People participate in a candlelight vigil near the White House to protest violence against Sikhs in 2012. AP Photo/Susan Walsh by Simran Jeet Singh, New York University An elderly Sikh gentleman in Northern California, 64-year-old Parmjit Singh, was recently stabbed to death while taking a walk in the evening. Authorities are still investigating the killer’s … Continue reading Why Sikhs wear a turban and what it means to practice the faith
Human beings are "the most beautiful, intelligent and favorite creation of God." Perhaps cats, dogs, donkeys, etc., and that bird in the sky think the same. Who knows! And for that matter plants and flowers have the same pride. Who knows! Perhaps, He knows, maybe not. -Promod Puri
Essentially, religion is a code of conduct for a civil society. It all started from here. With society’s progression, the code of conduct also evolved resulting in its expansion and formalization. As civilization started taking roots management of the society began. Origin of religion can be traced as part of human evolution. Ancient religious orders … Continue reading ORIGIN OF RELIGION
NANAK DUKHIYA SABB SANSAR SO SUKHIYA JIS NAAM ADHAAR (Loosely translated: Nanak says life for everybody is suffering, blissful is the one who has based his/her life on Him) That is the universal truth. Agony, misery, pain, suffering, both physical and emotional, and in all degrees of intensity are the realities of life experienced by … Continue reading NANAK DUKHIYA SABB SANSAR SO SUKHIYA JIS NAAM ADHAAR
By Promod Puri For contemporary society as well as in the conduct of our personal lives, one of the most relevant messages of Guru Nanak Devji is: Hukam Razai Chalna, Nanak likhyea naal. In its simple interpretation, Nanak says, it is inevitably written that we conduct ourselves according to the will of God. Hukam means order or … Continue reading Hukam Razai Chalna, Nanak likhyea naal.
By Promod Puri It is hailed as a “Corridor of Peace” between India and Pakistan. The Kartarpur Corridor to be ready by November of this year is also a long-awaited and welcome historical development for Sikhs worldwide. The much-desired Corridor will connect the border town of Dera Baba Nanak from the Indian side and Gurdwara … Continue reading Corridor Of Peace Between India And Pakistan
Perhaps the most relevant message of Guru Nanak Dev as we usher into the New Year and make fresh resolutions in the conduct of our lives, is Hukam Razai Chalna, Nanak likhyea naal. In its simple meaning, as usual addressing himself, Nanak says: it is inevitably written that we conduct ourselves according to the will of God. … Continue reading Hukam Razai Chalna, Nanak Likhyea Naal
By Promod Puri When atheists reject the concept or existence of God, their conclusion is based on limited perception. The reason, we human beings are like a speck of creature in this colossal universe incapable of fathoming its enormity. Their case does not win credibility either by just ridiculing those who believe in God. And … Continue reading Beyond The Confines Of Atheism And Theism
Unlike some other religious orders, Hinduism does not have a centralized controlling authority to guide or to safeguard its values. Without any governing body, Hinduism over the centuries developed the “parmpara”(tradition) of establishing the institution of independent gurus, ‘swamis’ and ‘babas.’ However, looking at the disgraceful conduct of many of these so-called god’s men and … Continue reading CONTROLLING FAKE HINDU GURUS
Awake India, awake to his vision. Leave those caste barriers, acquire knowledge, be strong in body and be a Khalsa in spirit. Your religion doesn't matter. Khalsa is a state of mind, not just a religion. by Frank Hazur While Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi across India; rest of India wonders if it is about doing the … Continue reading WHY INDIA MUST KNOW ABOUT VAISAKHI….
