Sikhism: Reflective Essay on a Religious Service and Course Readings

This essay reflects on a student's experience attending a Sikh religious service at the Gurdwara Sahib of San Jose, contrasting it with academic readings on Sikhism. The author describes the initial intrigue with various religions, leading to an invitation to a Sikh wedding. The visit included observations of the Gurdwara's architecture, the Langar Hall's selfless service, and the Prayer Hall's tranquility. The reflection emphasizes the universal principles of service, equality, and peace taught by all religions, while also noting the historical discrimination faced by Sikhs in America. The essay concludes with insights into Sikh tenets and practices, such as the acceptance of various methods for disposing of the dead, highlighting a deeply personal and enlightening experience. Desklib provides access to similar student-contributed assignments.

Running head : A STUDY OF SIKHISM
A STUDY OF SIKHISM
Name of the Student :
Name of the University:
Author Note :

1A STUDY OF SIKHISM
I have always been intrigued by various religious beliefs. As a child, I wanted to know
the various practices and rituals of different religions all over the world. I remember my father
buying me books on various religions from the nearby bookstore when I was in the sixth
standard. I started reading about various religions all over the world extensively after the ninth
standard. The preaching of Buddha gave me a new perspective in life. The lectures of Swami
Vivekananda at Chicago on Hinduism made me feel inspired. I have also read about
Zoroastrianism and Judaism. One of my friend’s elder brother was about to get married soon. My
friend happens to be a Punjabi by religion. He invited me to his brother’s wedding at the
Gurdwara Sahib of San Jose. I was nervous and excited to join him and his family for the
wedding as it would be my first time in a Gurdwara. My friend informed me that Gurdwara
means “the door to the Guru”.
We landed on the San Jose International airport and headed to the hotel first. On the way
to the hotel my friend’s father told me that the religion Sikhism, is solely based on the principles
of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. The religion emerged in the state of Punjab in the Indian
subcontinent. It is considered as one of the youngest world religions. The beliefs are of Sikhism
has been articulated in the sacred scriptures of the Guru Granth Sahib (Mann,2016). The basic
principles of the religion is having faith in one creator, divine unity, serving others selflessly,
equality of all, prosperity and justice for humankind and living a honest livelihood. I had a
chance to go to the Gurdwara thrice before the day of the wedding, as some preparations had to
be made. Firstly, I was surprised at the massiveness of the Gurdwara. I was told that it was the
largest Gurdwara of North America measuring about 90,000 square feet. I was asked to cover my
head and open my shoes and keep it on the shoe rack before entering the prayer hall.

2A STUDY OF SIKHISM
As I went inside the Gurdwara I felt as sense of peace and tranquility. I could feel the
positivity of the place. Everyone was warm and kind. People asked me if I had visited a
Gurdwara before and where I lived. Then my friend took me to the Langar Hall where food is
made by the community members themselves and served to the people. Outsiders are welcomed
to volunteer at the Langar Hall. The purpose of the Langar Hall is to serve others selflessly.
There were both men and women cooking, cutting vegetables, washing dishes, serving food and
providing other voluntary services. I was touched by their generosity and service. The Langar
Hall was big and spacious. I saw women making an Indian flatbread called roti. The food served
in the Langar is purely vegetarian. I was handed a glass of chai (tea) and some Indian snacks. It
tasted scrumptious. The member were humble and loving people. The Langar mostly runs on the
services provided by the volunteers (Takhar,2016). A volunteer handed me a disposable eco
friendly plate with several compartments and cutlery. Another volunteer served me rice, rotis, dal
(lentil curry), vegetables and kheer (an Indian dessert). The food was simple but delicious. After
eating the meal, I went straight to the entrance of the Gurdwara. From the entrance, I could see a
breath taking view of the Silicon Valley. As it is perched high on top of the Evergreen Hills, the
skyline view is stunning. I was told that the sunset and the night time view from the Gurdwara is
spectacular. As the sun was setting that time, I got to witness the stunning architecture of the
place with its twinkling lights, dramatic fountains and tea light candles. The hospitality that I
received here was unmatched. Later, I meditated sitting in the Prayer Hall. The Prayer Hall
conducts prayers, sermons, meditations, wedding and birthdays.
My overall experience at the Gurdwara was humbling. I realized that every religion in the
world teaches us the same principles to serve others, live in peace, believe in equality, treat
everyone well, never hurt or harm anybody and engage in good company. It is sad that the Sikhs

3A STUDY OF SIKHISM
of America has been a target of racial discrimination and marginalization in the past. They are
very down to earth, warm-hearted and compassionate people. I also discovered the Ten Tenets of
Sikhism through my friend’s father. He said that there are also offshoot sects of Sikhism like the
Namdharis, Nirankaris and more as Guru Nanak had travelled far and wide. I also learned that
there are no rules of burying or cremating the dead after the soul has left the body. Some cremate
it, some bury it while others immerse the corpses in the flowing water body nearby. It is
mentioned in the Holy book of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib that one can either cremate or
bury or donate the organs for scientific research or throw it on the river – nothing matters once
the person is dead. Whatever seems suitable in the present circumstances should be done.

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References
Mann, G. S. (2016). Sikhism. In Religions in the Modern World(pp. 129-158). Routledge.
Takhar, O. K. (2016). Sikh Identity: An exploration of groups among Sikhs. Routledge.