Is Unity - Really Strength?

Is Unity - Really Strength?


I don't think any one likes the news of outbreak of a fight at a Gurudwara. Sikhs picking up or pulling out, kirpans or any other instruments given to us by Guru are for self protection and defense of our family members. Instead picking it from front of Guru and attack each other is absolutely not its purpose. Though this is not being a good occurrence, it is happening too often. It is happening in public places and it shames me. I know there are least a Million of my brethren of my community members and young adults, who feel the same way. The time has come that we stand-united and do something about it and not just cry few crocodile tears, feel guilty and feel feeble. Sikhs are not feeble, they are karam yogis, resisters, fighters, and Guru supports their mission if tried with humility.

After the fight, police is involved in writing reports, arrests, lawyers hired, court cases, after long process, court dates and several visits. The result-out of two (2) both, are losers- even one may be given less severe punishment. The time spent from important things of life and money spent in lakhs or thousands of dollars, taxing other family members creating alienation in society etcetera. Biggest picture is our reputation among other communities, countries and over all our own Future.

I am dumb founded when I read our gurus following lines sitting in the Gurughar. In the same week elections were to take place in the hall below and all sorts of preparations being made. Including picture ID cards of members.

ਰਾਜੁ ਨ ਚਾਹਉ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਚਾਹਉ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲਾਰੇ ॥ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਮਹੇਸ ਸਿਧ ਮੁਨਿ ਇੰਦ੍ਰਾ ਮੋਹਿ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਹੀ ਦਰਸਾਰੇ ॥੧॥
ਦੀਨੁ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਆਇਓ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਸਰਨਿ ਪਰਿਓ ਸੰਤ ਹਾਰੇ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਮਿਲੇ ਮਨੋਹਰ ਮਨੁ ਸੀਤਲ ਬਿਗਸਾਰੇ ॥੨॥੩
raaj na chaaha-o mukat na chaaha-o man pareet charan kamlaaray.
barahm mahays siDh mun indraa mohi thaakur hee darsaaray.
deen du-aarai aa-i-o thaakur saran pari-o sant haaray.
kaho naanak parabh milay manohar man seetal bigsaaray.  dayvganDhaaree 5

I do not seek power, and I do not seek liberation. My mind is in love with Your Lotus Feet. Brahma, Shiva, the Siddhas, the silent sages and Indra - I seek only the Blessed Vision of my Lord and Master's Darshan.

I have come, helpless, to Your Door, O Lord Master; I am exhausted - I seek the Sanctuary of the Saints. Says Nanak, I have met my Enticing Lord God; my mind is cooled and soothed - it blossoms forth in joy.

Each word is very clear to Punjabi speaking person Sikh or not. And translation even in English.

Correct substitute for the word Raj=kingdom. A kingdom can be as big as Russia in land size, Canada, America, Brazil or two put together. And I do not wish to wear the crown - adorned with precious jewels associated with kingdom and feel liberated = FEEL TOP OF THE WORLD.

Guru just WISHES to be near guru's feet… JOY of LIFE.

But we are not listening to the loudly sung 'shabad' and fighting to be leaders and committee members of a Gurudwara in Booooooe, Bangalore & Bareilly. (Please See God is not Deaf-we are ~ http://www.sikhnet.com/news/god-not-deaf)

Listen to sung shabad Raj na chahu…by Bhai Chattar Singh-attached as no.1 below.

When I see a Sikh of the Guru,
I humbly bow and fall at his feet.
Jo dise gur Sikda niv niv lagao pae jio.

 

Election Day SCENE 1: 9AM   SCENE 2: (6-8 Police Person sitting near hall)

Guru wants us to share - exchanging, guiding teaching, understanding, practicing positive virtues with each other and grow. This is 'sang' and means be together and not split sangat or form groups in the Gurudwara, in 'Sikh communities, which constitutes 'Sikh Nation'. We have taken a wrong path.

SCENE 3: Do you note any one with aggressive attitude? Anyone who will beat up any one else in the pictures? I see them relaxed. Think of substitute for police?

'Panj Piare':
Guru ji gave us 5anj piare, he understood the purpose of 5'symbolic implications deeply. If it is 2 people one can influence another and decide in favor of good or bad. Three people 2 can be dominant and 3rd ignored. Four-4 people: 2people on each side, cannot resolve any thing. 5anj can be easily picked in any community and their decision can't be broken in even courts of law of today, for important decisions there are 5 judges. Today's democratic court process is a very tedious one, expensive and lengthy.

5anj could make decision in a day: in fact in few hours, in place of running around for many times to courts. There will be always a loser and winner. Other problem to court verdict is that it is not satisfactory to any parties.

Panj piare solution is a lot more satisfactory. Their decision is fair because guru's truthfulness is behind them. It is real congenial and both parties would be more contended in the end. Any lawyer wishes to bet?
Or simply write details to discuss.

