Gurfateh
I find myself analysing stories of the Gurus, pictures of the Gurus, and discovering contradictions constantly.
Take for instance the way the Gurus are often presented in picture. Normally sitting on a raised cot, with people fawning all over them.
The Gurus were a model of humility, can it be believed that they would really accept being put on a pedestal?
When the Langar was established, its sole purpose was to make everyone equal, all sitting on the floor, next to each other, shoulder to shoulder, all people being equal. It then does not make sense that the Gurus themselves would allow themselves to be elevated above this, it is contradiction.
I watched a Gurdwara on television yesterday, the Granthi read out Bani as if he was invoking a magical chant, people watched him, some closed their eyes, some seemed to be connected, the majority were there for the show. People approached the living Guru, and offered money and prostrated themselves before the SGGS. Again, I am not so sure that any living Guru of the ten that were born, would be able to just sit there and accept money and bowing, surely the Gurus were one of us, equals, surely there is a better way to show someone you love them than an offering of money and bowing and scraping, surely the best love you can offer a Sikh Guru, is to follow and live the Bani.
Watching the Gurdwara yesterday, and bearing in mind the constant never ending pandering to what people want (Jyots, pictures, Ardasses that get fulfilled, meaningful Hukamnamas, good langars, big car parks, etc), it seemed to me that poor old Creator has been largely forgotten about. The one being that this whole show should be about has been sidelined. For a religion that is so heavily dependent on the universal truth, we sure do not show it, preferring the lies that sit easily with 'the people'.
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I find myself analysing stories of the Gurus, pictures of the Gurus, and discovering contradictions constantly.
Take for instance the way the Gurus are often presented in picture. Normally sitting on a raised cot, with people fawning all over them.
The Gurus were a model of humility, can it be believed that they would really accept being put on a pedestal?
When the Langar was established, its sole purpose was to make everyone equal, all sitting on the floor, next to each other, shoulder to shoulder, all people being equal. It then does not make sense that the Gurus themselves would allow themselves to be elevated above this, it is contradiction.
I watched a Gurdwara on television yesterday, the Granthi read out Bani as if he was invoking a magical chant, people watched him, some closed their eyes, some seemed to be connected, the majority were there for the show. People approached the living Guru, and offered money and prostrated themselves before the SGGS. Again, I am not so sure that any living Guru of the ten that were born, would be able to just sit there and accept money and bowing, surely the Gurus were one of us, equals, surely there is a better way to show someone you love them than an offering of money and bowing and scraping, surely the best love you can offer a Sikh Guru, is to follow and live the Bani.
Watching the Gurdwara yesterday, and bearing in mind the constant never ending pandering to what people want (Jyots, pictures, Ardasses that get fulfilled, meaningful Hukamnamas, good langars, big car parks, etc), it seemed to me that poor old Creator has been largely forgotten about. The one being that this whole show should be about has been sidelined. For a religion that is so heavily dependent on the universal truth, we sure do not show it, preferring the lies that sit easily with 'the people'.
More...