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Summary of Question:	Matha Tek ( Bowing ) To Human Baba Ji's !!
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Friday, 10/18/2002 11:23 AM MDT

I would like to clear the air regarding Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, Birmingham, UK.

Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh has clearly stated that he does not wish the sangat to bow to him. He even has a message on the wall stating this. However, as a respected member of the Sikh Panth people bow to him. He guides the Sangat to Our Siri Guru Granth Sahib and not to himself as did Baba Puran Singh Ji. The founder of the Jatha.

There is nothing wrong with bowing to someone you respect in Indian and Sikh culture. Infact touching of the feet of people you respect is a sign of respect and must not be confused with bowing to the Guru. This is totally different. We bow to our parents - is this also wrong then?

Babaji in his life time and both Bhai sahibs have spent there life working for the panth and have never taken a penny from any of the sangat for this. They only travel with their own earnings and do not use the Gurdhwaras funds for this. Something that can not be said for the so called leaders of our panth.

I think if people wish to bow to them out of this respect - which is inline with our traditions - then there is nothing wrong with this. However, the sangat knows they are not a GURU or are neither proclaiming to be anything but a humble servant to the Sikh Panth.

I hope you understand what I am trying to say. However, if you still wish to discuss this further by including passages from our Guru Granth Sahib Ji (eg. Sukhmani Sahib and many other passages).I will be more than welcome to do so.



Regards

Harminder Singh

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REPLY
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Dear Harminder Singh,
Sat Siri Akaal. Thank you for this clarification. I know it is an Indian/Sikh cultural tradition to bow to elders. But in an individual's mind, what are they bowing to? There is still, without question, a lot of confusion among many who call themselves Sikh re: bowing to anyone but Siri Guru. In my own experience, I have seen this confusion or perhaps (for some) this hedging of one's spiritual bets. Such folks bow to SGGS and to other Hindu or Buddhist or Christian gods/saints, in human form or not. Do I think these folks understand being Sikh? No. What they do in their personal lives is their choice without question, but should a Gurdwara encourage this? No.

Personally, I too have touched the feet of my teacher, something he will NOT allow in presence of Siri Guru Granth Sahib. I think matha tek in SGGS presence is a sacrilege. If the report of the above-named gurdwara is true, Babaji should not have set himself up in the presence of Siri Guru, and the gurdwara management should have made it clear to the sangat that matha tek to said Babaji should not be done in the presence of Siri Guru Granth. Langar halls or other meeting places might be more appropriate to get Babaji's darshan. This policy should apply anywhere anytime in any Gurdwara that calls itself Sikh.
Guru ang sang,
-DKK