The Concept of SEVA....

It is very wrong to consider yourself to be committed to Guru and then not treat the whole mankind as one. It is said by Guru Gobind Singh jee Himself, “Manas kee jaat sabe ek hi pechanbo”. Here is a Sahki (story) about one of Guru’s True Sikhs, Bhai Khaniya, who actually implemented the above quote of Guru Gobind Singh jee in his life….

BHAI KHANIYA (1648-1718), was a Sikh of Guru Teg Bahadur ji and was the founder of the Sevapanthi or Addanshahi sect of the Sikhs. Bhai Sahib was born in a Dhamman Khatri family of Sodhara near Wazirabad in Sialkot district (now in Pakistan). His father was a wealthy trader, but he himself being of a religious bent of mind left home when still very young and roamed about with saddhus and ascetics in search of spiritual peace.

His quest ended as he met Guru Teg Bahadur ji (1621-75) and accepted initiation at his hands. Kanhaiya established a dharamsdhal at Kavha village in the present Attock district of Pakistan which he turned into a preaching centre. His special mission was selfless service of humanity with no distinction of nationality, caste or creed. In 1704/5, he was on a visit to Anandpur when the city was invaded by a combination of hill troops and the imperial mugal army.

During the frequent sallies and skirmishes between the Sikhs and the enemy, Bhai Kanhaiya was often seen carrying a mashak (a sort of pouch made of goat's skin that was used to carry water from one place to another), to serve water to anyone who was thirsty. He took upon the task of quenching the thirst of the wounded soldiers in the battle of Anandpur Sahib in 1704. He did this sewa with love and affection without any discrimination between the Guru's Sikh soldiers and the Mughal army's soldiers. His act of compassion stirred up stern criticism amongst his fellow Sikhs, who went ahead and complained to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, pointing out that Bhai Kanhaiya Ji was serving water to the wounded soldier's from the enemy camp. They were especially annoyed because the mugal had surrounded the city and stopped all their food supplies, and here was Bhai Kanhaiya sharing with them what little water they had. They had tried to stop him many a time, but he would not pay any heed. This great deed of Bhai Kanhaiya to roam around serving water to the wounded and the dying without distinction of friend and foe eventually led to a summon by Guru Ji. This benevolent action of this special Sikh had upset some sikhs who went directly and complained to Guru Gobind Singh ji that Bhai Kanhaiya had been resuscitating the fallen enemy soldiers.

Guru Gobind Singh summoned Bhai Kanhaiya and explained that he had received a complaint about his actions on the battlefield. Guruji said, “These brave Sikhs are saying that you go and feed water to the enemy and they recover to fight them again – Is this true?” Bhai Kanhaiya Ji replied "Yes, my Guru, what they say is true. But Maharaj, I saw no Mughal or Sikh on the battlefield. I only saw human beings. And, ... Guru Ji, .. they all have the same God’s Spirit? – Guru Ji, have you not taught us to treat all God's people as the same?" The Guru was very pleased with the reply. Bhai Kanhaiya Ji had understood the deep message of Gurbani correctly. Guru ji smiled and blessed Bhai Kanhaiya. Guru Ji said, "Bhai Kanhaiya Ji, You are right. You have understood the true message of Gurbani". He then continued and told the Sikhs that Bhai Kanhaiya had understood the deeper message of the Gurus' teachings correctly and that they all have to strive to learn lessons from the priceless words of Gurbani. Guru also gave Bhai Kanhaiya Ji medical ointment and said “From now on, You should also put this ointmnet on the wounds of all who need it”'

Then turning to the sangat Guru Ji said, Saadh sangat ji, Bhai Kanhaiya is a God-fearing saintly soul. His impartial and non-biased behaviour towards others has led him to achieve Sehaj-avastha. Let him carry on with his mission. Many more will follow in his footsteps in the years to come and keep the tradition of Nishkam sewa alive."

Guru ji reminded the Sikhs of Gur Arjan Dev Ji Shabad:

SGGS Page 1299 line 55528

I have totally forgotten my jealousy of others, since I found the Saadh Sangat (the holy congregation). ((1))Pause
No one is my enemy, and no one is a stranger. I get along with everyone. ((1))
Whatever God does, I accept that as good. This is the sublime wisdom I have obtained from the Holy. ((2))
The One God is pervading in all. Gazing upon Him, beholding Him, Nanak blossoms forth in happiness. ((3)(8))

Source : www.sikhiwiki.org

Miami Sadh Sangat Samagam, 2006.

Miami Samagam 2006.

Samagam begins Mar 03 @ 5.00 p.m., ends Mar 05 12.00 p.m.

