Newsletter 2011 June July Web 47

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Objectives: To promote Sikh

heritage.

To meet the needs ofthe Sikh Community.

To organise andpromote the learning ofGurbani and Kirtan.

To lead the Sangat tobecome and remainAmritdhari Sikhs.

To propagate Sikhism

by providing qualityreligious services.

To inculcate the practiceof the Sikh way of life.

HighlightsThe Bi-monthly Newsletter of the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board

Issue No : 47

June/July 2011

Insid e t h is issue

2. -Vesakhi Celebration-Vesakhi Fun Fair

3. -Vesak DayCelebration-Neu Pc

4. -Upcoming Events-Guru Arjan DevShahidi Gupurab-Bhai Maharaj SinghJi anniversarycelebration

-Book of the month

5. -Gurmat sangeet andSikh studiesinformation

6. -Offering Rumalas-Searching shabadsby keywords

7. -Divine treasures

8. -Tribute to a belovedteacher

This is the 18th article in the series Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khaas (Who is a Khalsa?),started in Apr 2008. In our previous articles, we discussed some of the virtues of the

Khalsa. This article continues the discussion of other virtues.

A Sikh has no ill will towards anyoneHe is humble and kind to all

Jaswant Singh

Everyone begs for ones own good. But a Sikh also asks for the good of all. He hates noone, and bears no ill will towards anyone. He beholds the same Divine light in everyone.Truly speaking, a God-conscious being never labels anyone negatively. He reasons,Who should I call good or bad, since all beings are yours, O God?

A Sikh learns this message from the Gurus word - that the omnipresent Creator is allembracing. He always reminds himself that no one is his enemy, and he is no one'sopponent. All are his friends and he is everyones friend.

He is spiritually enlightened that it is the same universal Creator who has created allmortal beings. From the single light the entire universe has welled up. So who is good,and who is bad? The creation dwells in the Creator, and the Creator manifests throughthe creation, totally pervading and permeating all places. It is like the clay which is thesame, but the divine Potter has fashioned it in various ways. There can be nothingwrong with the pots as there is nothing wrong with the Potter. The Potter abides in allHis pots. Everything is made by Him.

The Gurbani further states that a Guru-oriented person attains the divine wisdom andlooks upon pleasure and pain as alike. He leads an immaculate life, free of any

vengeance and shares its teachings with friends and enemies alike.

A Sikh is aware that the one whose heart is filled with jealousy of others never comes toany good. One of the contributors of Guru Granth Sahib, Baba Fareed advises,Respond to evil with goodness; do not fill your mind with anger. Your body shall notsuffer from any mental illness, and you shall obtain everything.

The image of the Divine in the Sikh Scripture is described as the merciful giver,compassionate to all. The Gurus word reveals to a Sikh that the Lord gives sanctuary toall beings. Enlightened by these divine teachings, a Sikh leads a pious and virtuous life.His prayers and actions include the welfare of all humanity. He is kind to all beings. Hishumility shows generosity and compassion to one and all. Instead of seeing himself assuperior and others inferior, he remains modest and sees the rest of the world as good.

References:b ur w Bl w k h ui k s n ok h IA Ys g l yj IA q um@wr y] 1 ] r h wa u] ( 3 8 3 )

n wk omyr w d us mn ur i h A w n w h m i k s k yb Yr we I ] . . . ( 6 7 1 )

mwt I e yk A n yk BWi q k i r s wj I s wj n h wr Y]

n wk Cup oc mwt I k yBWf ynwk Cup oc k uMBwr Y] 2 ] ( 13 5 0 )

gwn sm duK suKM jugiq inrml inrvYrxh ]a up d ys Ms m imq Rs q Rh Bg v Mq B g i q B wv n I ] ( 1 3 5 7 )

i j s uA Md i r q wi q p r we I h ov Yi q s d w k d y n h ov I B l w ] ( 3 0 8 )

P r I d w b ur yd w B l w k i r g us w mi n n h F wi e ]

d yh I r og un l g e I p l Ys B ui k Cup wi e ] 7 8 ] ( 1 3 8 1 )

dXwl srbqR jIAw ] (1357)mMd w j wx YA wp k a uA v r uB l w s Ms wr u] 4 ] 7 ]


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Central Sikh Gurdwara Board HighlightsPage 2

The Gurmat Sangeet Academy was privilegedto demonstrate Gurmat Sangeet (Kirtan)musical instruments for Vesakhi Day

celebrations at The Singapore KhalsaAssociation on 24 April 2011.

