Religion and me
When I was in grade 3, I went to a declamation contest. My topic was Bibi Bhani. I still remember few sentences from that speech. It was in Ludhiana and the people who organized it was Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle. It was the first time I got introduced to Study Circle. Later on I went to Gurmat Camps, won 2 (or 3 not sure) Gold medals in Declamation contests and one Gold medal in Poetical recitation. I won two Gold medals in one day. Location was Narur Panchatan, I hope I spelled it right.
I won National Essay Competition - Topic was Guru Granth Sahib.
I have been one of the very active volunteer till 1994. Then Period. I was done.
Years later in 2003 I went to a Seminar on JapJi Sahib. My mother wrote it and since she wasn't here I went to present on her behalf. Before my lecture I heard suggestions that I should give my lecture with covered head with a Dupatta. Really ? Why? It is a convention hall not Gurdwara. Give it a break why mix intellect and religion and make a mash. Use the intellectuals to spread your message not make them leave coz of your narrow minded-ness.
Anyways, that was my last interaction with religion.
Yesterday, we were recording one of the episodes for Punjabi Junxxion and topic was Sikhism. The religion and concept, next generation and appearance.
Now comes the tricky part, I was suggested yet again, I should cover my head and then converse. I told her, I am just the host and I am asking you question not telling people to join the religion. We are giving information nothing else.
She was still persistent. Then I had to tell her that its not that I don't know about Sikhism but our religion doesn't mean pretentious and stay drab. Sikhism doesn't teach to not enjoy life. Sikhism is all about rational answers, explanations.
Years ago, I got to hear something and years later its the same thing. Is it me or we haven't grown at all in our religion. Do we always believe that just look Sikh doesn't matter you have knowledge or not.
Just look Sikh and do not do anything to tell others about religion. Or if you don't have a certain look don't even think about talking about the religion. Why?
What is coming in Sikhsim next?
The same kind of categories like - Shia and Sunni.
Why can't we accept people the way they are and appreciate their efforts.
I am not preaching others to have a certain attire. Because if I am doing that and then I am not in that particular attire then you should have problem but just because I am talking about my religion that doesn't mean I have to look like the fanatics as well.
Does the people who talk about Nihangs look like them.?
Do you wear Burka when you talk about Muslim women?
Are you sitting on a pyre when you talk about Sati?
Do you know all the Guru Granth Sahib when you start talking about it?
Why do we always talk about the negative in people?
Why don't we appreciate others efforts?
I don't try to change anyone then why others are always there to tell me what should I be wearing? Is this what our religion teach us?
And I always thought the more we get in the higher state of Bani, the more we see the world in perfect state or we don't even care. Coz we go beyond all this.
Am I asking too much?
I won National Essay Competition - Topic was Guru Granth Sahib.
I have been one of the very active volunteer till 1994. Then Period. I was done.
Years later in 2003 I went to a Seminar on JapJi Sahib. My mother wrote it and since she wasn't here I went to present on her behalf. Before my lecture I heard suggestions that I should give my lecture with covered head with a Dupatta. Really ? Why? It is a convention hall not Gurdwara. Give it a break why mix intellect and religion and make a mash. Use the intellectuals to spread your message not make them leave coz of your narrow minded-ness.
Anyways, that was my last interaction with religion.
Yesterday, we were recording one of the episodes for Punjabi Junxxion and topic was Sikhism. The religion and concept, next generation and appearance.
Now comes the tricky part, I was suggested yet again, I should cover my head and then converse. I told her, I am just the host and I am asking you question not telling people to join the religion. We are giving information nothing else.
She was still persistent. Then I had to tell her that its not that I don't know about Sikhism but our religion doesn't mean pretentious and stay drab. Sikhism doesn't teach to not enjoy life. Sikhism is all about rational answers, explanations.
Years ago, I got to hear something and years later its the same thing. Is it me or we haven't grown at all in our religion. Do we always believe that just look Sikh doesn't matter you have knowledge or not.
Just look Sikh and do not do anything to tell others about religion. Or if you don't have a certain look don't even think about talking about the religion. Why?
What is coming in Sikhsim next?
The same kind of categories like - Shia and Sunni.
Why can't we accept people the way they are and appreciate their efforts.
I am not preaching others to have a certain attire. Because if I am doing that and then I am not in that particular attire then you should have problem but just because I am talking about my religion that doesn't mean I have to look like the fanatics as well.
Does the people who talk about Nihangs look like them.?
Do you wear Burka when you talk about Muslim women?
Are you sitting on a pyre when you talk about Sati?
Do you know all the Guru Granth Sahib when you start talking about it?
Why do we always talk about the negative in people?
Why don't we appreciate others efforts?
I don't try to change anyone then why others are always there to tell me what should I be wearing? Is this what our religion teach us?
And I always thought the more we get in the higher state of Bani, the more we see the world in perfect state or we don't even care. Coz we go beyond all this.
Am I asking too much?