Why golden temple is not just another shrine?
As I visited the Golden temple again the thoughts started creeping up again. It cannot just be termed as a shrine. It is something more than that, something vast, something more divine, more meaningful. Here's why
▪ It has four dwars (gates), it symbolises the open hearted welcome to all religion, caste , creed from all walks of life.
▪ Two different forms of life co-exust together without being in the role of hunter and hunted.
▪ It has a community kitchen where people are fed free food to everyone. People irrespective of any caste, creed or religion can serve or do "karsewa" at their will. Which invokes community feeling.
▪ They also provide temporary accomodation in the premises itself from the people who come from far and for some reasons cannot or (by will) do not want to stay outside.
▪ The Holy book of guru granth sahib is worshipped, and not any effigy. Which to me implies much more sense. The sculptures never change.
▪ The weapons are worshipped. Sikh started as warrior community. To worship something that protects you and the others can never to lesser than the almighty itself , if not the almighty.
▪ There are alot of elements, the water body, the shabad, Kirtan are soul stirring. It has almost meditation like effect on you. The kinds where you find yourself in the midst of so much crowd.
Harminder Sahib is just not a religious place. It's how an utopian society should be. The model of how a society should be.There is alot to learn from here, just keep your mind and senses open and be ready to receive.
As I visited the Golden temple again the thoughts started creeping up again. It cannot just be termed as a shrine. It is something more than that, something vast, something more divine, more meaningful. Here's why
▪ It has four dwars (gates), it symbolises the open hearted welcome to all religion, caste , creed from all walks of life.
▪ Two different forms of life co-exust together without being in the role of hunter and hunted.
▪ It has a community kitchen where people are fed free food to everyone. People irrespective of any caste, creed or religion can serve or do "karsewa" at their will. Which invokes community feeling.
▪ They also provide temporary accomodation in the premises itself from the people who come from far and for some reasons cannot or (by will) do not want to stay outside.
▪ The Holy book of guru granth sahib is worshipped, and not any effigy. Which to me implies much more sense. The sculptures never change.
▪ The weapons are worshipped. Sikh started as warrior community. To worship something that protects you and the others can never to lesser than the almighty itself , if not the almighty.
▪ There are alot of elements, the water body, the shabad, Kirtan are soul stirring. It has almost meditation like effect on you. The kinds where you find yourself in the midst of so much crowd.
Harminder Sahib is just not a religious place. It's how an utopian society should be. The model of how a society should be.There is alot to learn from here, just keep your mind and senses open and be ready to receive.
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