All are invited to attend. Pick up / drop off at the airports, bus/train stations, local accomodation (no charge), local transportation to & from samagam venue, all will be taken care off by local Miami & Ft. Lauderdale sangat, by the blessings of WaheGuru jee. Please call with your travel plans Harpreet Singh (305) 801-6100, Arvind Singh (305) 491-5100, Bhupinder Singh (305)-216-8930....

For location of the Gurudwara, please click the link

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Gurdwara_Map

U.S. contracting Port security to UAE company.

Bush is always boasting about what he is doing to protect USA from the terrorists. He says that they hate us for our freedoms and that’s why it is necessary to fight them over there, so we don't have to fight them in U.S. It would be nice, though, if Bush could pay some attention to what his own administration is doing to help terrorists right here in the U.S. With Bush administration approval, the Arabs are taking over 6 of U.S. ports for security screening. It is like keeping a cat to guard the milk bowl, or giving the rouges the keys to the safe. I am not saying that all Arabs are the same. But guess what. It takes only a few corrupt people to penetrate the security. Billions and billions of dollars spent on Homeland security has no point if you want to out source the security at most vulnerable points of the nation. What is next? Out sourcing of Law Enforcement, Border Patrol, and Immigration…..

Jihad is "holy war." Or, more precisely it means the legal, compulsory, communal effort to expand the territories ruled by Muslims at the expense of territories ruled by non-Muslims. The purpose of jihad, in other words, is not directly to spread the Islamic faith but to extend sovereign Muslim power. The jihadists will grab on to any opportunity that will let them seek more attacks on U.S. on U.S. soil.

The State Department describes the UAE as a vital partner in the fight against terrorism. According to FBI the UAE, a loose federation of seven emirates on the Saudi peninsula, was an important operational and financial base for the hijackers who carried out the attacks against New York and Washington. Since the Sept. 11 attacks, the FBI has said the money for the strikes was transferred to the hijackers primarily through the UAE's banking system, and much of the operational planning for the attacks took place inside the UAE. After the attacks, U.S. Treasury Department officials complained about a lack of cooperation by the UAE and other Arab countries trying to track Osama bin Laden's bank accounts.

This issue could be a big headache for “Sikhs”, as most of the America treats Sikhs to be Muslims, Arabs, anything but Sikhs, which is evident from the fact that numerous Turban wearing Sikhs receiving racial remarks everyday from American people. These issues may bring an increase in the hate crime towards Sikhs.

Above information has been gathered from websites and some material has been reproduced.

Miami Sadh Sangat Samagam, 2006

Sadh Sangat Samagam
Gurdwara Sikh Society of South Florida, Fort Lauderdale & Miami Sadh Sangat
invites you to join Gurmat Samagam at
16000 SW 70 St.

South West Ranches
Fort Lauderdale 33331.
(954) 680 – 0221.

March 3rd – March 5th,2006

Program:

03-03-06 Friday Evening:

5:00-6:00 Simran
6:00-6:30 Rehras Sahib

6:30-9:00 Akhand Kirtan, Bhog followed by Guru Ka Langar

03-04-06 Saturday Morning:
5:00-6:00 Simran
6:00-7:00 Nitname
7:00-7:30 Breakfast
7:30-12:00pm Akhand Kirtan, Bhog followed by Guru Ka Langar

03-04-06 Saturday Evening:

3:30-4:30 Simran

4:30-5:00 Gurbani Vichar

5:30-9:00 Rehras Sahib,Akahnd Kirtan, Bhog followed by Guru Ka Langar

03-05-06 Sunday Morning:

5:00-6:00 Simran

6:00-7:00 Nitname

7:00-7:30 Breakfast

7:30-12:00pmAkhand Kirtan,Bhog followed by Guru Ka Langar

Fort Lauderdale Airport is near Gurdwara Sahib, and Miami International Airport is 45mins drive from Gurdwara Sahib. Pick up, drop off, local transportation, accomodation all arranged by local sangat by the grace of WaheGuru. Please call the contact numbers given at the end and let us know your travel plan.

Directions by road:

On I-75 south, take the Griffin Road West exit. Make a left at first traffic light (Dykes Road) and drive to the first stop sign. Make a right and Gurdwara Sahib will be on the immediate left. Keep going straight and make a "U" turn to enter the Gurdwara compound.
On I-95 south, take the Stirling Road exit and drive towards West on Stirling Road. Go straight at the Dykes road stop sign. Gurdwara Sahib will be on the immediate left after you pass the stop sign. Keep going straight and make a "U" turn to enter the Gurdwara compound.

For more Information, contact:

Harpreet Singh: (305) 801-6100 (cell)

Bhupinder Singh: (305) 216-8930 (cell)
Arvind Singh : (305) 491-5100 (cell)

Cracked Pot....

This is a very good story that was emailed to me by my cousin....

A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house".

Each of us has our own unique flaws. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them.