Irsyad is introduced to the Sikh faith at the Central Sikh Gurdwara in Singapore. His time spent with the Sikh community exposes him to the beliefs and practices of a religion that he previously knew nothing about. Irsyad also experiences the vibrant Vaisakhi celebrations, witnessing the community's unity in devotion and shared meals, offering viewers a rich, immersive glimpse into Sikh traditions.
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00:00We are exploring the rich spectrum of beliefs that shape our cultural landscape.
00:06From ancient practices to contemporary expressions of faith,
00:10delve into the vibrant tapestry of rituals, customs and spiritual narratives flourishing in Singapore.
00:18Founded just over 500 years ago, Sikhism is one of the world's youngest faiths, yet it is amongst the largest.
00:37I've always been curious about the Sikh faith, so I am here at the Central Sikh Gurdwara to learn a little bit more about it.
00:46Hi! Thank you so much for having us. My name is Irshad.
00:49Welcome to Central Sikh Gurdwara. My name is Gurdeep Singh. I'm the president of the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board.
00:55And thanks for coming by.
00:57No worries. I'm so excited to be here today and to learn more from you about your faith.
01:02Sure. We'll see what we can do and help you understand a little bit more about the Sikh faith.
01:08And why don't we start off with the Darbar Hall or the Prayer Hall, where most of our activities take place.
01:15Okay, sure. This way?
01:17This way, yeah.
01:19I'll take the stairs now.
01:21Yeah, staircase. Keep fit.
01:25Wow, look at that. There's a water fountain here.
01:29Yeah, it just adds to the serenity, the ambience of the Gurdwara.
01:39The Prayer Hall
01:47In the Prayer Hall, some of the things you will notice is that everybody will sit on the floor.
01:54And the purpose of that is that everybody is equal.
02:00And that's the main concept of why everybody sits on the floor.
02:05Whether you are a rich man, a poor man, whatever your caste, your profession is or your background,
02:12you are equal as far as Sikh faith is concerned.
02:17The main prayer area is called the Palki.
02:22Palki means like the throne, where we treat our gurus as the king of kings.
02:32So the whole structure there is of royalty.
02:36The Sikh holy text is the Guru Granth Sahib.
02:39It is a collection of songs, prayers and hymns from the Sikh gurus, holy men and even contributors from other faiths.
02:48It is considered a living guru and is treated as such.
02:53In the Darbar Hall, we should always put our hands together and we will pay our respects.
03:07Any person, including non-Sikhs, can donate to Gurdwaras.
03:12The money is used for helping the needy and to provide hospitality for anyone that steps foot into a Gurdwara.
03:23Guru Nanak Dev
03:30Guru Nanak Dev
03:38Guru Nanak Dev
03:50Arshad, let me introduce you to our priest of the Central Sikh Gurdwara, Gyani Jagjit Singh.
03:56He is from India.
03:57Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh
04:00That's the standard greeting of a Sikh when we meet another person.
04:06Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh
04:09It means, those who are pure by their character, they belong to the Almighty.
04:19All achievements and victories belong to the Almighty.
04:23So it means Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh.
04:27This is beautiful.
04:28A guru is the spiritual authority in Sikhism.
04:31There were ten human gurus in the faith's history.
04:35The last of them named the Guru Granth Sahib as his successor.
04:39The eleventh and eternal guru.
04:42So I just wanted to ask, what is a guru?
04:45Guru is a guide.
04:46A guide.
04:47Who guides us, how we live here.
04:49There are many religions in the world.
04:52Whether we are Muslim, Christian, Hindu or Sikh.
04:58Any other, Guru Ji gave us a message.
05:00We all are the children of the same Father God.
05:04In Sikhism, building a connection with God isn't restricted to any one religion.
05:10Although Sikhs believe following the instructions of the Guru is the most optimal path.
05:16The Guru Ji believes that good is not only confined to one religion.
05:24You can preach good deeds in any religion.
05:28And they are all good deeds.
05:30Because we all are humans.
05:33Not a Sikh, not a Muslim, not a Christian.
05:36Guru Ji mentioned all their writings in Guru Granth Sahib.
05:40Without any discrimination.
05:42The respect is equal to Him.
05:44I noticed that you are actually carrying a dagger.
05:49Could you tell me more about that?
05:51It's one of five symbols of Sikh faith.
