Newsletter 2011 Oct Nov Web 49

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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 Sikhismby providing qualityreligious services.

To inculcate the practiceof the Sikh way of life.

HighlightsThe Bi-monthly Newsletter of the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board

Issue No : 49

Oct/Nov 2011

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 themeans that help achieve these virtues in life.

The Means to Reach the Virtues of the KhalsaJaswant Singh

Forsaking vices and seeking virtues is the way of a Sikh. He leads a practical way of life aspreached by our ten Gurus and prescribed in the Guru Granth Sahib. He shuns all othersuperstitious beliefs, practices and meaningless rituals. True spiritual bliss can only beattained by developing divine attributes in life. A virtuous person explores virtues and findspeace, whereas a non-virtuous person continues suffering in misery.

1

What are the means that can help us imbibe these virtues in life and reach the Divine? TheGurbani describes them as identification with the Divine through the Guru‟s word, and the

company of the wise and virtuous:“Seek guidance through the Guru’s 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 Guru’s wisdom in life.”

3

Good people are the key to success in life. That‟s why the Gurbani advises that to lead asuccessful and accomplished life, one should sit with the wise and benefit from theircompanionship.4

When Guru Nanak had a dialogue with the yogis, they asked the Guru, “What miracleshave you shown to the world? Kindly, show some to us.” The Guru replied wisely, “I have

no miracle to show you. Other than the Guru‟s congregation (company of devout people)and the Guru‟s 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 Sahib‟before his demise in 1708, he proclaimed three commandments to end with:

pUj wAkwl kI pr cwSbd kw dIdwr Kwl sykw

Worship* of the Timeless Divine, awareness of the Guru‟s Word, and company of theKhalsa*Worship for Sikhs means attending a congregation (sadh sangat) and singing/listening to the Guru‟s

hymns contained in the Guru Granth Sahib.

It is very important for a Sikh to join the sadh sangat, where Sikhs congregate and partakein 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 Guru‟s word and its practice in life is the highest of allreligious activities.

8They 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 divineName, and constantly strive to enshrine divine virtues in their lives. 10

References:1) g ux v Mq I g ux v IQr YA a ug ux v Mq I J Ui r ] (17)

2 ) s i q g ur p Ui C s Mg i q j n k Ij Y] mn uh i r r wc Yn h I j n i m mr Ij Y] r wm n wm i b n ui k A w k r muk I j Y] (905)

3 ) i mi l s Mg iq s wDUa ub r yg ur k ws b d uk mwie ] (65)

4 ) s q I p h r I s q uB l w b h IA Yp i V A w p wi s ] (146)

5 ) isiD bo lin suix nwnkw quih jg no krwmwiq idKweI]…gur sM giq bwxI ibnw dUjI Et nhI hY rweI] (Bhai Gurdas Ji)

6 ) s q s Mg i q s i q g ur c t s wl h Y i j q uh i r g ux i s K w] (1316)

7 ) a Uq m s Mg iq a Uq muh ov Y] (414) 8 ) s B s Ya Up i r g ur s b d ub I c wr u] (904)

9 ) S Mq s B wg ux i g A wn u b I c wr u] ( 1343)

10 ) A v r on j wx ih s b i d g ur k Y e yk unwmuiDA wv h y] (923)

Ins ide t h is issue

2. - Dr.Tony Tan acceptsCSGB invitation

- Family outing to- West Coast Park- Numeracy andliteracy developmenttalks

3. - Katha & Seminars by- Bhai Esher Singh

4. - Guru Nanak‟steachings

- Vacant position inSikh Centre

5 - Anhad Kirtan- Sri Guru Nanak‟s543rd birthday

- Sikhs in the City- Bahadur Bachey2011

6 - NUS InternationalStudents Visit

- Visit by ACMvolunteers

7. - Obituary-Late Mata- Udham Kaur- Progress report on- Sikh Community

Mentorship Program8. - Does anyone have

old photos of CST?- Punjabi languagelearning website

- 17th Century SikhWeapons



Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights Page 2

Care & Share organised a familyouting to West Coast Park on Sunday

4 September 2011 in conjunction withGuru Arjan Dev Ji‟s shaheedi(martyrdom). More than 100 men,women and children attended thisouting. When the buses reached thepark, the children made a beeline runto the playground while the parentsgrouped together under the trees andhad a picnic. Interestingly, most of ourfemale senior citizens gathered undera shelter and danced the gidda. At

sunset, they proceeded to thewaterfront to continue their dance.Overall, it was a very pleasant outingand everyone thoroughly enjoyedthemselves. The Sangat returned tothe Silat Road Gurdwara at 7.30pm.

Fami l y Out i ng t o West Coast Par k

The Sikh Centre and Singapore KhalsaAssociation 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 withtheir appreciative audience.

