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Seva & Langar
Sikhism topic 4: Diwan, Langar and Sewa
AO1 (30 marks) ~ 25 mins
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Worship in the home and worship (diwan) in the gurdwara.
The practice of langar in its historical and present day context.
The concept of sewa and the various ways it is practised.
Langar as an expression of sewa; ‘the laboratory of sewa.’
AO2 Issues arising: (15 marks) ~ 12 mins
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Relative importance of worship in the home and diwan in the Gurdwara.
Whether langar today is a true expression of its original intentions.
The relative importance to Sikh life of diwan, langar and sewa.
How far Sikhism emphasises practice more than belief.
Jan ’09 ‘Sewa is more important than worship in Sikhism.’ Assess this view. (15)
June ’09 Explain both how the langar was established in the past and how it is practised
today. (30)
‘The langar is even more important today than it was in the past.’ Assess this view. (15)
Jan ’10 Explain the concept of sewa and how it is practised today. (30 marks)
“There is nothing more important in Sikhism than sewa.” Assess this view. (15 marks)
Jan ’11 Explain the meaning and practice of langar for Sikhs. (30)
‘Langar today has little connection with its original intentions.’ Assess this view. (15)
June ’11 Examine the concept and practice of sewa in Sikhism. (30 marks)
‘For Sikhs, the practice of sewa is more important than simply having faith.’ Assess (15)
June ’12 Explain how langar is ‘a laboratory of sewa’. (30 marks)
‘Langar is essential in Sikh life today.’ How far do you agree? (15 marks)
Word
ManMurk
GurMukh
Naam Jappo
Simran
Vand Chhakna
Kirat Karo
Caste System
Untouchable
Sewa
Tan
Man
Dhan
Bhai Kanhaiya Jee
Inequality
Injustice
Kar seva
Sevadar
Sarbat da bhalla
Nimrata
Faith -> Action
Khalsa Aid
Langar
Kartapur community
egalitarian
Social / welfare / political / religious /
spiritual
Mukti
Sangat
Pangat
Fraternity
Altruistic
Philanthropic
Langar is “the laboratory of Sewa”
Meaning
Guru Nanak taught
Sikhs to be GurMukh ~ God
centred.
A Sikh should not be ManMukh …
Ego centric, ME, ME, ME !
What are the three key principles of Sikhism?
Vand Chhakna
Naam Jappo
Kirat Karo
Nam Jappo: remember the name of Waheguru – this can be done
by meditating on the name Waheguru.
Kirat Karo: earn a living by honest means. It does not matter what
the work is, provided that it is honest and not against the teachings
of the Gurus. Sikhism says that it is not wrong to be rich provided
that the money is gained honestly. But it is wrong to live your life
just to make a lot of money.
Vand Chhakna: share everything in charity with people who are
less fortunate. Sikhs should live their lives on the principles of
generosity and self-sacrifice.
Inspired by …
Guru Nanak’s background …
Guru Nanak had a sister called
Nanaki. She helped with
house hold chores, her brother
Nanak was given the job of
looking after the families herd
of cows and buffalo.
WOMEN were the property of men.
Her sole aim was to serve her husband
and children.
UNDERNEATH the
population pyramid
are the
UNTOUCHABLES …
AKA the OUTCAST
“Everyone is equal in the eyes of God,
there is no rich, poor, male, female,
black nor white. There is no Hindu, nor
Muslim. The only difference between
people is in their actions.”
Guru Nanak
What practices do you think Guru Nanak
objected to?
RECAP: What are the three key principles of Sikhism?
Vand Chhakna
Naam Jappo
Kirat Karo
Nam Jappo: remember the name of Waheguru – this can be done
by meditating on the name Waheguru.
Kirat Karo: earn a living by honest means. It does not matter what
the work is, provided that it is honest and not against the teachings
of the Gurus. Sikhism says that it is not wrong to be rich provided
that the money is gained honestly. But it is wrong to live your life
just to make a lot of money.
Vand Chhakna: share everything in charity with people who are
less fortunate. Sikhs should live their lives on the principles of
generosity and self-sacrifice.
Vand Chhakna
SEWA: “Selfless Service”
“A place in God’s court can only be attained if we do service to others in this world… Wandering ascetics, warriors,
celibates, holy men, none of them can obtain moksha without performing sewa.” Guru Granth Sahib
There are three varieties of sewa … Tan, Man & Dhan
Physical: Tan
Mental: Man
Material: Dhan
Tan: physical service, eg, working in the langar and helping to look after the gurdwara.
Man: mental service, eg, studying the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and teaching it to others.
Dhan: material service to other people, eg, giving money to charities or giving time to help people who are
in need.
