Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki fateh!

My baby girl is getting big

2007-04-07T23:02:00.000-07:00

Guru Sahib at my house

2007-03-28T02:10:00.000-07:00

A local Gurdwara that I go to

2006-08-03T16:38:00.000-07:00

The Stockton, Ca Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara

I will write more in tommorow but the Stockton Gurdwara was the first built in the U.S.A back in the 1930s. Its about 30 min away but I go here sometimes.

Brave Khalsa Warriors

2006-07-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

I am constantly reminding myself of how blessed I am to be a Sikh of the Guru and am thankful for all the Khalsa Wariors that gave up their lives and showed the bravest of Kaurage in order for Sikhi to still thrive as it is today. I hope that people stop and think about what they fought for before they carry on beadbi of the Guru and of the Gurdwaras. Lately Ive been hearing of too many Gurdwaras disrespecting the Guru and the Gurus house. Even the slightest beadbi is a huge deal. I cant understand why some comitee members dont fully respect the sanctity of Gurdwaras. I could go on for a very long time on this subject but instead I would again remind people of why Shaheedees gave their lives. They did because someone or some force disrespected the Gurdwaras or the Gurus people etc, and they were the first line of defence. They protected the people in anyway suppressed and we as Sikhs of the modern day should feel the same as the Sikhs of old did about the same issues.

SatNam

DegTeg Fateh!

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki fateh!

Can anyone out there help me out with a job?

2006-06-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

I am curently looking for somewhere to work, and someplace where I can keep my Sikh Identity. Id rather pick up cans and recycle than conform to the way of society with cut hair and shaven.

If anyone in this area knows of a place or can employ anyone can you please help me out. Im a very good employee and have excelent work ethics and pratices.Im capable of, really anything. Ive been having Sikhs give me the run around and having me go places that arent hiring or almost as they made it up. Ill do anything from carpentry/ handyman, to working in a store stocking{ I just cannot touch tobacco and alcohol }.

Ill eventually find something but for now I can only get turned down endless amounts of times from local buisnesses.If it was of real worth I would probably sell my house and relocate if its a fulltime honest job that makes enough to support my family.

Some people spiritually look like this and Amrit is the beginning of changing your spiritual appearance.

2006-06-06T18:47:00.000-07:00

Some people look like this to me, going around telling people who the are and who they arent. Its funny how as Sikhs we should over look peoples shortcomings yet we do the opposite and nit-pick eachother when we disagree. I admit I have my shortcomings and faults. Everyone has them. Not everyone is perfect like some people are. They take the whole world down with there pessimism. If you have been a Sikh longer shouldnt you have more self discipline in your words and actions. I however am a worm and a servants servant and am no one to talk also. I guess I will not talk very much and be more observant to the world. I will allow others to debate and take no part of them.

People who like to blog crash deserve the same from someone who knows them. People like to be the authority figure but then drop down ranks at their chosing.

The word "Khalsa" means pure. So nobody in the world is exactly pure but the Guru and cannot use the name Khalsa. The word "Singh" was added to a body who has been blessed by Guru Gobind Singhs Amrit. So anyone with the last name "Singh" who isnt Amritdhari has that name in vain {and shouldnt have it?}. You are born to be a "Singh" and when you chose not to be an Amritdhari {by not receiving Amrit} you should remove it until you give your head to the Guru. Since this you are "naked" with just your first name. The name "Singh" should only be added after taking Amrit, right? I should shed the name Khalsa from my name says a fellow Sikh. { I have the name Khalsa at the end of my name to show the world that I am an Amritdhari because the name "Singh" is used by a huge amount of people with cut hair, non-rehat etc. So should I write my name as Pritam Singh Amritdhari? In order to show to the world what I am. Or is the name "Singh" enough to tell the world that I am Amritdhari? Since I see many Singhs doing non Sikh things a.e. drinking, drugs, lustful things etc. I feel that the name Khalsa better describes my way of life.

Feel free to blast away with you machine gun of words.

This is a devotional song by Bitti describing a historic day when some brave men of Guru Gobind Singh jis Army ran away and came back from battle. They were cursed and humilated by the ladies of household for not showing khalsa fearlessness. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lU8YyR3UYc&search=khalsa It should reduce your stress my Khalsa family. I watched it and it changed my attitude.

Look in the mirror and see what reflects back at you.

2006-06-06T17:28:00.000-07:00

I wont comment on this due to hard feelings from someone.

Sitar pic

2006-06-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

I play sitar for the neighborhood. People really like it. They say it "sounds hypnotising." Im thinking of playing after Sadhana by my house in the Natural Habitat area. Which is right next to my house and stretches for about a mile East. I want to play while the birds are singing. People walk on the paths and Ill hide in the brush and play. I think it wont draw a crowd because Ill be hidden.

Pics galore

2006-06-03T19:59:00.000-07:00

This is when we met with Holly Brooks and I took a picture with her and Jessie. Jessica is addicted to her music. Which sounds nice. She sounds like Snatam Kaur but not Kirtan.
I love this picture of my shaakas.{ one of my many nicknames for her}
When I bust out with the Sitar she comes running. I let her strum the strings so she gets used to playng all my instruments. I let her play Dholak, Sitar, tongue drum and guitar.

Baby Kaylin

2006-06-03T19:35:00.000-07:00

Kaylin playing and taking a break for a picture. While Im reading the bani for the month of Maghar { Nov- Dec} in Baarah Maahaa Maanjh. This was taken in December sometime.

Pics of mi familia

2006-06-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

Jessie and Kaylin at the Sacramento Zoo
When she is so fussy and tired sometimes I catch myself falling asleep while trying to get her to go to sleep while we are watching her Baby Einstien videos.
Kaylin sitting on her Pooh bear couch that we bought her and she loves it. It folds out to a bed and I even like sitting on it.
Kaylin loves to take a bath in her giant rubber ducky. If you touch the beak it quacks a bunch of times.
Heres Kaylin and I walking back to the car after the Zoo. Shes wearing her giraffe ears with Giraffes on the ends. She shows off by wiggling them and laughing and people say she so cute. Thats also her "Im being cute" face.

Pictures of My family and I

2006-06-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

This is her in her cage when she gets rowdy or when we are cleaning the house.Sometimes this is the last place on Earth that she wants to be.
This is how she normally looks. She always happy and smiling.
When she first got this she was so excited and spazzing out.
This is her num-num time.
Momma and baby loving life and being pleasant. I always look over and need to take pictures but my smart card went out and weve been short money to get one so I bought some throwaway cameras.

Kaylin Skye Kaur

2006-06-02T14:02:00.000-07:00

Heres my baby girl Kaylin{Pain in the butt}Skye Kaur. She will be One year old on June 12th, 2006. Time has gone by so fast. We are going to have her birthday in Lodi at a place with a bunch of blow up jumpers and toys. There will be about 80 people there. That is alot of people to buy party favors and pizza for but its my baby princesses first birthday so Id rent the white house if I could. She was wearing a turban for about an hour but she got tired of it so she took it off. She looked so cute wearing it. I put on her an orange Dastar. Orange is my favorite color and was one of my first words except I called it "puo-puo". I knew it was orange but I called it purple. I have video of me saying that when I was one. My mom made my brother take care of me and he was only 3 at the time. Thats crazy to think he did everything my mom shouldve, besides change my diapers. Which now that Kaylin eats more solid foods isnt no joke. pheeeewy.

Checkout my other blog at khalsasahib.blogspot.com

Its now the Month of Asaar

2006-06-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

Kaylin Kaur turns 1 year old on June 12th 2006. Here is Kaylin at home with Grandma Maria and aunt Maggie. In this picture she is 5-6 months when her Aunt was down from Washington. Her Aunt Maggie is in the U.S AirForce but she hates being in her uniform when she doesn't have to be wearing it because of how strict they have to wear them. This is her chance to dress casual for once. Since she never gets to dress regular she goes shopping for what she wears while here and then gives Jessica her clothes before going back. She doesn't have room for extra clothes at the Air Force Base in Washington. She had really cool stuff to show us like a piece of barbed wire from Korea that divided North and South Korea during the Korean War. Her Aunt bought Kaylin a Korean dress from Korea that is really cool and looks like 1 million bucks made from really fine silks. I cant wait until she can fit into it in a couple months

Rehat Maryada

2006-05-31T11:26:00.000-07:00

Section One
Chapter I: The Definition of Sikh
Article I
The definition of a Sikh
Any human being who faithfully believes in
One Immortal Being,
Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh,
The Guru Granth Sahib,
The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and
The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru,
and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh.

Section Two
Chapter II: Aspects of Sikh Living
Article II
Sikh Living
A Sikh's life has two aspects: individual or personal, and corporate or Panthic.

Chapter III: Individual Spirituality
Article III
A Sikh's Personal Life
A Sikh's personal life should comprehend --
meditation on Nam (Divine Substance) and the scriptures,
leading life according to the Gurus' teachings, and
altruistic voluntary service

Article IV
Meditating on Nam (Divine Substance) and Scriptures
(1) A Sikh should wake up in the ambrosial hours (three hours before the dawn), take bath and, concentrating his/her thoughts on One Immortal Being, repeat the name Waheguru (Wondrous Destroyer of darkness).
(2) He/she should recite the following scriptural compositions every day:
(a) JapJi, the Jaapu and the Ten Sawayyas (Quartets) - beginning "Sarawag sudh"- in morning.
(b) Sodar Rehras comprising the following compositions:
(i) nine hymns of the Guru Granth Sahib,
occuring in the holy book after the Japuji Sahib the first of which begins with "Sodar" and the last of which ends with "saran pare ki rakho sarma",
(ii) The Benti Chaupai of the tenth Guru (beginning "hamri karo hath dai rachha" and ending with "dusht dokh te leho bachai",
(iii) the Sawayya beginning with the words "pae gahe jab te tumre",
(iv) the Dohira beginning with the words "sagal duar kau chhad kai",
(v) the first five and the last pauris (stanzas) of Anand Sahib and
(vi) the Mundavvani and the Slok Mahla 5 beginning "tera kita jato nahi" -- in the evening after sunset.
c) the Sohila -- to be recited at night before going to bed.
(3) The morning and evening recitations should be concluded with the Ardas (formal supplication litany).
(a) The text {2} of the Ardas
One Absolute Manifest; victory belongeth to the Wondrous Destroyer of darkness. May the might of the All-powerful help!
Ode to his might by the tenth lord.
Having first thought of the Almighty's prowess, let us think of Guru Nanak. Then of Guru Angad, Amardas and Ramdas -- may they be our rescuers! Remember, then, Arjan, Harigobind and Harirai. Meditate then on revered Hari Krishan on seeing whom all suffering vanishes. Think then of Tegh Bahadar, rememberance of whom brings all nine treasures. He comes to rescue everywhere. Then of the tenth lord, revered Guru Gobind Singh, who comes to rescue everywhere. The embodiment of the light of all ten sovereign lordships, the Guru Granth -- think of the view and reading of it and say, "Waheguru (Wondrous Destroyer of darkness)".
Meditating on the achievement of the dear and truthful ones, including the five beloved ones, the four sons of the tenth Guru, forty liberated ones, steadfast ones, constant repeaters of the Divine Name, those given assiduous devotion, those who repeated the Nam, shared their fare with others, ran free kitchen, wielded the sword and overlooked faults and shortcomings, say "Waheguru", O Khalsa.
Meditating on the achievement of the male and female members of the Khalsa who laid down their lives in the cause of dharma (religion and righteousness), got their bodies dismembered bit by bit, got their
skulls sawn off, got mounted on spiked wheels, got their bodies sawn, made sacrifices in the service of the shrines (gurduwaras), did not betray their faith, sustained their adherence to the Sikh faith with sacred unshorn hair until their last breath, say, "Wondrous Destroyer of darkness", O Khalsa.
Thinking of the five thrones (seats of religious authority) and all gurduwaras, say, "Wondrous Destroyer of darkness", O Khalsa.
Now it is the prayer of the whole Khalsa. May the conscience of the whole Khalsa be informed by Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru and, in consequence of such remembrance, may total well-being obtain. Wherever there are communities of the Khalsa, may there be Divine protection and grace, the ascendance of the supply of needs and of the holy sword, protection of the tradition of grace, victory of the Panth, the succor of the holy sword, ascendance of the Khalsa. Say, O Khalsa, "Wondrous Destroyer of darkness."
Unto the Sikhs the gift of the Sikh faith, the gift of the untrimmed hair, the gift of the discipline of their faith, the gift of sense of discrimination, the gift of trust, the gift of confidence, above all, the gift of meditation on the Divine and bath in the Amritsar (holy tank at Amritsar). May hymns-singing missionary parties, the flags, the hostels, abide from age to age. May righteousness reign supreme. Say, "Wondrous Destroyer of darkness."
May the Khalsa be imbued with humility and high wisdom! May Waheguru guard its understanding!
O Immortal Being, eternal helper of Thy Panth, benevolent Lord bestow on the Khalsa the beneficence of unobstructed visit to and free management of Nankana Sahib and other shrines and places of the Guru from which the Panth has been separated.
O Thou, the honor of the humble, the strength of the weak, aid unto those who have none to rely on, True Father, Wondrous Destroyer of darkness, we humbly render to you.Pardon any impermissible accretions, omissions, errors, mistakes. Fulfill the purposes of all.
Grant us the association of those dear ones, on meeting whom one is reminded of Your Name. O Nanak, may the Nam (Holy) be ever in ascendance ! In Thy will may the good of all prevail !
(b) On the conclusion of the Ardas, the entire congregation participating in the Ardas should respectfully genuflect before the revered Guru Granth, then stand up and call out, "The Khalsa is of the Wondrous Destroyer of darkness: Victory also is His." The Congregation should, thereafter, raise the loud spirited chant of Sat Sri Akal (True is the Timeless Being).
(c) While the Ardas is being performed, all men and women in the congregation should stand with hands folded. The person in attendance of the Guru Granth should keep waving the whisk while standing.
(d) The person who performs the Ardas should stand facing the Guru Granth with hands folded. If the Guru Granth is not there, the performing of the Ardas facing any direction is acceptable.
(e) When any special Ardas for and on behalf of one or more persons is offered, it is not necessary for persons in the congregation other than that person or those persons to stand up.