Num er acy and l i t er acy devel opm ent t al k s at t r actgood at t endance

Dr . Tony Tan accept s CSGB inv i t at i on The Singapore President, Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam, has honoured the Sikh community by accepting theCentral Sikh Gurdwara Board‟s invitation to officiate at the completion of the newly upgraded Central SikhTemple. The Officiating Ceremony is scheduled for Friday 23rd December 2011 at 7.00pm in the

evening.

The programme for His Excellency‟s visit includes a presentation on the Sikh Community in Singapore,touring a Photographic Exhibition on Sikh Heritage, Inauguration Ceremony in the Prayer Hall, andpartaking a meal in the Langgar Hall with the Sikh Community.




Well-known preacher Bhai Esher Singh wi ll once again be here from 25November 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 bepublicized shortly by e-blast, posters, flyers, and also posted on our website.

Jap Ji Sahib (10 classes), 9

thPatsha 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)

Understanding Meditation while doing daily routine and all the time. (6 shabads in 6classes (one class every week)

Sukhmani (days allocated in darbar – 6 days/per week) Concept of Khande Ki Pahul (2 classes)

15 Bhagats (6 bhagats and their bani in 6 classes/week) of Gurbani 10 patshais, (6 classes/week) Three Sikhs who were martyred with 9 th 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 with Christanity, Islam and Buddhism (1 class) Bhai Gurdas ji Vaaran in context with Guru Nanak Dev Ji. (2 classes)

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

K ATHA & SEMINA RS BY BHA I ESHER SI NGH

Gurban i :

M ed i t a t i on t h r ough Gu r ban i K i r t an

Si kh H i st or y

Com par at i v e st udy

Su n day Sem i n ar s




On the occasion of his 542nd Birthday Celebrations, let us remember Guru Nanak‟s teachingsand achievements as the founder of Sikhism

One of the world‟s great religions and one of history‟s 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 ofmankind, social justice and denouncing blind rituals.

Like his contemporaries Luther and Calvin, Guru Nanak was a heroic social, political andreligious reformer. He declared that all men are created equal, centuries before ThomasJefferson did. “Religion lies not in empty words. He who regards all men as equal isreligious”, 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 todayexists at every gurdwara that serves meals to all people of all faiths. Guru Nanak firststarted this institution based on the Sikh principles of service, humility and equality

Guru Nanak declared the equality of women and men, centuries before Elizabeth CadyStanton did. The religion he founded stopped women from wearing veils, allowed widowsto 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 toothers. 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 world‟s 5th

largest religion.

"NANAK NAAM CHARDIKALA, TERAA BHANAA SARBAT DA BHALA”

GURU NANAK: HIS MEMORY IS ETERNAL IN OUR

HEARTS AND MINDS

The Sikh Centre has a vacancy for an

administrative assistant for generaloffice 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 Office and Excel. Salary

negotiable. Interested?

Please send your resume to

[email protected]

Vacant posi t i on at Sik hCentre

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Naam

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Chardikala

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Chardikala

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Naam




Age GroupsLil BBs : Age 4-6 years old BB Teens: 13-14 years old

BB Kids: Age 7-12 years old Sewadars + Parents

Details:

- Dates: 7th– 11th Dec 2011

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

School (East Coast)

- www.bahadurbachey.org

Bahadur Bachey

2011




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 aspart 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.

NUS Int er nat i onal St udent s V i si t

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.

V isi t by in t er nat ional vol un t eer s f r om t he A sianCiv i l i zat i ons Museum




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 Memoriallong 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.

Following the official launch of the Sikh Community Mentorship Program (SCMP) in July 2011, we arepleased 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)

Initially targeted at university undergraduates and postgraduates starting out in their careers, the nextchallenge 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 andassistance is critical as is the support of parents. Please email Kirpal Singh [email protected] or Ajit Singh [email protected] if you are interested in helping out as amentor.

Pr ogr ess Repor t on Si k h Commun i t y Ment or shi p Pr ogr am

( SCMP)

Updat i ng our CSGB member shi p r ecor ds The CSGB will be setting up a special desk at the Central Sikh Temple during the Anhad Kirtanprogramme from 23rd December to 26th December 2011 for members to personally check that theirmembership records are up to date and correct. Please bring along your membership cards/NRIC foreasier checking. Our records can only be as good as the information updates we receive from you. Pleasehelp us to make sure that you regularly receive information correctly addressed to you.

We are seeking more mentors in thefollowing fields:

Biosciences/Engineering Biomedical Research Pharmaceutical Services Aviation/Aerospace/Pilot Finance/Investment & Trading Marketing Audit services

mailto:[email protected]






Central Sikh Gurdwara BoardPage 8

For info on Central Sikh Gurdwara Board activities,

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

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 in1912 as a bungalow with a large compound at 175 Queen Street to the brilliant white magnificence of the highlyvisible 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 andin December 1979, the temple was vacated and temporarily housed in the former Bukit Ho Swee Community Centreat 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

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

Punj abi l anguage l ear ni ng w ebsi t e

Flashback : 17t h Cent ur y Sik h Weapons

http://www.learnpunjabi.org/intro1.asp



Documents

Newsletter 2011 Oct Nov Web 49