Gurdwara Guidelines
The Sikh form of worship is through the sound current = of the sacred words of the Guru, Siri Guru Granth Sahib. The songs that you will h= ear and sing are the words of the “Enlightener” that we relate to as our Guru.
The message of Sikh Dharma has evolved from Guru Nanak through his nine successors. Their guidance and collected writings, along w= ith songs of Hindu and Sufi Saint, is called the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. The Gu= ru presides as the focal point at all Sikh Gurdwaras. The language of these hy= mns or shabds is Gurmukhi, which literally means = “from the mouth of the Guru.” When we sing in the original language spoken = by these saints, the effect of the tongue pressing the meridian points on the upper palate transports us into the same exalted state of realization that = the Guru’s experienced when originally uttering these words.
Sikh Dharma, the “path of the student of truth,&#= 8221; is one of the more recent of the ten major world religions. Founded in the = 16th century by Guru Nanak, Sikh Dharma teaches that there is one God, known by = many different names and worshipped in many different ways. The universality of = this teaching allows all people of God to worship together in the Gurdwara, which means “door to the wisdom of God.”
Khalsa means “those who are committed to living = a life of purity, daily devoting their lives to live in excellence, out of gratitu= de to the Creator for this human form.” When we enter this “house = of God” we cover our head and remove our shoes. If possible, we wash our hands and feet, thus leaving our worldliness behind us to prepare ourselves= to receive the Divine Word. First we bow to Siri Guru Granth Sahib, touching o= ur forehead to the ground out of reverence, in conscious decision to accept the Guru’s teachings as our guide. We bow only to the Word of God, not to= any earthly power or man. An offering, usually monetary, can be placed before t= he Guru at this time. (When you give in the name of God you shall receive ten-fold).
Women sit on the right facing the Guru and men sit on = the left, as polarities of energy, balanced by central position of the Guru. All people sit equally and at the same level, with equal opportunity to receive from the guidance of the sacred word. We do not point our feet in the direc= tion of the Guru as the soles of the feet project out energy and we are here to humbly receive.
During the ceremony, Kirtan, “devotional singing= and chanting” is the main form of worship. The shabds are stanzas from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. Celebrate through meditation in the simran, remembrance, of God as often the music and chanting is an opportunity to de= lve deep into the silence within in which we are able to commune with God.
When the Kirtan and worship is completed, we stand to = take a prayer called “Ardas.” In this prayer we call upon God, Guru, and the ancestery of those w= ho have lived before- those who have died giving their lives so that we may practice freely- to pray for the community of the people attending and the sangats around the world. There is one person, often the leader of the community who addresses the Guru directly in leading the Ardas, but silent prayers are also heard. Next to the area where we bow our head to the guru,= is a place where we may list friends and/or family for occasions such as birthda= ys, weddings, new births, or occasions like a passing of a loved one or healing needing to be given that will be spoken aloud in the Ardas as well.
The Kirtan, the meditation that we experience, the exaltation of the Guru’s energy, and the Ardas are all ways we prepar= e to hear the “Hukum,” the blessing from the Guru. After the Ardas is given, we sit and await the Guru’s message for the community as it is taken from one of the community members. It is read first in Gurmukhi, then translated in English.
“Guru Prashaad” is an offering to the Guru, which is then distributed to the Sadh Sangat (spiritual community or group-consciousness of those in praise of God) after the Hukum. It is prepared from whole-wheat flo= ur, ghee (clarified butter), honey and water. Hold your hands together cupped to receive it, as you dwell in an attitude of gratitude. All who come to this house of God shall receive both physical and spiritual nourishment.
After the ceremony, Langaar, food made for the communi= ty, is served free of charge and social gathering with the community takes place. Similarly to the Gurdwara ceremony, all will sit at the same level to exemp= lify we are all equal in the eyes of God and equal to receive food together.