Mr. George Yeo, Minister for Foreign Affairs was

the Guest of Honour and showed keen interest inthese musical instruments and was fascinated bytheir creation and melodious sounds.

VESAK H I DAY CEL EB RATI ON

The Central Sikh Gurdwara Board embarked upon the celebration of Vesakhi on a grand

scale. The festivities continued for more than a week commencing from 9 April 2011. Vesakhi

holds great importance for the Sikhs. This day is commonly known for the establishment of

Khalsa Panth. The Mighty Khalsa team put in their best efforts in organizing the Vesakhi

Funfair at CST on 17 April 2011. Apart from Gurbani recital, a number of other stalls were

established to cater to children of different age groups for instilling and imbibing in them the

values of Sikh Culture, tradition and heritage. Along with the colorful festivities, Guru Ka langar

was also served to the Sadh-sangat. It was indeed a sterling effort in the right direction and

will go a long way in binding our generations to the Sikh faith.

VESAK H I FUN FAI R


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Gurmat Sangeet Academy added yet another feather in theircap when they were invited to participate in the Inter FaithCelebrations at the Asian Civilizations Museum on Vesak Day.Gurmat Sangeet teacher Satnam Singh left the audience in atrance when he played Raaga Dhansari on Rabab (Rebeck, in English). His studentsaccompanied him on Sarangi, Tabla, Tanpura and swar mandal. The audience of different faithswas enthralled by the performance as the holy music pierced through their hearts and minds.

Vesak Day Cel ebr at ions at t heA sian Civ i l i zat i ons Museum

NEU PC plus

Programme

Please note that a gross

monthly household in-

come cap applies for

eligibility to this scheme.

For initial enquiries

please call Melvinder at

the Sikh Centre on

Tel: 6327 2007/4

Email:[email protected]


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Bhai Maharaj Singh Ji anniversary celebrations commencefrom 3 to 10 July,2011

The program is listed below:

3 July to 10 July Simran, Kirtan And Katha by various jathas8 July - Arambh of Akhand Path at 8.00am

10 July - Path da Bhog at 8.00am followed by Guru Ka langar.


UP COM I NG EVENT S

Bhai Maharaj Singh Ji Barsi

BHAI AMRITPAL SINGH(SANGRUR WALE)

BHAI HARPREET SINGHHAZOORI RAAGI

SRI HARMANDHIR SAHIB

BHAI MEHTAB SINGH(SRI GANGANAGAR

WALE)


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Central Sikh Gurdwara Board HighlightsPage 5Why do we need Kirtan in our lives?

Kirtan, also known as Gurmat Sangeet, is about understanding yourself. The true purpose ofKirtan is to establish a mutual understanding between our mind and soul. Gurmat Sangeet is to learnKirtan Gurus way. As a student of Gurmat Sangeet, you will learn Kirtan with string and percussioninstruments.

Registration for Gurmat Sangeet classes continues throughout the year at all levels.Master Satnam Singh is a professionally qualified sangeet teacher and holds a Master ofGurmat Sangeet from Punjabi University, Patiala, India. If you are ready to begin your sacred journey,visit our website http://www.sikhs.org.sg to register online, or contact Melvinder at tel. 6327 2004

In our humble attempt to promote the rich cultural heritage of Sikhism, the Sikh Centre runs variousprograms on Sikhi with the assistance of our in-house lecturer Mr. Jaswant Singh, an M.A. in ReligiousStudies from Punjabi University, Patiala, India.The schedule of upcoming Sikhism Classes is listed below:

