DIWAN ~ Worship at home and in the Gurdwara.

DIWAN ~ Worship at home
and in the Gurdwara.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/sikh-beliefsand-worship/3777.html
Sikhism topic 4: Diwan, AO1 (30 marks) ~ 25 mins
 Worship in the home and worship (diwan) in the gurdwara.
AO2 ~ Issues arising: (15 marks) ~ 12 mins
 Relative importance of worship in the home and diwan in the Gurdwara.
 How far Sikhism emphasises practice more than belief.
Jan 2009 Examine the main features of worship (diwan) in the Gurdwara. (30)
June 2010 Examine the nature and purpose of worship in the Sikh home. (30)
Assess this view that, in Sikhism, worship in the Gurdwara is more important
than worship in the home. (15)
Jan 2012 Examine the features of worship in the home. (30)
“Worship in the home has little importance for Sikhs today” (15)
What is a Gurdwara?
Literally Guru's portal/ abode / House or Door
The word “Gurdwara” means “Door to the Guru”
or “House of the Guru”.
The Guru in this case refers both to God
(referred to variously as Satnam - “True Name”,
Satguru – “True Guru”, Waheguru – “Wonderful
Guru”), and the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh
holy book.
Every Gurdwara will have at least one copy of
the Guru Granth Sahib, in fact it cannot call itself
a Gurdwara if it does not.
Most Sikhs will not have a copy of the Guru
Granth Sahib at home, but if they do, their house
then becomes a Gurdwara, and the book has to
treated with the same respect as it would
receive at the Temple.
Guru Nanak taught
Sikhs to be GurMukh ~ God
centred.
A Sikh should not be ManMukh …
Ego centric, ME, ME, ME !
What are the three key principles of Sikhism?
Vand Chhakna
Naam Jappo
Kirat Karo
Nam Jappo: remember the name of Waheguru – this can be done
by meditating on the name Waheguru.
Kirat Karo: earn a living by honest means. It does not matter what
the work is, provided that it is honest and not against the teachings
of the Gurus. Sikhism says that it is not wrong to be rich provided
that the money is gained honestly. But it is wrong to live your life
just to make a lot of money.
Vand Chhakna: share everything in charity with people who are
less fortunate. Sikhs should live their lives on the principles of
generosity and self-sacrifice.
Seva (Vand Chhakna)& Simran (nam jappo) go hand
in hand.... HOW?
“For a Sikh, simran and seva are the spiritual right and left
hand. As a Sikh, you must do both to keep a balance. These
are like the two wings of a bird - the bird must use both
otherwise it will not be able to fly.”
You must put your faith into action!!
Actions without faith are meaningless!
Can you remember?
What are the 5 features of a
gurdwara?
Features of a Gurdwara
1.The Guru i.e. SGGSJ. A hall called Darbar Sahib, houses the Guru. Darbar Sahib refers to the Main Hall within a
Sikh Gurdwara. In the phase "Darbar Sahib", the word Darbar means Court and so the terms together refers to the "Guru's
Court". This is the hall where the current and perpetual Guru of the Sikh, Sri Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a Takhat or
Throne in a prominent central position in the hall.
2.Nishan Sahib, is a triangular orange flag with a Khalsa emblem of a (Khanda)in the middle. It expresses the faith of Sikh
Community in the True Lord. It is a Khalsa icon for the TRUE Guru's abode
3. Pangat :PANGAT from Sanskrit pankti (literally a row, line, series, or a group, assembly, company) stands
in Sikh terminology for commensality or sitting together on the ground in a row to partake of food from a common kitchen
regardless of caste, creed, sex, age or social status. Pangat is thus a synonym for Guru ka Langar, an institution of
fundamental importance in Sikhism.
4. Sangat is a holy congregation of the 'saint soldiers', which in the purest form is called the Khalsa. As per Sikh faith, this
Khalsa congregation also represents the combined spirit of the ONE(True eternal God).
5. Golak or Guru ki Golak is the term used to refer to the collection box that is usually laid in front of the Sri Guru Granth
Sahib where the congregation deposits their offerings in the form of coins or paper notes before kneeling or bowing to the
Guru. One can donate their dasvand here. Dasvandh or Dasaundh, literally means a "tenth part" and refers to the practice
among Sikhs of contributing in the name of the Guru one-tenth of their earnings towards the common resources of the
community.
