Sikh women wearing clothing in the Gudwara

[Wicked Warrior]

Hijab/niqab - my point is still valid.

I worry that Sikhi is going to become talibanistic in the future. If you don't wear the right bana/matha tek the right way, you're not Sikh and hence you can't come into the Gurdwara. You haven't taken Amrit so you're an evil person and deserve to suffer.

I can just see it happening. There's no prem, no love, for others. Some say people should wear simple clothes. Others say seeing Guru Ji is like seeing God and you should wear yor best clothes but what's the point in going if there's no prem in your heart? If you are a true Sikh, the Gurdwara is your heart and the Guru resides within.

Instead of scolding those whom you don't approve of, why not approach them with love and educate them? Instead of looking down on others of whom you disapprove, go up to them and educate them on respect for Guru Ji? Maybe we should flyers/leaflets that contain info - why we matha tek, how to behave in a Gurdwara etc?

[N30S1NGH]

I agree with you Wicked Warrior veer. There is a huge chance for improvement and bridge with non amritdhari folks not just non amritdharis folks but much broader- the whole human race..I think our gurdwara's these days, may be only following half of actual guru maharaj sidhant for whole human race.!!!!!!!!!!!

[VanHelsingh]

The older women need to get off their fat backsides and man up to what is happening. No guy can say it women on women need to be representin

Spot on. Men should stay out of this issue without a doubt. Why? It will appear as if the men-folk are dictating how women should dress, i.e. an accusation levelled at Muslims about how they keep their women down apparently. It will give further credence to the inaccurate assertion that orthodox Sikhi is male dominated and controlled, with Sikh women have little or no say.

We all know our elder ladies aren't shrinking violets when it comes to speaking up, so they should sort this issue out amongst the ladies.

[Consciousness]

Hijab/niqab - my point is still valid.

I worry that Sikhi is going to become talibanistic in the future. If you don't wear the right bana/matha tek the right way, you're not Sikh and hence you can't come into the Gurdwara. You haven't taken Amrit so you're an evil person and deserve to suffer.

I can just see it happening. There's no prem, no love, for others. Some say people should wear simple clothes. Others say seeing Guru Ji is like seeing God and you should wear yor best clothes but what's the point in going if there's no prem in your heart? If you are a true Sikh, the Gurdwara is your heart and the Guru resides within.

Instead of scolding those whom you don't approve of, why not approach them with love and educate them? Instead of looking down on others of whom you disapprove, go up to them and educate them on respect for Guru Ji? Maybe we should flyers/leaflets that contain info - why we matha tek, how to behave in a Gurdwara etc?

Actually please read below to learn how to follow true gurmat of matha tek and bana rehit.

Bhai Sahib on Bibek of Gurmukhi Baana

Original Text:Original Text:Does not post...

Humble Loose Translation: Wearing the weapons-laden attire (Khalsa Baana) and becoming Tyaar-Bar-Tyaar, he is made to stand in front of Guru Sahib (at the time of Amrit Sinchaar); as if a foundation (of wearing Baana) for eternity has been founded. All his life, exactly like this, he as to stay Tyaar-bar-Tyaar by always wearing Khalsa weapons-laden attire (Khalsa Shaster Baster Baana). He is never to eschew (give up) Gurmukhi Baana (attire) and never shed Khalsa Rehit attire. Same way all 5 Kakaars must stay on and should not be allowed to separate from the body even for a second.

Vichaar: Here a very subtle concept needs to be recognized. Notice that Bhai Sahib has distinguished between 5 Kakaars and Gurmukhi Baana. While 5 Kakaars are part of the Gurmukhi Baana, Gurmukhi Baana is more than Kakaars alone. Some people claim that Gurmukhi Baana is limited to 5 Kakaars and beyond that there is no limit on what Khalsa wears but the truth is that there is a limit to what Khalsa can wear and cannot wear. Gurmukhi Baana is also one of the Bibeks that a Gursikh should strive to follow.

One of Bhai Sahib’s sentence above is very strong – Khalsa is never to eschew Gurmukhi Baana. May Guru Sahib bless us with Baani, Baana, Sewa and Simran.

What's the Gurmat way of Matha-Tek

From what we have learned in the Sangat of Gursikhs, Matha-tek constitutes the following:

1. Walk into Guru-Darbar, with utmost humility, wearing Gurmukhi Baana. It is lack of fear and respect for Guru Sahib to not wear Baana in Guru Sahib's Darbar. Similarly, to is extremely awkward to not wear a Hazooria when coming to the Darbar. Matha-tek is not complete without Hazooria.

