Do We Have One Too Many Gurdwaras? III

As of recent I have searched and searched with this thought in my head of why do I have such a problem with the number of Gurdwaras. It is then I came across this video that put my thoughts in line.

In essence our Gurdwara's have failed to become what it is meant to be, a door to our Beloved Guru! Instead it's a hodgepodge of mistaken purposes and underestimation of sadhsangat. We have let rot too long that now all the ills that we are meant to stay away from control Gurdwara's sadly.We need to break free of our chains with Maya and realign together with our Guru's message. The key word here is we need to be 'together', minus ego!

What basically Veer Jagraj Singh in the video pointed out is basically our current system within our Gurdwara's have failed, its making our relationship with the Guru one huge transaction! We need to come together shake up our Gurdwaras and bring it back to basic Sikhi.

Also I would like to point out the fact about when our Gurdwara's emit positive energy they bring back and bring in youths! Today I attended an event where some elderly people applauded the moves done by Gurdwara's in Malaysia that have other activities to bring youths into Gurdwara's and even reminisced their days of wantingn to go to have Guru's darshan as a side affect of such activities during their time.

Therefore I'd like to end this series on 3 points. 

Sarbat Khalsa meeting's are from the times of Guru Gobind Singh who himself called for the first one ever!

Firstly I would propose that all Sikhs no matter whatever their affiliation should and must come together and call for a Sarbat Khalsa meeting! The last major one was held in 1986, but we need to have one in Malaysia with all and every NGO, Gurdwara committee and individuals and agree on fundamental aspects to moving forward as panth. Why do I feel this is the ONLY choice is because this basically going back to our Guru's guidance, as this meeting will be done in the presence of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Panj Pyarey and the Sadhsangat, 3 major institutions within our panth. And most of all, all decisions will be binding on all Sikhs! This is the only way we can reform our Gurdwara's, revitalise our youths and have 'ekta' (cohesion) in our community. Especially in light of Sikh related happenings around the world such the turban ban in France, Bapu Surat Singh fast for political prisoners and the Jathedars of the 5 Takhts decision to forgive 'Baba' Gurmeet Singh, where fundamentally we have the same view we can represent the Sikhs in Malaysia in shunning or supporting such movement's.

The last Sarbat Khalsa was held in 1986 where many important decisions were made.

I am not against having Gurdwaras but feel this institutions our Guru's left us have either been misused our under utilised thus leading to the many social ills we have today. Yes we may have different interpretations of Sikhi which generally differ in view but either ways is always in respect of the Guru, but this should not stop us from working together. History shows we can come together like how the many Misl's (Sikh Regiments of the Khalsa Army) did prior to Maharaja Ranjit Singh's rule and even during. We need to remember Guru Hargobind taught us about Miri and Piri, and this issue for me is purely Miri therefore requiring a different thought process. 

Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, father of Miri and Piri.

And finally all these steps need to be looked at and taken in the spirit of Chardikala for the Panth, especially for the sake of the coming generations. Sikhi is perfect, only thing is not that our personal understanding is imperfect but our ability to use that Sikhi together seems to be lacking. Therefore if we can work together on such things we can concentrate back on our spiritual search of Gurbani and linking with Waheguru knowing full well that our panth is secure against any and all attacks especially since integral institutions such as our Gurdwara's are strong in their parchar and activities.

With that I would like to end. Phul Chuk Maaf Karna Ji. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa l Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

Do We Have One Too Many Gurdwaras? II

Well I ain't just going to go on  rant pointing out problems without giving solutions! We need to make the gurdwaras we have to be more effective in bringing sangat together to do prachar or just to have healthy events. Below are some little points I feel all gurdwaras should have so that we can have a healthier and happier community.

First and foremost I feel that there ought to be more impact-ful programs. What do I mean by that? I feel whenever a grand event is had in Gurdwara's with international raagis gracing it, its more often in the same Gurdwara again and again. I mean this may not be the correct word but shouldn't Gurdwaras be sharing raagis,  instead of hoarding all of them in one event exclusively? One way would is to have Semagams that span different Gurdwaras, over a week or 2. This way it would warrant different Gurdwaras to be able to get involved as well as I feel to help them increase donations to fund their costs or Gurdwara activities, especially if they are held in Gurdwaras which have relatively smaller sangat.

Another project I feel all Gurdwaras should and must invest in its youths. Ideally each Gurdwara should invest in having a PEC (Punjabi Education Centre), some musical classes and a physical activity program, be it sports or a martial arts training program. We need to invest in these programs to enhance and empower our youths to be physically and mentally healthier or else a lot of their potential will be lost let alone not found!
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The PEC should be had to safeguard our mother tongue, A simple enough ideal that I believe will not get much opposition.

