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| ==Vaisakhi 1978== | ==Vaisakhi 1978== | ||
| On Vaisakhi day, 1978, the Indian Government sponsored ], they held a convention which was designed to hurt the Sikh Nation. They mocked the ] Ji and the Gurus, the |
On Vaisakhi day, 1978, the Indian Government sponsored ], they held a convention which was designed to hurt the Sikh Nation. They mocked the ] Ji and the Gurus, the and the ]. Their selfstyled Guru sat in Palki like SGGS. These insults were a step too far and the Sikh Nation arose to protest against such unprovoked attacks. ] led a procession to oppose the Indian government's attempts to destroy Sikhism and along with another 12 Gursikhs, they were brutally shot down. Ever since then, Gursikhs have been active in working against the Indian governments oppression of the Sikhs as well as further propagating the message of the Gurus amongst the Sikhs.<ref>"Bhai Fauja Singh (1936-1978)". khalsaspirit.com. http://www.khalsaspirit.com/files/ShaheedBhaiFaujaSinghJee.pdf.</ref> | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 07:02, 31 August 2014
The Akhand Kirtani Jatha (AKJ) (Template:Lang-pa) is a collection (Jatha) of Sikhs who believe that parts of the Khalsa Panth are losing the Hukhams (Messages) and Rehat (Code of Conduct) that Guru Sahib originally gave us. For this reason, it is important that those who want to live as according to the Guru's command can do so in a Sangat (Collective Manner). AKJ puts emphasis on Gurmat Karams including Amrtivela, Naam Abhiyaas, Nitnem, and Sarabloh Bibek.
History
The AKJ was started by Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh in Punjab around the 1930s. At that time it was also known as Nirbaan Kirtani Jatha. Since then, Gursikhs have been getting together to sing Gurbani (Doing Keertan). The AKJ has spread a vast amount of countries such as the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, India, Germany, France, Malaysia, Singapore and other nations.
Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh
Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh was born in 1878 to Sikh parents in Punjab. He bravely fought for righteousness and against the British Empire in India. He is known for keeping his Sikhi alive while he was being tortured in British jails. Bhai Randir Singh was bestowed with honor of Panth Ratan by Sri Akaal Takht Sahib, and all the other 3 takhts at the time.
Activity in Sikh Panth
The main activity of the Jatha is to do Kirtan (i.e. the singing of Gurbani), although the Jatha also does Akhand Paaths, Gatka, Sikhi Camps (e.g. Khalsa Camp BC), and regular Sikhi classes for children. AKJ Kirtan programmes take the form of Assa Di Var Keertans (Doing Assa Di Var Keertan after Amrit Vela and Nitnem), Evening Keertan Programs (Doing Keertan in the evening usually for 6 hours), Raensabaayee Keertans (Keertan which lasts from late evening to early morning), and Keertan Smaagams (Assa Di Var & Eveing Keertan Programs every day for usually a week, ending off with a Raensabaayee Keertan). The Kirtan is sung using simple tunes - the main emphasis of the Kirtans being on the Gurbani rather than the music, but singing with Raags is fine.
View on figure-head or Sant
The AKJ views the Shabad-Guru as the only Sant or figure-head in Gursikhi, through which humankind can all re-unite with God. There have been many highly respected and spiritual Gursikhs within the AKJ, but they have not been placed on any pedestal or given any title like "Sant". The AKJ believes in the equality of mankind and that every Sikh has a direct relationship with the Guru. AKJ do not believe that it is necessary for a third party to intervene in this relationship. In Bhai Randhir Singh's autobiography, he had gone to one smaagaam, and there was a poster saying that he was a sant. He left that smaagaam, and said he won't go any smaagam that lists him as a Sant.
Keski as one of the 5Ks and not Kesh (Hair)
AKJ believes that Kesh (hair) is not part of the five Ks, but, they are essential since Kesh are the hallmark of Guru Sahib. Since Kesh have a higer regard than than the five Ks themselves. (e.g. Cutting Kesh is a Kureht, while taking off a dastaar, or any other Kakaar is not a Kureht. AKJ believes that Keski (a small turban) was the original fifth K.
Meat eating
AKJ strongly oppose meat-eating, it is regarded as a Kureht in the AKJ.
View point on SRM commonly referred to Sikh Rehat Maryada
AKJ in general keeps strict life style (Rehat Maryada), if one has to say that exceeds what mentioned in SRM. AKJ believes that in couple of Rehats like Keski and Kurehat of Kutha (eating meat) a looseness was made in SRM at the time of its draft. Scholarly and highly dedicated contemporary Gursikhs were not approached or consulted to make a concrete decision on certain points including aforementioned.
