The spiritual mission of Sachkhand Nanak Dham (‘true house of God’) was founded by Mahraz Darshan Das (1953–1987) in Batala, Punjab in 1973. He first visited England during the winter of 1979. There followed many other visits, and the numbers of followers grew rapidly. They included people of all walks of life, Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Sikhs: Mahraz Ji encouraged people to follow the truth—that is God—within their own faith and to recognise that truth in each person.
He preached that the spiritual journey that every human being must undertake for a better understanding of self and of the One God must be undertaken under the guidance of a living spiritual Master. The year 1980 saw the inauguration of Das Dharam, the practical arm of the Mission: members are encouraged to serve all humanity on a voluntary basis. The Punjabi slogan he gave to his followers was nanak naam chardi kala tere bhane sarbat da bhala, which translates roughly as: “In the name of the Supreme Power, do something good for someone else in your life.”
Members are encouraged to lead a teetotal and vegetarian lifestyle and adopt the fundamental principles of Das Dharam, which are: speak the truth, be content, follow the guidance of a spiritual master and put yourself out for someone else in your life.
A permanent centre was established in Handsworth, Birmingham in 1982. During the turbulent year of 1984, Mahraz spoke out against the injustices and intolerances then afflicting the Punjab. He was assassinated in a school hall in Southall during a prayer meeting in November 1987.
He preached that the spiritual journey that every human being must undertake for a better understanding of self and of the One God must be undertaken under the guidance of a living spiritual Master. The year 1980 saw the inauguration of Das Dharam, the practical arm of the Mission: members are encouraged to serve all humanity on a voluntary basis. The Punjabi slogan he gave to his followers was nanak naam chardi kala tere bhane sarbat da bhala, which translates roughly as: “In the name of the Supreme Power, do something good for someone else in your life.”
Members are encouraged to lead a teetotal and vegetarian lifestyle and adopt the fundamental principles of Das Dharam, which are: speak the truth, be content, follow the guidance of a spiritual master and put yourself out for someone else in your life.
A permanent centre was established in Handsworth, Birmingham in 1982. During the turbulent year of 1984, Mahraz spoke out against the injustices and intolerances then afflicting the Punjab. He was assassinated in a school hall in Southall during a prayer meeting in November 1987.
