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Summary of Question:	Reply To Can Someone Own A Gurdwara
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Friday, 2/04/2005 11:24 AM MST

nobody can own a Gurdwara - anywhere whether it is in India or elsewhere. Guru Gobind Singh had stictly warned anybody from using money given by sangat for personal use.

during the fight at Anandpur sahib with muguls when Khalsa forces came to the borders of srsa river, Guru ordered to throw all the money and collection given by sangat which were in thousands into the river. when some sikhs suggested that since they fought hard for a long time He should give money to the families of sikhs who were martyrd during the fight and some others who survived. Guru refused this porposal and said that he doesnot want his childs(Sikhs) to eat anything for free because it will spoil them and their kids ,and they can develop a habit to live for free without working.

Guru Nanak has also stresed need for " kirt karo & vannd ke shako" (work & share). so we can conclude that it is against the basic principals of Sikhisam to use Gurdwaras income for personal use.

From India's point also Gurdwaras under Shiromini Guradwara parbandhak comitte use the income for religious purpose through budget porposals (which was somwhere around 275 crore Rs last year). but since they are always fights going on for the control of the Gurdwara managements we can assume that these are fights going on for money, which is a sad part because it is driving away our youths from Gurdwara. best way to manage Gurdwara can be through the formation of Trust formed by Sangat on a annual basis. no member should be allowed to head the trust for consective years. above all there is a need for leaders who are ready to serve.

Finally you wonderful people at Siknet are doing a great job keep it up.

WJKK WJKF

-kamal

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Thankyou Kamal, for this reply. I am generally opposed to the idea of personal ownership of a gurdwara.
-DKK