Music wise the most common option would be to have kirtan classes, so that the gift of kirtan is passed down and not lost in generations especially since lesser local kirtanis are performing at local Semagams giving way to jathas from overseas. Nevertheless it ought not stop there only, but can extend to many types of music, especially in Malaysia we are blessed to have such a organised musical community. I mean we have the world renowned Sri Dasmesh Pipe Band who themselves started in Parliament Gurdwara, then the newly formed Sri Darvesh Pipe Band of Sunway Gurdwara, and how about dhol classes being held in Tatt Khalsa Gurdwara and Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Kampung Pandan. All of these instances show that we have a well established love for music and many well qualified musicians who can be requested to train students in the respective Gurdwaras.

Finally the physically activity be it an official football, hockey, netball, bowling, badminton or martial arts program be it gatka, tae kwon do or karate! If actually seen sports interest within the Sikh community peaks at the start of the year with Holla Mahalla, Vaisakhi Sports Carnivals and Gurdwara Cups being venues where sportsmen and sportswomen take center stage, but the the remaining year (off season) these athletes are left on their own. I mean there should be consistency within our training of teams for these events so that loyalty and professionalism can be inculcated not only so that they can improve. This is so that jumping teams by individuals would be reduced which is prevalent every year, more over so that teams each year improve from the previous cause as far as I see its usually the same teams with same players who are good hoarded together that win these events.  

We should also start moving to make Gurdwara's in a way a community centre, especially since our "langgar" (open kitchen) concept is well renowned to serve everyone regardless of faith, race, status or affiliations. Therefore I think it would be only in good interest if Gurdwara's build rooms within its compounds to house the homeless and those in dire need instead of only expanding and enlarging Darbar Sahibs to the extend that it doesn't even get filled on a normal program, thus going to much waste. Set up teams of social workers, ideally youths to help such individuals who seek help by giving them advice or directing them more capable individuals or groups. I mean the potential of Gurdwara's being much more is big, without effecting its sanctity and cleanliness.

Though almost all these ideas will remain ideas if the root of the rot of many gurdwaras isn't addressed. Politics.I mean the bureaucracy and red tape in many Gurdwara's is mind boggling! Like seriously, the level nepotism is at time embarrassing, like come on its things like this which our Guru's shunned! It's a shame at times, therefore the sanggat should take a an active role in pointing out shortcomings and unfairness carried out by the committee members, take them to task! Even more so involve more youths in the decision making process as well as the execution if not elect some into the committee itself!

Small steps like this will help improve our community so that we are a much solid unit as well prepare our youths in a holistic manner to face the further toughening future!

Do We Have One Too Many Gurdwaras? I

In Malaysia we have a pretty large community, but is it so big that it warrants so many Gurdwaras?

Just to put it into perspective, imagine starting from Gurdwara Sahib Hulu Kelang, you can travel to Gurdwara Sahib Pulapol , then Gurdwara Sahib Titiwangsa , Sabha House, Gurdwara Sahib Tatt Khalsa , Gurdwara Sahib Parliament  and even go on to Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya , Niketan House and Gurdwara Sahib Sunway  with ease.

Gurdwara Sahib Tatt Khalsa

I mean my concern lies in the fact that as the number of Gurdwaras increase, there seem to be less and less people congregating at the weekly events! To be honest, if the sanggat really wants to have the darshan of Guru Sahib I do not think that distance would be an obstacle. What irks my thought is this phenomenon of building new Gurdwaras which on average costs millions when there are several Gurdwaras that are already built that would appreciate that same amount to upgrade their premise.

Gurdwara Sahib Puchong

Want examples? Here is one, why have a Gurdwara be built in Subang Jaya, when Gurdwara Sahib Puchong, Gurdwara Sahib Sunway, Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Tin and Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya can be said to be stone throws away? And from what I see, programs in Subang Darbar itself seem to pull in very little Subang sangat, so what is the need for a full fledged 3 story building to serve as Gurdwara? In contrast that same amount of donations could be used to upgrade Gurdwaras such as G.S. Kampung Pandan Settlement, G.S. Kampung Pandan Dalam, G.S. Rawang even G.S. Sentul could utilize the donation to fully utilize the vacant land surrounding its Gurdwara.

Gurdwara Sahib Rawang

It concerns me that Gurdwaras are already facing a dilemma of ways to increase sangat at weekly programs, maintaining costs and what not, but instead of solving them first we end up building more! We have not solved internal obstacles that are prevalent in nearly every Gurdwara yet, but are ready to jump into building more!

Gurdwara Sahib Sentul

Or it true what they say, that more and more Gurdwaras are becoming Sdn Bhd Companies? And that its all about the money (cue Donald Trumps Apprentice theme song)?

Gurdwara Sahib Kampung Pandan Settlement

Another concern that arises for me is the fact that where will all the 'ekta' of the sadhsangat go? I mean slowly and slowly I see this plaguing us where sangat is being divided by the Gurdwaras they attend and at each Gurdwara there seems to be a different mindset on different issues.


To end this rant, concern, opinion or whatever you'd like to call it I'd want to put it out there I'm not against having Gurdwara's I am just questioning the fact that why have so many when the ones we already have are having difficulties with operations. Quantity or Quality?