The Gurdwara Sahib Part 2

WALT: Consolidate our knowledge of the Gurdwara SahibEvaluate the 5 key elements of the Gurdwara Sahib

Greeting Task: Do you remember the 7 parts of the Nishaan Sahib????

a A e s h k K g G | c C j J \t T f F x

q Q d D np P b B mX r l v V

S ^ Z z & L

Pentee Time

Prayer Time

A

B

C

D

E

F G H

I

Meaning of a Gurdwara:

Features of a Gurdwara:

Diwan Features

Maryada in the Guru Ghar:

Gurdwara Sahib

Personal Behaviour Environment On the Move Other

Head must be covered at all times.Shoes and socks must be removed.Basic standards of personal hygiene are to be observed especially relating to cleanlinessEating or drinking while in service is strictly avoided.Being under the influence of any intoxicant including alcohol, tobacco...etc. is strictly forbidden.Consuming meat before entering the Darbar Sahib is strictly forbidden.Complete silence is observed while in Guru's service.Respectful attitude towards others who are present. No Discrimination while doing Sewa

The room should be kept cleanThe rumalla sahibs that are used to cover Guru Granth Sahib Ji are kept clean and changed daily. The Guru Granth Sahib Ji is always placed on a Manji Sahib (small handmade throne).A canopy is always placed over the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.A Chaur Sahib is provided besides Guru Granth Sahib Ji with a small platform to house the Karah Parshad (sacramental food) and other offerings.Everyone should cover their head and take off their shoes.

Five initiated Sikhs accompany Guru Granth Sahib at all times when travellingAnother Sikh does Chaur Sahib sevaOne Singh is to go ahead of Satguru and sprinkle water or wet flower petals. The Main Singh carrying the Guru must put a clean Rumalla on his Turban before carefully and with respect placing the Guru on this Rumalla. At all times, the Guru should be covered with a small Rumalla so that the Guru's Sarop is always fully "covered". Also the Sikh carrying Guru Granth Sahib should have "Keshi Ishnaan" or washed hair to show respect.There should be recitation of "Waheguru" at all times.

No one sits on a higher platform than the Guru.No one is to come in front of guruji without his or her head covered.

Respect

How do people protect themselves and their homes?

What does satkar mean?

What does beadbi mean?

As we watch the video Satkar vs Beadbi reflect on how it makes YOU

feel?

We are the guardians assigned to protect the house of God- TO MAINTAIN SATKAR AND STOP BEADBI. Whether that’s defending the house of God in the form of a Gurdwara or protecting the God within (stopping the 5 vices) or protecting the defenceless

We are born as SAINT- SOLIDERS the guardians and upholders of peace, freedom and righteousness

Sikhs are like athletes constantly training the mind and body!

WILL YOU PROTECT YOUR HOUSE??????

The Gurdwara is more than a building

HANDS UP: Which religion are these people?

The Amish don’t believe in church buildings- they believe that the soul is the temple of God not a building.

This is true for Sikhs too but WHY is it important for Sikhs to attend the Gurughar? What happens? Where are you sitting right now?

Charles Wilkins from Asiastic Society on his visit to Gurrdwara Sri Harmandir,

Patna Sahib on 1st March 1781 writes a paper titled "Seeks and their College at

Patna" writes:

"...there was a considerable number of them [Sikhs] settled in the city of Patna, where they had a College for teaching

the tenets of their philosophy."

Task: Draw a little blackboard and in it write down what we learn at the Gurdwara.