Chapter IV : Gurduwaras, Congregational Etiquette, Rites
Article V
Joining the congregation for understanding of and reflecting on Gurbani
(a) One is more easily and deeply affected by gurbani (the holy bani bequeathed by the Gurus) participating in congregational gatherings. For this reason, it is necessary for a Sikh that he visit the places where the Sikhs congregate for worship and prayer (the gurduwaras), and joining the congregation, partake of the benefits that the study of the holy scriptures bestows.
(b) The Guru Granth should be ceremonially opened in the gurduwara every day without fail. Except for special exigencies, when there is need to keep the Guru Granth open during the night, the Holy Book should not be kept open during the night. It should, generally, be closed ceremonially after the conclusion of the Rehras (evening scriptural recitation). The Holy Book should remain open so long as a granthi or attendant can remain in attendance, persons seeking darshan (seeking a view of or making obeisance to it) keep coming, or there is no risk of commission of irreverence towards it. Thereafter, it is advisable to close it ceremonially to avoid any disrespect to it.
(c) The Guru Granth should be opened, read and closed ceremonially with reverence. The place where it is installed should be absolutely clean. An awning should be erected above. The Guru Granth Sahib should be placed on a cot measuring up to its size and overlaid with absolutely clean mattress and sheets. For proper installation and opening of the Guru Granth, there should be cushions/pillows of appropriate kind etc. and, for covering it, romalas (sheet-covers of appropriate size). When the Guru Granth is not being read, it should remain covered with a romala. A whisk, too, should be there.
(d) Anything except the aforementioned reverential ceremonies, for instance, such practices as the arti with burning incense and lamps, offerings of eatables to Guru Granth Sahib, burning of lights, beating of gongs, etc., is contrary to gurmat (the Guru's way). However, for the perfuming of the place, the use of flowers, incense and scent is not barred. For light inside the room, oil or butter-oil lamps, candles, electric lamps, kerosene oil lamps, etc., may be lighted.
(e) No book should be installed like and at par with the Guru Granth. Worship of any idol or any ritual or activity should not be allowed to be conducted inside the gurduwara. Nor should the festival of any other faith be allowed to be celebrated inside the gurduwara. However, it will not be improper to use any occasion or gathering for the propagation of the gurmat (The Guru's way).
(f) Pressing the legs of the cot on which the Guru Granth Sahib is installed, rubbing nose against walls and on platforms, held sacred, or massaging these, placing water below the Guru Granth Sahib's seat, making or installing statues, or idols inside the gurduwaras, bowing before the picture of the Sikh Gurus or elders - all these are irreligious self-willed egotism, contrary to gurmat (the Guru's way).
(g) When the Guru Granth has to be taken from one place to another, the Ardas should be performed. He/she who carries the Guru Granth on his/her head shoulld walk barefoot; but when the wearing of shoes is a necessity, no superstitions need be entertained.
(h) The Guru Granth should be ceremonially opened after performing the Ardas. After the ceremonial opening, a hymn should be read from the Guru Granth Sahib.
(i) Whenever the Guru Granth is brought, irrespective of whether or not another copy of the Guru Granth had already been installed at the concerned place, every Sikh should stand up to show respect.
(j) While going into the gurduwara, one should take off the shoes and clean oneself up. If the feet are dirty or soiled, they should be washed with water. One should circumambulate with the Guru Granth Sahib or thegurduwara on one's right.
(k) No person, no matter which country, religion or caste he/she belongs to, is debarred from entering the gurduwara for darshan (seeing the holy shrine). However, he/she should not have on his/her person anything, such as tobacco or other intoxicants, which are tabooed by the Sikh religion.
(l) The first thing a Sikh should do on entering the gurduwara is to do obeisance before the Guru Granth Sahib. He/she should, thereafter, have a glimpse of the congregation and bid in a low, quiet voice, "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh."
(m)In the congregation, there should be no differentiation or discrimination between Sikh and non-Sikh, persons traditionally regarded as touchable and untouchable, the so-called high and low caste persons, the high and the low.
(n) Sitting on a cushion, a distinctive seat, a chair, a stool, a cot, etc. or in any distinctive position in the presence of the Guru Granth or within the congregation is contrary to gurmat (Guru's way).
(o) No Sikh should sit bare-headed in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib or in the congregation. For Sikh women, joining the congregation with their persons uncomfortably draped and with veils drawn over their faces is contrary to gurmat (Guru's way).
(p) There are five takhts (lit., thrones, fig., seats of high authority): namely
(I) The holy Akal Takht, Amritsar,
(II) The holy Takht, Patna Sahib,
(III) The holy Takht, Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur,
(IV) The holy Takht Hazur Sahib, Nanded,
(V) The holy Takht Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo.
(q) Only an Amritdhari (baptized) Sikh man or woman, who faithfully observes the discipline ordained for the baptized Sikhs, can enter the hallowed enclosures of the takhts. (Ardas for and on behalf of any Sikh or non-Sikh, except a fallen or punished (tankhahia) Sikh, can be offered at the takhts.
(r) At a high-level site in every gurduwara should be installed the nishan sahib (Sikh flag). The cloth of the flag should be either of xanthic or of grayish blue color and on top of the flag post, there should either be a spearhead or a Khanda (a straight dagger with convex side edges leading to slanting top edges ending in a vertex).
(s) There should be a drum (nagara) in the gurduwara for beating on appropriate occasions.

Chapter V: Kirtan
Article VI
Kirtan (Devotional Hymn Singing by a Group or an individual)
(a) Only a Sikh may perform kirtan in a congregation.
(b) Kirtan means singing the scriptural compositions in traditional musical measures.
(c) In the congregation, kirtan only of Gurbani (Guru Granth's or Guru Gobind Singh's hymns) and, for its elaboration, of the compositions of Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Nand Lal, may be performed.
(d) It is improper, while singing hymns to rhythmic folk tunes or to traditional musical measures, or in team singing, to induct into them improvised and extraneous refrains. Only a line from the hymn should be made a refrain.

Chapter VI: Taking Hukam -- Other Items of Service
Article VII
Taking Hukam (Command)
(a) Doing obeisance to the Guru Granth Sahib, respectfully taking a glimpse of the congregation, an embodiment of the Guru's person, and taking the command: these together constitute the view of the Satguru (Immortal destroyer of darkness, the true guru). Raising the drapery covering the Guru Granth Sahib and merely taking a look or making others take a look at the exposed page, without taking the command (reading the prescribed hymn) is contrary to gurmat (Guru's way).
(b) In the course of the congregational sessions, only one thing should be done at a time: performing of kirtan, delivering of discourse, interpretative elaboration of the scriptures, or reading of the scriptures.
(c) Only a Sikh, man or woman, is entitled to be in attendance of the Guru Granth during the congregational session.
(d) Only a Sikh may read out from the Guru Granth for others. However, even a non-Sikh may read from it for himself/herself.
(e) For taking the command (Hukam), the hymn that is continuing on the top of the left hand page must be read from the beginning. If the hymn begins on the previous page, turn over the page and read the whole hymn from the beginning to the end. If the scriptural composition that is continuing on the top of the left hand page is a var (ode), then start from the first of the slokas preceding the pauri and read until the end of the pauri. Conclude the reading at the end of the hymn with the line in which the name 'Nanak' occurs.
(f) Hukam must also be taken at the conclusion of the congregational session or after the Ardas.

Chapter VII: Reading of Guru Granth Sahib
Article VIII
Sadharan Path (Completion of Normal Intermittent Reading of the Guru Granth Sahib)
(a) Every Sikh should, as far as possible, maintain a separate and exclusive place for the installation of Guru Granth Sahib, in his home.
(b) Every Sikh, man, woman, boy or girl, should learn Gurmukhi to be able to read the Guru Granth Sahib.
(c) Every Sikh should take the Hukam (Command) of the Guru Granth in the ambrosial (early).hours of the morning before taking meal. If he/she fails to do that, he/she should read or listen to reading from the Guru Granth some time during the day. If he/she cannot do that
either, during travel etc., or owing to any other impediment, he/she should not give in to a feeling of guilt.
(e) It is desirable that every Sikh should carry on a continuous reading of the Guru Granth and complete a full reading in one or two months or over a longer period.
(f) While undertaking a full reading of the Guru Granth, one should recite the Anand Sahib (the first five and the last stanzas) and perform the Ardas. One should, thereafter, read the Japuji.

Article IX
Akhand Path (Uninterrupted-Non-stop-Completion of the Reading of the Guru Granth Sahib)
(a) The non-stop reading of the Guru Granth is carried on at hard times or on occasions of elation or joy. It takes approximately forty-eight hours. The non-stop reading implies continuous, uninterrupted reading. The reading must be clear and correct. Reading too fast, so that the person listening in to it cannot follow the contents, amounts to irreverence to the Scriptures. The reading should be correct and clear, due care being bestowed on consonant and vowel, even though that takes a little longer to complete.
(b) Whichever family or congregation undertakes the non-stop reading should carry it out itself through its members, relatives, friends, etc., all together. The number of reciters is not prescribed. If a person, himself, cannot read, he should listen in to the reading by some competent reader. However, it should never be allowed to happen that the reader carries on the reading all by himself/herself and no member of the congregation or the family is listening in to the reading. The reader should be served with food and clothing to the best of the host's means.
(c) Placing a pitcher, ceremonial clarified-butter-fed lamp, coconut, etc. around, during the course of the uninterrupted or any other reading of Guru Granth Sahib, or reading of other Scriptural texts side by side with or in the course of such reading is contrary to the gurmat (Guru's way).