All of these must be done because a Sikh wants to serve Waheguru and not for personal gain.
So by performing sewa Sikhs serve God and the world.
Can you think of ways one can serve
humanity selflessly through their
mind, money and time?
Sikhs believe a minimum 10% of
their time should be mediation
Mental: Man
Sikhs believe a minimum 10% of
their time should be devoted to
selfless service
Material: Dhan
Physical: Tan
Guru Amar Das taught the
idea of daswandh. This is
giving a tenth of surplus
money to the community.
This money may be used for
building schools or hospitals
or to help those who are
poor or suffering.
Bhai Kanhaiya Jee
Bhai Kanhaiya ~ giving water to both Sikhs and Hindus.
It was the year 1704, there was a battle at Anandpur between the Khalsa (Sikhs)
and combined Hindu hill Rajas and Mughals. The Khalsa were defending the
Anandpur fort as the enemies launched a heavy attack.
Bhai Kanhaiya was given the duty of giving water to the injured Sikh’s during the
battle. When Bhai Kanhaiya got on the battle field, all he could see was the face of Guru
Gobind Singh Ji in everyone and God dwelling in everyone, therefore neither seeing
anyone as friend or foe, he served everyone.
Bhai Kanhaiya was seen by other Sikh’s giving water to the enemy and told Guru Ji,
“We have a traitor in the camp, he is helping the enemies heal so that they can get up
and attack the khalsa again.”
When hearing this some of the Sikhs got angry and went for their swords and asked
Guru ji’s permission to punish Bhai Kanhaiya. But Guru ji told the Sikhs to look into Bhai
Kanhaiya’s eyes . When they gazed closely into his eyes they saw Guru jis reflection
instead of their own.
Guru Ji gave Bhai Kanhaiya a hug and said, he is not a traitor, but has a pure heart and
see’s God in all. He is innocent. We are all children of Waheguru (God), we are the
creation of the same creator, and just as Bhai Kanhaiya saw me in all, in the same
way God, dwells in all. God dwells in the good and evil. We don’t fight with hate; we
only fight for truth, justice and humanity. Our fight isn’t due to racism it is to uphold
righteousness in the world.
“Recognise the Human Race as one”
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji - Dasam Granth.
So what is Sewa?
Sikhism teaches that people should try to become less selfcentred (manmukh) and more God-centred (gurmukh)
and should live their lives in the selfless service of others
(sewa). This means that for Sikhs, helping others as part of
their worship to God. Sewa may mean giving money, time to
help someone else. Sikhism requires service to Waheguru
(God), to the Khalsa and to all of humanity.
“True worship consists in the
meditation of God’s name
(Simran).… There can be no
worship without performing good
deeds. “
Guru Granth Sahib
The Langar or free kitchen was started by the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak.
It was a way of putting his beliefs into action!
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What does the word Inequality mean?
Inequality means that people are NOT treated EQUALLY.
What does the word Injustice mean?
Injustice ~ when something is NOT fair or NOT right.
Seva also Sewa, short for the word Karseva refers to "selfless service", work or service
performed without any thought of reward or personal benefit. In the Punjabi language the
person performing such service is called a Sevadar.
All Sikhs are encouraged by their Guru (Guru Granth Sahib) to perform Seva or Selfless
Service. This is not only good for community relations but also is good for the moral uplifting
of the person. You will find Sikhs engaged in free service in Gurdwaras washing dishes,
cleaning the floors, serving food, etc.
Sikhs are also encouraged to help the community by performing unpaid work in hospitals,
'old peoples' homes, community centres, etc. Volunteers engaged in Seva are referred to
as Sevadars and for many people this activity forms an essential part of their life, providing
spiritual fulfilment and practical benefits.
Sikhism is founded on principles of Sarbat da bhalla - working towards the "common good of
all". For Sikhs, this means reaching out to serve and uplift all of humanity as an expression
or devotion to the Creator. Many other Sikh institutes, such as Guru-ka-Langar, Kirtan, Paath,
etc., depend on the performance of Seva by many in the congregation. So the principles of
Seva underpin many Sikh values - such is the importance given to Seva in Sikhism.
Karseva at Harimander Sahib, The cleaning of the '
Amritsar' - The pool of Nectar
Doing Sewa sweeping the
Gurdwara floor
Sevadars working in the
Guru's kitchen
Doing Sewa chopping vegetables for langar
Nimrata/Humility and Sewa/Service
Doing Sewa cooking the Guru's langar
The history of the Golden Temple
Around
1510
Guru Nanak
says the fourth
Guru will build
here
1577
Guru Ram Das
builds a large
pool and
names the
place Amritsar
1588
1601
The first brick is
laid, starting
the building of
the Gurdwara
Guru Arjan Dev
builds a
Gurdwara in
the centre of
the pool
1604
Guru Arjan
completes the
Adi Granth and
places the first
copy in the
Gurdwara
Guru Ram Das excavated a pool using voluntary labour ~ Kar Seva
1830
The Gold
plating of the
building is
finished
What are the three key principles of Sikhism?
