Dera Sacha Sauda
| [[Image:|400px|alt=]] |
| The Founder: |
Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj |
| Second Saint: |
Param Pita Shah Satnam Singh Ji Maharaj |
| Present Saint: |
Hazoor Maharaj Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan |
| Dera Sacha Sauda |
The entrance of Shah Satnam Ji Dham, Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa, Haryana |
Dera Sacha Sauda' (Punjabi: ਡੇਰਾ ਸੱਚਾ ਸੌਦਾ, Hindi: डेरा सच्चा सौदा) colloquially DSS) is a socio-spiritual organization that preaches and practices humanitarianism and selfless services to others. The main centre of the ashram is located in Sirsa, Haryana (northern India). More than forty million people around the world from all religions, cast and creed are faithful followers of the organization. Dera’s devotees learn to meditate and follow the principles laid down by Dera.[1]
The organisation has achieved Guinness World Records for several blood donation drives and a tree-planting initiative.[2][3]
Etymology
The name Sacha Sauda ("True Deal") refers to an incident in the life of Guru Nanak Dev. Some historical sources tell of how, when Guru Nanak Dev was a young boy, his father gave him twenty some money and instructed him to conduct a business operation in order that he make a profit and learn business skills. Guru Nanak used the money to buy food to feed the poor, and explained to his father that in doing so he had done a "True Deal."[4]
History
Beparawah Mastana Ji Maharaj founded Dera Sacha Sauda on April 29, 1948 to encourage spiritual awakening among the masses, to uplift humanity, and to create a better world. HE hailed from Baluchistan, part of present-day Pakistan. With devotion and hard work, Maharaj Ji transmuted the barren land of Sirsa into a spiritual garden and imparted the glorious method of meditation to HIS followers. The slogan “Dhan Dhan Satguru Tera Hi Asra,” which Dera’s devotees chant at the Ashram, elucidates the kindness of God Almighty as our saviour. His Excellency Guruji preached about following the path of truth, humanity, and hard work. In 1960, HE handed over the reins of Dera to HIS spiritual successor, Param Pita Shah Satnam Singh Ji Maharaj. Mastana Ji Maharaj merged with the divine light on April 18, 1960. Param Pita Shah Satnam Singh Ji Maharaj made the ground of Sri Jalalnana Sahib a holy site by incarnating Himself there on January 25, 1919. His Holiness served mankind for thirty years (1960–1990) and enlightened many people on the path to emancipation by showering the blessings of Gurumantra upon them. HE composed myriad hymns and wrote several holy books. At Dera Sacha Sauda, marriages without dowry are endorsed and solemnized with parental consent. Apart from this, people get inspired here to connect with the true Almighty God without any special arrangements, rituals or gimmicks. His Exalted Holiness passed the Divine apostleship of Dera Sacha Sauda to revered Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan on September 23, 1990. Shah Satnam Singh Ji Maharaj shed His human attire and proceeded back to "Nij-Dham" (eternal abode) on December 13, 1991.[5]
Principles of Dera Sacha Sauda
- In Dera Sacha Sauda all religions are equally honoured and welcomed.
- Dera Sacha Sauda believes in humanity as the greatest religion and is involved in the true service of humanity. The poor, helpless and sick are helped here in every possible manner.
- In Dera Sacha Sauda no discrimination is made among people on the basis of rich and poor, inferior and superior, etc.
- Dera Sacha Sauda does not accept any offerings, donations or fees for the meditation that is taught here.
- Dera Sacha Sauda rejects the false customs, malpractices, superficiality and deceit that happen in the name of religion.
- The Truth is taught at Dera Sacha Sauda and inspiration given to walk on the path of Truth. Prabhu, Paramatma, Ram, Allah, Waheguru, God is the only Truth and the method of meditating on Him is taught here. One need not change one’s religion or outward appearance in order to practice this meditation.
- Dera Sacha Sauda is an assembly of pure spirituality and only the method of connecting man with God is taught here.
- Dera Sacha Sauda does not have any links with politics.
- The assembly of Dera Sacha Sauda is decorated with the virtues of humility, modesty, simplicity and truthfulness. Only he who adopts these virtues is worthy of praise.
- Consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants is strictly prohibited in Dera Sacha Sauda.