SIKHISM STUDIES

SIKHISM CLASSES CONDUCTED BY PROF. JASWANT SINGH

DAY CLASS TIMETUESDAY Gurmukhi 7:15pm - 8:15pm

WEDNESDAY Sikhism 201 Advance course 11:00am -12:30pmSikhism 101 7:15pm - 8:45pm

THURSDAY Sikhism 201 7:15pm - 8:45pm

FRIDAY Sikhism 101 11:00am -12:30pm

SATURDAYMajh Ki Var 10:30am - 11:30amGurbani Pronounciation 12:15pm - 1:15pmKids Path Class 1:45pm - 2:45pm

SUNDAY Kids Path Class (Aternate Sundays ) 10:00am - 11amSikhism 101 2:30pm - 4:00pm

You are welcome to enroll for any of these ongoing/new courses at any time.Feedback on these classes has been very positive and encouraging.Please ring the Sikh Centre on 6327 2004 for more details of upcoming courses.Feedback from course participants

A well planned and structured course that will teach you, in simple English, all that you want to knowabout Sikhism and other religions as well. Knowledgeableand thoughtful insights from Mr.Jaswant Singh Jihelps you understand the material better and make the course more meaningful. I have benefitted a lot fromSikhism 101 and strongly recommend it to all of you who are yet to attend the course.Surjit Wasan

Enlightening, easy to understand, even for a non -Sikh person.Lily Goh

Very interesting and enlightening in discovering the history and heritage of the Sikhs, Sikhism and SikhScripture, and becoming aware of the practical, rational and universal basis and principles of SikhismDr.Kuldip Kaur
http://www.sikhs.org.sg/http://www.sikhs.org.sg/


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Searching Shabads by keywordsMaan Sarovar is an index of Shabads in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji which are

elated to different words, terms, feelings etc. For example if you want to find a

shabad related to word a us q q (praise), just go to heading a us q q and you will find

shabads related to this word along with the page number in Sri Guru Granth

Sahib.

Maan Sarovar is compiled by Dr. Kulwant Singh, Academy of Sikh Studies USA.

Dr. Kulwant Singh is a retired ophthalmologist and also a Sikh Studies Scholar and

writer of many books on Sikhism.

For details, visit: http://gurbanifm.com/ereadings/maansarovar.pdf

Of fer i ng a Rumal a - i s i t a must ?Message f r om t he Cent r al Si k h Gur dw ar a Boar d

We all have profound love and deep devotion for our Guru - Guru Granth Sahib Ji. One of the ways a Sikhexpresses his love and devotion is by offering a Rumala, mostly at the conclusion of a prayer.

Is it compulsory to offer a Rumala every time we solemnize a function in a Gurdwara or at home? The Sikh Codeof Conduct states:

On the conclusion of the reading, offering of draperies, fly-whisk and awning, having regard to therequirements of the Guru Granth Sahib, and of other things, for Panthic causes should be made to the bestof means.

So our offerings must have regards to the requirements of Guruji or must be for Panthic causes. The large numberof Rumalas being offered far exceeds the requirements of Guru Ji and these offerings do not serve any Panthiccause. Instead these offerings create the difficulty of storing them with respect and disposing them with reverence.

Premium space that can be used for the benefit of the Sangat in Gurdwaras is taken up to store them. Over time,they start deteriorating. They cannot be used for other purposes. We cannot cremate them with due respect as openburning in Singapore is illegal.

The Board urges the Sangat to avoid offering Rumalas as far as possible and instead offer cash donations thatwould be channelled to bring more programs to spread, strengthen and promote Sikhism.

Turban Thursdays - Coming Soon

A group of Sikh Professionals in Singapore has started a monthly networking event to provide a forum for Sikh

professionals living and working in the Singapore Central Business District. Building on the ongoing monthly

networking lunches, the mandate of this group is to facilitate professional and social interaction for individualslooking to meet other Sikhs, pursue employment and volunteering opportunities, and learn about community events.