In addition to the 5 Basic features, a Gurdwara may have:
6. Rest Room for the GGSJ: This room is sometimes called "Sach Khand" (which translates to abode of 'True God' /Pure
Domain /Paradise )
7. Various utility rooms, wash-rooms, kitchen, etc. Some of the larger Sikh Gurdwaras may also have rooms for the
devotees to stay overnight with bathroom facilities.
What can you remember?
During the times of the early Gurus, Sikh places of worship were referred
to as __________________.
dharamsalas.
As the Sikh population continued to grow _________________ introduced
the word Gurdwara, meaning the gateway through which the guru could be
reached. Thereafter all Sikh places of worship came to be known as
Gurdwaras.
Guru Hargobind
Three main functions are carried out in all public Gurdwaras.
One is _______________which is the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth
Sahib,
Kirtan
another is _________________ which is reading of the Guru Granth Sahib
and explanations.
Katha
The third main function which is carried out at every Gurdwara is the
_________________ free community kitchen for all visitors of all religions.
Langar
Watch TRUE TUBE visit to a Gurdwara
Holy Cribs - The Gurdwara
Ramonjot, a young Sikh, gives TrueTube a tour
of his Gurdwara, the Sri Guru Singh Sabha in
Southall. He shows us the prayer hall, the
dining hall and even the Guru Granth Sahib’s
bedroom!
What's going on in the image?
What's going on in the image?
What's going on in the image?
What's going on in the image?
What's going on in the image?
What's going on in the image?
Ardas is prayer of supplication performed by a Sikh. The word Ardas
means to petition. Prayer may take the form of a request, an
entreaty, or of an offering.
Too thakur tum peh ardaas||
"You are Lord Master; to You, I offer this prayer". (SGGS||268)
Ardas asks for pardon of mistakes, fulfillment of objectives, company of
like minded souls, and prosperity of all persons.
Ardas is concluded with a salutation by all present of, "Waheguru ji ka
Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh," which means the Khalsa, or initiated Sikhs,
belong to God. Victory belongs to God. This address is followed by who
are all present calling out, "Sat Siri Akal," and is directed to the immortal
enlightener, who is the destroyer of darkness.
What's going on in the image?
What's going on in the image?
What's going on in the image?
What values does the langar represent?
 The langar or free kitchen was started by Guru Nanak.
 It is designed to uphold the principle of equality between all people of the
world, regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status.
 The langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and
oneness of all humankind.
 Guru Nanak designed a way in which all people would sit on the floor together,
as equals, to eat the same simple food.
 It is here that all people, high or low, rich or poor, male or female all sit in
pangat (row or line) to share and enjoy the food together.
 The langar helps to ensure women and children participate in service for
mankind. Women help to prepare the food, and children serve the food to the
pangat.
 Everyone is welcome to the langar; no-one is turned away. (Guru Nanak made
a stance to welcome untouchables!)
 The food is usually served twice a day, every day of the year.
 Each week, a family or several families volunteer to provide and prepare the
langar. This is very generous, as there may be several hundred people to feed,
and caterers are not allowed. All the preparation, cooking and washing-up is
done by volunteers or voluntary helpers called Sewadars.
Examine the main features of worship (diwan) in the gurdwara. JAN 2009 (30 marks) AO1
1.
•There is no particular set day for Sikh worship or DIWAN, Sikhs visit the Gurdwara as often as they can.
2.
In UK the most popular day for communal worship is Sunday.
3.
•Service starts at day break when Guru Granth Sahib is brought from its special room (Sach khand) to main shrine
hall.
4.
Lesson for day (Hukumnama) from Guru Granth Sahib is a form of guidance and is written up on prominent notice
board.
5.
On entering the diwan hall worshippers approach the Guru Granth Sahib, bow or prostrate themselves, and make
an offering of money or food for use in the langar.
6.
They sit down cross-legged, with their feet pointing away from the Guru Granth Sahib. Men and women usually sit
separately.
7.
Service mainly consists of KIRTAN, singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib by musicians (ragis).
8.
The ragis usually accompany the singing with hand drums (tabla) and the harmonium (bajas), and explain the
songs before they sing them.
9.
Sermons and explanation (Katha) of hymn or passage from scripture by Granthi.
10. ARDAS. Special prayer of petition (request). A reminder to remember God and the Ten Gurus / to keep the
teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib and a blessing on the Sikh community and all mankind.
11. During Ardas the blade of a kirpan (knife) is put into the mixture of Karah Parshad.
12. It is first offered to the Guru Granth Sahib, and then distributed to everyone, and eaten with the right hand.
13. A
• fter the worship everyone goes to the langar for some food that has been prepared during the diwan by
volunteers.
