Rehat Maryada

I think I have problem that I need help from any one.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/36375-rehat-maryada.html
I bought ipad and down loaded Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji on my ipad. So that I can read it any where when ever I can.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36375

The problem is the Rehat Maryada tell us to cover our head in the presence also remove shoes. I carry the ipad in my car. It would be very hard to drive with bare feet specially in the winter. Also when I take the ipad to office should I remove shoes n cover my head.
In the morning should I bow to ipad? What happen if some one wants to use my ipad for work reason. Should I make them do that or refuse them to use my ipad?

 
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Yes do that.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36375

Maybe I can elaborate. If doing that ritual causes you to pay more attention to (be more aware of) Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji then do it. I think it will hence why I said yes.

The modern age really poses some new situations, doesn't it? I do not own an ipad - honest, I've never had a mobile phone of any kind - so I'm not sure. If it were me, I probably wouldn't have downloaded Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji into something I carried around like that. Personally (and this is just me) I do not find it useful to read a few tuks here and there. I need to sit down where it's quiet and I can concentrate. Maybe other people do otherwise.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36375

Some time ago, I asked the same thing about my computer. I was told that I shouldn't be concerned, a computer is just a computer, whatever is in its memory. I am not comfortable with that. When my computer is not in use, it is nicely covered and I treat it with respect. To me, showing respect to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is not a ritual! It is an expression of my deeply held love and respect for my Guru. Of course, my head is covered and my feet bare when I am actually reading Gurbani. Actually, in the house, my feet are almost always bare and my head covered. BTW, if you tie turban, the particular difficulty doesn't arise.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36375

But...I have been told that I'm a bit over the top about such things. I guess this is one of those times you need top use your own judgment and good sense.

Wearing a turban... now that's a really good idea. Shoes can easily be removed and your feet will love it when you do.

Seeker ji respect is shown by paying lots of attention to the object of reverence.

http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/questi...languages.html

I think this link has some good information on this subject.

We have to be careful we don't become too ritualistic with regards to practices designed to show respect to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36375

Ishna

In the case of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji would it not be a case of paying lots of attention to the meaning of what is contained in the object?

The washing and feeding of an idol are methods of showing respect to the god so idolised, but that is contrary to Gurmat. Why would we want to go overboard with ritual towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji when we should be going overboard trying to respect the meaning of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by respecting others and living the qualities illuminated within it?

Don't get me wrong, I treat the Gurbani I own with the utmost respect (I cover it, don't put it on the ground, etc), but I think we need to be sensible with regards to 1) how we treat the electronic medium displaying Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and 2) the demands we place upon others to respect what we respect.

I cannot help but think of my Bible-thumping, spirit-filled, born again Christian caregiver. My computer - PC, I don't have a lappy - is in my bedroom. I often play kirtan while I'm doing other things online. She does a lot of her work in here, too. Does it make any sense for me to demand she cover her head and bare her feet? (Although she usually wears a wig. Does a wig count as a head covering?) I'm not even sure it'd be legal for me to ask her to do that. I am certain that, in her case, it would be merely obeying orders - even further removed than ritual for respect - if she did; it would not be a sign of respect as she really has no respect for any religion except her own. With myself, I am pretty strict with myself, lenient with others. I did ask her to quit reading me Bible passages in here, a request she was quite unhappy about, but nevertheless, she has complied.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36375

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36375
For me and just for me, I would opt to show too much respect rather than too little and, as I said earlier, this is deeply meaningful to me, it is not ritual. If the day ever comes when respecting Guru ji - in whatever form - is just a ritual, then it'll be time for me to turn in my kakkars and shave my hairy legs.

This is not exactly what is in the Rehat Maryada. Advocating others follow an extreme in terms of gestures of respect? Advocating others follow the opposite extreme in terms of loose interpretations? These are two directions, both equally perverse, when we understand the the Sikh Rehat Maryada was designed to simplify simplify simply, while still attempting to communicate a strong sense of how Sikh and Sikhi should be constructed by the panth.