Sikhism teaches 'self restrain of five. (5) Kaam/ Lust, Krodh/ Anger, Lobh/ Greed, Moh/ Attachment and Ahankar/ Ego'. Control, which means, self policing. If we learnt control of "krodh/ Anger", we should not need police in our life and community. Practicing this is our utmost need or priority today. We should restrain ourselves to NOT PICKUP Swords and Kirpans against each other. We should not invite police either. Guru Sahibs designed systems are unique and perfect for us. Sikhism is an independent system in all respects, not least dependent on any other system. When all other systems seem to failed, than a very democratic system was created by our Gurus. We are following a system blindly, which is the most corrupt in the whole world and we are getting trapped in the vicious circle, day by day. Let us reconsider or follow a better system!

Here is my suggestion.

Community 5anj.
These are 5 neutral people from your community, you shall select in front of Guru by his help and by his final seal. Select peoples name interested in SEWA between 7-11-?. Some basic criterias to choose them would be; they visit Gurudwara regularly, perform physical sewa voluntarily, does not trim hair and has a positive attitude. Write their names in a pot on the same size slip - draw slips one by one & choose committee to run your Gurudwara. Do that every year, to increase your chance, ask Gurudwara committee to do it every six months but please do not wear iD tags in your Gurudwara on election day and invite police. 5anj will solve your problems.

NEW SCENE : For next election. Let us replace above pictures with pictures below.
Here is the picture I hope EVERYONE will like to see next election. The 5anj Piare; if you have a darn situation use Kirpans firm to hold the person outside the Gurdwara. My recommendation strong muscled young men should be enough.

Guru wants YOU to be Pardhan - President

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਹਿ ਸੇ ਪਰਧਾਨਾ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਘਟ ਘਟ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਪਛਾਨਾ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਕੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਦੀਜੈ ਜਿਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਜਾਤਾ ਹੇ ॥
satgur sayveh say parDhaanaa. tin ghat ghat antar barahm pachhaanaa.
naanak har jas har jan kee sangat deejai jin satgur har parabh jaataa hay.
Those who serve the True Guru are (Pardhan-Punjabi President) supreme and famous. Deep within each and every heart, they recognize God.
Please bless Nanak with the Lord's Praises, and the Sangat, the Congregation of the Lord's humble servants; through the True Guru, they know their Lord God. Ang 1032

The term conflict resolution may also be used interchangeably with dispute resolution, where arbitration and litigation processes are critically involved.

Precaution is better than Cure.

bwdu ibbwdu kwhU isau n kIjY ] nwmdyau, 1164
baad bibaad kaahoo si-o na keejai. rasnaa raam rasaa-in peejai.
Do not engage in any arguments or debates with anyone. With your tongue, savor the Lord's sublime essence.

However, if conflict is not handled effectively, the results can be damaging. Conflicting goals can quickly turn into personal dislike. Peace in community breaks down. Time is wasted as people disengage from their Gurudwaras. And it's easy to end up in a vicious downward spiral of negativity and recrimination. Hold pre announced monthly meeting or after 2 months for certainty. This is Blessing in disguise, actually a part of true democratic principal. Why hold a meeting? The reason Gurudwara holds meeting is so that sangat can engage each other in discussion. Meetings are for discussion, decisions, and commitments. Discuss your opinions and agree or disagree with the opinions of your fellow attendees in fact, healthy disagreement is one of the hallmarks of a successful working people together.

Tips for managing and resolving conflict

blu CutikE bMDn pry kCU n hoq aupwie ]
khu nwnk Ab Et hir gj ijau hohu shwie ]53]
bal chhutki-o banDhan paray kachhoo na hot upaa-ay. kaho naanak ab ot har gaj ji-o hohu sahaa-ay.
My strength is exhausted, and I am in bondage; I cannot do anything at all. Says Nanak, now, the Lord is my Support; He will help me, as He did the elephant. 1429
blu hoAw bMDn Cuty sBu ikCu hoq aupwie ]
nwnk sBu ikCu qumrY hwQ mY qum hI hoq shwie ]54]
bal ho-aa banDhan chhutay sabh kichh hot upaa-ay. naanak sabh kichh tumrai haath mai tum hee hot sahaa-ay.
My strength has been restored, and my bonds have been broken; now, I can do everything. Nanak: everything is in Your hands, Lord; You are my Helper and Support

Recent theories have defined 5 Conflict styles.
The style most useful, when you need to bring together a variety of viewpoints to get the best solution; when there have been previous conflicts in the group; or when the situation is too important for a simple trade-off.
Is called Cooperation conflict style
Characterized by an active concern for both pro-social and pro-self behavior, cooperation conflict style is typically used when an individual has elevated interests in their own outcomes as well as in the outcomes of others. During conflict, cooperators collaborate with others in an effort to find an amicable solution that satisfies all parties involved in the conflict. Individuals with this type of conflict style tend to be highly assertive and highly empathetic at the same time by seeing conflict as a creative opportunity, collaborators willingly invest time and resources into finding a "win-win" solution. According to the literature on conflict resolution, a cooperative conflict resolution style is recommended above all others. (Sternberg & Dobson, 1987; Jarboe & Witteman, 1996)

Let us be Sikhs - Apply Universally true fundamentals where ever you may be Americas, any city…India, Any Continent. Your respect is your communities respect and it is in your hands. Be wise. Let us follow our principals and implement a selection process in Gurudwaras.