The Gurdwara is more than a building

These are the 5 things that constitute a Gurdwara according to Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha in the Mahan Kosh:

1) Spiritual Hub - Religious & Spiritual Training

2) Free Kitchen - for poor

3) Rest house - for pilgrims/homeless without any demand or expectation

4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible for Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his son Shah Jahan was given medicine for his son (Dara Sikhon) by Guru Harrai Sahib Jee from the Gurdwara Hospital/ Dispensary

5) Fort - protection of Gurbani, values & beliefs - physical training is provided eg Guru Angad Dev Jee started Wrestling Akharae

What is a Gurdwara? More than a “temple” too

Temple: A building devoted to the worship, or regarded as the dwelling place, of a god or gods or other objects of religious reverence

1) Spiritual Hub - Religious & Spiritual Training

2) Free Kitchen - for poor

3) Rest house - for pilgrims/homeless without any demand or expectation 4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible for

Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his son Shah Jahan was given medicine for his son (Dara Sikhon) by Guru Harrai Sahib Jee from the Gurdwara Hospital/ Dispensary

5) Fort - protection of Gurbani, values & beliefs - physical training is provided eg Guru Angad Dev Jee started Wrestling Akharae

These are the 5 things that constitute a Gurdwara according to Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha in the Mahan Kosh:

1) Spiritual Hub - Religious & Spiritual Training

2) Free Kitchen - for poor

3) Rest house - for pilgrims/homeless without any demand or expectation

4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible for Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his son Shah Jahan was given medicine for his son (Dara Sikhon) by Guru Harrai Sahib Jee from the Gurdwara Hospital/ Dispensary

5) Fort - protection of Gurbani, values & beliefs - physical training is provided eg Guru Angad Dev Jee started Wrestling Akharae

TASK: Thinking back to your previous lessons add examples of how the gurdwara meets these 5 criteria.

Get our your second homework please.

The Knowledge Carousel

TASK: Around the room are 5 Takhat fact cards. Using the cards write down which Takhat provides any of the 5 functions and HOW.

You can pair share but you have 2 mins with each card carousel.

Takht Sri Akaal Takht SahibSri Amritsar Sahib

The first and foremost Takht is the Sri Akaal Takht Sahib Jee. The literal meaning of Takht is ‘throne which is sat on by an emperor.’

Akaal means Timeless. We often refer to Vaheguroo (God) as The Timeless One as He is not bound by time. Vaheguroo has always been here, is here with us now and will always be here.

After the shaheedi of Sri Guroo Arjan Dev Jee (the fifth Guroo of the Sikhs), Sri Guroo Hargobind Sahib Jee (the sixth Guroo of the

Sikhs) built the Akaal Takht Sahib with Bhai Gurdas Jee and Baba Buddha Jee. Guroo Jee named the Takht after God and not after himself, his father or even after Sri Guroo Naanak Dev Jee.

Sri Guroo Hargobind Sahib Jee said that whoever comes in to the fold/organisation/protection of the Miri Piri (temporal and spiritual

power) will be saved. Sri Guroo Hargobind Sahib Jee said it is now time to turn to the sword. The two kirpaans of miri and piri where placed on Sri Guroo Hargobind Sahib Jee by Baba Buddha Jee.

Guroo Jee also installed two Nishaan Sahibs near Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. The one closest to the Takht is lower than the one that is closer to Sri Harmandir Sahib Jee. This signifies that a Sikh must be a saint (piri) first and then a soldier (miri).

Guroo Saahib would spend their evenings at Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. Here, they would see the bravery/strength of their Sikhs. Two

dhadhi’s by the names of Bhai Abdula Jee and Bhai Natha Jee (from Sursingh) would sing tales about brave warriors in battle. Over a period of two months they sang all twenty four vaars from Sri Guroo Granth Saahib Jee Maharaaj.

The Akaal Takht Sahib is the highest political institute of the Sikhs. Sikhs would be invited to attend from far and wide. Under the

guidance of Dhan Sri Guroo Granth Sahib Jee Maharaaj the final decision would be read out by the Jathedhar and this would be accepted by the Khalsa Panth. This continues even today. At the times of Sri Guroo Hargobind Sahib Jee Sarbat Khalsa would

take place twice a year (at Diwali and Vaisakhi).

The last Sarbat Khalsa was called in 1986 by the Panth, in which it was agreed that the struggle for an independent Sikh state will continue until victory is achieved.

In 1984, the Government of India attacked the Akaal Takht Sahib and Sri Harmandir Sahib with tanks and armoured vehicles.

