Highlights

The Bi-monthly Newsletter of the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board

This is the 15th article in the series ‗Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khaas (Who is a Khalsa?)‘, which started in Apr 08. In our Issue No : 43
previous articles, we discussed some of the virtues of the Khalsa. In this article we will focus on another virtue of the
Khalsa that ‘he liberates himself from all superstitions’.
Apr/May 2010
Superstitions
By Jaswant Singh
Inside this issue
Superstition is a deviation from divinity which shows a lack of trust in God. It is an irrational
belief arising from ignorance and doubt. It also implies that the future events can be influ- 1. CST Hukumnama
2.
enced or foretold. for New year Day
Jan
Jan 10
10
The Sikh religion considers superstitions as erroneous beliefs and violations of its basic ten-
ets. The Sikh Scripture states that the world wanders lost in various superstitions and live in
2. Amrit Sanchar cere-
3.
fear.1 Superstition is a disease of the mind.2 It creates confusion and panic in one‘s mind
ceremony/Vesakhi
mony/Vesakhi pro-
and takes one away from reality. It creates fear of the future.
Prgramme/
gramme/Sikhisim
For example, some people believe that a black cat or a sneeze spells misfortune. But to a 101
Sikhisim
courses 101and
Sikh, whether the cat is black or brown; whether it crosses his path in front or behind; courses
other new and
course
other
whether some one sneezes or coughs when commencing something new, doesn‘t make any new courses
difference. Similarly, beliefs in gods, goddesses, angels, evil spirits, fortune telling, tantra, 4. Ground Breaking
mantra and yantra are condemned in Sikhism as superstitions. Ground
ceremony
Breaking
The Sikh Code of Conduct explains some of the Guru’s tenets and directs the Sikhs ceremony
--CST
not to believe:  CST
--SRST
 in magic spells, incantation3, omens4, auspicious times, days and occasions5, influence  SRST
of stars, horoscopes6, ancestor worship7, wearing of a necklace8 of tulsi stalks etc and 5. Renovation Report
veneration of graves. Renovation Report
 in authority of any holy man, soothsayer10, clairvoyant, oracle and not to make vows on 6. Photos of Certificate
graves etc for the fulfillment of a wish. Photos
presentation
of Certificate
for
It further instructs the Sikhs not to believe: presentation
Sikhism 101 for Sikh-
 in the pollution of food and water in consequence of birth or death. The Guru‘s writ is: ism courses
101 courses
‗The birth and death are by His ordinance; coming and going is by His will. All food and
water are clean and are provided by Him.‘11 7.Gurmat
Gurmat
Sangeet
SangeetPer-&
 in consulting horoscopes for determining which day or date is auspicious or otherwise formance/
TheatreTheatre per-
for fixing the day of the marriage.
formance
performance
 in paying any heed to the time of cremation.
 in immersing of ashes and remains, after cremation of a body at the holy waters such as
the Ganga or at Kiratpur or Kartarpur. It is contrary to Gurmat. It should be immersed in 8. NewNew Courses
Courses
 Programmes
Programmes
the nearby flowing water.
 Book
Bookof of
thetheMonth
Month
Sikhism instructs us not to believe in good moments or bad moments, good days or bad
days, good numbers or bad numbers, and good places or bad places. According to Sikhism  Movie
Movieof of
thetheMonth
Month
all days of the week, all numbers and places are the same. The Sikhs wear ‗Karha‘ (a steel
bracelet) to remind them not to believe in superstitions.
The Guru‘s word is that as long as there are doubts in the mind arising from superstitions, Objectives:
the mortal continues to waver and stagger.12 He alone is peaceful whose doubts are dis-
pelled.13 Therefore a Sikh liberates himself from all superstitions by placing his complete and  To promote Sikh
firm faith in the One All-pervading God. heritage.