By Promod Puri What is the difference between you, me and a spoon, a table, a stone, or any object or a thing? Both are physical matters. But we have consciousness others don’t. Or maybe they have it which we don’t sense. Anyway, that is what distinguishes you and me, and the “non-consciousness” objects. How … Continue reading Besides Humans Everything Else Has Consciousness Too
By Promod Puri “Temple-Hinduism” is an expression introduced by Vasudha Narayanan, Professor of Religion, University of Florida. The terminology is not an academic phrasing, nor does it reflect a new sect in Hinduism. It is an interpretation of Hinduism related to the devotional practices of rituals and prayers in temple’s iconological environment. As we know … Continue reading Temple Hinduism, Meditation And Karma
The personified God is worshipped as the centralized controlling authority influencing every moment of our lives. Moreover, the symbolic undertaking of God creates the fear factor that He is a punishing Being if not believed in His existence. This fear is one reason for His adoration and ceremonial development. One can experience His eternal spirit … Continue reading God’s Contemplation in Rational & Practical Environments
Rituals, customs, and traditions provide bulk and mostly false identity to a religion. If these are detached from all the religions, then we can see fundamentals of moral and righteous teachings are the same in each of them. Pathways to divinity are infused with words of morality and ethics, principles, and noble deeds. Many meaningless … Continue reading Seeking Evolution In Religions
Dear Hon. Prime Minister Trudeau: In celebration of the popular Indian festival of lights, I also wish you, Diwali Mubarak. Your selection of Diwali Mubarak expression in your tweet is my choice as well. I noticed that some people tweeted and objected to your use of the word ‘Mubarak’, asserting that it is not a … Continue reading Diwali Mubarak Message To Canada’s PM
A sister tying the protective thread. Vikram Verma, CC BY-NDMathew Schmalz, College of the Holy Cross This year, Monday, August 7 marks one of the most important celebrations for Hindus throughout the world: Rakshabandhan, a ceremony honoring the bond between sisters and brothers. The date of Rakshabandan varies from year to year since Hindus follow … Continue reading Rakshabandan’ – the festival that celebrates the brother-sister bond
By Promod Puri Easter is a celebration of resurrection of Jesus. It is on this day, Christians believe in the rise of Jesus Christ after his death and burial. And that means a new beginning. Since Easter (April 16) comes in the beginning of spring season, a symbolic connection can be ascertained with the coming … Continue reading EASTER AND VAISAKHI: FESTIVALS OF NEW BEGINNING
By Promod Puri Whereas rituals, customs and traditions furnish symbolic and distinctive identity to a religion, the pathways to divinity which are paved with morals and ethics, are often debased by its despicable ceremonial rites and practices. It is in this context that the contemporary and progressive political ideologies disdain religion. Its nature is customarily … Continue reading RELIGION HAS GUIDING ROLE IN POLITICS
By Promod Puri If God or the Supreme Being is He, She or It; residing in heaven, up there in the sky or just omnipresent in the known or unknown universe. Do we need to indulge in this debate? Not really. Rather we create our own god based on noble thoughts, ethics, and good karma. … Continue reading Building Divine Residency More Relevant Than Knowing God He or She
(From the book Hinduism Beyond Rituals, Customs And Traditions by Promod Puri) Since bias knows no boundaries, Manusmriti not only expounds the social distance between the upper and lower castes, but it also delineates the status of women by curbing their rights. It lists guidelines for men in selecting marriage partners and puts a stamp … Continue reading MANUSMIRITI AND WOMEN
Republican nominee Donald Trump was recently invited to a fundraising event organized by a conservative group of Hindu Americans, the Republican Hindu Coalition. A poster from the event, which describes the group as “Hindus for Trump,” portrays the candidate in a posture much like that of a yogi in deep meditation. It shows Trump, … Continue reading What does Trump have to do with the Hindu sacred syllable, om?
Jagessar Das M. D. President Kabir Association of Canada People all over the world talk about tolerance, such as racial tolerance, religious tolerance or cultural tolerance, when they have to live in a society made up of people of different backgrounds. And this tolerance is often thought of as being a virtue. Let us try … Continue reading TOLERANCE OR ACCEPTANCE
Parh parh Alam te faazil hoya Te kaday apnay aap nu parhya ee na Translation: You read to become all knowledgeable But you never read yourself You read so many books to know it all, yet fail to ever read your heart at all. Bhaj bhaj warna ay mandir maseeti Te kaday mann apnay wich … Continue reading From The Pen Of Baba Bulleh Shah
By Promod Puri The place is called Virasat-E-Khalsa. It is also known as Khalsa Heritage Complex. But for the local and ordinary folks the unique monument in Anandpur Sahib near Chandigarh is simply known as "Ajuba". And it certainly is a wonder. With the help of latest in sound and information technology along with impressive … Continue reading Museum Of Sikh History
A universal truth Agony, misery, pains or sufferings, both physical and emotional, and in all degrees of intensity, are the realities of life. These are the experiences faced by all without exception. Life means jitters of distress, grief and worries going along with moments of peace and pleasures. Stresses and strains in our lives for … Continue reading “NANAK DUKHIYA SABB SANSAR SO SUKHIYA JIS NAAM ADHAAR”
One of the spiritual gems of Guru Nanak Devji, which portrays the essence of all religions: "Koi bole ram ram; koi khudae...." Here is the English translation of shabad: Some call the Lord ‘Ram, Ram’, and some ‘Khuda’. Some serve Him as ‘Gusain’, others as ‘Allah’. He is the Cause of causes, and Generous. He … Continue reading “Koi bole ram ram; koi khudae….