Thousands of Sikhs lost their lives, the youngest martyr of this onslaught was a 5 year old girl named Bibi Vaheguroo Kaur Jee who gave her life with the whole of her family. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards on 31 October

1984.

Takht Sri Harmandir JeePatna Sahib, Bihar

In the year 1504, Sri Guroo Naanak Dev Jee went to Patna Sahib with Bhai Mardana Jee. When Guroo Jee was leaving the town he told a merchant called Salis Rai that he would return in his tenth form.

Sri Guroo Gobind Singh Jee was born in the city called Patna. As a mark of respect we add Saahib to the end – Patna Saahib.The second takht is called Sri Harmandir Jee.

Sri Guroo Gobind Singh Jee was called Gobind Rai before he was blessed with Amrit from the panj pyaarae.

Bhikan Shah was a well known Muslim saint. He was very loyal and honest. One day he did something he had never done before. He started bowing in the opposite direction of Mecca during his prayers. This had never been done before.

People thought that he had gone crazy.

When he was asked why he did this Bhikan Shah said, “If you could see who has come to take care of everything then you would bow in this direction too.” He was talking about the coming of Sri Guroo Gobind Singh Jee.

Bhikan Shah went to Patna Saahib to see the child. He found out that a child had been born to Sri Guroo Tegh Bahaadur Jee, the ninth Guroo of the Sikhs. The child’s name was Gobind Rai.

Bhikan Shah and Gobind Rai seemed to recognise each other straight away. Bhikan Shah had two pots which he placed in front of Gobind Rai. With his playful spirit, he reached out with both hands and put one on each pot. Bhikan Shah

became very happy.

Bhikan Shah explained that one of the pots represented the Muslim faith and the other represented the Hindu faith. Gobind Rai placed his hands on both pots meaning he would look after all people and all religions.

Sri Guroo Gobind Singh Jee defended all people and he set up the army of the Khalsa that will always stand up for truth.

Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jee

In 1666 when Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born – his father the 9th Guru of the Sikhs , Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Maharaaj bought some land & called the place Anandpur Sahib.

In Anandpur Sahib Guru Gobind Singh Ji built six forts to protect the city of Anandpur, Sri Kesgarh Sahib Ji is one of these six forts.

Sri Kesgarh Sahib Ji is also the 3rd Takht of the Sikhs & is located in the centre of Anandpur Sahib.

It is at Sri Kesgarh Sahib Ji that the Vaisakhi of 1699 took place & it is the birthplace of the Khalsa.

The Panj Pyaarae, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Guru Ji’s whole family & millions of Sikhs took Amrit at Sri Kesgarh Sahib Ji on the day of Vaisakhi in 1699.

At Sri Kesgarh Sahib Ji today there are shasters belonging to Guru Gobind Singh Ji - these inculde;

• The Khanda used in the Amrit Sanchar of 1699• Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Kataar

• Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Saif (double edged weapon)• Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s gun

• Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s spear (known as Karpa Barchha)• A Naagni – a twisted spear like the one Bhai Bachitter Singh Ji used to defeat an elephant.

Takht Sri Damdama Sahib JeeGuru Kee Kashi, Sabo Kee Talwandi, Batinda, Panjab

Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Guru Kee Kanshi, Sabo Kee Talwandi, Batinda, is one of the five seats of authority for Sikhs. This Takht is situated at Batinda in Punjab, in a village called Sabo Kee Talwandi.

Damdama means a place to have a break and rest.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee stayed here after fighting battles against the mughals. Before his arrival at Sabo Kee Talwandi, two of the Guru’s sons were bricked alive at Sarhind and two laid down their lives at Chamkaur Sahib. After writing the

Zafarnama, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee fought a successful battle at Muktsar and then moved towards Sabo Kee Talwandi.

The true and complete form of Sri Guru Granth Saahib Jee was written at Sri Damdama Sahib by the hand of the great Sikh, Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh Jee as Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee recited gurbani off by heart. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee added to the original version prepared by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Jee and the verses (hymns/shabads) of Sri Guru Tegh

Bahadur Jee.

