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Scholars Enlighten Sikhs
WSN Network
 Santa
Ana, CA:
Sikh Center of
Orange County held an international lecture series commemorating
tercentennial of installation of Guru Granth Sahib – The Sikh
Scriptures. Sikh scholars from
India delivered
lectures explaining the uniqueness of Guru Granth Sahib. Sardar
Karamjit Singh, former assistant editor, Punjabi Tribune, Chandigarh
called upon Sikhs to understand the ‘Political Dimension’ of the
Granth and appreciate its spirituality driven inclination of
sovereign State. Quoting Arnold Toynbee, poet Iqbal, and philosopher
Khalil Gibran he invoked the thoughts of Gurbani and highlighted the
messages of the Granth. His analysis authenticated United Nation’s
inference that native language is important for survival of any
community.
Speaking to the
audience Dr. Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon, former professor and head
history department,
Punjab
University, Chandigarh laid out the meaning of ‘Shabad Guru’ as
‘Living Guru’ and its active role in bringing “beautiful changes in
our lives”. He categorically lavished the attendees with lucid
thoughts of Guru’s word – Bani, and surmised “Guru Nanak speaks
without any variation through other nine Gurus and also through Sri
Guru Granth Sahib”. Cautioning the gatherers against the research
and writings of Hew McLeod and his pupils; Professors Gurinder Singh
Mann and Pashaura Singh, he quantified ‘Sikhs and the Granth’ as
synonymous and said nobody can change any word of the Granth.
Dr. Darshan
Singh, former professor and head Guru Nanak Sikh Study chair,
Punjab
University,
Chandigarh expressively articulated Gurbani to awaken the human
consciousness and understand its intended logic. Commenting on the
continuing struggle between the ‘Pulpit and Podium’ he said science
speaks through lab and philosophy through logic. His narration of
“Gurbani and Creation of World Consciousness” concisely enumerated
models of secular governments and their self destruction essentially
due to failure of understanding the concept that “Guru Granth does
not speak any thing illogical”.
Coalition of
Gurdwaras of California and Sikhs for Preservation of Sikhism and
Sikh Heritage thanked the speakers and their cogent thoughts. Dr.
Jasbir Singh Mann and Sardar Sawant Singh honored the visiting
scholars for enlightening the southern California Sikhs.
3
December 2008
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