Article X
Commencing the Non-Stop Reading
While undertaking the intermittent reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred pudding (Karhah Prashad) for offering should be brought and after reciting the Anand Sahib (six stanzas) and offering Ardas, Hukam should be taken.
While beginning the unbroken reading, the sacred pudding should first be laid. Thereafter, after reciting the Anand Sahib (six stanzas), offering the Ardas and taking the Hukam, the reading should be commenced.

Article XI
Concluding the Reading
(a) The reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib (intermittent or non-stop) may be concluded with the reading of the Mundawani or the Rag Mala according to the convention traditionally observed at the concerned place. (Since there is a difference of opinion within the Panth on this issue, nobody should dare to write or print a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib excluding the Rag Mala). Thereafter, after reciting the Anand Sahib, the Ardas of the conclusion of the reading should be offered and the sacred pudding (Karhah Prashad distributed.
(b) On the conclusion of the reading, offering of draperies, fly-whisk and awning, having regard to the requirements of the Guru Granth Sahib, and of other things, for Panthic causes, should be made to the best of means.

Chapter VIII: Karhah Prashad
Article XII
Karhah Prashad (Sacred Pudding)
(a) Only the sacred pudding which has been prepared or got prepared according to the prescribed method shall be acceptable in the congregation.
(b) The method of preparing the Karhah Prashad is this: In a clean vessel, the three contents (wheat flour, pure sugar and clarified butter, in equal quantities) should be put and it should be made reciting the Scriptures. Then covered with a clean piece of cloth, it should be placed on a clean stool in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. Thereafter, in the holy presence of the Guru Granth, the first five and the last stanza of the Anand Sahib should be recited aloud (so that the congregation can hear), the Ardas, offered and the pudding tucked with the sacred Kirpan for acceptance.
(c) After this, before the distribution to the congregation of the Karhah Prashad, the share of the five beloved ones should be set apart and given away. Thereafter, while commencing the general distribution, the share of the person in attendance of the Guru Granth Sahibshould be put in a small bowl or vessel and handed over. The person who doles out the Karhah Prashad among the congregation should do so without any discrimination on the basis of personal regard or spite. He should dole out the Karhah Prashad equally to the Sikh, the non-Sikh or a person of high or low caste. While doling out the Karhah Prashad, no discrimination should be made on considerations of caste or ancestry or being regarded, by some, as untouchable, of persons within the congregation.
(d) The offering of Karhah Prashad should be accompanied by at least two pice in cash.

CHAPTER IX: Components of Gurduwara Service
Article XIII
Exposition of Gurbani (Sikh Holy Scriptures)
(a) The exposition of the Gurbani in a congregational gathering should be carried out only by a Sikh.
(b) The object of the exposition should only be promoting the understanding of the Guru's tenets.
(c) The exposition can only be of the ten Gurus' writings or utterances, Bhai Gurdas' writings, Bhai Nand Lal's writings or of any generally accepted Panthic book or of books of history (which are in agreement with the Guru's tenets) and not of a book of any other faith. However, for illustration, references to a holy person's teachings or those contained in a book may be made.
Article XIV
Expository Discourse
No discourse contrary to the Guru' s tenets should be delivered inside a gurduwara.

Article XV
Gurduwara Service
In the gurduwara the schedule of the congregational service generally is:
Ceremonial opening of the Guru Granth Sahib,
Kirtan,
Exposition of scriptures,
Expository discourses,
Recitation of Anand Sahib,
The Ardas (see Article-IV (3) (a) above),
The raising of Fateh slogan and then the slogan of Sat Sri Akal, and
Taking the Hukam.
Section Four
CHAPTER X: Beliefs, Observances, Duties, Taboos and Ceremonies
Article XVI
Living in Consonance with Guru's Tenets
A Sikh's living, earning livelihood, thinking and conduct shouldaccord with the Guru's tenets. The Guru's tenets are:
(a) Worship should be rendered only to the One Timeless Being and to no god or goddess.
(b) Regarding the ten Gurus, the Guru Granth and the ten Gurus' word alone as saviors and holy objects of veneration.
(c) Regarding ten Gurus as the effulgence of one light and one single entity.
(d) Not believing in caste or descent, untouchability, magic, spells, incantation, omens, auspicious times, day. and occasions, influence of stars, horoscopic dispositions, shradh (ritual serving of food to priests for the salvation of ancestors on appointed days as per the lunar calendar) ancestor worship, khiah (ritual serving of food to priests -- Brahmins -- on the lunar anniversaries of thedeath of an ancestor), pind (offering of funeral barley cakes to the deceased's relatives), patal (ritual donating of food in the belief that that would satisfy the hunger of a departed soul) diva (the ceremony of keeping an oil lamp lit for 360 days after the death, in the belief that that lights the path of the deceased), ritual funeral acts, horn (lighting of ritual fire and pouring intermittently clarified butter, food-grains etc. into it for propitiating gods for the fulfillment of a purpose), jag (religious ceremony involving presentation of oblations), tarpan (libation), sikha-sut (keeping a tuft of hair on the head and wearing thread), bhadan (shaving of head on the death of a parent), fasting on new or full moon or other days, wearing of frontal marks on the forehead, wearing of thread, wearing of a necklace of the pieces of tulsi stalk, veneration of any graves, of monuments erected to honor the memory of a deceased person or of cremation sites, idolatry and such like superstitious observances.
Not owning up or regarding as hallowed any place other than the Guru's place -- such, for instance, as sacred spots or places of pilgrimage of other faiths.
Not believing in or according any authority to Muslim seers, Brahmins' holiness, soothsayers, clairvoyants, oracles, promise of an offering on the fulfillment of a wish, offering of sweet loaves or rice pudding at graves on fulfillment of wishes, the Vedas, the Shastras, the Gayatri (Hindu scriptural prayer unto the sun), the Gita, the Quran, the Bible, etc.. However, the study of the books
(e) The Khalsa should maintain its distinctiveness among the professors of different religions of the world, but should not hurt the sentiments of any person professing another religion.
(f) A Sikh should pray to God before launching off any task.
(g) Learning Gurmukhi (Punjabi in Gurmukhi script)) is essential for a Sikh. He should pursue other studies also.
(h) It is a Sikh's duty to get his children educated in Sikhism.
(I) A Sikh should, in no way, harbor any antipathy to the hair of the head with which his child is born. He should not temper with the hair with which the child is born. He should add the suffix "Singh" to the name of his son. A Sikh should keep the hair of his sons and daughters intact.
(j) A Sikh must not take hemp (cannabis), opium, liquor, tobacco, in short, any intoxicant. His only routine intake should be food.
(k) Piercing of nose or ears for wearing ornaments in forbidden for Sikh men and women.
(l) A Sikh should not kill his daughter; nor should he maintain any relationship with a killer of daughter.
(m) The true Sikh of the Guru shall make an honest living by lawful work.
(n) A Sikh shall regard a poor person's mouth as the Guru's cash offerings box.
(o) A Sikh shall not steal, form dubious associations or engage in gambling.
(p) He who regards another man's daughter as his own daughter, regards another man's wife as his mother, has coition with his own wife alone, he alone is a truly disciplined Sikh of the Guru.
A Sikh woman shall likewise keep within the confines of conjugal rectitude.
(q) A Sikh shall observe the Sikh rules of conduct and conventions from his birth right until the end of his life.
(r ) A Sikh, when he meets another Sikh, should greet him with "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh. This is ordained for Sikh men and women both.
(s) It is not proper for a Sikh woman to wear veil or keep her face hidden by veil or cover.
(t) For a Sikh, there is no restriction or requirement as to dress except that he must wear Kachhehra and turban. A Sikh woman may or may not tie turban.

Chapter XI: Ceremonies pertaining to Social Occasions
Article XVII
Ceremonies pertaining to Birth Naming of Child
(a) In a Sikh's household, as soon after the birth of a child as the mother becomes capable of moving about and taking bath (irrespective of the number of days which that takes), the family and relatives should go to a gurduwara with karhah prashad (sacred pudding) or get karhah prashad made in the gurduwara and recite in the holy presence of the Guru Granth Sahib such hymns as "parmeshar dita bana" (Sorath M. 5), "Satguru sache dia bhej" (Asa M. 5) that are expressive of joy and thankfulness. Thereafter if a reading of the holy Guru Granth Sahib had been taken up, that should be concluded. Then the holy Hukam (command) should be taken. A name starting with the first letter of the hymn of the Hukam (command) should be proposed by the granthi (man in attendance of the holy book) and, after its acceptance by the congregation, the name should be announced by him. The boy's name must have the suffix "Singh" and the girl's, the suffix "Kaur".
After that the Anand Sahib (short version comprising six stanzas) should be recited and the Ardas in appropriate terms expressing joy over the naming ceremony be offered and the karhah prashad distributed.
(b) The superstition as to the pollution of food and water in consequence of birth must not be subscribed to, for the holy writ is: "The birth and death are by His ordinance; coming and going is by His will. All food and water are, in principle, clean, for these life-sustaining substances are provided by Him."
(c) Making shirts or frocks for children out of the Holy Book's draperies is a sacrilege.

