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Sanskaar Seva of Guru Ji - Williams Lake News Story

May 18th, 2006 by admin

Gurmat Center Williams LakeIt was an occasion of special reverence on the last day of April, 2006 at the Gurdwara Sahib Western Singh Sabha.


Sikhs from around the province converged on the place of worship on Pine Street in Williams Lake that got damaged by an arson fire on March 26.


In the parking lot beside the boarded up temple a large crowd of worshipers gathered around a large metal stove.


A high chimney extended upwards as five priests rhythmically repeated over and over: “Satnam Waheguru.”


The words mean: “O God Your Name is true.”


The occasion was the cremation of a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy scriptures) that was severely burned in the fire.


The temple had 14 copies of the Guru Granth Sahib and the one that got damaged in the fire was open in the shrine when the arsonist broke into the building and set it ablaze.


The Sikh faith treats its holy books as if they are human beings, explains Gurdwara leader Gian Singh Sandhu.


“The cremation ceremony for the Guru Granth Sahib is no different than that for an individual.”
With the crowd of onlookers watching Sandhu assisted the high priest Singh Sahib Giani - Gurbachan Singh Ji from the Golden Temple who travelled specifically for the ceremony from the Punjab. Together they placed fragments of the holy book into the stove and ladled butter into the flames as an accelerant.


It was a peak religious moment for the Sikh community, Sandhu says, describing the emotion of the occasion.


“We were quite fortunate to have Singh Sahib attend. He certainly helped us make it through. Otherwise we’d only be following instructions.”


Copies of the Guru Granth Sahib are only released by the religious authority at the Golden Temple in Amratsar, Sandhu explains.


“Losing the one copy of the scriptures was deeply felt by all Sikhs.”


Until the Gurdwara can be rebuilt, a temporary shelter has been constructed adjacent to the burned building for Sunday services and readings from Sikh holy scriptures.


At the April 30 service several political dignitaries including Cariboo South MLA Charlie Wyse, Mayor Scott Nelson and Cariboo Regional District chair Jon Wolbers spoke to the congregation.
But first Singh Sahib conveyed a message from the Golden Temple. Sandhu interpreted afterwards.


“It’s a very clear message of sympathy from all the Sikhs in India from the highest authority among the Sikhs,” Sandhu said, describing how an 18-year-old man came through a window and set the Gurdwara on fire.


“Our local priest saw him on the monitor and called 911. If he had done the arson 15 minutes earlier there would have been 60 children upstairs attending Punjabi classes.”


Sandhu said the replacement cost of the building is $1.7 million, but the Gurdwara was only insured for a portion of that amount.


“The community will have to put up $250,000.”


But Sandhu said the loss of the building is still secondary to the loss of the sacred scriptures.


“That’s what pains us most, the injured words of Guru Granth Sahib. Why would that happen to us?”


He said the actions of one misguided individual should not reflect badly on the community.


“We need to learn to forgive and understand we’re all children of one God Almighty. We need to practice the message of whatever faith we adhere to.”


Nelson applauded the temple for moving forward despite the setback, and he pledged the support from the whole community in the rebuilding process.

“ RELIGION: Gurdwara Sahib Western Singh Sabha Holy scriptures are cremated”
Source: Williams Lake Tribune (www.wltribune.com)
by Sage Birchwater, Staff Reporter

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