“Everyone is welcome: A service to humanity” published in azCentral

GOLDEN RULE MOMENTS

Everyone is welcome: A service to humanity

Albert Celoza

Special to The Republic

In ancient India, a concerned but astute father gave his son 20 rupees to start a profitable business. In the 15th century, 20 rupees would have been a substantial sum and carried expectations of a good return. The son, equally astute in the ways of the world, instead gathered hungry holy men (sadhus) and used the money to buy food for the needy. This is the story of the beginnings of the langar, or community kitchen, where everyone is fed regardless of social class, caste, religion, or gender, based on the principle of equality and vand chhako (sharing what you have).

The tradition began when a young man who would become known as Guru Nanak used his father’s 20 rupees to feed hungry sadhus, calling the act the sacha sauda or “true bargain”. Guru Nanak grew into a wise teacher —hence the title “guru”— and became the founder of Sikhism. He was the first of the ten Sikh Gurus, emphasizing one God, equality, selfless service, and living an honest life focused on meditation on God’s name (nam simran).

The name “Nanak” functions as a divine signature in Sikh scriptures, the Guru Granth Sahib, representing the spiritual journey and authentic voice of the gurus, all considered manifestations of the same divine light.

By the 1520s, in the holy town of Kartarpur (Punjab), Guru Nanak formalized the concept of the langar: everyone sat together in a line on the floor, symbolizing social equality. All ate the same vegetarian food produced by honest work (kirat karo), shared with others (vand chhako), as a service to humanity (sewa).

Today, this more than 500-year-old tradition is maintained by about 30 million Sikhs worldwide and by thousands in the United States. On a visit to New Delhi, I experienced this gracious generosity firsthand at a Sikh gurdwara (place of worship), where rows of people were fed lunch—no questions asked; everyone was welcome.

Here in Phoenix, the Arizona Interfaith Movement, in cooperation with the Sikh community, is hosting a langar through its Experience Interfaith program on Tuesday, March 24. The event will be held at the Guru Nanak Dwara in the Coronado neighborhood (2302 N. 9th Street). The program includes information exhibits and interactive activities from various organizations and groups (no proselytizing) and a moderated group discussion.

Come and enjoy the result of Guru Nanak’s father’s 20-rupee investment— the continuing tradition of the Sikh langar that traveled from India to Arizona. Following Guru Nanak’s teachings, you, your friends and family are invited regardless of social class, religion, belief, gender or age. Visit the Arizona Interfaith Movement website (azifm.org) to RSVP and learn more about Experience Interfaith.

We will experience the golden rule moments described by Guru Arjan Dev, one of the Sikh gurus: “No one is my enemy, none a stranger, and everyone is my friend.”

Albert Celoza is the Executive Director of the Arizona Interfaith Movement.

“No one is my enemy, none a stranger, and everyone is my friend.”

Guru Arjan Dev