Vand Chhakna
Naam Jappo
Kirat Karo
Nam Jappo: remember the name of Waheguru – this can be done
by meditating on the name Waheguru.
Kirat Karo: earn a living by honest means. It does not matter what
the work is, provided that it is honest and not against the teachings
of the Gurus. Sikhism says that it is not wrong to be rich provided
that the money is gained honestly. But it is wrong to live your life
just to make a lot of money.
Vand Chhakna: share everything in charity with people who are
less fortunate. Sikhs should live their lives on the principles of
generosity and self-sacrifice.
Seva (Vand Chhakna)& Simran (nam jappo) go hand
in hand.... HOW?
“For a Sikh, simran and seva are the spiritual right and left
hand. As a Sikh, you must do both to keep a balance. These
are like the two wings of a bird - the bird must use both
otherwise it will not be able to fly.”
You must put your faith into action!!
Actions without faith are meaningless!
Inspiring The Future Generation
http://www.sevafoodbank.com
Khalsa Aid
Practical help for others.
Vand Chhakna ~ Dhan
http://www.khalsaaid.org/
Khalsa Aid founder and chairman Ravinder
Singh writes in the newsletter: ” Every
trip I have made back to my village in
Punjab has ended in sadness due to the
rising levels of poverty, drugs abuse,
economic downturn and hopelessness
amongst the people.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/sewa-in-action/3779.html
Baljit Singh explains how the Sikh religion is based on equality and love and how this expresses
itself in 'sewa', or selfless service to others. This inspired Sikhs in Hounslow, London, to organise a
convoy of trucks during the Kosovo conflict. Baljit describes how they delivered relief supplies to
Albanian people, and felt the importance of prayer.
In the back of your book write
down 10 words that YOU best feel
sum up Khalsa Aid.
Important Vocabulary
Word
Gurdwara
Langar
Pangat
Sewa
Sewadar
Vand Chakna
Daan
Meaning
A Sikh temple
The Sikh free kitchen
Sitting in rows or lines in the langar
Selfless service
A voluntary helper in a Gurdwara
Sharing
Charity
What happens in the Langar?
Anyone can eat for free in the langar
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/sikh-beliefs-and-worship/3777.html
Rules of the tradition of Langar
The langar must be:
1.
Simple vegetarian meals ~ all faiths can participate. Provides nutritious and wholesome
food for the poor (Welfare)
2.
Prepared by devotees who recite Gurbani while preparing the langar. (Spiritual / Religious)
3.
Served after performing Ardas (prayers / Religious)
4.
Food distributed in pangat. (Social)
5.
All food must be fresh, clean and hygienically prepared
What values does the langar represent?
 The langar or free kitchen was started by Guru Nanak.
 It is designed to uphold the principle of equality between all people of the
world, regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status.
 The langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and
oneness of all humankind.
 Guru Nanak designed a way in which all people would sit on the floor together,
as equals, to eat the same simple food.
 It is here that all people, high or low, rich or poor, male or female all sit in
pangat (row or line) to share and enjoy the food together.
 The langar helps to ensure women and children participate in service for
mankind. Women help to prepare the food, and children serve the food to the
pangat.
 Everyone is welcome to the langar; no-one is turned away. (Guru Nanak made
a stance to welcome untouchables!)
 The food is usually served twice a day, every day of the year.
 Each week, a family or several families volunteer to provide and prepare the
langar. This is very generous, as there may be several hundred people to feed,
and caterers are not allowed. All the preparation, cooking and washing-up is
done by volunteers or voluntary helpers called Sewadars.
Jan 2010 Explain the concept of sewa and how it is practised today. (30)
The Sikh ideal of service, rendered in accordance with God’s will and without expectation of reward. Selfless service for the
community, done for the goodwill and benefit of others. It counteracts egoism. It is devotion to duty in all aspects of life.
Several forms of expression.
• Service in the gurdwara, preparing and serving in the langar, fanning the congregation, minding and cleaning their shoes.
• Kar sewa is voluntary labour constructing and cleaning the gurdwara buildings and grounds.
• Service to the wider community in contributing to local charities and community projects.
• Sewa in daily life.
Two elements, explanation of the concept and application in practice.
No more than Level 5 if only one of these is dealt with.(30 marks) AO1
‘There is nothing more important in Sikhism than sewa.’ Assess this view.