Naam Drirtaa
Naam Drirtaa is the method used to instil Naam into those who wish to receive the divine gift of Amrit during the Amrit Sanchaar. This method is not the invention of the AKJ, but has been ongoing since the first Amrit Sanchaar. The method can only be explained in detail by the Panj Pyarai during an Amrit Sanchaar, as only the Guru has the right to impart the Naam. However, generally speaking, Naam Drirta sends the Naam into ones body and enables the Sikh to begin Simran with each and every breath.
Raagmala
Raagmala is a small composition which appears on the final page of most Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. AKJ believes that Raagmala is not Gurbani, but was added to Guru Granth Sahib at a later date. The Raagmala was not part of the original Bir compiled by Sahib Siri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, neither was it part of the Damdami Bir. Scholars say It was composed by a poet named Alam, a contemporary of Emperor Akbar - in the year 991 Hijri or Bikrami 1641 - about 20 years before the compilation of Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Sarabloh and/or Langar Bibek
Sarabloh and/or Langar Bibek is the practice of eating food which has been prepared only by Gursikhs. Also, the food has to be prepared and served in Sarabloh (iron) utensils, as far as possible. Those Gursikhs who have undertaken Sarabloh Bibek will obviously not take food that has been prepared in any way other than as according to the SarabLoh Bibek Rehat. However, such Gursikhs do not expect any special treatment and often go without food rather than putting a strain on others. Guru ka Langar was originally prepared using Sarbloh utensils and only prepared by Amritdhari Gursikhs. The word Bibek means Giaan (knowledge) to distinguish between right and wrong.
Kirtan
Kirtan has been highly regarded by Guru Sahib. For example, Guru Sahib says "Kaljug Meh Kirtan Pardhana, Gurmukh japeeai Laaey Dhiaana", which means that in this age, Kirtan is the highest deed and the Gurmukh partakes in it with full concentration. There are numerous other Shabads in Gurbani which teach us the importance of Simran and Kirtan in Sangat. Kirtan during AKJ programs is traditionally done with very simple tunes, as opposed to being done with the complex classical Raags. The Sangat finds that Kirtan done in such a style is very spiritually uplifting. The emphasis in AKJ programmes is most definitely placed with the Gurbani that is being sung, rather than the tune of the music. This does not necessarily means AKJ oppose Kirtan in Nirdarat Raags.
Vaisakhi 1978
On Vaisakhi day, 1978, the Indian Government sponsored Sant Nirankaris, they held a convention which was designed to hurt the Sikh Nation. They mocked the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the Gurus, the Char Sahibzaade and the Panj Pyare. Their selfstyled Guru sat in Palki like SGGS. These insults were a step too far and the Sikh Nation arose to protest against such unprovoked attacks. Bhai Fauja Singh led a procession to oppose the Indian government's attempts to destroy Sikhism and along with another 12 Gursikhs, they were brutally shot down. Ever since then, Gursikhs have been active in working against the Indian governments oppression of the Sikhs as well as further propagating the message of the Gurus amongst the Sikhs.
References
- Singh, Jodh (2008). Twarihk Akhand Kirtani Jatha. Lajpat Nagar, New Dehli, India: Sikh Foundation.
- "Akhand Kirtani Jatha". SikhWiki.com.
- Singh Anant, Jaiteg (March 2004). Ghadar Di Ghoonj Te Bhai Randhir Singh. S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali-Chandigarh, India: Unistar Books Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-93-5068-747-5.
- Kang, Dr. Gulzar Singh (2003). Bhai Randhir Singh: Jiwan Te Rachna. Patiala, Punjab, India: Punjabi University Patiala. ISBN 81-7380-875-9.
- Singh, Uday (2000). Keski, Not Kes, The Kakar. Bolton, Ontario, Canada: Professor Uday Singh. ISBN 0-9696957-8-0.
- "Sikh Reheat". khalsaspirit.com.
- "Sikh Reheat". khalsaspirit.com.
- Ashok, Shemsher Singh (1986). Article Ragmal Da Lekhak Kavi Alam Ja Tansen. p. 39.
- Singh, Giani Gurdit. Mundavani.
- Singh, Giani Arjan. Raagmala Nirnay.
- Singh, Giani Sher. Raagmala Darpan.
- Padam, Professor Pyara Singh. Article Raagmala Nirnay.
- "Bhai Fauja Singh (1936-1978)". khalsaspirit.com. http://www.khalsaspirit.com/files/ShaheedBhaiFaujaSinghJee.pdf.
External links
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