References:  To meet the needs of

1. auqm miDm jwqIN ijnsI Brim BvY sMswru ](1243) the Sikh Community.
2. rogu Brmu Bydu min dUjw ](416)  To organise and pro
3. qMqu mMqu pwKMfu n jwxw, rwmu irdY mnu mwinAw ](766) mote the learning of Gur
4. sgun Apsgun iqs kau lgih ijsu cIiq n AwvY ](400)
bani and Kirtan.
5. eyih iQqI vwr dUjw doie ]…iQqI vwr syvih mugD gvwr ](843)  To lead the Sangat to
6. grh invwry siqgurU dy Apxw nwau ]1] (400) become and remain
7. jIvq ipqr n mwnY koaU mUeyN isrwD krwhI ](332)
Amrit Dhari Sikhs.
8. Gr mih Twkuru ndir n AwvY ] gl mih pwhxu lY ltkwvY ]1](739)  To propagate Sikhism
9. duibDw n pVau hir ibnu horu n pUjau mVY mswix n jweI ](634) by providing quality
10. pUCq n joqk Aau byd iQiq bwr kCu ] igRh Aau nKqR kI n sMkw aurDwrI hY ] (Bhai Gurdas Ji)
religious services.
11. jMmxu mrxw hukmu hY BwxY AwvY jwie ] Kwxw pIxw pivqRü hY idqonu irjku sMbwih ](472)  To inculcate the practice
12. fIgn folw qaU lau jau mn ky Brmw ](400) of the Sikh way of life.
13. so suKIAw ijsu BRmu gieAw ](1180)
 Page 2
Central Sikh Temple January
soriT mhlw 3 Gru 1 (599-14)
sorath mehlaa 3 ghar 1
Sorat'h, Third Mehl, First House:
< siqgur pRswid ] (599-14)
ik-oNkaar satgur parsaad.
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
syvk syv krih siB qyrI ijn sbdY swdu AwieAw ] (599-15, soriT, mÚ 3)
sayvak sayv karahi sabh tayree jin sabdai saad aa-i-aa.
All of Your servants, who relish the Word of Your Shabad,
serve You.
gur ikrpw qy inrmlu hoAw ijin ivchu Awpu gvwieAw](599-15, soriT, mÚ 3)
gur kirpaa tay nirmal ho-aa jin vichahu aap gavaa-i-aa.
By Guru's Grace, they become pure, eradicating selfconceit
from within.
Anidnu gux gwvih inq swcy gur kY sbid suhwieAw ]1](599-16,soriT, mÚ3)
an-din gun gaavahi nit saachay gur kai sabad suhaa-i-aa. ||1||
Night and day, they continually sing the Glorious Praises of
the True Lord; they are adorned with the Word of the Guru's
Shabad. ||1||
myry Twkur hm bwirk srix qumwrI ] (599-16, soriT, mÚ 3)
mayray thaakur ham baarik saran tumaaree.
O my Lord and Master, I am Your child; I seek Your
Sanctuary.
eyko scw scu qU kyvlu Awip murwrI ] rhwau ] (599-17, soriT, mÚ 3)
ayko sachaa sach too kayval aap muraaree. rahaa-o.
You are the One and Only Lord, the Truest of the True; You
Yourself are the Destroyer of ego. ||Pause||
jwgq rhy iqnI pRBu pwieAw sbdy haumY mwrI ] (599-17, soriT, mÚ 3)
jaagat rahay tinee parabh paa-i-aa sabday ha-umai
maaree.
Those who remain wakeful obtain God; through the Word of
the Shabad, they conquer their ego.
igrhI mih sdw hir jn audwsI igAwn qq bIcwrI ] (599-18, soriT, mÚ 3)
girhee meh sadaa har jan udaasee gi-aan tat beechaaree.
Immersed in family life, the Lord's humble servant ever
remains detached; he reflects upon the essence of spiritual
wisdom.
Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights
Hukumnama- New Year Day 2010
siqguru syiv sdw suKu pwieAw hir rwiKAw aur DwrI ]2
(59918,soriT,mÚ3)
satgur sayv sadaa sukh paa-i-aa har raakhi-aa ur
Dhaaree.||2||
Serving the True Guru, he finds eternal peace, and he
keeps the Lord enshrined in his heart. ||2||
iehu mnUAw dh idis Dwvdw dUjY Bwie KuAwieAw](599-19, soriT, mÚ
3)
ih manoo-aa dah dis Dhaavdaa doojai bhaa-ay khu-aa-i-aa.
This mind wanders in the ten directions; it is consumed by
the love of duality.
mnmuK mugDu hir nwmu n cyqY ibrQw jnmu gvwieAw](600-1,soriT, mÚ
3)
manmukh mugaDh har naam na chaytai birthaa janam
gavaa-i-aa.
The foolish self-willed manmukh does not remember the
Lord's Name; he wastes away his life in vain.
siqguru Byty qw nwau pwey haumY mohu cukwieAw ]3] (600-1, soriT, mÚ
3)
satgur bhaytay taa naa-o paa-ay ha-umai moh chukaa-i-
aa.||3||
But when he meets the True Guru, then he obtains the
Name; he sheds egotism and emotional attachment. ||3||
hir jn swcy swcu kmwvih gur kY sbid vIcwrI ] (600-2, soriT, mÚ
3)
har jan saachay saach kamaaveh gur kai sabad
veechaaree.
The Lord's humble servants are True - they practice Truth,
and reflect upon the Word of the Guru's Shabad.
Awpy myil ley pRiB swcY swcu riKAw aur DwrI ] (600-2, soriT, mÚ 3)
aapay mayl la-ay parabh saachai saach rakhi-aa ur
Dhaaree.
The True Lord God unites them with Himself, and they
keep
the True Lord enshrined in their hearts.
nwnk nwvhu giq miq pweI eyhw rwis hmwrI ]4]1](600-3,
soriT,mÚ3)
naanak naavhu gat mat paa-ee ayhaa raas
hamaaree.||4||1||
O Nanak, through the Name, I have obtained salvation and
understanding; this alone is my wealth. ||4||1||
 Page 3 Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights

