Previous

Next

Ask a Question

Summary of Question:	Gurdwara Corruption
Category:	Gurdwara
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 11/11/2003 6:35 AM MST

Sat Sri Akal ji,

I would like to submit the following question and hope you could find the time to help me understand a grey area for me.
I attend a Gurdwara Sabha in England, the gurdwara is a Bhagat Ravidass ji Bhawan.
Now, many of the procedures during the gurdwara are contrary to the Rehat Marayda, one of which surrounds Shabads. The Gianni's who are present often sing songs concerning the aforementioned Bhagat Ravidas ji and these songs have no reference to the Guru Granth Sahib ji. Another issue is that when Sants come to the Gurdwara, they are not only seated on cushions within the Gurdwara, people also Matha tekh (bow) them in front of the Sri Guru Granth ji.
I mean surely the fact that the Guru Granth Sahib is installed within the Bhawan should make the sangat and committee think this is not on.
Also another point, the Gurdwara is located upstairs and downstairs there is a hall which is reserved for parties and special occasions. These parties often occur in the evening while the Guru Granth ji is upstairs in Sach Khand. With all this noise and drinking and smoking going on just a floor below, how can this be called a Gurdwara?
The committee is very reliant on me playing tabla as they are often lacklustre in obtaining Giannis from India.

I would like to ask you if these occurances are something which occurs generally or is this as surprising to you as it is to me?

I commend you for all the great Sewa you do for the Sikh youth of the world, I monitor your pages regularly and you have certainly enlightened me to the modern day Sikh Panth.

Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji Ki Fateh.

**********
REPLY
************

Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji Ki Fateh.

Veerji: This is sadly, not surprising. Per what you describe, these things are definitely not in keeping with Sikh Rehit or correct observance of Gurdwara or respect for Siri Guru Granth Sahib.

You have several options as I see it from so far away. (1) do nothing. (2) say something, and say it often. (3) tell them that you will no longer play tabla for them at all (for the above reasons) unless and until they run the Gurdwara as it's supposed to run; and/or (4) find a gurdwara that does honor Sikh Rehit around Gurdwara and SGGS. Remember that politics and money play a big part in how many gurdwaras are operated, and my guess is that politics and money are involved in why this gurdwara is run as it is. So the education option might fall on deaf ears. You have to decide for yourself what is the highest truth for you in this situation. Meditate on the Naam and do ardas and let Guru guide your course of action, if any, that way. Guru ang sang,
-DKK