji Sahib (10 classes), 9th Patsha Salok 57 (5 classes) Sidh Gost of Guru Nanak Dev Ji 32-73 stanzas, (6 classes) 22 vaars of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (First Sri Raag and Majh Raag) (4 classes, 2 classes for each Raag)

Meditation through Gurbani Kirtan

Understanding Meditation while doing daily routine and all the time. (6 shabads in 6 classes (one class every week) Sukhmani (days allocated in darbar 6 days/per week) Concept of Khande Ki Pahul (2 classes)

Sikh History
15 Bhagats (6 bhagats and their bani in 6 classes/week) of Gurbani 10 patshais, (6 classes/week) Three Sikhs who were martyred with 9th Guru Teg Bahadur: Bhai Matti Das, Bhai Satti Das and Bhai Dayala Ji (1 class) Banda Bahadur (1 class) Bhai Mani Singh (1 class)

Comparative study

Comparative study with Christanity, Islam and Buddhism (1 class) Bhai Gurdas ji Vaaran in context with Guru Nanak Dev Ji. (2 classes)

Sunday Seminars

Concept of Life how to excel in life with Gurbani meditation. Concept of Death - how to excel life by eliminating 5 vices and going egoless Concept of Duhagni & Suhagni Concept of Meditation by Kirtan Bhagti Concept of Japji Sahib Concept of Martydom 4 Sahibzadas (Sons/princes) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Concept of Bani-shabad Guru

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Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights

GURU NANAK: HIS MEMORY IS ETERNAL IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS

On the occasion of his 542nd Birthday Celebrations, let us remember Guru Nanaks teachings and achievements as the founder of Sikhism One of the worlds great religions and one of historys spiritual giants. The founder of a way of life and philosophy that was well ahead of its time over 500 years ago. His message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind, social justice and denouncing blind rituals. Like his contemporaries Luther and Calvin, Guru Nanak was a heroic social, political and religious reformer. He declared that all men are created equal, centuries before Thomas Jefferson did. Religion lies not in empty words. He who regards all men as equal is religious, said Nanak, who departed from tradition by eating together with people of different castes. Guru Nanak was the founder of a free community kitchen which today exists at every gurdwara that serves meals to all people of all faiths. Guru Nanak first started this institution based on the Sikh principles of service, humility and equality Guru Nanak declared the equality of women and men, centuries before Elizabeth Cady Stanton did. The religion he founded stopped women from wearing veils, allowed widows to remarry, and appointed women preachers, centuries before other religions did. In addition to human equality, he taught dignity of work, charity for the poor and service to others. He preached against idolatry, fanaticism, hate and violence. "Whom shall I despise since the one Lord made us all?" said Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak died in peace at age 70, having founded one of the world's great religions which today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide and is ranked as the worlds 5 th largest religion. "NANAK NAAM CHARDIKALA, TERAA BHANAA SARBAT DA BHALA

Vacant position at Sikh Centre

The Sikh Centre has a vacancy for an administrative assistant for general office duties including attending to enquiries, finance and record keeping, logistical support for Sikh Centre programs, activities and events, and attending to the library. Some weekend work is required. Applicants must have good working knowledge of MS Of f ice and E xce l. Sa la ry negotiable. Interested? Please send your Rishpal@sikhs.org.sg resume to

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Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights

Age Groups Lil BBs : Age 4-6 years old BB Kids: Age 7-12 years old BB Teens: 13-14 years old Sewadars + Parents

Bahadur Bachey 2011

Details:

- Dates: 7th 11th Dec 2011

- Camp Fees: $25/ per kid - Venue: Global Indian International

School (East Coast)

- www.bahadurbachey.org

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Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights

NUS International Students Visit

A group of 80 NUS international students visited the Silat Road Sikh Temple on 13 August 2011 to know more about the Sikh religion, culture and traditions as part of their learning curriculum. Their interest was evident from the many questions they asked and they also showed keen interest in the Bhangra and turban tying sessions.