Membership to the group is open to all (Sikh and non-Sikh) and is free of charge.

More details to come soon!


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TITLE1 A Practical Guide to Gurbani Pronunciation and Punctuation;2008;Volumes 1-5;Sri

Guru Granth Sahib Ji Academy, Kuala Lumpur ,Malaysia

2 Bhagats of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji; An insight into their spiritual journey; 2008,SriGuru Granth Sahib Ji Academy,Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia.

3 Fun Learning Gurmukhi4 Gurmukhi Course Book5

Gurmukhi Reading Course, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Academy, Kuala Lumpur, Ma-laysia

6 Gurbani Contemplation Salok Sahaskriti, Gatha, Jaitsari Dhi Vaar & Alahnia; 2011;Shlok Shaskriti; Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Academy, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

7 Life of Guru Amar Das Ji ; The Saviour of Mercy; Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Academy,Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

8 Life of Guru Angad Dev Ji; The Saviour of Endurance; Sri Guru Granth Sahib JiAcademy, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

9 Ramkali Sadh, Ramkali Ki Vaar & Barah Maha10 Sarbat Da Bhela; A single shabad of God lights up my life; Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Academy, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

11 Gurbani Foundation, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Academy, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia12 Saloks of Bhagat Kabir and Fareed

CDs1 Asa Di Waar(A Ballad of Hope) , 2009

2 GurbaniThe Light of the World

3 Sant Sepahi Bhai Maharaj Singh Ji,2006

4 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

5 Sri Sukhmani Sahib Kirtan, 2009

D I V I N E TR EA SU R EFor the information of our Sangat, we have stock of the following audio CDs in our

collection. Kindly contact us at the Sikh Centre Office (Dilraj -6327 2004), if you are

interested in obtaining a copy for your listening pleasure.

NEWEST ADDITIONS TO OUR LIBRARY COLLECTION


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Central Sikh Gurdwara BoardPage 8

For info on Central Sikh Gurdwara Board activities,

Please visit our Website @ www.sikhs.org.sg

In our lifetime, we as people are sometimes graced with the

presence of an excellent and inspiring teacher. These people

end up shaping our lives for the better because of their highenthusiasm and passion for teaching, and we deeply admire

them for that. They act as inspirational role models, have a

high Emotional Quotient (EQ) to empathise and motivate their

students, and instill inside us values, knowledge, hopes and

dreams. Once they've been taught to us, we are changed for

the rest of our lives.

More than a year ago, the

Central Sikh Gurdwara Board

received an email from a post-

doctoral research fellow in

biomedical optics at Harvard

Medical School and

Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, US). Steve Lee

wrote I am turning to you in the hope that, through the close-

knit network in the Sikh community, it would be possible to find

Mr Balbir Singh, who was my teacher at Mountbatten Primary

School. I would like to get in touch with him so that I can

personally convey my deepest gratitude for his excellence inteaching more than twenty years ago, that sowed the seeds for

my current inspiration in scientific research. I first got interested

in science from Mr.Balbir Singh and still remember one of his

lessons on how fish survive during the winter due to the unique freezing point of water. Apart

from science, I gained early insight into life lessons. I remember how he brought in one of Mother

Teresa's helpers right into class. This particular lesson taught me how humility and giving is an

important virtue to maintain for life. His passion in teaching has furnished me with the right

motivation to learn to better oneself!

It is only with such a caring and motivated teacher that I learnt to push the borders of learning:

doing research. I am grateful for his teaching although it only lasted for one year. More

importantly, I am very happy to have been able to personally give him my very best thanks, after

2 years of search, upon completion of my PhD degree

Good on you, Mr.Balbir Singh Ji. We are proud of you!

P.S: Though retired from teaching, Mr Balbir Singh still works as an Educational Consultant with

an international school in Surabaya, Indonesia.

TRIBUTE TO A BELOVED TEACHER

Steve Lee

Mr. Balbir Singh

Documents

Newsletter 2011 June July Web 47