A Brief report by Dr Tejinder Singh Lamba, New Delhi
The Institute for Understanding Sikhism (IUS), Canada in collaboration with the Department of Guru Nanak Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar held a successful International Conference: Uniqueness of Guru Nanak's Philosophy from the 22nd through the 25th February, 2011. Welcome Address was presented by Prof Dr Ajaib Singh Brar, Vice Chancellor, GNDU, Amritsar. An Introduction to the Department of Guru Nanak Studies and objectives of International Conference were presented by the Dean of Faculty, Prof Dr Shashi Bala, Dean Faculty. Some universally acceptable principles of Guru Nanak's philosophy were presented by Dr Jaspal Singh, Vice Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala. The Keynote Address was presented by Prof Dr Devinder Singh Chahal, President, IUS. The Vote of Thanks was given by Dr Gursharanjit Singh, Head, Department of Guru Nanak Studies.
Thirty presentations were made by as many scholars in three days of hectic Schedule. Eight scholars from UK, USA, Canada & Malaysia, and the rest from eight different states of India, including Amritsar actively participated. The highlight of participants was that perhaps for the first time, participants/Paper Readers gathered, hailed from different inter-disciplinary fields: academics, medical, law, literature, politics, researchers, students, interfaith, Sikh Scholars and some members of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar.
The participants enjoyed a rich program enlightening the ideas on Uniqueness of Guru Nanak's Philosophy in a peaceful atmosphere. The visit to The Darbar Sahib (The Golden Temple) was arranged by Prof Balwant Singh Dhillon, Sikh Scholar from GNDU, where in the presence of SGPC Member Sardar Jaswinder Singh Advocate and Sardar Simarjit Singh, the Editor of Gurmat Parkash, extended remarkable hospitality and the participants were honoured with Siropas (Robes of Honor) and some publications of the SGPC on 23rd February in the evening. Later all the participant took the Lanagar at the Langar Hall of the Darbar Sahib.
The Guided Tour of Wagha Border was arranged by the office of the Inspector General Police, Sardar A S Rai, IPS, which was equally exciting and a wonderful scene to watch the Lowering of National Flags Ceremony on both sides of the India-Pakistan Boarder on the evening of the 24th February.
The managing team of Prof Dr Devinder Singh Chahal, President IUS, Dr Avtar Singh Dhaliwal, IUS, Prof Dr Shashi Bala, Dean of Faculty, GNDU, Prof Jaswinder Kaur Dhillon, Dr Gursharanjit Singh, Head, Department of Guru Nanak Studies, and his staff made perfect and excellent arrangements. A lot of credit goes to the Research Scholars and Graduate Students to make this International Conference a great success.
The Keynote Address was presented by Prof Dr Devinder Singh Chahal, President, IUS. The Vote of Thanks was given by Dr Gursharanjit Singh, Head, Department of Guru Nanak Studies.
Welcome AddressThe 2008 is very auspicious year for the Institute for Understanding Sikhism (IUS) since it is completing its ten years on study of Gurbani and Sikhism with special reference to Nanakian Philosophy embodied in the Bani of Guru Nanak incorporated in the Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS). Another important reason for 2008 to be auspicious is that during this year 300th anniversary of ‘Reiteration of the AGGS as the Guru for the Sikhs by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh’ falls during this year on October 20.
The IUS has planned to celebrate its Tenth Anniversary of IUS at Civic Center, DDO, Quebec on Saturday, September 20, 2008 by holding a seminar, SABD GURU. The speakers will explore the intrinsic meanings of 'SABD', 'GURU' and ‘SABD GURU.'
The following speakers from India, Pakistan, USA and Canada are participating in the seminar:
1. Dr Dharam Singh, Prof Encyclopedia of Sikhism (Retired),
Punjabi
University, Patiala
2. Dr Satnam Singh, Punjabi University (Confirmation is still awaited)
3. Dr Samina Yasmeen, Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad, Pakistan
4. Dr Kulbir Singh Thind, the pioneer of Gurbani CD, California, USA.
5. Prof Dr Balbir Singh, California, USA
6. Dr Avtar Singh Dhaliwal, MD, Tennessee, USA
7. Dr Gurnam Singh Sanghera, Surrey, BC
8. Gurdev Singh Sangha, PhD Candidate, Kitchener, ON
9. Prof Dr Devinder Singh Chahal, IUS, Laval, Quebec
10. Presidents of Gurdwaras of Quebec will also be participating in the
seminar
For the Proceedings please see the publication:
Understanding Sikhism, The Research Journal,
January-June 2005 Issue Volume 7, No 1
The following speakers gave their presentations on Nanakian Philosophy
Prof Dharam Singh, PhD, Punjabi University,
Patiala
(Structural Features of the Sikh Scripture)
Dr Harbans Lal, PhD, Guru Granth Academy, Taxes, USA
(Guru Granth Worship the Sikh Way)
Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD, IUS
(Universal Acceptability of Nanakian Philosophy)
Mr Harcharan Singh, Editor Sikh Virsa, Calgary, AL
(Is Akhand Paath Devotion Or A Disgrace?)
