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Summary of Question:	Pictures And Idols
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Thursday, 11/23/2000 7:19 AM MST

I have a hobby of collecting pictures with a holy theme. On my bedroom walls I have pictures of sikh gurus.

Daily I pray to god and stand infront of these pictures as means of setting my attention to prayer; am I doing anything wrong in relaying my " ardas " in front of these pictures?

Also this year I went to India and was truly happy when at a shop I saw a little brass "figurine/model" of Guru Nanak dev Ji, so I bought it. A couple of my relatives frowned upon me saying worshipping idols is against our religion.

What I want to know is am I commiting a sin by using pictures of the ten gurus and the above mentioned "model" for praying. The thing is I have allways stood infront of pictures to pray and I bow infront of them like you do at a gurudwara.

Also is it wrong practise to light incense sticks and or candles infront of pictures of the gurus. Again I usually do this to create an "atmoshphere" in my bedroom to meditate because I do not have a spare room to pray in at home.

And my final question for today is - Is "Arati" performing permitted in Sikhism? many say it is and some say it is not. I know that at the main gurudwara at Manikaran Sahib in India daily arti is performed by Mata Deva ji.

Thankyou very much for your dedication to providing this sevice to confused sikhs like myself.

Satnaam Sri Waheguru.
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Reply
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Greetings to you in the Name of God the light of every soul and in the name of Guru the life of every Sikh.

Dear one, you are so devoted and graceful in your practice. There is nothing wrong in what you do. Your relatives are over reacting...but it is better not to make an issue of this.

Historically, the Sikhs have chosen not to use statues of the Guru's in the Gurdwaras. The Hindu's rely heavily on worship of physical representations of various deities and Gods. This is why you may get a heavy reaction from some Sikhs.

When you see God in all, then you truely are seeing God all around you. I believe that you are not worshipping the picture or the statue. They are reminders to you of Grace and Godliness. Burning insense does create an atmosphere and does clear the air. It is also used in Gurdwaras. The arti is done every night after Rehiras in the Golden Temple and many other gurdwaras.

Relax and rejoice in your devotion. Remember that God is within you and really develop your inner experience of your God consciousness.