The pathways to divinity are infused with words of morality and ethics, principles and noble deeds. Rituals facilitate the walk The liberalism in Hinduism has encouraged a maze of ritual genesis. From religious point of view ritual is a symbolic and sacramental repetitive activity which provides manner and order in performing revered service. Rituals and … Continue reading Rituals
It is indeed a subject of astronomical acceptance that from the very sound frequencies of Om the building blocks of the universe are evolved The myriad journey of Hindu divinity begins with a simple and pure sound of Om. Om is also spelt as Aum with subtle phonetic articulation. As per Hindu spiritual thinking, Om … Continue reading Significance of Om
By Promod Puri In his 40 years of entertaining and alluring singing career, late Jagjit Singh’s soft and “silky” voice created a vast following not only in India but among thousands of his fans settled all over the world as well. Jagjit Singh, who died in October 2011, created a niche for his thick-pitched but … Continue reading Singer Jagjit Singh
Published on: November 1, 2016 | Last Updated: November 1, 2016 1:33 PM PDT Douglass Todd With Canada’s 500,000 Hindus celebrating Diwali throughout this week, the awkward topic of the religion’s swastika symbol has again arisen. One young North American Hindu has confessed in a revealing, tender-hearted piece how he often tries to convince his … Continue reading Hinduism, Diwali and swastikas: Explained
By Promod Puri The 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, close to his death, sealed the continuity of human gurus. He declared that henceforth the holy book Adi Granth would be the eternal Guru of Sikhs. The hymn composed by him for that declaration encourages a devotee to study, research and contemplate the enlightenments contained … Continue reading GURU MANEYO GRANTH
ॐ भूर्भुवस्व: | तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम् | भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि | धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात् Aum bhur bhuvah swah, tat savitur varenvam. Bhargo devasya dhimahi, dhiyo yo nah prochodayay. The four-part mantra is addressed to God (Aum) and the translation goes like this: Oh God, you are the giver of life, you can free us from all … Continue reading Seeking Divine Spirit
By Promod Puri Besides His numinous and varied perceptions God also offers a meaningful perspective which can be created by the assembly of good thoughts. And the divine residency begins in that on-going construction. Basically it is an eloquent temperament we are trying to build which gives rationality and practicality to the institution of God. … Continue reading Composition Of God In Hinduism
By Promod Puri Culture is a distinctive feature of one group of people comprising of several aspects. One of them is religion, and the others are language, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. Obviously, one aspect of a culture does not represent the totality of it. The expression “Hindu culture” is as vague as saying … Continue reading Culture Supersedes Religion in Establishing National Identity
By Arran Stephens The overwhelming majority of the world’s Hindus live in India, which has the largest vegetarian population on earth, numbering many millions. Within the Indian subcontinent, the spectrum of religious thought ranges from strict monotheism to a sweeping panoply of gods, goddesses and animist dieties. Vegetarianism is practiced and scripturally supported by the … Continue reading Hinduism and Vegetarian Diet
By Promod Puri OM PURNAM MANTRA “Om purnam adah purnam idam purnat purnam udachyate purnasya purnam adaya purnam evavashishyate”. An ideological and free translation of the mantra begins with the word Om which is personified here as God. The word ‘purnam’ and its related derivates in the mantra mean complete, and signifies His completeness. As … Continue reading Message of Universality in Hindu Mantra
Ever wonder why we chant “om” before our yoga practice or prayer? Check out this interesting take on how Quantum Theory can help us understand the significance of Om. by Promod Puri This is perhaps the first time in the studies of Hinduism that an attempt has been made to establish a relationship between the … Continue reading Quantum Theory And Om
Image formation is a very natural trait in human psychology. In our conscious state all our feelings, ideas and impulses manifest images. The genesis of an image is a cognitive imagination influenced by perception of an object. In The Philosophy and Significance of Idol Worship, a Divine Life Society publication, Sri Swami Sivananda says: "Idol … Continue reading SIGNIFICANCE OF IDOL WORSHIPPING IN HINDUISM
One major drawback instituted in ambiguous rituals is the fear factor. And in absurdity some rituals promise to work like cure-all miracles. Illogical rituals block the real spirit of a religion. Such customs generate fanaticism. Rituals help in cult formation. The entry of fake gurus in the Hindu faith is thru the contamination created by … Continue reading Bad Rituals Breed Fanaticism
The art community's fascination for Lord Ganesh is due to His unique appearance as a clearly recognizable elephant tusk-hooded portrayal. In Hindu thought an elephant is revered for its intelligence. Consequently, Lord Ganesh in His elephant-look image is perceived as the god of knowledge, intellect and wisdom. Besides these scholarly exhibits, Lord Ganesh gathers a … Continue reading Hinduism and Lord Ganesh