Jaitsari Ki Var /jYqsrI kI vwr

SIKHISM 101 A composition read after Madh Di Ardas. Come
Having conducted 4 batches of Sikhism 101 Course which were and learn proper recitation of one of the difficult to
enthusiastically received by people, Central Sikh Gurdwara Board recite banis of SGGS, and attain guru‘s blessings.
presents 5th Intake for Sikhism 101 course 2010, commencing The course will also cover ―Difficult to recite
7th April ( Wednesday) and its is conducted in English. compositions‖ Vaar Maaru Dakhne and Bhatta
Course Duration Swaiyye
 2 years leading to diploma Every Saturday from 3rd April ’10
 8 semester of 8 weeks each 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm
 Each semester followed by a short break
Fees - Only commitment fees of $50 for 4 semesters, inclusive of all course
materials
Course instructor LEARN PUNJABI AN ENLIGHTENING COURSE ON
 Our-in-house lecturer Jaswant Singh GURMUKHI REHRAS & SOHILA
Certificates Learn to read and write Punjabi in 8 Come and understand the divine message and
 Will be issued on successful weeks only meaning of: Rehras: (Evening Sikh Prayer) &
completion of program Every Friday 2nd April’10 Sohila: (Bedtime Sikh Prayer)
7.00pm—8.00pm Every Saturday from 2nd Apr 10
10.30am-11.30am
 Page 4 Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights

CENTRAL SIKH TEMPLE

GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY – 3 JAN 10
Central Sikh Temple Ground Break-
ing Ceremony was held on 3 Jan 10 at
9.30am.
Kirtan was conducted at the site, followed by
the Ardas and the Ceremony ended with the
distribution of Parshad / Mithai.
Special guests were invited for the Ceremony
and they were Ujagar Singh Gill,Jeswant
Singh Bandal, Sarjit Singh Chintgarh, Dav-
inder Singh, Jagjit Singh Sehgal, Naranjan
Singh Brahmpura, Amarjit Singh and Inderjeet
Singh.
We thank them for their presence. They
added value to our ceremony.
The renovation works will be completed by
Dec 10

BHAI MAHARAJ SINGH JI MEMORIAL

TEMPLE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY -17 Jan 10
Bhai Maharaj Singh JI Memorial Temple Ground Breaking ceremony was held on 17Jan 10
at10.30am. Akhand path Prayers
from the 15 Jan 10 to 17 Jan 10 fol-
lowed by Kirtan at 9.00am until
12.00pm.

The Ceremony started with Panj

Piare leading the way to the ground
breaking site and followed by the spe-
cial guests.
They are Sarjit Singh, Gurcharan
Singh Narula,Kartar Singh Thak-
ral,Jasminder Singh Gholia,Jagdish
Singh Dalamnagal and Daljit Singh.
Their participation in the Ceremony is
very much appreciated by the Central
Sikh Gurdwara Board.

The renovation works will be com-

pleted by June 2010.

