Gurdwara Doors Remain Wide Open To All

0
271

By Gira Bhatt
While teaching a psychology class at an undergraduate level at KPU,  I often ask my students to partake in cultural and religious activities of diverse ethnic groups. The aim is to encourage students to peek outside their inner psychological comfort zone and develop a greater appreciation for the variations in how humans seek social connections and meaning in life.

Few weeks ago, a student attended a community forum focusing on immigrants and refugees. She reported that some strong negative sentiments were expressed about certain faith groups and since then she has felt uncomfortable going to any religious place other than her own. This inspired a visit to a Sikh Gurdwara with this student and others who wanted to join in.

Having worked collaboratively with several Gurdwaras on anti-gang youth programs a couple of years ago along with the RCMP and my colleague Dr. Roger Tweed, I was happy to reconnect with one of them. Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib in Surrey was our choice. Upon contacting them, it was rewarding to learn that following our 10-week youth program planning and implementation, the Gurdwara had hired two youth workers to continue the good work that had started.

Bhupinder Singh who leads the youth arm of the Gurdwara welcomed my request to host a guided tour of the temple for my students. Two youth workers Pavan Kaur and Muskaan who are high school students greeted us at the door. They explained the importance of covering our heads with scarves which were provided, removing our shoes, and washing our hands before entering the main sanctum of the Gurdwara.

My students were very eager and ready to take in as much information they could about this amazing place of worship. For most of them this was their first visit to a Sikh Gurdwara and they were understandably somewhat anxious. However, both Pavan Kaur and Muskaan put them at ease right away as they warmly and respectfully led the tour. They explained why the holy book GranthSahib is sacred and why certain spiritual practices surround it. In the adjoining hall, Pavan Kaur walked us through the sacred steps of reading from the GranthSahib and also explained the meaning. We were then invited to visit the room where each night the GranthSahib is carried to by the devotees, and brought back in the main hall each morning.

I could not help but admire these young high school age women who were so knowledgeable about Sikhism. We all sat down in a circle and they provided us with a brief but very comprehensive summary of what Sikhism faith is all about, how it came to be, and what its main teachings are. They explained the importance of the symbolic Kirpaan, and the turban.  The visit concluded with Langaar,  a  wholesome, nutritious meal which was served with great hospitality and warmth.

A highlights of the visit was a question from one of my students. “What does Sikhism think of Jesus?” I held my breath as I watched and waited for our young tour guides to provide an answer. It was the kind of a question that had the potential to result in a long and convoluted debate. Instead, the responses were quick, polite, and profound. The young women had it right. Spiritual pathways are for individuals to choose and to be respected. It was at that moment that I found my heart filled with hope for our youth and our future.

———————————–
Dr. Gira Bhatt teaches psychology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University