Let's take a look at what Sikh Rehat Maryada really says. http://www.searchsikhism.com/sec3.html

The thread title may mislead. Because it seems this is less about the maryada and more about covering one's head. The link below takes us to a thread that should help all of us understand what the framers of the Sikh Rehat Maryada were aiming for. Thanks http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-s...t-maryada.html

The GURU in SRM terms is Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in one Volume. That One Volume Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Bir form was bestowed the GURGADEE and thats how it has always been - the Guru is Parkash on its Palki under Chandoa, covered with Rumallahs, palkaan, with a CHAUR Bradaar in attendance in a Clean sweet smelling environment. Even the Chaur Bardaar is required ONLY when Sangat is in presence of the GURU....otherwise there is no requirements for a Chaur bardaar to be present but the Chandoa rumallahs etc all remain until SUKHASSAN at NIGHT. This is the "PHYSICAL GURU" PRESENT for FOCUS PURPOSES in SANGAT. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji commands RESPECT and REVERENCE by simply being PRESNT at all sangatee/khandeh-batteh dee pahul ocassions etc.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36375
2. The "Spiritual GURU"..all Gurbani in any form and substance - cds, dvds, electronic form, Microsoft Word, Excel work sheet, PDF file, audio files, translated forms, etc etc etc etc is expressly for the purpose of everyday reading/listening in order to IMBIBE the TEACHINGS...To FOLLOW the TEACHINGS..to adapt our daily lives to the teachings in order to move..progress towards being more and more and better GURMUKHS..so we can FACE the GURU..here and in the hereafter !! with clean shining faces. The Spiritual Guru commands respect and revenrence on a PERSONAL..one to one basis..no "sangat" or congregation is involved here. There are no rules and laws..nobody is going to tell you to remove your shoes..or cover your ehad..or SIT UP and stop slouching.. FACE the Computer/TV screen/DVD player when listening to Kirtan etc etc...you can lie down in bed..slouch on the sofa..or sit up !!! its all up to you PERSONALLY...measure the LOVE BOND you feel between yourself and the GURU...Some of US feel so much Love and respect for our dads/mums...even Brothers sisters....that we DROP everything we are doing to rush to the door to welcome him/her, hug him/her and chat a while with him/her..ask if she/he wants a drink...hot or cold..or anything else..BEFORE we return back to whatever we were doing...while others dont give a dam.n....whos coming or going..mum or dad makes no difference..coming or going...in the house or not..and DONT BOTHER until dad or mum HOLLERS LOUDLY a few times !!

To ME..its a matter of "perception"...a lot of people just LOVE to bring out such "problems"..reveals their own weaknesses..why they never ask the same things about their daddy/mummy ?? Its about the SAME THING..RESPECT begets RESPECT...LOVE reciprocates LOVE...IF we LOVe and RESPECT our dads..mums..grandparents..chances are we will also extend that love and respect to our GURU..Gurbani...on the other hand if we are merely "ritualistic'..about loving/respecting our dads/mums nanni granny etc etc..we will be similarly just ritaulising our love to the Guru/gurbani...matha tekinga nd Bowing merely becasue EVERYBODY is doing it.. Given half a chance we would rellay just LOVE to RUSH into a Gurdwara and go straight to our friends and start hugging them blah blah .................BUT..........since its a "Gurdwara" we FORCE oursleves to reign in that enthusiasm for a while...........while we "fulfill that silly ritual of lining up..taking out soem cash and bowing etc.."....because what will people say ???.and so when such people are in PRIVATE...what respect/love do you expect them to give to the Gurbani/kirtna etc on their cars audios/pc/lappys...etc ?? absolutley ZERO...and when they feel "GUILTY"..then they head for the nearest Sikh "Forum".......and start asking around..hoping someone will tell them its ALL RIGHT to do what they are doing...ha ha
Actually no need to feel Guilty or not guilty..the GURU/GURBANI is NOT DIMINISHED or ENHANCED by our respect or lack of respect...the SUN sends down its RAYS..irrespective of they falling on a rubbish dump or a field of tulips/roses...and the SUNS RAYS are not "dirtied" by the Rubbish dump....neither are they "Enhanced" by the Roses........