Visit by international volunteers from the Asian Civilizations Museum

International volunteer guides from the Asian Civilizations Museum visited the Silat Road Sikh Temple on 6 October 2011. Their visit commenced with an educational presentation on Sikh culture and traditions by Master Jaswant Singh, followed by a descriptive display of musical instruments by Gurmat Sangeet teacher Satnam Singh, and concluded with a tour of the temple. They joyfully participated in the chapatti making session before sitting down to enjoying langgar and cha.

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Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights

OBITUARY
The Late Mata Udham Kaur was a well known stalwart of Gurdwara Silat Road for almost four decades since the early sixties, and we were all saddened to learn of her recent passing at the ripe old age of 95. Mata Ji started doing sewa at the Bhai Maharaj Singh Ji Memorial long before it was shifted from the Singapore General Hospital grounds to its present location in 1966. She was instrumental in starting the weekly Wednesday Ladies Sukhmani Sahib Prayers, a tradition that has continued till today. The Management Committee of Gurdwara Silat Road, in extending their deepest condolences to the family, presented a Shardhanjli in her honour, at her Antim Adras at the Bhai Maharaj Singh Ji Memorial Gurdwara. May Guru Ji bless her Soul.

Updating our CSGB membership records

The CSGB will be setting up a special desk at the Central Sikh Temple during the Anhad Kirtan programme from 23rd December to 26th December 2011 for members to personally check that their membership records are up to date and correct. Please bring along your membership cards/NRIC for easier checking. Our records can only be as good as the information updates we receive from you. Please help us to make sure that you regularly receive information correctly addressed to you.

Progress Report on Sikh Community Mentorship Program (SCMP)

Following the official launch of the Sikh Community Mentorship Program (SCMP) in July 2011, we are pleased to report that the first meetings between mentors and mentees were held in August 2011, and to date, 15 mentors and mentees have been successfully matched and had meetings. We already have mentors registered in the following fields:
Business planning and consultancy Legal services Finance and Banking Medicine/Dentistry Teaching/Lecturing Public Administration Marketing and Corporate Communications Engineering Aviation Services (Pilots) We are seeking more mentors in the following fields: Biosciences/Engineering Biomedical Research Pharmaceutical Services Aviation/Aerospace/Pilot Finance/Investment & Trading Marketing Audit services

Initially targeted at university undergraduates and postgraduates starting out in their careers, the next challenge after gaining experience, will be to introduce this program upstream to Sikh youth doing their O and A levels in schools and junior colleges. Catching them when they most need help and assistance is critical as is the support of parents. Please email Kirpal Singh Sidhu meister1868@gmail.com or Ajit Singh ajits@singnet.com.sg if you are interested in helping out as a mentor.

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Central Sikh Gurdwara Board

Does anyone have old photos of the Central Sikh Temple at Seng Poh Road?
The Board is interested in documenting a pictorial history of the Central Sikh Temple from its earliest beginnings in 1912 as a bungalow with a large compound at 175 Queen Street to the brilliant white magnificence of the highly visible and recently renovated building at Towner Road. The land on which the Queen Street temple stood was acquired by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in 1977 and in December 1979, the temple was vacated and temporarily housed in the former Bukit Ho Swee Community Centre at Seng Poh Road, before the move to its final location at Towner Road in 1986. Does anyone have old photos to share of the Central Sikh Temple when it was temporarily housed at Seng Poh Road? We would like to hear from you? Please give us a call at the Sikh Centre on tel. 6327 2004/5/7

Punjabi language learning website

http://www.learnpunjabi.org/intro1.asp This website developed by Punjabi University Patiala is useful for teaching Punjabi language to children and encouraging them to start self learning lessons using the above web site. Comments and feedback welcome

Flashback: 17th Century Sikh Weapons

For

info on Central Sikh Gurdwara Board activities, Please visit our Website @ www.sikhs.org.sg