(Courtesy: Surjit Singh, Center Sikh Studies) WALNUT, CA: The Sikh community of ‘organized a daylong in Piri” at Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut recently, in celebration of the 400th binh anniversary of Guru Hargobind, the founder of Akal Takht.

Amritsar, Seven distinguished Sikh scholars’ professors from Universities in Punjab read informative, enlightening and inspiring people on various aspects and facts of Miri Piri  Spiritual and Temporal sovereignty), Dr. Noel King, Ph.D., professor, Department of Religion, University of California, Santa Cruz, who is author of Several books and research articles on Sikhism, also participated in the seminar The seminar was sponsored by Gurdwaras of the Los Angeles Metropolitan and coordinated by the Center of Sikh Studies, Santa Ana.

The seminar commenced with the introductory and welcoming remarks made by Gajinder Shah Singh, secretary, Guru Nanak Sikh Sadan, Nonthridge, Dr. Vikram Singh, Ph.D., professor, Gurmat College, Patinla read  paper the Theological Perspective of Min Pir.”

Dr. Harnam Singh Saja, Ph.D, (London) former professor and chairman, Guru ‘Nanak Chair and head of the Departments of Punjabi and Sikh Studies, Punjab University, Chandigarh, who has written 76 ‘books, 160 research papers and 59 book reviews, read a paper on Tradition of Miri Piri in Sikhism.

Dr. Kehr Singh, Ph.D., professor and head Department of Political Science, Panjabi University, Patialaand author of Sikh Polity, spoke on Miri Piri and Sikh politics.

Dr. Jodh Singh, PhD,, professor, head. and Dean, Department of Religious Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala and author  of the Sidh Gost, Dasm Granth Street, ‘and Sikh Sarup Da Sidhani, read a paper on Miri Piri Doctrine in Sikhism.

Dr. Balkar Singh, Ph.D., prof. & head Department of Guru Granth Sahib Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala and author of Sikh Mysticism, Gurmat Vivian and Sri Akal Takhat, read a paper on Miri Pirk and Akal Takhat.

Dr. Onkar Singh, Research Scholar, Department of Guri Granth Sahib Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala, read a paper on Miri Piri: Source and Model, Dr.Gurbax Singh Shergill, former Principal, Khalsa College, Amritsar, the premiet Sikh educational institution of Punjab, spoke on dynamics of Miri Piri,

Dr. Noe! King, Ph.D., prof, Dept. of Religion, Univ. of California, Santa Cruztnd author of several books and research articles on Sikhism, spoke on Symbolism of Two Swords in Christianity and Sikhism.

After every session, a brief question answer session was held which proved to be quite interesting,

Sri Singh Sahib Prof, Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Sri Akal Takhai Sahib, Amritsar delivered the keynote speech.

Yogi Harbhajan Singh Khalsa, chief of Sikh Dharma of Wester Hemisphere and leader of American Sikhs, spoke on quantum effect of Shabad Guru,

Dr. Jasbir Singh Mann, M.D, coordinator of the seminar and chief of the Center of Sikh Studies, Santa Ana, paid glowing minutes to Dalject Singh, LA.S, (Reta), who Was the pioneer of the Sikh studies movement in Indie and abroad and who recently passed away in Chandigarh.

Dr. Hokam Singh, Ph.D., a Sikh scholar who had taught in Punjabi University Patiala and Delhi University before imp grating to America more than quarter of a Century ago, reviewed and summed up the salient features of the seminar, He gave concluding remarks and also offered some

suggestions.

Amrik Singh Doa, Dr, Shvdey Singh, Dr. Dhanwant Singh Gill and Ruhan K. Kainth icled one session each as chairperson. der Singh Walia proposed a vote of thanks and also coordinated the segment of honoring the participants with plaques.

A seminar daylong seminar on the same topic of “Miri Piri” was held’ at Bullard High School Auditorium, Fresno on May 14, It was addressed by the same scholars, A similar seminar was held at UC Berkeley campus on May 18 and another at Gurdwara ‘Sun Jose on May 20. WSN will publish the above noted papers as time and space allows

Article extracted from this publication >>  June 16, 1995