What Services of Sikhism make it the Most Humble Religion
One of the core concepts of Sikhism is seva, the act of selfless service. Many types of seva are performed by at the gurdwara by worshipers. Nearly every aspect of caring for the gurdwara is managed by voluntarily by members of the Sikh congregation. Any person involved in the act of selfless service is called a sevadar.
SHOE SEVA, CLEANING THE WORSHIPERS SHOES
Before entering the gurdwara hall, devotees remove their shoes. A Sikh cares for the shoes of worshipers, cleans, and arranges, them neatly.
MOPPING THE GURDWARA
Several thousand Sikhs visit the gurdwara during weekend programs. The team of Sikh e mops dust from the entry corridor, which leads to the carpeted main hall, where worship services are held. They also scrub floors in the washrooms and off to the side where worshipers remove their shoes.
Distributing Napkins
Sikh children are often eager to help with seva. They pass napkins to worshipers as they wait for prashad, a sanctified delicacy, which is served at the close of every gurdwara program.
SERVING FOOD IN THE DINING HALL
The younger generation exemplifies the true spirit of selfless serving of food from the langar kitchen in order to insure that they take their fill.
The concept of langar, the Guru’s free kitchen, is at the heart Sikhism. All gurdwaras, sikh temples, have a langar kitchen and every program is followed by langar meal service in the community dining hall.
Guru Nanak, first guru of the Sikhs, set the example of langar and serving others, when he fed hungry, and homeless, holymen.
SERVING WATER TO THE CONGREGATION
The Sikh tradition of providing water to those in thirst, is exemplified by the example a Sikh who carried water to soldiers fallen in battle. Bhai Kanhaiya (Ghanaya) administered to the needs of those wounded in combat, whether friend or foe. When questioned about his actions, he replied that the light of God shone from every soul, and that he had been unable to distinguish.
Serving Cold Drinks in the Hot Sun
The Sikhs stand in the direct sunlight at high noon. Though the temperature is very high, they keep on offering cold drinks to the congregation who walk by on their way from the worship hall to the dining area.
Washing Dirty Dishes in the Langer Kitchen
CLEANING UP THE KITCHEN
The Sikhs washes utensils used during langar meal preparation. All cleanup is done voluntarily. Seva is considered, by Sikhs, as an opportunity to clean stains from the soul, if performed with loving meditation.
Taking Charge of Waste Management
MANNING THE WASTE RECEPTACLES
The Sikh stands by the waste receptacles during the entire langar meal service. He takes dirty used disposable plates, cups, and utensils from the diners hands, and deposits them into the bin.
Such humble actions, when performed while remembering God, are like spiritual dollars deposited into a bank of deeds done in the service of humanity.
Cleaning the Washroom
WASHROOM CLEANUP
The Sikh woman refreshes the gurdwara washroom sinks with many more who join her with her in seva, by mopping floors, and cleaning filth from fixtures in the stalls. Focusing selflessly on the comfort of others, while contemplating God reaps a divine reward.
All these are selfless seva done at Gurudwara by every person. It never matters whether the person is rich or poor, it is just that they all are childrn of God. A true service to humanity, which teaches selfless service to the society.