Article XVIII
Anand Sanskar (Lit. Joyful Ceremonial: Sikh Matrimonial Conventions and Ceremony)
(a) A Sikh man and woman should enter wedlock without giving thought to the prospective spouse's caste and descent.
(b) A Sikh's daughter must be married to a Sikh.
(c) A Sikh's marriage should be solemnized by Anand marriage rites.
(d) Child marriage is taboo for Sikhs.
(e) When a girl becomes marriageable, physically, emotionally and by virtue of maturity of character, a suitable Sikh match should be found and she be married to him by Anand marriage rites.
Marriage may not be preceded by engagement ceremony. But if an engagement ceremony is sought to be held, a congregational gathering should be held and, after offering the Ardas before the Guru Granth Sahib, a kirpan, a steel bangle and some sweets may be tendered to the boy.
(g) Consulting horoscopes for determining which day or date is auspicious or otherwise for fixing the day of the marriage is a sacrilege. Any day that the parties find suitable by mutual consultation should be fixed.
(h) Putting on floral or gilded face ornamentation, decorative headgear, or red thread band round the wrist, worshipping of ancestors, dipping feet in milk mixed with water, cutting a berry or jandi (Prosopis spicigera) bushes, filling pitcher, ceremony of retirement in feigned displeasure, reciting couplets, performing havans, installing vedi (a wooden canopy or pavilion under which Hindu marriages are performed), prostitutes' dances, drinking liquor, are all sacrileges.
(I) The marriage party should have as small a number of people as the girl's people desire. The two sides should greet each other singing sacred hymns and finally by the Sikh greetings of Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh.
(j) For marriage, there should be a congregational gathering in the holy presence of Guru Granth Sahib. There should be hymn- singing by ragis or by the whole congregation. Then the girl and the boy should be made to sit facing the Guru Granth Sahib. The girl should sit on the left side of the boy. After soliciting the congregation's permission, the master of the marriage ceremony(who may be a man or a woman) should bid the boy and girl and their parents or guardians to stand and should offer the Ardas for the commencement of the Anand marriage ceremony.
The officiant should then apprise the boy and the girl of the duties and obligations of conjugal life according to the Guru's tenets.
He should initially give to the two an exposition of their common mutual obligations. He should tell them how to model the husband-wife relationship on the love between the individual soul and the Supreme Soul in the light of the contents of circumambulation (lavan) hymns in the Suhi measure (rag) sections of the Guru Granth Sahib.
He should then explain to the boy and girl individually their respective conjugal duties as husband and wife.
The bridegroom should be told that the girl's people having chosen him as the fittest match from among a whole lot, he should regard his wife as his better half, accord to her unflinching love and share with her all that he has. In all situations, he should protect her person and honor, he should be completely loyal to her and he should show as much respect and consideration for her parents and relations as for his own.
The girl should be told that she has been joined in matrimony to her man in the hallowed presence of the Guru Granth Sahib and the congregation. She should ever harbor for him deferential solicitude, regard him the lord and master of her love and trust; she should remain firm in her loyalty to him and serve him in joy and sorrow and in every clime (native or foreign) and should show the same regard and consideration to his parents and relatives as she would, to her own parents and relatives.
The boy and girl should bow before the Guru Granth Sahib to betoken their acceptance of these instructions. Thereafter, the girl's father or the principal relation should make the girl grasp one end of the sash which the boy is wearing over his shoulders and the person in attendance of the Guru Granth Sahib should recite the matrimonial circumambulation stanzas (lavan of the fourth Guru in the Suhi musical measure section of the Guru Granth). After the conclusion of the recitation of each of the stanzas, the boy, followed by the girl holding the end of the sash, should go round the Guru Granth Sahib while the ragis or the congregation sing out the recited stanza.
The boy and girl, after every circumambulation, should bow before the Guru Granth Sahib in genuflection, lowering their forehead to touch the ground and then stand up to listen to the recitation of the next stanza. There being four matrimonial circumambulation stanzas in the concerned hymn, the proceeding will comprise four circumambulations with the incidental singing of the stanza. After the fourth circumabulation, the boy and girl should, after bowing before the Guru Granth Sahib, sit down at the appointed place and the ragis or the person who has conducted the ceremony should recite the first five and the last stanza of the Anand Sahib. Thereafter, the Ardas should be offered to mark the conclusion of the Anand marriage ceremony and the sacred pudding, distributed.
(k) Persons professing faiths other than the Sikh faith cannot be joined in wedlock by the Anand Karaj ceremony.
(l) No Sikh should accept a match for his/her son or daughter for monetary consideration.
(m) If the girl's parents at any time or on any occasion visit their daughter's home and a meal is ready there, they should not hesitate to eat there. Abstaining from eating at the girl's home is a superstition. The Khalsa has been blessed with the boon of victuals and making others eat by the Guru and the Immortal Being. The girl's and boy's people should keep accepting each other's hospitality, because the Guru has joined them in relationship of equality.
(n) If a woman's husband has died, she may, if she so wishes, finding a match suitable for her, remarry. For a Sikh man whose wife has died, similar ordinance obtains.
(o) The remarriage may be solemnized in the same manner as the Anand marriage.
(p) Generally, no Sikh should marry a second wife if the first wife is alive.
(q) A baptised Sikh ought to get his wife baptised.
Article XIX
Funeral Ceremonies
(a) The body of a dying or dead person, if it is on a cot, must not be taken off the cot and put on the floor. Nor must a lit lamp be placed beside, or a cow got bestowed in donation by, him/her or for his/her good or any other ceremony, contrary to Guru's way, performed. Only Gurbani should be recited or "Waheguru, Waheguru" repeated by his/her side.
(b) When some one shuffles the mortal coil, the survivors must not grieve or raise a hue and cry or indulge in breast beating. To induce a mood of resignation to God's will, it is desirable to recite Gurbani or repeat "Waheguru".
(c) However young the deceased may be, the body should be cremated. However, where arrangements for cremation cannot be made, there should be no qualm about the body being immersed in flowing water or disposed of in any other manner.
(d) As to the time of cremation, no consideration as to whether it should take place during day or night should weigh.
(e) The dead body should be bathed and clothed in clean clothes. While that is done, the Sikh symbols: comb, kachha, karha, kirpan+should not be taken off. Thereafter, putting the body on a plank, Ardas about its being taken away for disposal be offered. The hearse should then be lifted and taken to the cremation ground. While the body is being carried to the cremation ground, hymns that induce feelings of detachment should be recited. On reaching the cremation ground, the pyre should be laid. Then the Ardas for consigning the body to fire be offered. The dead body should then be placed on the pyre and the son or any other relation or friend of the deceased should set fire to it. The accompanying congregation should sit at a reasonable distance and listen to kirtan or carry on collective singing of hymns or recitation of detachment- inducing hymns. When the pyre is fully aflame, the Kirtan Sohila (prescribed pre-retirement night Scriptural prayer) be recited and the Ardas offered. (Piercing the Skull half an hour or so after the pyre has been burning with a rod or something else in the belief that that will secure the release of the soul--kapal kriya--is contrary to the Guru' s tenets). The congregation should then leave.
Coming back home, a reading of the Guru Granth Sahib should be commenced at home or in a nearby gurduwara, and after reciting the six stanzas of the Anand Sahib, the Ardas, offered and karhah prashad (sacred pudding) distributed. The reading of the Guru Granth Sahib should be completed on the tenth day. If the reading cannot, or is sought not to, be completed on the tenth day, some other day may be appointed for the conclusion of the reading having regard to the convenience of the relatives. The reading of the Guru Granth Sahib should be carried out by the members of the household of the deceased and relatives in cooperation. If possible, Kirtan may be held every night. No funeral ceremony remains to be performed after the "tenth day."
(f) When the pyre is burnt out, the whole bulk of the ashes, including the burnt bones, should be gathered up and immersed in flowing water or buried at that very place and the ground leveled.
Raising a monument to the memory of the deceased at the place where his dead body is cremated is taboo.
(g) Adh marg (the ceremony of breaking the pot used for bathing the dead body amid doleful cries half way towards the cremation ground), organized lamentation by women, foorhi (sitting on a straw mat in mourning for a certain period), diva (keeping an oil lamp lit for 360 days after the death in the belief that that will light the path of the deceased), pind (ritual donating of lumps of rice flour, oat flour, or solidified milk (khoa) for ten days after death), kirya (concluding the funeral proceedings ritualistically, serving meals and making offerings by way of shradh, budha marna (waving of whisk, over the hearse of an old person's dead body and decorating the hearse with festoons), etc. are contrary to the approved code. So too is the picking of the burnt bones from the ashes of the pyre for immersing in the Ganga, at Patalpuri (at Kiratpur), at Kartarpur Sahib or at any other such place.
Article XX
Other Rites and Conventions
Apart from these rites and conventions, on every happy or sad occasion, such as moving into a new house, setting up a new business (shop), putting a child to school, etc., a Sikh should pray for God's help by performing the Ardas. The essential components of all rites and ceremonies in Sikhism are the recitation of the Gurbani (Sikh Scriptures) and the performing of the Ardas.

Section Five
CHAPTER XII: Altruistic Work
Article XXI
Voluntary Service
(1) Voluntary service is a prominent part of Sikh religion. Illustrative models of voluntary service are organized, for imparting training, in the gurduwaras. Its simple forms are: sweeping and plastering the floors of the gurduwara, serving water to or fanning the congregation, offering provisions to and rendering any kind of service in the common kitchen-cum-eating house, dusting the shoes of the people visiting the gurduwara, etc.
(a) Guru's kitchen-cum-Eating-House. The philosophy behind the Guru's kitchen-cum-eating-house is two-fold: to provide training to the Sikhs in voluntary service and to help banish all distinction of high and low, touchable and untouchable from the Sikhs' minds.
(b) All human beings, high or low, and of any caste or color may sit and eat in the Guru's kitchen-cum-eating-house. No discrimination on grounds of the country of origin, color, caste or religion must be made while making people sit in rows for eating. However, only baptized Sikhs can eat off one plate.

Section Six
CHAPTER XIII: Panthic (Corporator Sikh) Life
Article XXII
Facets of Corporate Sikh Life
The essential facets of Panthic life are:
(1) Guru Panth (the Panth's Guru status);
(2) The ceremony of ambrosial initiation;
(3) The statute of chastisement for aberrations;
(4) The statute of collective resolution;
(5) The appeal against local decisions.

Article XXIII
Panth's Status of Guruhood
The concept of service is not confined to fanning the congregation, service to and in the common kitchen-cum-eating-house, etc. A Sikh's entire life is a life of benevolent exertion. The most fruitful service is the service that secures the optimum good by minimal endeavor. That can be achieved through organized collective action. A Sikh has, for this reason, to fulfill his Panthic obligations (obligations as a member of the corporate entity, the Panth), even as he/she performs his/her individual duties. This corporate entity is the Panth. Every Sikh has also to fulfill his obligations as a unit of the corporate body, the Panth.
(a) The Guru Panth (Panth's status of Guruhood) means the whole body of committed baptized Sikhs. This body was fostered by all the ten Gurus and the tenth Guru gave it its final shape and invested it with Guruhood.

Article XXIV
Ceremony of Baptism or Initiation
(a) Ambrosial baptism should be held at an exclusive place away from common human traffic.
(b) At the place where ambrosial baptism is to be administered, the holy Guru Granth Sahib should be installed and ceremonially opened. Also present should be six committed baptized Sikhs, one of whom should sit in attendance of the Guru Granth Sahib and the other five should be there to administer the ambrosial baptism. These six may even include Sikh women. All of them must have taken bath and washed their hair.
(c) The five beloved ones who administer ambrosial baptism should not include a disabled person, such as a person who is blind or blind in one eye, lame, one with a broken or disabled limb, or one suffering from some chronic disease. The number should not include anyone who has committed a breach of the Sikh discipline and principles. All of them should be committed baptized Sikhs with appealing personalities.
(d) Any man or woman of any country, religion or caste who embraces Sikhism and solemnly undertakes to abide by its principles is entitled to ambrosial baptism. The person to be baptized should not be of very young age; he or she should have attained a plausible degree of discretion. The person to be baptized must have taken bath and washed the hair and must wear all five K's - Kesh (unshorn hair), strapped Kirpan (sword), Kachhehra (prescribed shorts), Kanga (Comb tucked in the tied-up hair), Karha (Steel bracelet). He/she must not have on his/her person any token of any other faith. He/she must not have his/her head bare or be wearing a cap. He/she must not be wearing any ornaments piercing through any part of the body. The persons to be baptized must stand respectfully with hands folded facing the Guru Granth Sahib.
(e) Anyone seeking to be re-baptized, having committed an aberration, should be singled out and the five beloved ones should award chastisement to him/her in the presence of the congregation.
(f) One from amongst the five beloved ones administering ambrosial baptism to persons seeking to be baptized should explain the principles of the Sikh religion to them:
The Sikh religion advocates the renunciation of the worship of any created thing, and rendering of worship and loving devotion to, and meditating on, the One Supreme Creator. For the fulfillment of such devotion and meditation, reflection on the contents of Gurbani and practicing of its tenets, participation in the congregational services, rendering service to the Panth, benevolent exertion (to promote the good of others), love of God's name (loving reflection on and experience of the Divine), living within the Sikh discipline after getting baptized etc. are the principal means.
He should conclude his exposition of the principles of Sikh religion with the query: Do you accept these willingly?
(g) On an affirmative response from the seekers of baptism, one from amongst the five beloved ones should perform the Ardas for the preparation of baptism and take the holy Hukam (command). The five beloved ones should come close to the bowl for preparing the amrit (ambrosial nectar).
(h) he bowl should be of pure steel and it should be placed n a clean steel ring or other clean support.
(I) lean water and sugar puffs should be put in the bowl and he five beloved ones should sit around it in bir posture nd ecite the under-mentioned scriptural compositions.
(j) he scriptural composition to be recited are: The Japuji, he Jaap, The Ten Sawayyas (commencing with sarawag sud), The ainti Chaupai (From "hamri karo haath dai rachhaa" to "dusht okh te leho bachaai"), the first five and the last one stanza of the nand Sahib.
(k) ach of the five beloved ones who recites the scripture hould hold the edge of the bowl with his left hand and keep tirring the water with a double-edged sword held in his right hand. e should do that with full concentration. The rest of the beloved nes should keep gripping the edge of the bowl with both hands oncentrating their full attention on the ambrosial nectar.
(l) After the conclusion of the recitation, one from amongst he beloved ones should perform the Ardas .
(m) Only that person seeking to be baptized who has participated in the entire ceremony of ambrosial baptism can be baptized. One who has turned up while the ceremony was in progress cannot be baptized.
(n) After the Ardas as per clause (1) above, thinking of our Father, the tenth Master, the wearer of the aigrette, every person seeking to be baptized should sit in bir posture, putting his/her right hand cupped on the left cupped hand and be made to drink the ambrosial mix five times, as the beloved one who pours the mix into his cupped hand exclaims: say, Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh ! (The Khalsa is of the Wondrous Destroyer of darkness victory, too, is His!) The person being baptized should after imbibing the ambrosia, repeat: Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh. Then five handfuls of the ambrosial mix should be sprinkled into the eyes of the person being baptized and another five into his hair. Each such sprinkling should be accompanied by the beloved one administering baptism saying, "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh", and the person being baptized repeating the chant.
(o) After this the five beloved ones, all together in chorus, communicating the name of Waheguru to all who have been administered the ambrosial baptism, recite to them the mul mantar (basic creed, seminal chant) and make them repeat it aloud: ik aunkaar satnaam kartaa purakh nirbhau nirwair akaal murat ajuni saibhang gur prasaad.
(p) After this, one from amongst the five beloved ones should explain to the initiates the discipline of the order:
Today you are reborn in the true Guru's household, ending the cycle of migration, and joined the Khalsa Panth (order).
Your spiritual father is now Guru Gobind Singh and, spiritual mother, Mata Sahib Kaur. Your place of birth is Kesgarh Sahib and your native place is Anandpur Sahib.
You, being the sons of one father, are, inter-se yourselves and other baptized Sikhs, spiritual brothers.
You have become the pure Khalsa, having renounced your previous lineage, professional background, calling (occupation), beliefs, that is, having given up all connections with your caste,
descent, birth, country, religion, etc..
You are to worship none except the One Timeless Being--no god, goddess, incarnation or prophet.
You are not to think of anyone except the ten Gurus and anything except their gospel as your savior.
You are supposed to know Gurmukhi (Punjabi alphabet). (If you do not, you must learn it). And recite, or listen in to the recitation of, the under-mentioned scriptural compositions, the daily repetition of which is ordained, every day:
(1) The Japuji Sahib,
(2) The Jaap Sahib,
(3) The Ten Sawayyas (Quartrains), beginning "sarawag sudh",
(4) The Sodar Rahiras and
(5) The Sohila.
Besides, you should read from or listen in to the recitation from the Guru Granth. Have, on your person, all the time, the five K's:
The Keshas (unshorn hair),
the Kirpan (sheathed sword) ,
the Kachhehra ,
the Kanga (comb),
the Karha (steel bracelet).