An APPEAL to all
Be Part of our dream of fulfillment….
Let us fulfill our dreams and aspirations by donating generously…
Cheques should be made payable to ― Central Sikh Gurdwara Board‖ and posted to 9, Jalan
Bukit Merah, Singapore 169543.

Note: Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Committee members have pledged $235,000, of which
$95,000 has been paid.
 Page 5 Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights

Renovation Report CENTRAL SIKH TEMPLE

Works at 4th& 7th storey Canopy Slab

Progress of works towards
South West Elevation

Progress of works towards Removal of Granite Dome Fabrication

South West Direction

BHAI MAHARAJ SINGH MEMORIAL TEMPLE

Frontage of the memorial-demolition

works The original structure when it Top of the “Dome”
was first built

Surrounding areas being demolished

 Page 6 Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights

Certificate Presentation for Sikhism 101

Certificate Presentation for the Sikhism 101 first Batch participants was held
on 30 Jan 10 at Level 7 and for the second batch was held on 6 Mar 10.
Dilbagh Singh, Chairman Sikh Centre congratulated all the Sikhism 101 Course partici-
pants for their time, effort and commitment in completing the course.

First batch participants

with their lecturer. Our
Guest of Honor Mr.Ram
Singh presented the cer-
tificates to the partici-
pants.

The second batch participants

including guest
Mr.Karpal Singh Melhi,
Mr.Dilbagh Singh,Lecturer,
Ash Singh,and Guest of Honor
P. Harbans Singh.
― How Your Turban Can Make
You Millions‖ by Ash Singh,
who presented the topic after
the certificate presentation
ceremony.

New Members
Central Sikh Gurdwara Board welcomes the following new members
1. Basant Singh s/o Makand Singh 15. Arvinderjit Kaur 29. Rajinder Singh
2. Gurpreet Singh 16. Raghbir Kaur 30. Hardeep Singh
3. Surjit Singh s/o Wazir Singh 17. Surinder Kaur 31. Kuldip Singh
4. Balwinder Kaur 18. Shireen Kaur 32. Jasbir Singh Minhas
5. Gurmeet Singh Randhawa 19. Ude Singh 33. Harpal Kaur
6. Amarjeet Kaur Grewal 20. Jasbir Singh 34. Harpal Singh
7. Satwinder Kaur 21. Jasjeet Singh Puarr 35. Jasmeet Kaur Puarr
8. Jagat Singh 22. Raspal Kaur Melhi 36. Kalbir Singh
9. Karamjit Singh s/o Gurnam Singh 23. Surinder Kaur 37. Rajpal Singh
10. Dilenjit Singh 24. Tarinder Singh 38. Nirmaljit Kaur
11. Gurpreet Kaur 25. Satvinder Singh 39. Mrs. Satvinder Singh
12. Satinderpal Singh 26. Chamanpreet Kaur 40. Mrs.Bhajan Kour
13. Davinder Singh 27. Sherinder Kaur
14. Amritpal Singh Randhawa 28. Kushwant Singh

We welcome and requests all members of our community to join us, participate and
contribute in all our activities.
 Page 7 Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights

Title: “Voices for Peace” – An Inter-Faith musical sharing session

On 19 Feb 10, the Gurmat Sangeet Academy performed in an Inter-Faith musical sharing session, jointly hosted by
the Christian community and the Explorations into Faith (EiF) inter-faith group at the Church of St Mary of the
Angels. The performance by the Gurmat Sangeet Academy began with an introduction of Sikh religion, Kirtan of
traditional musical instruments. It was an enriching and memorable experience for all the non Sikh by students.

Performance by Gurmat Sangeet Academy students at

Concourse Esplanade
25 Apr 10 from 7-9 pm

Performances in April in conjunction with Vesakhi

Chandigarh School of Drama from Punjab India will be in Singa- The Singapore Sikh Community Presents
pore to perform three plays at Regional Language Centre (RELC)
on 23 Apr 10 from 7.30 - 9.30pm. A Punjabi Theatrical Evening
The Drama will be performed by ten person group. Plays written
by Gursharan Singh entitled:
 Eh Lahu Kisda Hai
 Parakh
 Sees Tali Te

Gursharan Singh is a renowned and highly respected theatre

icon of Punjab. He has been actively engaged in street theatre
since the 1950s and has been credited with taking Indian Theatre
to every village and town of Punjab. His plays highlight people‘s
woes and the struggles they face in life, whether they are eco-
nomic or political. He has gain recognition of various national and
international organizations and is held in high esteem by Sangeet
Natak Academy Ratan.

