Gurbani Kirtan

Gurbani means the speech of wisdom, and kirtan means adoration. Songs selected for Gurbani kirtan primarily come from the central text of Sikh and list the qualities of the divine. Sikhs believe that Sikh gurus compose Gurbani after entering an enlightened state. By participating in the Gurbani kirtan, members of the Sikh religion hope to gain insight into the divine so that they may also become enlightened.

• The Sikh code of conduct only allows the performance of the Gurbani kirtan in Sikh houses of worship or gurdwaras by members of the Sikh religion. Children learn Gurbani kirtan during special classes or camps. Traditional instruments, such as the harmonium, tabla and dilruba, commonly accompany the singing.
• During worship services, projecting the words of the Gurbani on a screen helps everyone participate in the worship. In American gurdwaras, showing the text in the original language along with a phonetic version and an English translation makes it easy for all to sing along. In addition to the Gurbani, kirtan also includes songs from Sikh history and other hymns not taken from the central scriptures written by recognized Sikh gurus.

Vichar on Gurbani

The Gurbani has a simple message: there is One, All-pervading Reality. Our mind is That (Joti-Svaroopa...). The purpose of human life is to understand this Truth through Shabad-Vichaar (Reflections on the Gurbani), and thus become liberated from doubts (Bharam), Maya, duality, etc., and Realize one's Mool (Source, Joti...), within, here and now.

• It is repeatedly indicated in the Gurbani that there are only two different mentality-groups living together on earth: (1) the "rare" Gurmukhs (whose minds are established in their Mool, Truth, Sach, Hukam...); and (2) the majority Manmukhs (whose minds are oppugnant of their Mool, Truth, Sach, Hukam...).
• The Gurbani asks us to become the Gurmukh and thus live a Divine Life. The Gurbani's Teaching (Upadesh) is Universal and Timeless. Since no particular group or people have monopoly or ownership of the Gurbani and its Divine Wisdom, everybody in the world can gain from it (Laahaa). For the Gurbani, and its students ( Sikhs ), there is no enemy or alien - all beings are considered part and parcel of the ONE Light (Universal Brotherhood)!

Punjabi School

Gurdwara Sahib gives the opportunity to kids and adults from any backgroud to come and learn Punjabi as well as gurbani and kirtan. Our Gyani ji also offers teachings privately to new students. He is very flexible with timings and loves to teach growing minds about this beautiful way of life.