What are the ADVANTAGES of worshipping in the GURDWARA?
 The gurdwara provides a special place for the Adi Granth and experienced
Granthi who can interpret the teachings.
 It is also provides communal worship and is a fuller expression of faith in the
gurus and their teachings.
 It is designed especially to allow for hymn singing and kirtan with skilled ragis
(musicians) so that a strongly devotional atmosphere can be created.
“For a Sikh, simran and sewa are the spiritual
right and left hand. As a Sikh, you must do
both to keep a balance. These are like the two
wings of a bird - the bird must use both
otherwise it will not be able to fly.”
The gurdwara gives you the opportunity to …
Put your faith into action! Actions without faith are meaningless!
Simran and Sewa are both aspects of WORSHIP.
http://www.facebook.com/gurdwarashahalam
/posts/354662881219710
What are the ADVANTAGES of worshipping AT HOME?
Sikh worship @ HOME enables the Sikh to be God-centred, and regular daily
worship in the home fits around normal activities such as washing, eating and
sleeping!
Worship in the home applies to all aspects of life and ensures that faith is
central to the Sikh thinking and behaviour all the time.
Worship in the home is performed on a regular daily basis. This may
suppliment worship @ the Gurdwara.
Worship in the home reinforces faith of whole family ~ children will see parents
praying and can be involved.
Worship @ home may be more PERSONAL / DEVOTIONAL.
Worship @ home may have less distractions than in the Gurdwara.
There may not be a Gurdwara locally ~ so worship @ home is practical.
Elderly / ill people may not be able to get to the Gurdwara easily, so worship @
home is a way of connecting with God.
Rehat Maryada ~ Sikh code of Conduct.
Article IV - Meditating on Naam (Divine Substance) and Scriptures
a. A Sikh should wake up in the ambrosial hours (three hours before the dawn), take
bath and, concentrate his/her thoughts on One Immortal being, repeat the name
of ‘Waheguru’ (Wondrous Destroyer of darkness).
b. He/she should recite the following scriptural compositions every day:
1. The Japji, the Jaapu and the Ten Sawayyas (Quartets) - beginning “Sarawag
sudh” - in the morning.
2. Sodar Rehras compromising the following compositions:
• Nine hymns of the Guru Granth Sahib, occurring in the holy book after the
Japuji Sahib, the first of which begins with “Sodar” and the last of which ends
with “saran pare ki rakh sarma”.
• The Benti Chaupai of the tenth Guru (beginning “hamri karo hath dai rachha”
and ending with “dusht dokh te leho bachai”
• The Sawayya beginning with the words “pae geho jab te tumre”
• The Dohira beginning with the words “sagal duar kau chhad kai”
• The first five and the last pauris (stanzas) of Anand Sahib
• And Mundawani and the Slok Mahla 5 beginning “tere kita jato nahi” in the
evening after sunset.
3. The Sohila - to be recited at night before going to bed
The morning and evening recitations should be concluded with Ardas (formal
supplication litany).
Between visits to the gurdwara, there are many methods of daily devotions to help you
stay connected with Sikhism and sangat. These do it yourself ways to worship can be done
all on your own right from your home. Set up a special place for Guru Granth Sahib to read
scriptures and enhance daily worship. Hold Sikhism worship services, or have
a kirtan program in your home, and prepare langar for those you invite. Stay in touch with
Sikh sangat online, from home, and at the office.
Question 12
Diwan and langar
June 2010
Examine the nature and purpose of worship in the Sikh home.
Nature
• Each home may have a special area set aside for housing a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib.
According to the Rahit Maryada rules:
• Sikhs should rise early at 3am and bathe and cleanse the body.
• They should then meditate on name of God (‘nam simran’), and do a prescribed reading from the
Guru Granth Sahib. This will include reading ‘ gurbani’ poetry of the gurus. They will recite the Mul
Mantra, and selections from Japti Sahib of Guru Narnak, the Jap of Guru Gobind Singh and the Ten
Swawyyas.
• Evening order of prayers said or sung at end of day’s work before dinner. Then the Anand a (joyful
bliss of finding the Satguru).
• Final prayer (Sohila prayer) is offered
Purpose
• Worshipping God
• Fulfilling duty as Amrit dhari Sikh
• Seeking liberation ~ Mukti … breaking the cycle of reincarnation through Karma.
• Overcoming haumai (Self centredness / manmukh) and maya (delusion with this world)
• Family unity.
• Putting God first (Gurmurk).
(30 marks)
AO1