NOTE:
Admission is by invitation. Limited invitations available from Sikh Centre.

In support of the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board’s renovation projects

 Page 8
Sikh Centre
Up Coming Courses
 Sikhism 101, (New Course)
7 Apr, Wed, 7.15-8.45pm
 Rehras & Sohila- 3 Apr
Saturday, 10.30am to 11.30am
 Jaitsari Ki Var- 3 Apr
Saturday, 12.15pm to 1.15pm
 Gurmukhi (Punjabi)- 2 Apr
Every Friday 7pm—8pm
On Going Courses 2010
Nikke Khalse / Fatheh
Saturday, 1.45pm to 2.45pm
Chardi Kala : Alternate
Sunday, 10am to 11am
Gurmat Sangeet Classes
Tuesday - Sunday
Tae-Kwon-Do
Saturday, 1:45 pm to 2:45 pm
and 2.45pm to 3.45pm
Mighty Khalsa
4,18 Apr & 2,16,30 May
Sunday, 10:30am to 12:00pm
Sikhi for Toddlers
3,17Apr & 1,15,29 May
Saturday, 10am to 11am
Punjabi K1 & K2 Tuition
Sunday, 4.pm to 5pm,
8 Sessions
Creative Writing P1, P2,P3,
P4,P5 & P6
English, Math's & Science
Sunday, 12.30pm to 3.30pm
8 Session
Sec 1 & Sec 4, English & Maths
Sunday, 2pm to 4 pm
8 sessions
O Level English Tuition
Saturday, 2pm to 4pm
8 sessions
IT Class
Sunday, 3.00pm to 4.00pm,
Fee $10, 8 Sessions
Basic Conversational English
Class
Sunday 1pm to 2.30pm
Basic Conversational
Mandarin Class
Wednesday, 7.30pm to 8.45pm
Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights
Wadda Gurdwara Silat Road Gurdwara
Pooranmashi Pooranmashi
28th April-Wednesday 28 Apr-Wednesday
6.30pm to 8.30 pm 4.30 pm to 9.00pm
Sangrand Vaisakh(Apr) Sangrand Vaisakh(Apr)
14 Apr 14 Apr
7.00 am to 9.0 0am 6.00 am – 8.00 am
Weekly Simran Diwan Simran Sadhana
Every Thu, 6:30 am to 7:30 am
Every Sat, 8:45 am to 9.45 am
& 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Monday 6:30 - 7:30 am & Friday 6:30 -
Full Asa Di Vaar Kirtan 7:30 am
Very first Sunday of the month
6.30 am to 8.20am Raag Darbar
(Performance by Gurmat
Raag Darbar Sangeet Students)
(Performance by Gurmat Sangeet Wed
Students) 7.30 pm to 8 pm
24 Apr Sat 6.15 pm to 9pm Sukhmani Sahib Satsang
Sukhmani Sahib
Every Sunday-2pm-4.pm &
Every Wednesday, 1.30 pm to 4.30pm -4.30pm - 6.15pm
Book of the Month
I ACCUSE
The Anti –Sikh Violence of 1984
By JARNAIL SINGH
I Accuse is a powerful and passionate indictment of
the state‘s response to the killings of 1984. It ex-
plores the chain events, the survivors‘ stories and the
continuing shadow it casts over their lives. Because,
finally, 1984 was not an attack on the one community
alone; it was not an attack on the idea at the very
core of democracy- that every citizen, irrespective of
faith and community, has a right to life, liberty and
security.
Movie of the Month
MINI PUNJAB
The film spans not just through the various
shades of an emotional drama, but all the spicy
sprinklings of Love, Hate, Comedy, Action and
Tragedy. The sparkle of love at Mini Punjab
has dimmed by the shadows of social evils, be
it racial discrimination, hatred, revenge or jeal-
ousy. And the ditch between the hearts of the
Sunday
people here seems to beonly widening.
Level 7, Sikh Centre
Prem (Gurdas Mann) encourages bonding and
Time:2pm to 4pm love between all the members of Mini Punjab.
Date:18 Apr 10
For info on Central Sikh Gurdwara Board activities, Please visit our Website @ sikhs.org.sg