05:54First is our case here.
05:56Uncut hair.
05:57And second is a wooden comb.
06:00For the cleanliness of hair.
06:02So third is our kada.
06:05Iron bracelet.
06:06So there's the dagger, the bracelet.
06:10It's for our self-defense.
06:12Oh, okay.
06:13And not for our, if anybody in need.
06:18So, defense of the weak and the oppressed.
06:22Fifth one is our keshara.
06:24Drawers.
06:27Oh, okay.
06:28And do all Sikhs carry these five articles of faith?
06:32So once you are baptized, then you kind of commit yourself to it.
06:36And then you will carry the five symbols of faith.
06:41Speaking to both Gerdip and the priest has really opened my eyes
06:46to just how different of a faith this is.
06:49And I'm hoping to find out more.
07:11Vaisakhi marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh
07:15in the Sikh calendar
07:17and is traditionally celebrated as a harvest festival in India.
07:21On this day, Sikhs gather at gurwaras all over the world
07:25to celebrate and be thankful for what they have.
07:29The Nishan Sahib can be seen outside every gurwara
07:33and is a beacon of Sikh identity.
07:35On Vaisakhi, it is taken down, washed and replaced with a fresh flag.
07:58Seeing everyone working together,
08:01it is a reminder to me that every Sikh has an equal role
08:04in maintaining the values of the faith.
08:28The Nishan Sahib is a celebration of the Sikh faith.
08:32It is a celebration of the Sikh identity.
08:35It is a celebration of the Sikh faith.
08:38It is a celebration of the Sikh identity.
08:41It is a celebration of the Sikh faith.
08:44It is a celebration of the Sikh identity.
08:47It is a celebration of the Sikh faith.
08:50It is a celebration of the Sikh identity.
08:53It is a celebration of the Sikh faith.
08:56It is a celebration of the Sikh faith.
09:00It is a celebration of the Sikh identity.
09:03The Akanbhath, or continuous recitation of a Sikh scripture,
09:08began two days before.
09:10After 48 hours, it is concluded with a ceremony known as Pog.
09:15After 48 hours, it is concluded with a ceremony known as Pog.
09:22After 48 hours, it is concluded with a ceremony known as Pog.
09:27After 48 hours, it is concluded with a ceremony known as Pog.
09:32After 48 hours, it is concluded with a ceremony known as Pog.
09:37After 48 hours, it is concluded with a ceremony known as Pog.
09:42After 48 hours, it is concluded with a ceremony known as Pog.
09:47Sat Sri Akal.
09:50Sat Sri Akal.
09:54Sat Sri Akal.
10:15We are currently just about to start the devotional singing of the scripture.
10:20I think the people are starting to stream in and they are just tuning their instruments right now.
10:30Kirtan is the devotional singing of Sikh scripture.
10:34It holds a pivotal role in strengthening the bonds of the Sikh community.
10:38The Guru Granth Sahib is arranged to music, therefore it is meant to be sung.
10:51Currently, right now, when they are singing of the scripture,
10:56it is sort of activating this communal sense of meditation through the text, through the holy scripture.
11:06Personally, it is evoking a sense of peace within me,
11:14even though I do not understand the text itself.
11:19There is a sense of beauty that is passing through me.
11:24There are currently so many people here in the hall.
11:28People are still streaming in with their little children as well.
11:32There is definitely a sense of quiet celebration amongst the singing of the scripture.
11:42It is a really nice feeling to be amongst the crowd over here today at Vaisakhi.
11:49Vaisakhi is also the date that the Khalsa was established,
11:53a collective name given to baptise Sikhs.
12:11Jai Rang Sahib, hai sa rang na litan
12:20Of course, Vaisakhi isn't complete without food.
12:24Most Gurdwaras have a community kitchen that serves food daily to anyone who is looking for a meal.
12:30This concept of providing food irrespective of class, religion and background is called Lenga,
12:38and is a reminder to Sikhs that all people belong to the same human family
12:43and therefore should be treated equally.
12:55Having spent some time learning more about the Sikh faith,
12:58it has been a timely reminder to me that everything in this universe is beautiful
13:02and that we should take some time to be grateful for what we have and what the universe has given to us.
13:07That perfectly sums up what Vaisakhi is all about.
13:11Until next time.