The under-mentioned four transgressions (tabooed practices) must be avoided:
(1) Dishonoring the hair;
(2) Eating the meat of an animal slaughtered the Muslim way;
(3) Cohabiting with a person other than one's spouse;
(4) Using tobacco.

In the event of the commission of any of these transgressions, the transgressor must get re-baptized. If a transgression is committed unintentionally and unknowingly, the transgressor shall not be liable to punishment. You must not associate with a Sikh who had uncut hair earlier and has cut it or a Sikh who smokes. You must ever be ready for the service of the Panth and of the gurduwaras Sikh places of worship). You must tender one tenth of your arnings to the Guru. In short, you must act the Guru's way in all spheres of activity.
You must remain fully aligned to the Khalsa brotherhood in ccordance with the principles of the Khalsa faith. If you commit ransgression of the Khalsa discipline, you must present yourself before he congregation and beg pardon, accepting whatever punishment is awarded. You must also resolve to remain watchful against defaults in the future.
(q) The following individuals shall be liable to chastisement involving automatic boycott:
(1) Anyone maintaining relations or communion with elements antagonistic to the Panth including the minas (reprobates), the masands (agents once accredited to local Sikh communities as Guru' s representatives, since discredited for their faults and aberrations), followers of Dhirmal or Ram Rai, et. al., or users of tobacco or killers of female infants
(2) One who eats/drinks left-overs of the uninitiated or the fallen Sikhs;
(3) One who dyes his beard;
(4) One who gives off son or daughter in matrimony for a price or reward;
(5) Users of intoxicants (hemp, opium, liquor, narcotics, cocaine, etc.);
(6) One holding, or being a party to, ceremonies or practices contrary to the Guru's way;
(7) One who defaults in the maintenance of Sikh discipline.
(r) After this sermon, one from among the five beloved ones should perform the Ardas.
(s) Thereafter, the Sikh sitting in attendance of the Guru Granth Sahib should take the Hukam. If anyone from amongst those who have received the ambrosial baptism had not earlier been named in accordance with the Sikh naming ceremony, he should renounce his previous name and be given a new name beginning with first letter of the Hukam now taken.
(t) And finally, the karhah prashad should be distributed. All the newly launched Sikh men and women should eat the karhah prashad together off the same bowl.

Article XXV
Method of Imposing Chastisement
(a) Any Sikh who has committed any default in the observance of the Sikh discipline should approach the nearby Sikh congregation and make a confession of his lapse standing before the congregation.
(b) The congregation should then, in the holy presence of Guru Granth Sahib, elect from among themselves five beloved ones who should ponder over the suppliant' s fault and propose the chastisement (punishment) for it.
(c) The congregation should not take an obdurate stand in granting pardon. Nor should the defaulter argue about the chastisement. The punishment that is imposed should be some kind of service, especially some service that can be performed with hands.
(d) And finally an Ardas for correction should be performed.

Article XXVI
Method of Adopting Gurmatta
(a) The Gurmatta can only be on a subject that affects the fundamental principles of Sikh religion and for their upholding, such as the questions affecting the maintenance of the status of the Gurus or the Guru Granth Sahib or the inviolability of Guru Granth Sahib, ambrosial baptism, Sikh discipline and way of life, the identity and structural framework of the Panth. Ordinary issues
of religious, educational, social or political nature can be dealt with only in a Matta.
(b) A Gurmatta can be adopted only by a select primary Panthic group or a representative gathering of the Panth.

Article XXVII
Appeals against Local Decisions
An appeal can be made to the Akal Takht against a local congregation's decision.

Guru Gobind Singhs words

2006-05-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

Biggest IDIOTS in the Stockton area Sikh community

2006-05-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

These two, plus another{no picture} are the biggest idiots in the Stockton area Sikh community. They are charge with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon after shooting 6 fellow Sikhs at Sansar Indian restraunt on Sunday night at 11:30p.m.
Now when I go about my business people will look at me as if I have the same tendencies as these stupid Manmukhs. These two definintly do not deserve to wear a crown of spirituality or in other words a sacred turban. They really hurt the image of Sikhs in this area. Right as we are making progress in educating people about Sikhism, these selfish and childish men destroy the whole outlook to the public about the peaceful religion of Sikhism. Now it will take a whole lot of effort and setting a perfect example of how these 2 plus another are the only people who cant control anger.
The president of the Stockton Gurdwara said these 3 men only come to the Gurdwara maybe once a year. All this has to do will drinking alcohol and a push match that started at a Punjabi festival/Kabbadi,soccer tournament and these Manmukh were mad and jealous while on drugs and had been drinking. I NOW CONDEMN ANY SIKH WHO DRINKS ANY TYPE OF ALCOHOL OR USES ANYTYPE OF DRUGS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO MESS UP ALL THAT THE GURSIKHS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE GURUS WORD AND THEM DRINKING ALCOHOL TO ME IS LIKE POURING ALCOHOL ON SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB WHILE DISRESPECTING GURU IN OTHER WAYS. I BELIEVE ANYONE WHO ALTERS THEIR STATE OF MIND OTHER THAN FROM GURBANI AND SIMRAN ARE PUTTING A BIG HOLE IN THE SIKH RELIGION.THEY SHOULD NOT EVER ASK GURUJI FOR BLESSINGS BY MATHA TECKNA BECAUSE THEY DILUTE ANY BLESSINGS BY DRINKING AND DOING DRUGS. THEY CAN JUSTIFY NOT FOLLOWING THE GURUS HUKAM BY MANY MEANS AND DRINKING AND DRUGS IS JUST A TINY WAY THEY DISRESPECT THE SANCTITY OF THE GURDWARA. THEY FORGET THAT ALL EYES ARE ON THE KHALSA, AND THATS ONE REASON WHY THE DONT WANT TO WEAR A TURBAN AND 5KS, BECAUSE THEN THEY CAN BUY ALCOHOL AND DONT HAVE TO WATCH THEIR BACK OR SURROUNDINGS TO MAKE SURE A GURSIKH ISNT WATCHING.

IN MY OPINION IF YOU DRINK OR DO DRUGS THEN YOU FORFEIT ANYTHING TO DO WITH SIKHI OR THE GURUS.

WOULD YOU STOP DOING DRUGS OR STOP DRINKING IF GURU GOBIND SINGH JI ASKED YOU PERSONALLY?
GURU GRANTH SAHIB SAYS DONT ALTER YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS BUT WITH THE SHABAD.

THESE MEN DONT EVEN REALIZE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE OTHER THAN THEIR CRIMES. THEY HAVE COMMITTED SPIRITUAL CRIMES AGAINST THE WHOLE OF SIKHI AND ESPECIALLY WITH MY AREA SIKHS. I JUST HOPE NO OLDER GURSIKHS GET HURT OUT OF THESE INFIDELS CRIMES. PEOPLE ALREADY ARE RACIST AND PREJUDICE AGAINST US SIKHS WITH TURBANS AND BEARDS.

I had a nightmare last night that I shaved my face bald and when I awoke I felt my face and was so thankful that it was just a dream. I cant explain what I felt to be fortunate enough to be a Sikh of the Guru. I couldnt breathe one breath without it. So why do many not care about being a Khalsa? It brings me pain to know many dont want to prove to the world that they have dedicated their worm of a body and mind to Sikhi. To me Sikhi is worth way more than my life ever could be.

Please dont do anything which makes the Khalsa Panth look bad in anyway, shape or form. Please remember the GurSikhs who strengthen Sikhi. Remember that society looks for anything to use against Sikhs. They sit their and wait to pounce on us like a wolf waiting above a rabbits den. We are the Khalsa and in the end we will prosper.
SatNam
Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki fateh!

My daughters results from xrays and ultrasoundsyesterday

2006-05-25T15:09:00.000-07:00

My daughters test results came back negative for virus or diseases. Thank Waheguru. I also would like to thank all of you who supported me an my family with your thoughts and prayers. Jinhan milian tera nam chit avvay Nanak naam chardikall teray banee sarbat da bhalla
SatNam
Vaheguru Ji ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji ki fateh!

A cool ad I saw on a Canadian website

2006-05-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

I like this analogy. Its talking about when people alter their beards.
The top says this is fully bloomed, meaning when you allow your beard to flourish.
The next one down says this is what you look like when you roll your beard up.
The next one down says this is what you look like when you trim your beard.
The last one is when you devastate your appearance by completly shaving off your God-given facial-hair.

So keep all your body intact. If you trim your arms and legs off then it is the same as cutting off your hair.
SatNam
Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki fateh!

Ask yourself this.

2006-05-18T21:28:00.000-07:00

GOT AMRIT?

