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Sikh Educational Conference focuses
on scriptures
WSN Network
WASHINGTON: A
Sikh educational conference titled Guru Granth Sahib - Its power and
Transformational Impact on Human Life and Development, was organized
last week at the Shady Grove Campus of University of Maryland, on
August 2, by Guru Gobind Singh Foundation.
Speakers from US
and
Canada presented their thoughts on various topics assigned to them.
In an auditorium full of more then 200 people the conference was
officially opened by secretary of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation,
Amrit Kaur. This was organized by GGSF in celebration of the
300th-anniversary of the Sikh Scriptures Guru Granth Sahib as
Eternal Shabad Guru.
Bhai Gurdarshan
Singh, Granthi of GGSF, delved deeply on the concept of of Shabad
Guru - its history and origin. He elaborated on the mysterious
concept of Shabad Guru and its introduction by Guru Nanak in his
writings. He was followed by Prof Atamjit Singh, Professor of
Punjabi Studies in
San Jose State
University,
California.
He explained in detail the cultural impact of Guru Granth Sahib in
changing caste system and the age old notion of considering women
inferior.
He emphasized
that Guru Nanak's method of dialogue with people of other faith is a
model which needs to be adopted in the present world. Then it was Dr
IJ Singh, a professor at
New York
University and writer of several books on Sikhism from western
perspective and a scholar of Sikhism who elaborated on Guru Granth
Sahib's present role in society. He cautioned the audience that Guru
Granth Sahib can not be treated like an ordinary book nor it could
be an object of blind worship. It is only useful if it is read
deeply and applied during the entire life span.
It was very
stimulating session and attentive listeners asked many questions.
Amrit Kaur thanked the distinguished speakers, audience and all
those who helped in to organize it said, "This is a historical
moment for us when we have been able to bring together speakers from
diverse backgrounds together on a common platform to talk about the
transformational impact of Guru Granth Sahib and how it changed the
society and revolutionized the thinking of masses."
20 August, 2008
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