2. While walking towards, Guru Sahib, the eyes should be fixed upon Guru Sahib or half closed and focused towards the floor in front of Guru Sahib.

3. If one is wearing a shawl or loyee, then it should be opened from front, so that the Shasters (weapons) that Gursikh is wearing, are visible to Guru Sahib.

4. With humility, stand in front of Guru Sahib and do a short Ardaas.

5. At the conclusion of the Ardaas, do Matha-tek, get up and say Fateh to Guru Sahib, by facing Guru Sahib alone.

6. After saying Fateh to Guru Sahib, turn on right (or left) and glancing (having Darshan) of Sangat, say Fateh to Sangat. Then turn on the other side and say Fateh to Sangat on that side, while having Darshan.

7. Then find a spot and with humility, fear and love of Guru Sahib and Sangat, sit there cross-legged.

Expanding on the point 5 above, the following should be kept in mind, while Matha-tek.

1. With both hands folded, hold your Hazooria within your hands.

2. At least 9 Angs (organs) of the body must touch the ground - 2 Hands, Forehead, 2 elbows, 2 knees and 2 feet.

3. The hands should be extended as much as possible, straight ahead and they should stay folded with Hazooria within them.

4. The forehead should be touching the ground.

5. The bottom (butts) must rest on the heel of the feet. The feet should be flat on the ground in such way that the front (upper side of the feet) should be lying flat on the ground. Some people have their bottom sticking up in the sky; this is not respectable. When a person is in Matha-tek Position, he should be totally shrinked towards the ground.

6. While in this position, which is also called Anjuli in Gurmat language, it is a great idea to ask for Naam, through some Gurbani Pankiti e.g. "Phirat Phirat Prabh aaiya, Pariya tau Sharnaae||".

Gurmukhi way of Matha Tek - Feet are resting on the ground and notice how the body is totally submissive by being close to the ground, as much as possible:

In the picture below, notice the Feet are not resting on the ground and butt not resting on heels; how awkward it looks.

Of course the main thing is Bhaavnee and love but Izhaar-e-Muhabbat is also important. While Adab (respect) is important but Izhaar-e-Adab is also important.

Some brothers and sisters only Matha-tek to Guru Sahib and totally ignore the Sangat by not saying Fateh to Sangat. Our tradition is to to say Fateh to Guru Sahib and also to acknowledge Sangat by saying Fateh.

Bhul chuk dee Maafi jee.

Guru Sahib knows the best.

Kulbir Singh

[Sherdil]

Who cares how you do Matha tekh? It means to bow your head. Whether your head touches the ground or your feet are parallel doesn't make a difference. There is not gurmat way of doing it. People just keep making things up.

At my gurdwara, there was a fad of walking backwards after doing Matha tekh, so you don't show your back to Guru Granth Sahib. They used to scold people for turning their back. That is until someone walking backwards, tripped over someone else foot and fell flat on their rear end. It was pretty funny.

[Guest]

IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW YOU MATHA TEK!!IT MATTERS IF YOU OFFER YOUR HEAD DOWN TO GURU SAHIB JI.

[Guest me]

No, depends on how strict your maryada and bibek is. Same as how to stand in ardas, how to read Gurmukhi, how to pronounce Fateh, how to receive Parshad etc. Its down to sharda n who sees Maharaj as hajar najar.

[_singhni_]

Going back to the original topic you could argue that it comes back down to parenting. If from a young age your taught how to dress appropriately then your most likely to continue dressing sensibly as you age. Its not just about how you dress for gurdwara sahib but also how you dress/present yourself out in society. You can take this two ways. 1 been the religious root meaning making sure you dress appropriately regardless of were you are because you represent & are guru gobind singh je mahraji and mata sahib kaur jis child. But also can take it the "worldly" root because as children of our worldly parents/families we represent our families when we go out so dressing modestly is important both on religious terms and culturally. So realistically its not just about how one dresses at gurdwara sahib its also about how one dresses in general to.

[Gurpreet14]

Wear proper clothes ladies not only in gurdwara but also outside it will save ur izzat.........

[Guest Tamara K. Sharp]

Ignorance is not dispelled by anger and judgement. Good leadership, kind guidance, quiet intervention and correct example will accomplish change in others. If a woman displays herself inappropriately it is most likely do to insecurity. We should have compassion for those who have not been taught the value of modesty. We should embrace those who attempt to understand us even if they are clumsy and obtuse. We should not be so quick to take offence when none is meant.