Khalsa

2006-05-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

Remember the Khalsa. Remember the true sacrifices.Remember the alamo. oooooopps just kidding on the last part hehehehehehe
I was at the Indian Store called "Bagga Palace" and I was buying 3 new turbans for my head because I saw a friend that I used to know in High School and gave him a saffron turban. I gave him a brand new one that I just bought a couple days before and it was my only saffron Dastar. So I had to buy another and while I was there an older Punjabi couple were in the store and were shocked to see a white Sikh. I talked with them both for a while. They asked about every question you could in that amount of time. They were about 60-65yrs young and asked me sooo many questions that I basically was doing a documentary about Sikhi and myself. I think it brightened up their light about what the goal of life is. They figured out that I had no connection from parents/family etc that got me into Sikhism. They were surprised because most Sikhs in America are scared to wear a Turban with full Bana and were surprised that I only wear kurta pajamas around town. I try to promote Sikhism everywhere that I go, and even at the Gurdwara. Alot of Sikhs look at me with a sour face, which to me only reflects how much they really apply to their lives. Reading Gurbani is the first step and applying it is the next 1,000 steps. Its actually very hard but very possible. Remember the Khalsa way of life is sharper than a sword and is more fine than a hair. I always have something or someone trying to take that path from me. The more people try the more I understand that I should put even more effort into keeping a huge and bright spiritual aura around me. We all have access to the same tools{Gurbani and 5Ks} and all have a jobsite to work on{the body and mind}. First try to fix your s so that when people ask for assistance you can shed light onto them without losing any from yourself. Practice what you preach. Many parents of young Sikhs want to have their children wear a patka and not cut their hair but they dont set the example and have uncut kaysh or wear a turban themselves. That called being a hypocrite. We cant mix hypocrisy and Sikhi. We need to do it ourselves before even thinking you can tell others anything related to Sikhi. Some try to say I sometimes think radically but its thinking practically. In order to be a good Sikh you must practice everyday at all times. If you dont want to then that means you dont care if your life bears any fruit. I want my life to have meaning and accomplish what Im supposed to. I dont condemn anyone who thinks otherwise. Thats their own choice and they will deal with the consequence{s}. Life is only a one way road. If your not on the road then you are on the sidewalk and thats illegal enough to get a ticket and get pulled over. You also cant go in a diffrent direction unless you turn and get on a different road. Some like driving on roads with a huge intersection at every block, and some like trying to 4X4 but get stuck in the mud and need anyone else to pull them out. I like to be on the freeway with a bunch of cars doing the samething as I am. I also would rather drive in the diamond lane with a full car so when their is traffic we are cruising along at a good pace past all the cars who drive by themselves. Thats why we have Sadh Sangat. They are all in the same car, and helping the people who arent as strong and showing them the way. Some while not reading banis and wearing 5Ks declare that they would rather walk. While we get to the end of life in 1 hour, they get there in 1,000 years , rebirth after rebirth. I see how life is harsh if you cling to worldy things. It tends to make you justify away from Sikhi.

I again have this Muslim trying to denounce Sikhi in everyway by emailing me. Everything he says sounds so wrong. But he finally admitted a correction that I revealed to him. The rest is just" Your wrong and Im right" kind of stuff. Which I constantly say that hes too worried about others and should take that energy and use it with his faith cause with me hes wasting his time trying to convert me to Mohhamedism. All his info is from 1 maybe 2 websites. You must practice Sikhi to understand fully and not just read a little. At first I had alot of questions but have be revealed whats and whys I just have to figure out the hows. Dont let them discourage you from them calling the Guru Sahibs names. He tries alot of cheapshots, but that just goes to show how far from compassion some are. I tellhim his website should be about how true islam is and not about how false Sikhi is in order to bear any fruit. If he can produce more on how false Sikhi is and have very little to show how true islam is then why should my eyes read his garbage. I vowed a couple weeks ago that I will NEVER read his site again due to his cheapshots, and he keeps trying to trick me into going. I said Im not a real Sikh if I break my vow , which I for sure will not do. I say its like talking to a wall and he says I run with my tail between my legs. HAHAHA What a childish way to "try" to trick me into reading all his falsehoods about Sikhi. I could go on forever about this man but hes really a waste of intellect and time. So if you see him on some blog comments trying to have you go on his site dont because he will cling to you like a 4 ft by 8 ft leech. He will never stop until I change my email.

I love Sikhi and every teaching therein. Instead of falling away, I must help the non-forcefull expansion of Sikhi. I gave my friend the tools needed, and its up to him and Waheguru to allow him to be a true employee in Sikhi and not one who embezzles or steal or quit. Its all up to him wanting to clean him mind out from evils that veil us from the true goal of life. It was a real union because he came up to me and then he wanted to visit my home and have a couple hours of learning. He said he has a Gurdwara by his house. I just hope he will collect the strength to go and put in an metaphoric application. I told him its easier not to be a Sikh of the Guru. But you get stronger from being a Sikh. It the difference between bench pressing 1,000 lbs for 10 years straight and jogging for 5 min once.

I dont like typing because I have millions and millions of years of testimony and have to fit it in this microscopic blog and by the time allotted. Oh well. I hope this helps you out. If not read any up coming blogs. One day at least one might.
SatNam

Vaheguru Ji ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji ki fateh!

Please add myneice and daughter to your Ardas, please.

2006-05-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

My niece McKayla who was born on Viasakhi this year has been taken to the hospital because she has been having siezures. I hope shes allright and doesnt have any complications. Please add her sweet soul towards the end of your Ardas. I feel bad for my brother and his wife for any grief they are experiencing. I wrote a song on the Sitar in the mood I would feel if I was at the hospital with them. It sounds sad but at the sametime has hope , love and future added to it. Also my daughter has a kidney infection and May 24th we have an appointment to have a bunch more tests performed to find the problem and solution. Also I ask if you add my daughter Kaylin towards the end of your Ardas, please.

I know whatever Waheguru has planned for these two precious souls is the best and only way. I just hope its painless to them both. My heart can take it but her mother tries to bear this weight and barely hangs on. I just hope my sister-in-law and my brothers faith will allow them to bear this. Please stay in Chardi Kala with any type of problem that you are faced with.

SAtNam

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki fateh!

Lodi Gurdwara { the one I attend locally in my area }

2006-05-03T16:38:00.000-07:00

Some racist spray painted remarks that were put on Gurdwara grounds last October. There was a whole lot more spead around the property but thats the only pic I will alow to be seen. The rest is really vulgar. Im a white Sikh and I am embarassed when people say white pride. They should say racist oakball redneck pride and then would be direct more towards the people who think and write these things.The police took 2 days to finally arive and write a couple things on a notepad but really didnt do anything about it. That gives me Law inforcment resentment in this area.If someone said a Sikh is on my property and wont leave they would probably poke around the corner of the house and arrest us{guilty until proven innocent} because they were already waiting for us so before they even called they would have already been there waiting.{{That was made up at the end so dont think that part really happened but it makes you think for a moment}}

In the pic is Granthi Baba Harnam Singh Ji who gave me my first Nitnem Gutka and has taught me alot. I teach him english and he trades me Punjabi and Gurdwara protocol.The first time I go to India will be with him next year. He even allowed me to live at the Gurdwara for a while when I was having some family problems.Now everything is back to the norm. I was going to be the spokesperson on the news about this incident but I got really really ill for some reason.{I know that was Gods will}[ I wasnt supposed to go on the news that day for some reason]I hated being that sick at the time but I will thank Waheguru for stiking me down that day]

SatNam

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki fateh!

Eclipse of the Government in India

2006-04-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4077701302109830386&q=battle+sikh&pl=true
I came across this very sad movie about the 1984 widows. It is 37:26min long but worth the time. At first it is a couple min of pictures and quotes but then get to interviews. Very few mins is in punjabi but then a Sikh who speaks English is talking. Towards the end are Punjabi widows with sub-titles speaking of the horrific things they had to bear.It is very sad what many Sikh Kaurs went through. It makes me sick to know that Hindus in India are so savage, and cruel besides being disqusting. There are for sure many many that are still alive that murdered and raped many Sikhs and feel no shame.

I have no job, money or resources but have an idea that I wish to be able to partake of. I would like to have some type of organization to collect money and distribute to these people who have had there life completely humiliated and torn to pieces. I know no amount of money can earase the worst kind of memory about what happened to them, but even though I have no income I still feel rich compared to these poor Sikhs basically stuck in India with no place to go and no one to turn to as a human moral stand point. Most of these women have had their life completely flipped upside down and have no way of fixxing it. I know that if a fund was set-up from a couple dollars donated from the American Sikhs, it would go a long way in India. It would be a huge band-aid to help stop the bleeding of these peoples minds. Also it would help them to have a memorial which they could go to and see their loved ones name on a giant plaque like our Vietnam War memorials etc. Its not like a cemetary but a comfort to those people to show that the rest of the world remembers and care about them and that still technically wouldnt be enough but the most we as the Khalsa Panth can do to show that we will take care of them and treat them as our very own family. I know I havent gone through anything even remotely close to this and I know if it happened to anyone in my family I would be there to help. So not to do anything about this would be selfish. So if we can get together to somehow try to mend these wounds together it would make the Khalsa Panth much stronger to show that this will not happen again without any foriegn to India Sikhs also taking a stand against this injustice. I was only 2 years young in 84 but if something like that happened again I would love to lay down my life in order to put up resistance against the tyrant hindus in that region of India.

If you believe in this Fund project email me at PritamSingh@comcast.net and we can form agroup to either pass this idea to a group that can make this a reality or establish enough people together to start a project to help shape the future of how the Sikhs are united in helping lick the wounds, because there wounds are our wounds. Please if you can help these people in anyway, help me help them. SatNam

BOLE SO NIHALLLLLLLLL! SAT SRI AKALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru JI ki fateh!

How I became a Sikh in a nutshell

2006-04-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

It all started after September 11th 2001. I thought all people wearing turbans were Muslim. I was always wanting to hear music from"the turban guys", so I downloaded on the internet a couple songs, and listened all the time. Even my room mate would sometimes listen with me.{I guess I liked the tabla and sitar}. Then I was flipping the channel and stummbled on Sabh Rang{All Colors} which is a Sikh t.v broadcast of Kirtan and music videos. I really liked seeing the Hazoori Ragis playing at Sri Harimandir Sahib but after that I would turn the channel cause I didnt care for the music videos. Then my room mate started scamming me so I moved out and to a town away.

I was a few years later working with my step dad{doing construction, Framming ,sheeting, pick up, finish work etc} at the Stockton,Ca Gurdwara. I walked on the job joking rudely how "these are the guys who bring in the herion to the U.S". When in fact they are against any intoxicants. Well a few guys told me to shut up and that Sikhs are nice and they were cool people.They said they might be different but thats how the were raised and thats what they know.{They met them{{Sikhs}} and were there already for a few weeks}I then never said anything bad against them because the guys that told me to shut up were racist and oakie rednecks, but all of a sudden opened their mind up to get past the predudices that they didnt know of{ we thought all that wore turbans were Muslims }. I was thirsty and and Old man kept offering water and orange juice.{this was weird because old men are supossed to be grumpy and mean}I really liked his kindness. Well I built the living/visiting quarters at the Gurdwara, and at the end of the job I was told to cut my hair or I would be fired. I was fired from my own step dads job, from him.

