1. All will be able to reflect upon and think about how we can help those who are less fortunate than us.

2. Most will be able to understand why Sikhs care for the poor.

3. Some will be able use Sikh’s concept of Sewa in order to express the importance of caring for the poor

Why Sikhs care for the poor

© R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 1

So what is Sewa?

Sikhism teaches that people should try to become less self-centred and more God-centred and should live their lives in the selfless service of others (sewa). This means that for Sikhs, helping others as part of their worship to God. Sewa may mean giving money, time to help someone else.

© R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 2

Bhai Kanhaiya ~ giving water to both Sikhs and Hindus. © R Calvert, Colton Hills Community

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It was the year 1704, there was a battle at Anandpur between the Khalsa (Sikhs) and combined Hindu hill Rajas and Mughals. The Khalsa were defending the Anandpur fort as the enemies launched a heavy attack. Bhai Kanhaiya was given the duty of giving water to the injured Sikh’s during the battle. When Bhai Kanhaiya got on the battle field, all he could see was the face of Guru Gobind Singh Ji in everyone and God dwelling in everyone, therefore neither seeing anyone as friend or foe, he served everyone. Bhai Kanhaiya was seen by other Sikh’s giving water to the enemy and told Guru Ji, “We have a traitor in the camp, he is helping the enemies heal so that they can get up and attack the khalsa again.” When hearing this some of the Sikhs got angry and went for their swords and asked Guru ji’s permission to punish Bhai Kanhaiya. But Guru ji told the Sikhs to look into Bhai Kanhaiya’s eyes . When they gazed closely into his eyes they saw Guru jis reflection instead of their own. Guru Ji gave Bhai Kanhaiya a hug and said, he is not a traitor, but has a pure heart and see’s God in all. He is innocent. We are all children of Waheguru (God), we are the creation of the same creator, and just as Bhai Kanhaiya saw me in all, in the same way God, dwells in all. God dwells in the good and evil. We don’t fight with hate; we only fight for truth, justice and humanity. Our fight isn’t due to racism it is to uphold righteousness in the world. “Recognise the Human Race as one” Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji - Dasam Granth.

© R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 4

Khalsa Aid Practical help for others.

© R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 5

Inspired by … © R Calvert, Colton Hills Community

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http://www.khalsaaid.org/

Khalsa Aid founder and chairman Ravinder Singh writes in the newsletter: ” Every trip I have made back to my village in Punjab has ended in sadness due to the rising levels of poverty, drugs abuse, economic downturn and hopelessness amongst the people.” © R Calvert, Colton Hills Community

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/sewa-in-action/3779.html

Baljit Singh explains how the Sikh religion is based on equality and love and how this expresses itself in 'sewa', or selfless service to others. This inspired Sikhs in Hounslow, London, to organise a convoy of trucks during the Kosovo conflict. Baljit describes how they delivered relief supplies to Albanian people, and felt the importance of prayer.

In the back of your book write down 10 words that YOU best feel sum up Khalsa Aid.

© R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 8

Sikhs not only perform sewa (selfless service) in their local community, but in the global community.

Write an acrostic poem using the words KHALSA AID to explain the beliefs of this charity, you could use your 10 words as inspiration.

K H A L S A A I D

“Recognise the human race as one.”

Guru Gobind Singh Ji © R Calvert, Colton Hills Community

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© R Calvert, Colton Hills Community

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© R Calvert, Colton Hills Community

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Inspiring The Future Generation

© R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 12

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/sikh-beliefs-and-worship/3777.html

Sewa in the gurdwara

© R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 13

Sikhs should live their lives according to three equally important principles:

Nam Japna: remember the name of Waheguru – this can be done by meditating on

the name Waheguru. Prayer, hard work and generosity are all equally important

and Sikhs should not spend all their time on prayer.

Kirat Karna: earn a living by honest means. Work is essential for the individual, the

family and the community and a Sikh has a duty to provide basic needs. It does

not matter what the work is, provided that it is honest and not against the

teachings of the Gurus. Sikhism says that it is not wrong to be rich provided that

the money is gained honestly. But it is wrong to live your life just to make a lot of

money.

Vand Chhakna: share everything in charity with people who are less fortunate.

Sikhs should live their lives on the principles of generosity and self-sacrifice.

Guru Amar Das taught the idea of daswandh. This is giving a tenth of surplus

money to the community. This money may be used for building schools or

hospitals or to help those who are poor or suffering.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/apps/ifl/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/quizengine?quiz=sikhconcer

ntest;templateStyle=rs © R Calvert, Colton Hills Community

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Sewa

It is an important aspect of Sikhism to provide a service to the community, including the Sikh community

(Khalsa) and others. All Sikhs should be prepared to give up some of their time, talents and energy to help

others. Sikhism requires service to Waheguru (God), to the Khalsa and to all of humanity.

Sikhism teaches that people should try to become less self-centred (manmukh) and more God-centred

(gurmukh) and should live their lives in the selfless service of others (sewa).

“True worship consists in the meditation of God’s name.… There can be no worship without performing

good deeds. “

Guru Granth Sahib

There are three different parts of sewa:

Tan: physical service, eg, working in the langar and helping to look after the gurdwara.

Man: mental service, eg, studying the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and teaching it to others.

Dhan: material service to other people, eg, giving money to charities or giving time to help people who are

in need.

All of these must be done because a Sikh wants to serve Waheguru and not for personal gain. So by

performing sewa Sikhs serve God and the world.

“A place in God’s court can only be attained if we do service to others in this world… Wandering ascetics,

warriors, celibates, holy men, none of them can obtain moksha without performing sewa.”

Guru Granth Sahib

© R Calvert, Colton Hills Community

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