Why Golden Palki?
I am sure everybody feels different about this subject of Golden Palki being taken to Nankana Sahib. However controversial Bibi Jagir Kaur may be, but I kind of agree with her on this that Gold does not have any place or value in Sikhism and this is more of a political show. I see it as setting of a really bad trend and reminds me of history of India when it was called the “golden Sparrow” because temples were laiden with gold. Who will stop from all the other gurudwars from doing the same thing? If DSGPC and people that support it have all this gold for palki, why not open libraries, schools, hospitals for Sikhs in the villages of Pakistan, India and other countries? There are so many people in the Sikh community that can use the money to get a medical treatment for needy kids and elders, educate themselves and have nice parks for their kids to play on, lab equipment, books and so on. That golden palki does not serve any better purpose than a simple wooden one. I don't understand why the community leaders such as Jethedars of Akal Takhat and other shrines would provide leadership and guidance to community and media and would speak up on the issue such as this.
I understand that Guru’s place should be beautiful and clean. But it should also be simple. I don’t know how much preference Guru’s gave to gold. Guru Hargobind Singh and Guru Gobind Singh Ji wore bana that were more prince like but still I don’t think they ever promoted infactuation with outer appearance. Please educate.
I understand that Guru’s place should be beautiful and clean. But it should also be simple. I don’t know how much preference Guru’s gave to gold. Guru Hargobind Singh and Guru Gobind Singh Ji wore bana that were more prince like but still I don’t think they ever promoted infactuation with outer appearance. Please educate.
posted by SikhsRus at 11:24 AM
15 Comments:
Gurinder Ji,
I agree with your comments and no, I don't take things personal. I just throw out thoughts and questions as they come. You are right that respect for Guru Granth should be the utmost thing. Only thing is that the Palki being replaced has lasted for centuries and is made with marble. I guess next thought or question in my mind comes, which one is better Gold plated new sttuff or real marble? Also, in my post I mentioned about Akal Takhat not taking the stand. I am wrong on that since I read another news story which stated that Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti did call it a political game by the DSGPC and Mr. Sarna.
Interesting thought...
and somehow i agree with Keeping it as elite as possible. We Sikhs are (by God's grace) the biggest donors among all cultures. If we are not spending those riches on enhancing Satguru's Gaddi, we will be on something maybe much less relevant.
Reminds me of Dixie Gurughar in Toronto. The largest Gurudwara and I know i have voiced this before as well...but this gurughar gets immense chaddhava...literally countless, yet all the promises are yet to be fulfilled. You and I would assume that the sangat here is much more educated and aware, then why would they not question where all their donations are going...but nope..in vain. No questions asked. And no response deemed important to be provided to the sangat.
This makes me feel, that i rather see Satguru's Gaddi as elaborate and decorative as possible...at least makes me feel secure of some right purpose that sangat's donations are going towards.
I wonder what it is that is keeping people from getting involved and asking questions? May be people don't know that they have a legal right for asking questions on donations to the temple. They must file taxes which are a public record here in America, and I would think is probably very similar in Canada as well. Only way Sikh public can be empowered is thru government intervention if donations are to be questioned or run for election in the gurudwara ourselves.
Gurinder Singh Ji,
I think you should post stuff on your blog. You have such a great knowledge about Sikh history and very great insights. Our community needs people like yourself that have the knowledge and are willing to share it with others. Even if 20 poeple read your posts those are the 20 in whose lives you have made a difference. Please do this seva if time permits.
yeah, i agree with gurinder on this one. sort of... i think it's the tradition of it. no one not hindus, muslims or christians treat their holybook as we do. we do treat it as a living teacher.
in christianity's case it's Christ that was King of Kings but he lived a very humble life so in christianity you see wooden crosses (because he was crucified on a wooden cross so that's more accurate)...in our case we look at it from the opposite point of view.
BUT i don't like it when so much money goes towards gurudwara(to enhance their appearnce) and so little to charity. i was just reading on pingalwara's web site (thanks to seek!) that the medicine costs only $4000/month? that's nothing compared to what gurudwaras get and spend on covering this with gold and that with gold.
but i'm fine with the palki. i still don't know why it started in delhi though.