Two years later after not being able to get a job because of having dreadlocks, I was at home and saw Sabh Rang again. This time it reminded me of the old man that offered orange juice, and his purity. I then thought how do I become happy like him. I found out I was addicted to Sabh Rang and would program the t.v to play it whenever it came on.{Fridays and sometimes Wednesday} Over a few months I wasnt able to watch Sabh Rang and felt like I was missing out. The whole day all I thought about was watching the Ragis play Kirtan. I then was handed a little white book explaining Sikhi. I read it 10,000 times over 4-5 months. I then went to the store right by my house and noticed the Khanda Sahib and a man wearing a Kara. I asked him if he was a Sikh. He said yes. I said if he is Sikh then why does he cut his hair and shave. He didnt know what to say. After a very very long pause he said he used to have a long beard and a turban but when he moved to the U.S people called him arab and Muslim and out of fear of his life shaved. So I asked him where I can get a turban,Kara,Kirpan,Kachera, and a Kangha. He then told his nephew to bring me one the next day. I was there the next day but he forgot to bring a Kara. I was there the next day waiting, but he again forgot. This went on for a week. They finally realised Im not going to stop until he brings me a Kara.He gave me a Khanda and a Kara so when I go to the Gurdwara they dont think Im a vandal or something. I went to the Gurdwara to clean all the bathrooms and they kept asking why I was cleaning and what for. I said "so I can use the building". He then directed me to someone who got me a Kirpan in Sacramento. I already wore kacheras just not punjabi cut/sown ones. I also had not cut my hair since I was 13. In school most people would say things about my hair but never to my face so I could know who said whatever they said.They always did after they passed me and in a big crowd someone would feel brave enough to remark. I always stopped and called out to who ever said anything to show their cowardly face. No one ever did, but it did stop after a while people started to like my hair for it looked alot better over time. All I needed was a turban to wrap my hair up in order to preserve my locks of hair and keep them clean from people wanting to touch them. The man at the store said he would get me a turban the next time he went to the Indian store, but after a few weeks I was tired of waiting and got enough strength to walk somewhere that I never had been before and asking for something that I had no idea of, I also got a Kangha{but I cant comb my hair, I only can through my fingers}[but I still needed a Kangha regardless of my sitch]. I walked into the store with a turban on and they were stunned and said it looked very good for someone who never wore one and never tyed a turban before. After a week or two a man gave me my first pair of Kurta Pajamas.{Im wearing that pair right now as a matter of fact} So I wore them around but the next day I needed to wash them so I needed a weeks worth. I went to the store and got a weeks worth. I slowly collected about 10 sets and wear them only. I had bags and bags of regular clothes which I donated some to the School for retarded children.

Now I looked like a Sikh but didnt know where to get the Banis to read. I just knew when to read them. The only place I knew was the Gurdwara where Banis are recited. I went everyday for 6 months, and finnaly Granthi Harnam Singh Ji gave me my first Nitnem Gutka. I cherish it even to this day, but have bought two more since then. I have one downstairs,in my bedroom and have a Sunder Gutka in my now turned Gurdwara darbar upstairs. I used to sleep on the floor in the Sukh Asan part of the room for a long time with no pillows or blankets until I got really cold and wouldnt sleep very well{ I did that in rememberance of Guru Arjan Dev and Mata Gujari and the younger Sahibzadas}. I really wanted to have Sri Guru Granth Sahib reside over my house so I got one with English translation so I could follow what was read at the Gurdwara.{I would and still do ask what Rag and page GranthiJi reads from to go home and study GuruJis Hukams} So every new turban I buy, I buy a new Ramala for GuruJi. BabaJi also gives me Ramalas also.

So before I tool Amrit I lived as a GurSikh would anyway. I always asked where Amrit Chars were but people would lie and mislead me or straight not tell me.{ thats soooo against the way of the Khalsa } They would say its Gods will if I partake of Amrit but it was Gods will to have them Lie about Amrit Chars. Shame on them men. I only knew two guys that were Sikh but I figured they are not good company for they tried to force me things or tried to polute my mind with total radical ideas. So I dont talk with them anymore. Other than them I dont know of any other Sikhs except a Kaur had contacted me last night which was cool to conversate about Sikhi to another living being other than compounding food for my brain. It was cool to share things I knew to someone else that didnt know the info I knew. I really apprieciated her contact. Thank you and Waheguru bless her soul.

On Viaskhi 2006 I wanted to take Amrit but didnt dare to ask anyone about where or when. So I drove an hour up to the West Sacramento Gurdwara at 4a.m. I walked in and noticed GuruJi wasnt Prakashed yet so I sat to meditate and finally GuruJi entered the room and I listened to the daily Hukamnama. I was thinking how are they going to set-up the Amrit Sanchar in 10 min before the Sun rises. I then figured the ceremonywasnt happenning. Then GranthiJi went back into the Sukh Asan room and was carrying GuruJi on his head walking toward me. I followed them upstairs and saw Paalki Sahib and in front had white sheets on the floor with Iron bowls and an Amrit Khanda. I was soooo excited. I sat and listened to this Hukam and after about 10-15 Sikhs walked in and the doors shut with 2 Nihangs guarding the door. I was actually getting to partake of Amrit. I asked that after I was to be renamed for I was never named from the Guru. My new name is PRITAM SINGH KHALSA from kenneth timothy mcgill.

I have left out soooooooo soooooooooo much in order to not have an autobiography even though its almost considered one that I can see. Thats why I say its in a nutshell. I wish I could explain and descibe everything for this is soooo dear to me. I was totally opposite of a Sikh before I was given realisation. I am sooooo sooooo sooooo thankful to be allowed to live as a GurSikh. People ask me how I am doing and I cant explain in words but say Chardi Kala but thats not enough to explain this feeling. I hope other to be able to feel this love for WaheguruJi and GuruJIs light. My goal is to sing Sri Guru Granth Sahib at every Gurdwara that I visit and show people what GuruJi teaches if followed with love and devotion and apprieciate what former Sikhs have done for us and what they sacrificed for us to be allowed to be a Sikh of the Guru. Not just do Matha Tekna, getting Prashad, listeneing to sounds of someones mouth, eating Langar, coversating and then leaving only to come back the next Sunday. I understand weekends are easier to form a big Sadh Sangat, but other faiths have one day aweek for worship. Sikhs worship Waheguru everyday of their life and not just one day a week. What about after work on the weekdays? Or before? It is possible it just depends on what really matters or not. GuruJi didnt say they can only be seen on Sunday and on other days to only worry about family things. GuruJI was available any time. If you needed advise they were there. If you needed a blessing they were there. They never said to come back on Sunday when everyone else was there. Most Sikhs now-a-days dont try enough to uphold the true meaning of Sikhi. They just show up and then leave. Or dont even attend but still call themselves Sikhs and have no intention to become a Khalsa. I have sooooo much to get off my chest that I should do and Audio blog but then it would be as long as an Akhand Paath maybe more.{o.k not that long. heheheh}That would be cool but I dont know how to make and audio blog. It would save my finger tips and proof reading time even though there are still type-o errors are grammer errors but you get the pictorial.hehehe. If someone shows me how I would start an audio blog to make thing easier and get to learn things and share them with people who are interested in the topics.

My conclusion: I wasnt born a Sikh but I will Die a Sikh. My parents even disowned me, trying to get me to quit. Now they realise that Sikh is a part of me as much as I am a part of being a Sikh. I thought I lost my parents but never would dare to think that I could lose being a Sikh of the Guru. I have learned too much to fall away from the GurSikh way of life. That would be like giving your life savings to someone who didnt deserve it or trying to count wrong; Sikh way 123456789 I couldnt say 2645576177 or ABCDEFGHIJK and couldnt pretend that I dont know the alphabet in order. If you are a real Sikh then be a real Sikh. If you were born a Sikh and dont show devotion then dont go to the Gurdwara and go play your whole life and find out in the end how unhappy you really are. Remember if you forsake the Sikh way you cant just jump off your sinking boat and live, for you will drown. Dont pretend that you dont know Gurmat. Dont do that of which you will regret in the end. Dont wander in LahLah land and try in this world to keep your head on. I wear my turban to tie it on my body so it dosent fall. Too much to write. I will alway post blogs for if it changes even one person then I have done my part in blogging, myway of thinking and life might benefit someone who needs a jumpstart in being a real Sikh of the Guru.SatNam Bole so nihal. Sat sri Akal

WaheguruJi ka Khalsa WaheguruJi ki fateh!

2006-04-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

I was in a 2-3 day debate with a Muslim that made a website based soley on trying to denounce SIKHISM. The whole website was totally bias and onesided, also had now facts only opinion which was from only one source. When I told him what Sikhi is about he would compare them to the Islamic laws. I told him tyranical Islamic laws arent above the law in democratic societies or countries. So he could compare until blue in the face, but he had Zero power unless those laws could be pinned down on me. Thus proving only the laws are used to oppress people Muslim or non-Muslim.

If your faith is so pure why do you need to force anything? Islamic laws only work in Muslim ran countries. In the U.S Islamic laws must take a back seat because they only abide to Muslims only and specifically. They cant go around pinning laws on the non Muslims for their own amusement or powertrip.

He said so many things trying to prove Guru Nanak was mistreating his wife because he left on his udassis. I told him in rebuttle that I am a Sikh due to Guru Nanak travling far and wide. I also told him{since he said he knows Sikhi enough to teach it on the internet} Mardana was a Muslim and at first sight of Guruji he followed Gurmat. He said then Mardana didnt know Islam enough and thus is an infidel. They use that word on any threat to their persons.He also said Guru Nanak is a Hindu. I told him Guru Nanak as a Sikh had a former Muslim and former Hindu as his companions.To him he could careless and again munipulated whatever I said again. I said you only hear what you what to hear . He told me he felt sorry for me for rejecting the truth{Islam}. He really is sorry for himself that he is further from the truth than he thinks and uses me as his own spiritual scapegoat. His own feelings of himself is blamed on me for not being forcefed his intentions of Selfish worldwide conversion to Islam. Again I will tell you what I tell Christians,Jews,Jahovah witnesses,Muslims,and Atheists, I say "You arent happy until I do what you say, You are only happy when I am not". Thats why I love the Sikh path because Im happy no matter what anyone says to me or what they do to me.If I hold on tight to the teachings and what we pray for in Ardas everyday then nothing can hurt me physically, mentally or Spiritually but me. Thats why we wake and bathe at Amrit Vela, thats why we read or recite Nitnem{our daily routine} at GuruJis appointed time{s},that is why we form a Sangat, that is why we do Seva.We are persicuted right now to see who is real and who are bandwagon jumpers{even if you were born into Sikhi}.I know a guy who basically thinks he is a mini Baba Jarnail Singh Bindranwale, he walks around with a cone turban{old Nihang style} holding an arrow wearing cholas, and doesnt wake at amrit Vela but when it makes him look like he always does, doesnt even try to read Gurmukhi{hes white like I am}Partakes of 'Bhang' {aka an intoxicant against Amrit} not only partakes it because drug addict Nihangs do, but growsand smokes it also.{{[I used to also, but in order for me to become a Sikh of Guru Nanak I dropped it like a hot coal in my bare hand and feel free from it.}]] I wanted to take Amrit with purity, because if you take Amrit and do these things against Rehat then you just drank really sweet water in the Panj Pyares presence, not only bearing Zero fruit, but there isnt a tree ther to pick fruit from just a giant sink hole in the ground getting bigger and bigger and bigger until its so big all the land in the world is gone and you are forced to jump in the ocean and drown because you wont be able to swim acrross for there is no land to swim accross to.Nothing but just water and you will eventually drown even if you start reciting Banis while you are swimming, because you only truelly started reciting bani when you realised its too late, thus bearing Zero fruit for you in the long run. Do it while you have the chance to prove your devotion not just show it.In order to understand anything we must listen to everything GuruJi is saying.If we bow to the Gurus word and we get caught up in the "book" arguement with non-Sikhs then tell them "If a word is to be stored ,where can you put it, but on paper{material} and how to take care of that paper but to bind it inside two covers, then how to preserve the "book"{SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB} but to place on a bed like you put your own body in order to take care of the body{Saroop}". If the words [Shabad]you live by are important enough , then you will cherish them with ALL your heart. Some Sikhs pick and choose what "they" think is appropriate for this day in age{KaliYuga}.GuruJi on earth is Spiritually Supreme compared to all us worms. We always fall and either find our way back on our feet or some are walking on their head,and some buried their heads in the ground and only allow instinct to guide them rather than spiritually exersizing everyday.They think they "know it all". Once you die then you will be shown your doubts and either saved or thrown right back here with the rest of us mortals who promise Waheguru we will return but find out greed, lust etc. is more important than how clean the spirit inside you really is. I can only say I hope and try to show Waheguru that I truelly care for what shape my spirit is, and if it will be good enough to not have to come back to this hell with all the physical pleasures you could shake a stick at.