In support
This concept when put into practice develops such selflessness that it changes the person and purifies them and so they
become God-centred rather than ego-centred. This leads to ultimate liberation.
In a practical sense sewa ensures a more harmonious, generous and shared community with shared values and where each
person is valued, cared for and develops their human potential.
Against this view
It is one of many beliefs and practices all of which reinforce each other, e.g. sewa and langar are inseparable.
The spiritual and religious practices of daily prayer, reciting God’s name, and reading of the Guru Granth Sahib can be seen
as equally important.
(15 marks) AO2
June 2011 Examine the concept and practice of sewa in Sikhism. AO1(30)
Concept
Sewa means to serve with honour and devotion. Selfless service for altruistic purposes on behalf of, and for the
betterment of the community, and humanity generally.
Sewa refers to 'selfless service', that is service performed without any thought of reward or personal benefit.
Sewa in Sikhism is imperative for spiritual life. It is the highest blessing – and a means to acquiring spiritual liberation. A
Sikh often prays for a chance to render sewa.
It destroys egoism and cultivates humility and compassion for others Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism,
institutionalized sewa, and based it on working towards the common good for all.
For Sikhs, this means reaching out to serve and uplift all of humanity as an expression of devotion to God.
Practice
A sewadar is one who performs sewa through philanthropic, voluntary, selfless, service.
Cleaning shoes. Maintaining the gurdwara. Charity and voluntary work. Preparing and serving food in the langar –
langar as the ‘laboratory of sewa’.
No more than Level 5 if only concept or practice.
‘For Sikhs, the practice of sewa is more important than simply having faith.’
Assess this view.
In support
• Sewa is considered to be one of the most distinctive feature of Sikhism.
• As a principle and a form of practice it contains all the teachings.
• It is the means of developing spiritual qualities which when fully developed lead to a god-centred life.
• Sewa is essential to a harmonious, stable and caring community and society.
In refutation
• Having faith and belief in God and living life with devotion to God is more important than doing the occasional good
deed in the gurdwara.
• Faith is more comprehensive and affects one’s thoughts and outlook on life.
• Faith is the source of all forms of action.
(15 marks) AO2
Jan 2011 Explain the meaning and practice of langar for Sikhs.
Meaning
Langar can refer to the kitchen / eating area; the meal itself, or the service provided.
It was established in the past to express and ensure social equality and justice.
It challenged Hindu notions of caste.
Practice
The practice was encouraged by Guru Nanak to create fraternity and equality amongst his followers.
The practice of all sitting on the floor together.
Free food being provided to all by the community regardless of creed, race or ethnicity.
Only vegetarian food.
Means of practising seva and means of consolidating Sikh community.
In contemporary society voluntary service to langar is a distinctive practice amongst the Sikh community.
Privilege to provide langar.
Maximum Level 5 if both meaning and practice are not included(30 marks) AO1
‘Langar today has little connection with its original intentions.’ Assess this view.
In support
The social and political context today is totally different even in India, where the elimination of caste is not the main aim.
Langar today has a social and symbolic function
Langar is an expression of social acceptance and tolerance
The practice of langar varies according to the country in which it is practised
In some instances of caste distinctions are being re-established in gurdwaras today which is totally contradictory to the
original purpose.
Other views
The main principles of equality and service are the same as those which inspired its historical origins.
The Sikh religion needs to adapt and evolve according to present day
conditions and make langar have relevance today.
(15 marks) AO2
June 2009
Explain both how the langar was established in the past and how it is practised today.
Instituted in the past
Free kitchen established by Guru Nanak as a means of challenging the Hindu caste system.
Also at Kartapur community it was helpful and necessary for travellers making special visit, for those working nearby to
hear his teachings.
Examples of generosity and to provide for those in need.
Practical example of belief in everyone’s equality in the sight of God.
His disciples always provide hospitality in the dharmsalas.
Gurus served their followers in the langar.
Today
It is a way of practising sewa and developing spiritual qualities conquering ego.
The langar is referred to in the Rahit Maryada as the ‘laboratory of sewa’.
It brings the community together as people of all ages and gender serve on the langar.
It demonstrates how the Sikhs are egalitarian. Enables non Sikhs to be welcome.
Maximum Level 5 (23 marks) if only one part answered. (30 marks) AO1
‘The langar is even more important today than it was in the past.’ Assess this view.
In support
Today, for Sikhs in India, it has more religious importance, as they are still a minority culture. Still meets needs of those
who are in need. In UK, very important for community cohesion and communal events.
Other views
It was really important in the past as a direct challenge and contrast to prevailing cultural norms had much more impact
and significance. Much less significant today as other ways available to feed and house those in need.
(15 marks) AO2