Dr Avtar Singh Dhaliwal, PhD, Jackson, Tennesse, USA
(Doctrine of Soul in Gurbani)
Dr Jodh Singh,MD, New York, USA
(Ethics of the Sikhs)
Dr Chandan Singh, PhD, New York, USA
(Ego)
Mr Gurdev Singh Sangha, Kitchener, Ontario
(Gurbani Paath)
Mr Nirmal Singh Nilvi, Jew Jersy, USA
(Multiple Interpretations of Gurbani)
Col Permaindar Singh Randhawa, Chandigarh, India
(Message of the Aad Guru Granth Sahib Via Electronic Media)
Mr Gurcharan Singh Bhatia, IUS
(Are we following the Message of Guru Nanak?)
For the Proceedings please see the publication:
Understanding Sikhism, The Research Journal,
January-June 2004 Issue Volume 6, No 1
Meanings of Hukm According to Nankian Philosophy
Prof Devinder Singh Chahal
Bliss of Listening
Dr Avtar Singh, MD FACS
Harness the Mind to Win the World
Dr Harbans Lal, PhD, D Litt (Hons)
Questioning- Answering System in Jap
Dr Kulbir Singh Thind, MD
Cosmological Ideas in Science and Aad Guru Granth
Sahib
Dr Hardev Singh Virk
Pollution and Purification of Mind
Rabinder Singh Bhamra
The Five Khands
Dr (Brig) Sangat Singh Syalee
How to Become Truthful
Gurdev Singh Sangha
Declaration on Ecology and Spirituality
Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, IAS (Retd)
A Survey about the Understanding of Sikhism among
the Sikh
Youth
Anjan Kaur Sohi and Reena Kudhail
Views of Young Sikh
Ruby Kaur Kooner
Views of Young Sikh
Vaishali Bhandari
For the Proceedings please see the publication:
Understanding Sikhism, The Research Journal,
January-June 2003 Issue Volume 5, No 1
Understanding Sabd and Guru, and their Implications
Prof Devinder Singh Chahal
Sabd Guru to Granth Guru - A Study
Prof Devinder Singh Chahal
The Concept of Sabd Guru in the Sikh Religion
(Abstract)
Prof Hardev Singh Virk, PhD
Surat: Higher Consciousness of Devine Engagement
Dr Harbans Lal, PhD, D. Litt (Hons)
Transforming Power of the Devine Word (Sabd): A Focu
on the
Mystical Dimensions of Sikhism
Dr Pashaura Singh, PhD
Consciousness of Reality and Truth in Eastern and
Western
Thought and Gurbani (Abstract)
Prof Manmohan Singh, MD
Consciousness and Gurbani
Dr Awtar Singh Dhaliwal, MD, FACS
Religious Wars and New Consciousness in Nanakaian
Philosophy
Dr Sukhraj Singh Dhillon, PhD
Conscience of Custodians of Sikhi (Sikhism)
Dr Jarnail Singh, PhD
Ek Oh Beant to Ek Om Kaar
Prof Devinder Singh Chahal
Speeches from Gurdwara Representatives
Mrs Kulbir Kaur Ahuja
For the Proceedings please see the publication:
Understanding Sikhism, The Research Journal,
January-June 2002 Issue Volume 4, No 1
The Dharamsala: An Early Sikh Religious Center
Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon
Gurdwara and the Aad Guru Granth Sahib - A Legal
Perspective
Dr Kashmir Singh, PhD
Meanings and Functions of Gurdwara According to
Nanakian
Philosophy
Prof Devinder Singh Chahal
Gurdwaras in the US: Governance, Authority, and
Legal Issues
Prof N. Gerald Barrier, PhD
Gurdwaras and Sikhs of the Future - A Thought
Dr Harbans Lal, PhD, D Litt (Hons)