Wow! Philosophy and Religion! That is deep. I wish I had taken those as majors in school. Teaching Sikhism to professors, now that is something. You can definitely provide us a lot of insight. I wish there were more Sikh philosophers out there. I don't know why I think of philsophers as humble thinkers that are way ahead of their times.
Yes, the $4000 for the medicine alone. Why the veerji are we not able to suffice that need? Someone ask Mrs. Abnask Kang or others of the pingalwara ontairo...they get much much more than the $4000 and i am NOT indicating that the money is not being sent to the designated spots...but yet there is scarcity. it's sad, yet true. I have finally stoppped donating at random spots. I bought this hersheys huge piggies bank...and now i donate in my own box(ironic that i started this after quitting my job:P) but that aint the point. I've decided that if i can't voice out my concerns, i shall but ensure that my hard earned money and sincere concerns are answered first hand. I will spend this money on those people by myself!!
And about Sikh scholars - oh Satguru i am so incapable of making these comments, but i have BIGG CONERNS, DEBATES AND COMMENTS about tht field. Maybe after my exams are over, i'll do a thoughtful entry on it on my blog:) But yes, Sikhism needs lots and lots of Sikh scholars!!
wow...Gurinder veerji you have some serious debates...and very convincing ones...thought of being a lawyer?? ;)
Just to explore the question being debated here from a different angle, is there a purpose of of having things luxurious, such as silk clothes, golden jewellery, etc?
msingh
I think one of the biggest seva the Sikh community needs from us now is to help the younger generation explore Sikhi and stay away from drugs, gangs etc., open libraries in India and not just Punjab, hospitals and shelters for people (not just Sikhs) but all in the name of Gurus. I can't wait to see a medical hospital, school or a college here in the bay area with name of Gurus so people know what Sikhs are all about. Just imagine:
"Guru Nanak Medical Center"
"Guru Gobind Homeless shelter"
"Guru Ram Das Library"
"Khlasa Engineering College" and so on.
These institutions not for just Sikhs but non-sikhs alike. That is when people will know what we are all about. I wish I had the money and the know how to do all these things and community will work together. We just need people that know how to open and run these institutions.
Oh Manjit Singh ji, you'd be very glad to hear that someone (I can't forgot his name), donated some $4 million dollars i think :P to this new hospital being constructed in Brampton area and has donated exclusively for the emergency services, which is named, by his request as the Guru Nanak Emergency ward. This was all over the news throughout Canada methinks. It's really marvelous! God bless all these people who have the money and are donating it for the right purposes, and God bless all those who do whatever they can and have high aspirations at the same time :D:D
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!!!
*Can't blv that i forgot his name :P
Seeker,
Glad to hear that it is happening! I can't wait to see it happening all over the World. Since Sikhs don't have that much clout in the U.S as in Canada or India and the U.S. political system is set up based on winner takes all (i.e. republican or democrat). Only option we have is to open every businesses and non-profit organizations with names of Gurus or Sikh history to bring awareness in the country. But the benefit must go to Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike to make a real difference. Sometimes I think may be I should explore running a non-profit organization if I learn enough as to how to do it honestly and efficiently. Then thought comes that with the paranoid about corruption prevalent so much in Indian society, I think people would be hesitant to give money and I would not be able to do it alone. There are just so many ideas. A local Kabaddi association for kids, charity of some sort, helping people in geenral. May be one day???
Oh yeah! If I ever win a big lottery, my goal would be to not donate most of it right away and on myself, friends and family, but to double it within two years by investing most of it, so I can help twice the amount of people. Some of you may not agree and probably think I am just a dreamer!!! But, some of these dreams keep me working hard to make more so I can help more.
Recently I donated to United Sikhs and UNICEF for Tsunami and Katrina, but I did ask for the financial statement for United Sikhs. This is my way to find out if the organization I am supporting is really doing a good job. Personally, I look for if the organization has the insight and efficient enough to save rather than spend and spend.
It is kind of like the Japanese story of bags of rice during famine. The emperor distributed half of the supply of bags to people and planted the other for next crop instead of using all. That is how I think the organization should be run.
Happy holidays to you, Sardar Gurinder Singh Ji. Have a great time wheerver you happen to be.
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