Our systems are to be guarded by Panj Pyare & Our Court is Panj Pyare.

ijn kw hir syqI mnu mwinAw iqn kwrj hir Awip svwir ]
Those whose minds are satisfied with the Lord - the Lord Himself resolves their affairs.
iqn cUkI muhqwjI lokn kI hir AMgIkwru kIAw krqwir ]
Their subservience and their dependence on other people is ended; the Creator Lord is on their side. 1135

We are least a million around the world who read emails, let each person forward this email to 10 others. And for those who need a hard copy, please make 10 hard copies and share this idea in your Gurudwara.
After a week of sharing discuss this with your friends and bring this thought in general meeting. I know this idea of yours will roll and at a higher momentum than one you can imagine.

Sikhi is a simplified-practical-perfect-way of life.
Guru Granth teaches delightful living. (Good+happy) Good for today better for tomorrow.
Follow it.

1984- --Attack on Darbar Sahib & over 10,000 Sikhs killed
Inviting police in Gurdwara, everywhere---Destroying Sikhi Unlimited

Have to have a Lawyer for community Solution, go to one of them.

I recommend all Gursikh attorneys, outside & inside in India for forming a volunteer association to help their local, state or country Gurudwara. Gurudwara in US, Canada & perhaps UK have to give in writing, charter of their association, I will suggest that it is included in the charter that they of course will follow the laws of the land. They will also try to resolve this by way of mediation. US/ Canada educated attorneys know that US court system welcomes this move and encourages this move.

An example of community 5anj use: If dispute pops up in Bangalore, A Team made up of 5anj from each nearby city like Hyderabad, Poona, Chennai, Mangalore. Mumbai, etc. are invited to give verdict.
The team, of course all chosen by the Sangat.

There is a large pool of committed Sikhs, Sikh lawyers/attorneys, intelligent professionals today, all over in the world, we should feel proud of them. I feel meek to name a few here: All of them 1st in their field and in their home countries.
H.S. Phoolka, Senior advocate well known to community. T. Sher Singh, Experience 20 years as a litigation lawyer in Toronto, Canada. Satwant Singh Khalsa, Attorney- NY, New York, I.J. Singh is a speaker on Sikhism and a Professor also from NY, Mota Singh and Inderjeet Singh from UK.

Manmohan Singh,ex-Prime Minister is free now and could be requested to be leader of our conflict resolution committee and consulted when necessary. We could leave up to him to choose the details and methodology for some time. He is the one who appointed Supreme Court judges. He needs to do some social work.

In fact I nominate him and hope all of you will 2nd…. If you are unable to complete list of five, and really need experienced person, I think he is still a good man.

Additional Resources.

Always teach children good moral stories. These will help them throughout their life. For example Story for children below will help them in their own family and in their community family.

Once an old farmer lived in a village. He had four sons. They were always quarreling with each other. The farmer tried hard to bring unity among them but they would never listen to his advice. He was very worried about their future.

One day, the old farmer fell sick and he decided he should bring unity among his sons. He called his sons and asked them to bring few sticks. They brought the sticks. The farmer asked the eldest son to tie them in a bundle. He then asked them to try their strength to break it.

Each of the sons tried to break the bundle but failed. Then the farmer untied the bundle and gave one stick to each and asked them to break it. Each of them was able to do it easily.

The farmer said, "Now you understand. If you are united nobody can get better of you. But you keep quarreling, you will be broken by anyone."

MORAL: Unity is Strength.

Once upon a time two cats were walking together in a village. One of the cats saw a big piece of bread and shouted. The other cat jumped upon and picked the bread.

The first cat said, "I am the one who saw the bread, so I should have it."

The other cat replied, "So what? I picked it. The bread is mine."

The argument continued for a long time without any solution. Finally, they both decided to go to some third person to give a good judgment about this problem. They went to the monkey who lived near to their homes and told him the bread and their fight. The monkey said, "Don't fight. I will share the bread equally among you both". Saying this, the monkey split the bread into two parts. One of that had more bread than the other.

The monkey shook his head and said, "Ah.. ah..!! one is bigger than the other". He took some bread from the bigger one and ate the bread. Now the other part looked bigger. So this time he ate some bread from the bigger part. Now the other one appeared bigger and the monkey ate some from this bigger part.

Thus he went on eating from one part to the other and finally the monkey ate all the bread. The two cats became very sad. They couldn't eat the bread because of the fight between them.

MORAL: When friends fight, bad people will make advantage of that.

 

Clashes broke out between sword-wielding Sikhs at the Golden Temple in northern India on the 30th anniversary of a notorious army raid on the site. At least twelve people were wounded in the violence at the temple in the city of AmritsarPicture: NARINDER NANU/AFP