Gurdwara Sahib Leamington & Warwick, UK

Vahiguroo Ji Ka Khalsa Vahiguroo Ji Ki Fateh! The comment is generalised, and the Leamington Spa Gurudwara is another example of this general phenomenon sweaping the world. I am glad to hear that there is only one Gurudwara in the town, that is something to be proud of. The problem is not about money, the problem is where money is wasted. I am sorry but it is my personal opinion that money used on cemet, bricks, and large constructions is a waste of Sangats money. It is based around Punjabi ideas of materialism rather than Gurmat. In the Gurus time in India there were plenty of people to build a large temple, but they didnt. The Guru created architecuture with such aesthic beauty that is left unparrelled in the world. We create massive buildings with no beauty, wrongly molded on 'modern' taste. Many Gurudwaras have a 'Gomat' but the Guru Granth Sahib is not in the centre but placed at the edge. On the other hand in India the Guru Granth Sahib is the axis mundi, where people walk around (parkarma) to pay their respects. So we have copied Churches, etc as our design standard. Churches are good as churches, but we should know the standard when it comes to Maryada. We should go around the Guru, as a sign of respect, as the Guru is the centre, and the Sangat sits arounds the centre. Not sit as the back of the 'hall' against the radiator. Why have a Gomat, when Guru Granth Sahib Ji is not Parkash directly under it? Simple, its just for show. That is my point. Showmanship means zero in Sikhi. Practice and understanding means something. Investment should be in people, not bricks or buildings. In real life, not because most commitee members can agree on a big building, that can accomodate bigger Jannets, or Janj (on a wedding). Is making a large Gurudwara going to help us find Akal Purukh within our inner being, or is it simply another ego game, to make us feel we are better Sikhs? The Taj Mahal is a unparrelled building in its size and construction, but it was made on Moghul notions of love, today everybody goes to Agra, to see it assert its ego on the psyche. In sharp contrast, the Hari-Mandir Sahib is so modest in its design, that it humbles people to tears who visit it. One is to strike awe, one is to allow NATURAL humility. Large buildings like Cathedrals, are for Awe. We are into humility a key teaching of Guru Nanak, we serve the Guru, not change things to suit our own needs. There is not one single foot bath in all the Western Gurdwara, why? We have to much Hankar. There is no place to have Ishnan or a Sarovar. Again we think we are too modern to need these any more. We take what we like of Maryada. We dont take the whole, because underneath we like to trade with God. Lets be honest, we go to the Church/Gurdwara on Sunday, we listen to a sermon from the Priest, we go to Sunday school. I dont think we see the influences on us all. When are you getting an English speaking Giani? Or is that a cultural taboo, while there is comprimise on other things? Is the Gurdwara still on loan or is it paid off? Is it ethical to make a place of worship technically partly owned by a bank? Is there a calculation of long term repair? The Jews have been in England for hundreds of years, there are no 'Super' sized Synagogues, why? They are intelligent and invest in their youth. For example UJS, Union of Jewish Students. 11 Million for 40 people to go and worship. People are dying in the world, maybe just maybe you should have asked the Sangat and said, we will give 5 million to those that need it and 6 million on a Gurdwara. Then maybe people would know who Sikhs are. Or 5 million on a campaign that Sikhs are a distinct identity not to be confused with the Taliban. Sikhi is about overcoming individual and collective suffering, by Bhalla. Where is the Bhalla in a large building for an average of 40 people per day. I am sure you are an intelligent person, it makes no sense. The Panth was never built on buildings, it was made by sacrifice. We should be helping others, not making bigger buildings. 40 people dont need that much space to sit. To make a Gurdwara on one off events is stupid. Daily usuage should be the key. Maybe we need to cut down wedding size? Instead of taking out loans. We loose our prosperity by these things, we dont gain. There was one kirtan program that filled the Gurughar out, when will it happen next? If it isnt in the same week, I am sorry but you have wasted 11 Million pounds. Happy Guru Nanak Gurpurab. (I wander what he would think about it today?) The simple being Guru Ji was, is he interested in our heart, or bigger show..I am sorry, but I dont think he would approve. Key word ethics: Let me remind you of a story. Bhai Lalo, and Malik Bhago. One lived in a hut and was poor, the other had a palace and literally sucked everyone dry. Guru Nanak went to house of the poor man, because he lived by truth. The rich mans house he didnt. Then came the miracle of the roti. When Guru Ji squeezed them milk came out, from the other blood came out. This was to show Malik Bhago to mend his ways. He lived beyond his means. By taking out a loan on something you cannot afford, the committe will go around bullying everyone in the form of appeals like beggars for their 'palace'. Best just to keep it simple, within our means, that is called wisdom. People do stupid things when they try to do more than they can afford. Its very simple. A small child can understand that. Showing off, means nothing. How do you feel about the Sangat paying off interest with donations? Very sad. Mansions dont make happy homes, love makes happy homes. Truth, Dharm, does. A house with no children is like a dessert, it is empty. Barren. A house full of children is vibrant, love, fun, innocent, moving, happy. I am sorry but Guru Granth Sahib is alone in most temples throughout UK. How very sad................ Our Sikh nation is richer than ever. However Sikhi is less. Amritdharis are less. Bani is less. Love is less. Example Park Avenue £400, 000 is fulll and Havelock Road £20, 000, 000 empty. Also when people turn up to a large building with hardly anyone there, it feels empty, unwelcoming, low energy. When people come to small place buts its full, its the opposite. The Church is selling churches, commitees might have to do the same at some point. Medway towns Gurdwara is facing bankrupcy for the new 'Super' Gurdwara. Gravesend struggling to be completed due to large size................. Leamingtons most famous Sikh son, DJ notorious Jatt, has got a song called Khanda that says 'Asal Pachan Punjabi Di Gal Paiya Khanda.' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUnHAHkrJyQ This is our level of Sikh education, if you can wear it, build it, tattoo it, buy it, own it, sell it, its Sikhi. Innit!