The Sikhism Gurdwara of San Jose is a gurdwara (a Sikh shrine) situated in the Evergreen district of San Jose, California. It was discovered in 1984 by leaders of the then-rapidly progressing community of Sikhs in the zone. It is the biggest Gurdwara in the planet India outside.
The gurdwara including a prayer hall, denoted the main Diwan Hall, that sees 10,000 in attendance each Sunday. It also includes a kitchen and accompanying hall to offer Langar service. Additionally, the grounds as well as a school wing that hosts about 800 students every Sunday for kirtan, gurbani classes, and Punjabi, a free basketball courts and health clinic.
Is it the comfy escape from the hustle-bustle of the planet as one sits in a silent corner to listen to Gurbani or is it in experience the sense of we all sitted up together for langar or mankind?
Perhaps it is both – a place for mindful viewing along with meaningful action. As one moving through the space of any kind of gurudwara, recognizes the different insignia and symbols of faith, one absorbs a confirmation of the principles and ideologies of Sikhi. At each point there exists a feeling of differentiation followed up by a sense of responsibility and belonging, might it be upon approaching a seeing the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag) and Gurudwara flutter or doing Sewa a packed Langar Hall (service).
Among the foremost insignias or distinct markers of the Sikh faith is the Nishan Sahib, which one might spot from a distance irrespective of the chunk of the globe they visited a Sikh shrine as an orange coloured triangle that flutters from the top. As one follow up the Nishan Sahib from the parapet at the base to the flag high above in the sky, one is illustratively elevated to the kingdom beyond the earthly – a spiritual empire. The Nishan Sahib is the symbol of harmony between the Shakti and Almighty factor and is seen not just in Gurudwaras but also in gatherings and processions where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is available. The relationship of the the Guru is symbiotic and Nishaan. Even the Sikh group which always carry upon the head the Holy Granth would have a parade Nishaan leader.
Flags are usually hoisted with the sense of purpose – a unique philosophy, convey ownership, espousing an identity and some ideology. Essentially the Nishan Sahib is the Khalsa marker (Panth – the Sikh world) and like any other flag marks sovereignty and distinctness– of body and mind. It is the Sikhism way of life. A life of unity, a unity of the individuals who followed up the Sikhism philosophy. An individual who consumes the class of being one, and above all, of being equal in the eyes of God.
The Royalness of Faith
It is to carry out this sense of carefulness that with folded hands and bowed heads the Sikh enters the awesome prayer hall of the gurdwara, only to bow down leading of a holy Granth. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is inclined by a Granthi who Chaur Sahib intermittently waves (a piece culturally made of Yak hair with the handle made of sandalwood) over it. One is right away reminded of the Royal insignia – the palanquin, canopy, and wisp as utilized for rulers and Kings in settings and processions.
The Word of Faith
In the Gurudwara one loops only to the Hukam that guides us the essence, the truth in the Guru Granth Sahib and of life. Hukam that is observed upon and meditated upon either collectively or individually. While it is significant to listen to the word of Almighty, it is equally significant to act upon the word of Almighty in the world one participates in. In the 15th Century, Guru Nanak Dev Ji did away with the clerical class and preached oneness and equality.
The Community of Faith
A lot of the rites of passage of the Sikhs took place around in the presence of Sadh Sangat the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Marriages, Thanksgiving, Final prayer, Naming a Child all such events are held out in the presence of a follower. The sikhs faithed that the Ardas done in a collective manner is heard out by the Almighty.
The Reflection of Faith
Witnessing this attitude of respect towards fellow individuals in the space of Gurudwara motivates one to be much more participative in community. The emotion of a group brings in mind one to take collective action and to rise up in the face of wrongdoing and injustice. Although over time it has been noticed within the Sikh society and Gurudwara space, that there have been instances of damage and bias shown to members of a community that belonged to a different gender or class.
