Sikhs seek unity at communal meals An article from the Miami Herald on the langar at the local gurdwara. Its always interesting to see what others have to say about our institutions.
They all volunteer their time and multitask as need be. Bread and faith are shared here, where everyone is an equal.
The outsider perspectives often remind me about the institutional treasures that we Sikhs have been blessed with but have, for a variety of reasons, grown complacent over.
The langar is one of these insitutions. Founded on the values of equality and humility, it is a tool of social revolution. I can only imagine what a scandal the Gurus caused when they had princes and paupers sit side by side and eat together. In one meal, it obliterated the religious walls that had built up over thousands of years of division and subjugation. It also provided a direct means for Sikhs to practice their golden rule of Vand Ke Chhakana with the masses. And most practically, I also believe the Gurus practically understood that its hard to pray on an empty stomach.
So its sad to see what langars have been reduced to; fatty food served to (mostly Sikh) fat people who complain that they clothes get stained by sitting on the floor and that the sabji needs more salt.
But there is hope. Groups like Sikhcess have taken the concept of langar on road, feeding those that need it, wherever they happen to be. At last count, they'd served over 137,000 meals.
The langar is one of these insitutions. Founded on the values of equality and humility, it is a tool of social revolution. I can only imagine what a scandal the Gurus caused when they had princes and paupers sit side by side and eat together. In one meal, it obliterated the religious walls that had built up over thousands of years of division and subjugation. It also provided a direct means for Sikhs to practice their golden rule of Vand Ke Chhakana with the masses. And most practically, I also believe the Gurus practically understood that its hard to pray on an empty stomach.
So its sad to see what langars have been reduced to; fatty food served to (mostly Sikh) fat people who complain that they clothes get stained by sitting on the floor and that the sabji needs more salt.
But there is hope. Groups like Sikhcess have taken the concept of langar on road, feeding those that need it, wherever they happen to be. At last count, they'd served over 137,000 meals.
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