Baba Deep Singh Jee with firm faith would complete the seva of providing the paper, pens and ink. He also wrote four more saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee by hand and these can be found at the other four Takhts. Later, Shaheed Baba

Deep Singh Jee was made the jathedhar of the Takht by Guru Jee.

Within nine months and nine days the correct pronunciation and understanding of gurbani was taught to forty eight Singhs by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee.

Guru Jee blessed Sabo Kee Talwandi, as Guru Ki Kanshi. Kanshi means holy shrine or centre of religious and spiritual learning and development. He said that it would be a place where there would be many scholars, philosophers,

writers, students and devotees of the Sikh Faith.

We should all strive to do as much seva as we can and use the skills, talents and qualities that we have to increase awareness of the Sikh faith.

Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib JeeSachkand: Realm of Truth

Hazoor: Presence of the Master

After compiling Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee at Damdama Sahib, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee travelled to the city he named Abchalnagar meaning ‘steadfast city’, to the sacred place now known as Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib Jee.

Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib is one of the five seats of authority for Sikhs. This Takht has a rich history of important events which all Sikhs should remember.

It was at Sri Hazoor Sahib that Madho Daas met Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee and was blessed with the gift of Amrit. Madho Daas was bestowed with the new name Banda Singh Bahadur, meaning slave of the Guru. Guru Jee sent Baba Banda

Singh Bahadur with five arrows and five Singhs to fight Wazir Khan and his men in Sirhand. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur is respected as one of the greatest Sikh warriors and martyrs.

Bhai Daya Singh Jee and Bhai Dharam Singh Jee, two of the beloved Panj Piare took their last breath at Sri Hazoor Sahib.

Sri Hazoor Sahib Jee is where Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee blessed the Sikhs with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee as the Living Guru- the Jagdi Jyot (the divine light of all ten Guru Sahibs).

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee in the presence of five Singhs, placed a shaster, flowers, a coconut and five paise in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Maharaaj. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee bowed with devotion and did parkarma around Guru

Granth Sahib Jee. He passionately informed the Sikhs; Sabh Sikhan Ko Hukam Hai Guru Maneo Granth

To all Sikhs, let this be the order, recognize the Granth as your Guru.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee left their physical body in Hazoor Sahib. Sri Hazoor Sahib should be visited by all Sikhs so we can be blessed with the darshan of Angetha Sahib (where Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee is cremated) and Guru Jee’s holy

weapons.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Maharaj should be treated with the utmost love, respect and devotion. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee emphasises the power of Shabad Guru:

“Whatever you desire can be obtained by meditating on the Shabad (Verses) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee.”

These are the 5 things that constitute a Gurdwara according to Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha in the Mahan Kosh:

1) Spiritual Hub - Religious & Spiritual Training

2) Free Kitchen - for poor

3) Rest house - for pilgrims/homeless without any demand or expectation

4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible for Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his son Shah Jahan was given medicine for his son (Dara Sikhon) by Guru Harrai Sahib Jee from the Gurdwara Hospital/ Dispensary

5) Fort - protection of Gurbani, values & beliefs - physical training is provided eg Guru Angad Dev Jee started Wrestling Akharae

SHARE ONE THING YOU WROTE DOWN.

These are the 5 things that constitute a Gurdwara according to Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha in the Mahan Kosh:

1) Spiritual Hub - Religious & Spiritual Training

2) Free Kitchen - for poor

3) Rest house - for pilgrims/homeless without any demand or expectation

4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible for Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his son Shah Jahan was given medicine for his son (Dara Sikhon) by Guru Harrai Sahib Jee from the Gurdwara Hospital/ Dispensary

5) Fort - protection of Gurbani, values & beliefs - physical training is provided eg Guru Angad Dev Jee started Wrestling Akharae

Homework: Are WE meeting these 5 qualities in the UK? If so give some examples. What else can WE DO to meet these 5 expectations?

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