Sikh-ing Service and Brotherhood -October 6, 2012

Inspired by open hearted warmth and welcoming, the Harmandir (Golden Temple and center of Sikh worship) feeds 150,000 people per day and houses pilgrims without charge. Volunteers make and serve food on a massive scale as part of their religious duty to be of service in life.

Heavy gold temple inlaid with precious stones houses the sacred text, focal point of the religion rather than gods or idols. Surrounded by sacred water, thousands of pilgrims and devotees greet foreigners like me with open countenance and invitation to participate. Dense with prayers over hundreds of years the place felt alive and sacred.

Sat sria kal - long live truth in Amritsar and everywhere.


Comments

Stephen Huyler said…
I am so glad of our decision to leave the crowds at the Golden Temple and the rest of our group and climb the stairs to discover the Sikh priests in solitary prayer, sitting them in meditative silence. And then to find these artists refurbishing the exquisite paintings on the ceiling was an added joy...
Please remind me if you would like me to send you copies of the painting studies of the Golden Temple frescoes...
Rebecca said…
Stephen, yes, please send copies of the studies if it is easy to do so. You are so generous in all of your sharing. Thank you, thank you!