Does Everyone Understand the Prayers at the Gurdwara

Harwinder · #1 (**permalink**) 09-Apr-2011, 12:29 PM

Ok many people go to the gurudawara and i am sure most do understand what they prayers that are being said mean. Those people who really dont understand what the prayers mean what should they do about it? Not go any more? Shuold Gurudawars start teaching more about what jaap ji saib means or reahras saib mean.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/new-to-sikhism/35097-does-everyone-understand-the-prayers-gurdwara.html

Should Gurudawars have classes every sunday teaching the meaning of gurubani and patt?
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findingmyway · #2 (**permalink**) 09-Apr-2011, 17:03 PM

Many Gurdwara's do have classes to improve understanding. People tend to send their kids but adults do not seem to want to participate themselves. That is not the fault of the Gurdwara. Increasing number of Gurdwara's are also displaying the shabads and hukamnama on a big screen so the sangat can follow it. The English translations are not great but they are a starting point and you can always write down the shabad then look it up later.

The responsibility to learn and understand lies with each and every one of us. With the internet there are now many resources that allow us to do this so it is easier than ever to educate ourselves. Once we do that we can help at Gurdwara to share and explore that learning further as the Gurdwara can only host lessons if there is someone to teach japposatnamwaheguru:

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #3 (**permalink**) 11-Apr-2011, 02:19 AM

The BUCK STOPS HERE..at MY FEET is how we should all look at this. Each of us has to take the bull by its horns...we must each make the effort to learn Gurmukhi..speak Punjabi, study Gurbani..teach others, interact with others to learn and un-learn and RELEARN..a continous process for which the Gurdwara is a HUB..a DWAAR...DOORWAY to the GURU.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=35097
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=35097
By itself a "Door" is pretty useless...WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT...for it to be of any use !!..and IF possible..if you are the door-keeper...please try and open it WIDER rather than shut it...so more sangat can get IN !!

lionprinceuk · #4 (**permalink**) 10-May-2012, 17:41 PM

I don't even think the gyanis reading the bani understand some of the stuff that they are reading. To understand bani, you need to have understanding of the languages used, such was the education of gyanis in Gurus times. Punjabi and hindi is a start, sanskrit is also important.

Randip Singh · #5 (**permalink**) 13-May-2012, 14:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harwinder

Ok many people go to the gurudawara and i am sure most do understand what they prayers that are being said mean. Those people who really dont understand what the prayers mean what should they do about it? Not go any more? Shuold Gurudawars start teaching more about what jaap ji saib means or reahras saib mean.

Should Gurudawars have classes every sunday teaching the meaning of gurubani and patt?

I think we are going to need English speaking Gurudwara's in teh West, maybe a King Jame the 1st type translation of Bani.

Ishna · #6 (**permalink**) 13-May-2012, 15:23 PM

You could say the Dr Sant Singh Khalsa translation is already the KJV of Gurbani.

Randip Singh · #7 (**permalink**) 13-May-2012, 15:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishna

You could say the Dr Sant Singh Khalsa translation is already the KJV of Gurbani.

I like the Pritam Singh Chahil one. Also Hew Mcleod did a good job of translating Bani.

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #8 (**permalink**) 13-May-2012, 17:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishna

You could say the Dr Sant Singh Khalsa translation is already the KJV of Gurbani.

This is the WORST ONE...if there ever was a "worst" title.
Hes taking everything at surface level...no understanding of metaphors, depth of language etc...just words at word value..Roti meri kaath ki is wooden bread type of translation...Manmohan singh is way baove him if we disregard the archaic english vocabulary he labours under..

Ishna · #9 (**permalink**) 13-May-2012, 17:44 PM

Yes indeed but no one said the KJV was the most accurate translation either - just happens to be the most widely used one, al la Dr Sant Singh Khalsa.

I was lucky in that Hew's translations were among some of the first I ever laid eyes on. I think they rock the kazbah and went a very, very long way to planting the seed of thirst in this little Sikh.