Can you give an example of where you think people are focusing on the messenger instead of the message?
Sure sis,
The many Gurdwaras set up to commemorate an event, my father was telling me of one such, which exists purely because Guru Gobind Singhji tethered his horse to a tree there.Apparently there is much fuss made of this tree, it is practically worshipped.
The inclusion of photographs of the Gurus in many Gurdwaras, of course, we must respect our Gurus, but should we not respect them as they asked to be respected? In my view the proper respect they asked for was to accept Creator and the Hukam of Creator, not focus on them instead.
I think your title might be a little misleading. Guru is essential to Sikhi. What is a Sikh without a Guru? What is a student without a teacher?
it is a students role to learn from the teacher not worship him, I see many Gurdwaras encouraging this diversion,
I think the problem is that the word Guru is used to describe four things:
1. Our beloved human Guru Jios
2. Our treasure Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
3. The Guru within us
4. Guru the Creator
In the context of this post, I am referring to our beloved human masters, those that have shone a light where darkness exists, whose word is forever enshrined in the SGGS, and whose essence lives in us all. Personally I believe worship is through the physical act of following Hukam, rather than physical displays of worship, or through prayer. Through the following of Hukam, I believe we get closer to Guru the Creator.
Without understanding the recipes and cooking techniques described in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, we won't know which ingredients to put into which bowl and how to make a naam cake. But it takes learning before one becomes a master chef, and then it comes from the inside, you don't need the recipe book, the recipe book is inside you.
Sisji, it is my personal belief that we make it too hard for ourselves. Following Hukam , in my view, is one of the many paths to Naam. You do not need anything other than the ability to connect with the Guru inside, and then just listen and follow. I do not suppose it will make you a master chef, but if you all want is dal roti, then I guess it is how honest, truthful, loving, kind, you can be whilst cooking.
Guru is 100% necessary to Sikhi. Without the Guru, we're like a person ignorant of cooking in a kitchen with a bag of flour and a whisk.
The Guru within, and the Shabad Guru are absolutely vital, there is no question of that, I am talking only of the time, energy and attention spent in sakhis, (most of which are not true), rumours about the Gurus lives, personal traits, display of Photos, etc etc