- The cardinal rules of DSS are to not eat nonvegetarian food, to not consume alcohol, and for men and women to consider persons other than their spouses as either mother, sister or daughter, or father, brother or son.
- DSS strongly opposes customs like the dowry system and other social ills. It discourages the superficial rituals and unreasonable expenditure related to births, deaths and marriages. At the Satsangs conducted by DSS, marriages are conducted in the presence of the SadhSangat in a simple manner by exchanging garlands.
- DSS believes in earning one’s livelihood through hard work and rightful means. The celibate volunteers of the Dera work for 15 to 18 hours a day and they practice meditation. It is only by earning one’s bread through rightful means that one gets peace of mind and makes rapid progress in spirituality.
- DSS strictly opposes theft, dishonesty, bribery and corruption. People here are inspired to walk on the path of truth and honesty and serve humanity as this is necessary in today’s age.
Whoever abides by the above sacred rules of DSS and meditates on Allah, Ram, Waheguru, God, he/she will be blessed with the happiness of both worlds, he/she will find God, and his/her soul will attain to salvation.[6]
Welfare activities
Green S Welfare Force
Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan formed a welfare and disaster relief organisation called "Shah Satnam Ji Green-S Welfare Force", which now has more than 35,000 doctors, engineers, rescuers, paramedics, and tradesmen participating. The organisation has rendered aid during many of India's natural disasters.[7]\
Charitable programs
Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan has initiated a variety of charitable programs during his tenure.
- An annual eye care camp on 13–15 December each year, staffed by eye surgeons.[8]
- A campaign against female foeticide; the organisation has also built the Shahi Betiyan Basera for orphan girls who were to be killed by their parents. This home is called the Home for the Royal Daughters and provides amenities for destitute female children.[9]
- Support for the transgendered; Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan has directed his organisation members to help intersex children who join itinerant transgender communities.He plans to support their schooling in special institutions.[10] This community is heavily afflicted with HIV due to commercial sex.
- Blood donation drives, for which DSS has thrice been recognised by the Guiness World Records:
- 7 December 2003 in Sirsa, Haryana with 15,432 donors in 12 hours
- 10 October 2004 in Bapu Ji village, Sri Ganganagar, with 17,921 donors
- 8 August 2010 in a dedicated camp in Haryana, with 43,732 donors participated.[11]
- Anti-drug initiatives, including a free drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Sirsa.[12] The institution sees chemical dependency as a behavior disorder and encourages the addicts to bring about a positive change in their personality.[13]
- Anti-prostitution initiatives; in November 2009 Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan called on his followers to counter prostitution, and to help sex-workers escape a "life of perpetual slavery".[14] Over 1450 followers were reported to have responded to the call and offered to marry sex-workers to "help them escape their dreary existence".[15][16][17][18][19] Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan referred to these former prostitutes as shubh devi ("holy angel").
- Tree planting,[20] for which they set a Guiness World Record with 43 lakh of trees planted worldwide on Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan's birthday on 15 August 2010.
- Disaster relief; DSS was instrumental in making one of the largest contributions to Gujarat Earthquake relief in the year 2001.[21] The first village to be reconstructed in Gujarat was village Pratapgarh in Rapar Taluka in Bhuj.[22] Likewise, Orissa, after being hit by a supercyclone was the recipient of Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan's largesse when 34 wagonloads of an entire goods train were dispatched for the victims.
- Sports programs: in 2004 the Parampita Shah Satnam Ji Educational and Welfare Society, which is affiliated with Dera Sacha Sauda, built the Shah Satnam ji Cricket Stadium in Sirsa, Haryana. Using a workforce of 10,000, the stadium was said to have been built in 45 days and have a capacity of 30,000.[23] It is spread over 100 acres, which would make the second largest in Asia.[24]
- Organ and whole-body donation; DSS encourages donation of bodies and eyes after death.[25] It has emerged as one of the leading whole body donor agencies as per newspaper reports.[26]
- They have trained tribals in various vocational skills.[27]
Controversies
- In 2007, Singh and the DSS were the target of widespread protests, following an incident in which Ram Rahim Singh appeared in an advertisement dressed in a way which Sikhs said was similar to the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh.[28] One person was killed in the violence and over 100 injured.[29] This incident resulted in a series of three apologies from DSS and Singh,[30] as well as a 2007 a case was filed which was later dismissed in 2009.[31]
References
External links
Organization's website