I at one point in my life studied all religions non biased, and would only then make a decision based on my heart and not my mind. I then saw about Sikhi and read the philosophy and was dumbstruck with awe. I then tryed my hardest to unwind it and ended up winding myself into Sikhi itself.I didnt choose Sikhi, Sikhi chose me. I know that for 100% fact. My faith had enough spirtual power to completly morph me into a being which I now know as a GurSikh. My next post will be the story of exactly how I became a Sikh.

If you study Sikhi enough you will figure out that your life is too short to even come close to learning enough or even comprehend an iota of Sikhi. You can do your nitnem but if you dont know the meaning or the history of why, then you dont have enough power to die for Sikhi at any cost. I walk around in full bana in a redneck racist town and am the only Sikh. I have no fear of them. My crown{Turban} is my flag.My 5Ks are my non-violent weapons. Now that I took Amrit I could careless if I died at their hands because Ive accomplished the highest honour and have been baptised as a Sikh and took Naam over my body in the form of Amrit. For me the first step was to take Amrit the second is to die either for Sikhi or natural. I could careless how. I know however Waheguru planned is the best and I have no feeling or comment against his will. My mind is now wandering all over and I have too much to say that I must stop here for now or I will completly share all my knowledge and take 30 years explaining things and then learn more to share again etc. I love my deep contemplation of things. I wonder if others can think as direct as I can. When I want to do something I put so much effort in that I get lost in my own brain. Meaning I didnt know I had storage space for things so deep. Wow I feel so much power of learning Sikhi now that I have Amrit in my blood.I feel Im abandoning everyone but not typing my thoughts for 10 years but I must go.

My last thought is filter out what is important and not important in your life and put alot of effort in the things worth putting effort in to.Whether it be being a GurSikh or not even going to the Gurdwara. If you are a real Sikh you would climb over whatever obstacles are in your way, and not blame others for your reasons of devotion or non devotion. To me Waheguru is the only thing of worth and in the Sikhi path is my best way to achieve fulfillment and merge with him. GuruJis life made mine worth living and has shown me the importance of devotion.Too much to say............ SatNam Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki fateh!

My new Amrit name PRITAM SINGH KHALSA

2006-04-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

Today Waheguru and Guru has blessed me with the eternal nectar called Amrit. At first I had no idea wher Amrit char was being held. I went to West Sacramento Gurdwara, and was there before GuruJi was even prakashed by far. So I just sat in Gurus Darbar waiting for a sign or something. I stood up for GuruJi entering, Matha Tekhna, and then listening to the daily Hukamnama. I still sat there wondering how they were going to setup the Amrit ceremony in 10 min. Then I saw GranthiJi walk back into the Sukh Asan room. I was thinking, why? Then he was holding GuruJi on his head and walking in my direction. I did Matha Tekhna and was debating whether I should stay and possibly miss the ceremony or follow the Guru to whereever GuruJi was going. I just thought I should follow the Guru to who knows where. So I caught up to GuruJi and was walking for a while and we reached the stairs way far away from the Sukh Asan room. I followed GuruJi and GranthiJi upstairs and lone and behold I saw white sheets laid on the floor a Paalki Sahib and a Holy bowl and an Amrit Khanda laying in a bowl covered with a white cloth. I sat and listened to the Hukam while a few older women and an old man walked in and bam, Panj Pyare and two Nihang guards standing beyond the closed door.{I would have missed Amrit if I hadn't of followed GuruJi upstairs} WOW. I feel so thankful for the insight to follow the Guru upstairs which I didnt know what was upstairs. I thought the ceremony was going to be in the giant Darbar downstairs.Thus the Amrit ceremony begun and ended, and I asked to be renamed from this new Hukam. The Panj Pyare then huddled together and named me PRITAM SINGH KHALSA. I LOVE WAHEGURU, SIKHI,THE GURU,GURBANI,AND SANGAT,AND MY FAMILY. Nothing could stop me from doing otherwise. Dont ever forsake anything GOD given. SatNAm Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki fateh!

post for a week

2006-03-29T09:48:00.000-08:00

Since France is being stupid to Sikhs here is my picture without a turban. France just passed a law stateing Sikhs must remove their Sacred head coverings on Driver Licenses.They say "it doesnt go against the religion" but instead" it goes against their homeland security." In reality they look at all the non-Kaysh Sikhs that just go to the Gurdwara and don't listen to the Guru's words and don't take Amrit, because if you take Amrit you vow to wear the 5 k's, do your daily paath{nitnem} and give 1/10 of your earnings to charity.They already can't keep all their Kesh might as well live according to the Gurus teachings. They argue about the Gurus eating arangements. Many things they just don't care about because it disrupts their daily ego, and they can't have that. So the French Government takes their view of sikhi and messes up the GurSikhs way of life.{which they don't even realize} Now to a Sikh who cuts their hair and doesn't wear Bana, having to remove their turban for a license picture isn't against the religion of Sikhi because they don't even want to wear a turban cause if they wanted to they would. It hurts the whole Panth when people tend to make up or justify their own rules. Next it will be they have SGGS at the dinner table while drinking beer eating chicken while watching t.v. If they love the Guru as much as they say, they would listen to the Guru instead of being ignorant to what protocal they actually want to follow or not. _ Sarbat da bhalla _ Sat Sri AkalWaheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki fateh!

New French Law ---Removal of turbans______

2006-03-26T14:56:00.000-08:00

2006-03-26T10:51:00.000-08:00

Here is a pretty good diagram of the third eye and Chakra system all humans have, but only a minority if us actually recognise, or even try to exersise. Once you can minutely understand this you can start to understand how easily it can fade away from your light.Thankfully the Guru's word fills the heart, which can make even someone who doesnt even know of its existence of this to start to exersise this in their daily lives. Always remember what uncut hair and a turban does to strengthen the crown and third eye portion thus strengthening the entire Chakra system. Daily meditaion is a GOD given gift that humans recently in creation have started to slowly be revealed. Exersise this gift.

2006-03-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

Heres a pic of my brother in-law Travis with his new wife Melissa{my sister}

This pic is of my brothers and sister with my sisters kid{nephew} @ 6 o'clock clockwise: my nephew Brett,brother Tom,brother Mark,brother Lonnie,Me,brother David,and the center of attention my only sister Melissa. This was taken in the Tahoe Valley at my sisters wedding.

Too long of blogs

2006-03-21T15:45:00.000-08:00

I try to read as many blogs as I can, but some peoples blogs are way too huge.They get soooo into detail and that doesnt matter its the quick topic and comments, not a life story thing.Sheeeeesh.Not to sound like a downer but I cant dedicate my day to just one persons blog or even two.I like to read alot of blogs. Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki fateh!

My sitar

2006-03-20T11:44:00.000-08:00

I got a Sitar because I have played music for 10 years of my life.All sorts, but have always been interested in the sitar. I used to think to play sitar you would have to be really old and sooo smart when in reality you just need a passion for anything you want to do. Yesterday at the Gurdwara a little kid who plays tabla showed me how to play them and first try started to play an actual beat that could be used to play kirtan in the sangat. He said I was already good enough to go buy a set myself.So next week I'll bring the sitar to play kirtan after everyone has left and have him play tabla, then I'll let him play the sitar cause he thinks its hard.I think he'll suprize himself as I did with the tabla. Keep your blogs short and to the point so people read the whole thing, instead of having to dedicate your whole day to reading one blog. Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki fateh!

Someone asked how did you get that name GOMBESA

2006-03-16T09:51:00.000-08:00

http://www.acep.co.za// Heres a link for research if you want to further.
When I was in an African musical group they called me" Gombesa".Its an African nick name for the "Coelacanth."It is considered a living fossil or living dinosaur.As I do, it has very blue eyes.It was supposed to be extinct until 1938 it was rediscovered by some African fishermen and from the start was somewhat of a spectical and considered very ugly other than the eyes which have some sort of spiritual power.
While in the water it actually walks forward and backwards unlike fish that swim.The unique tail is there like a cheetahs tail, for balance not thrust.Before 1938 they only had fossil of it that date back to the dinosaurs.Nothing in the world compares to it. They say anything with legs has evolved from this fish, But Waheguru made Humans as human form so I believe some animals over millions of years have evolved from it as the human brain has evolved into contemplating GOD.
Very recently there were only scientific speciemens of it but now there are pictures as well as live video of it. They have recently caught 17 but are die-sected for reasearch of it, they think it might have capabilities of curing diseases or cancer, etc.
It doesn't survive in captivity, just as I won't.So they can only go in the ocean to study it{by letting it be, in order to learn from it, again as I }At first I was thinking they didn't like me for that label but its really a blessing they saw similar parables to compare to me and my attitude and way of living{sort of solitaire} They call me every once in a while to see me but my customs are different,a.e, doing nitnem at certain times,Tying turban instead of showing my unshorn hair and I don't want them to think I'm disrespecting what I used to do and what they do and think.Super high respect things.So I just talk on the phone but lately they have been bugging me to go see them. Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki fateh!

THE FIRST REAL SINGH

2006-03-15T09:59:00.000-08:00

REMEMBER WHERE THE NAME SINGH COMES FROM, AND LIVE UP TO IT.ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THAT NAME AND DON'T PRACTICE SIKHI. WHAT A SHAME TO THEM WHO DON'T TRY TO BE A REAL SINGH.IM NOT PERFECT BUT I TRY MY BEST TO BE A REAL SINGH, AND SHOW MY DAUGHTER HOW TO TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

Sacrifice from our SIKH family

2006-03-13T21:48:00.000-08:00

Dont ever forget these selfless sacrifices for you!!!!!!!
Have the courage of these men and nothing can bring you down.Bills, hard times,life keeps going regardless of your tiny problems.

I thank anyone with there courage,and God bless all.{Sarbat da bhalla}
I stayed the night at the local Gurdwara last night at the feet of the GURUS SUKH ASAN{thanx for the support Baba Harnam Singh Ji}I was in a struggle with jessica about sikhi, but through the will of God it has made her and my love stronger and she understands that sikhi is my fuel and inspiration. I am for sure not trying to make her do anything she doesn't want to.I even give her the option to make a decision for me,thats making her more than just equal.Some people think sikh women are forced things and thats not true.They are equal to man they just have a [wo] before there discripted human title.
Think of them as your more than blood brothers cause they are.You have the same blood as them regardless of your race.
They sacrificed their very lives for you to be able to be sikh.Dont EVER look over them and remember them in your prayers. Remember you get to wake up everyday in peace because of your sikh brothers, and these are a miniscule fraction of them not including people from our age and time! Love. I dont like to see so much pain.So much wasted,and this moment keeps slipping away. I love you all.Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki fateh!

2006-03-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

Waho Waho Gobind Singh Aapay Gur Chela

2006-03-07T09:40:00.000-08:00

Jessica and I
She has the absolute perfect smile for any picture.If I took a pic while she was sleeping she would probably smile the same This is jessica and I before I converted to SIKHI
This is my actual size. Just kidding. This is I in full BANA. I used to wear FULL BANA 24 hrs a day when I first coverted out of Love for the old men/women who their whole life have worn Bana, now I sleep with just 5K's on.
Khanda Sahib this is tatooed on my brain covering the entire thing plus my heart. This is sort of how my spirit looks[just a figure of speech]
My room upstairs with SGGS with english translations. Very very helpful.
This is the only NEGITIVE that makes a POSITIVE