((PKG)) SIKH TEMPLE
((Banner: Faith/ Community Spirit))
((Reporter/Camera: Zahid Khattak))
((Map: Fairfax, Virginia))
((Popup Banner: Engineering student Pawan Singh attends a Sikh temple or Gurdwara in Northern Virginia))
((NATS))
((Pawan Singh, engineering student attending a Sikh Temple))
When you do meditation as a part of a larger community of what we are doing this evening, it sort of controls your ego. You do not feel arrogant that somehow you are better than others. You are at the same level as others.
((Popup Banner: Langar is a temple kitchen used to prepare meal for all, regardless of religion or any other distinction.))
((NATS))
((Pawan Singh, engineering student attending a Sikh Temple))
Everything that we do is based on voluntary offerings that comes from different people. So, the community gets together and they cook the meal here in the kitchen downstairs at this Gurdwara, and so does it happen worldwide. Wherever you see Langar, it’s all voluntary based.
((NATS))
((Pawan Singh, engineering student attending a Sikh Temple))
Well, the religion itself focuses heavily on dignity of humankind and serving Langar, where everybody sits together on the floor at the same level, sort of bonds that and reiterates that all humans are created equal and there is a huge emphasis on gender equality, equality of all humankind to the level that even if you follow a different faith, we do not say that you are not going to achieve your destination. We feel that anybody, belonging to any religion, any cast, any race, any social level, any economic level, can attain peace and attain God.
((NATS))
((Pawan Singh, engineering student attending a Sikh Temple))
What the Sikh faith says is that there are two parallels. There is a physical body and then there is the soul which is the spiritual. So, if your body is hungry, your soul cannot even focus on attaining God. So, it’s for those who are needy, and then also, you might not need the food but you need to bring your mind to the level of the Guru. You must commit that you are a student of the Guru and the Guru says that all are created equal.
((NATS))
((Pawan Singh, engineering student attending a Sikh Temple))
Langar means anchor. Anchor is used on ships so the ship does not just move around. So, just like that, Langar anchors ourselves, our bodies and our minds to the Guru which is the teacher. So, as long as you stay within the boundaries of the Guru, you will not be destroyed just how a ship does not get destroyed once the anchor is in the sea.
((NATS))
((Pawan Singh, engineering student attending a Sikh Temple))
You do not have to be Sikh to appreciate the values that are given by this faith that is equality, justice and freedom for all.
((NATS))
