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Langar: A Humble Plea

by GURMEET KAUR

 

When Guru Nanak started the tradition of Langar upon his return to Kartarpur, it was meant to be in its literal meaning: the "Anchor" to bind the community together under the principle of vand chhakna  -  "share your blessings".

It was to be simple fare of produce and water which would not only satiate the basic dietary need of the visitors, but of the needy, the servers and the Guru alike in their physical, mental and spiritual quest.

Guru ka Langar, since then, has embarked on its journey enriched by the sweetness of Mata Khivi, the dedication of Bhai Manjh, the humility of Emperor Akbar, and the revival of the true spirit of the principle of Langar by Bhai Nand Lal Ji.

Whatever the transformation, the basic ideals have remained the same.

Langar is, by definition, simple. It is there for everyone to partake. Needy people know where to go to satisfy their hunger if they cannot provide for their family. And, it brings the entire community together.

Unfortunately, today in the diaspora, Langar is being deprived of some of its meaning by losing many of its fundamental elements. Let us see how.

1  Langar today is anything but the simple nutritious food it was intended to be.
2  It is not reaching the truly needy and homeless.
3  It has become a burden and in some cases a competition.
4  The spirit of gratitude and appreciation with which it is received is somewhat gone.

"Simple" and "Langar" have become antonyms today. Loaded with ghee and oils, deep-fried items, dairy, sugars, spices, refined white flour and artificial colors, our Langar today is complicated and refined cuisine. You feel like you are dining on fancy restaurant food, except you are seated on the floor and eating from styrofoam plates. You are virtually unable to move after you stuff yourself with Langar on Sunday afternoons.

Was that Guru Nanak's intention for Langar?

And, by the way, what happened to feeding the needy and homeless? Do they even know that something like Langar exists? Granted, often in North America, gurdwaras are not located in areas populated by the poor and the needy. However, even the leftover food is usually distributed among the sangat instead of being carried to shelters or low-income areas.

In the past, Langar was prepared from the collaborative dasvandh and by the sangat pooling in physical seva, coupled with humility and dedication. Today, in many western gurdwaras, it has become the responsibility of individual families as they take turns providing the seva. In the quest to show off their skills and resources, Langar has become so elaborate that some people are increasingly wary of taking on the responsibility, for fear of not being able to meet expectations.

This, in turn, means that a limited number of families keep getting assigned to the seva. The pleasure and gratitude of doing seva for the sangat then becomes a burden every time they have to take their turn.

Another complication is that we produce so much non-biodegradable trash during Sunday Langars in the North American gurdwaras that I am certain it contributes to the pollution of our environment.

Bani says, Pavan guru paani pita maata dharat mahat: Environment is the Guru, Water the Father, Earth is the great mother.

Yet, we go out of our way to prepare fancy dishes that are costly both in time and money, when we could put the same resources into buying and washing reusable steel plates.

The spirit of thankfulness in which the Langar is received today is gone. If it is anything less than a lavish party meal done to culinary perfection, you can hear comments being whispered. On the flip side, unnecessary encouragement on elaborate and lavish food deters families who want to keep it simple. Instead, they are forced to be flexible and keep up with the trend.

If we transform the Langar back to a simple daal, whole grain roti and a side of slightly cooked vegetables or a salad, we can easily satisfy our stomachs. We save time, money and effort, which we can spend on spreading the mission of Langar and other useful programs. Besides, we will ensure that we are providing only nutritious food to our body, mind and spirit in accordance with the Guru's Hukam:


Unni Duniya torre bandhanaa ann paani thorra khaayaa: They burn away the bonds of the world, who eat a simple diet of grain and water. (SGGS, p. 467)

It is a simple task to incorporate the "serving the needy" element back into Langar. Most Christian churches have a marquee where they display a Sunday message. We could advertise something to the effect of "Free Nutritious Food For All - Sunday 1-2 PM". A volunteer could be assigned to receive the visitors and tend to their needs.

 

What a way to serve the hungry and reach out to the community at the same time!

 

In addition, we could advertise in other venues like homeless shelters, local food banks, offices and university campuses (you can find a lot of hungry, short-of-money and eager-to-learn students).

Also, by doing this, we will alleviate the evils of competition and the problems that arise at times when Langar becomes a burden. If the Langar was going to be just the three items of daal, roti and vegetables, it would be so much easier that more people will be willing to sponsor it.

Fortunately, in spite of the shortcomings, to a great extent Langar today is still the anchor that holds the community together, which gives us the chance and hope to revive it completely in its true meaning as Bhai Nand Lal did.

For readers who are not familiar with the context: during Guru Gobind Singh's time, Langar did take on a ritualistic flavor. It was offered only after a whole sequence of ceremonies, i.e. Paatth and Ardaas. It was also commenced only at meal times when all the dishes were ready.

 

Bhai Nand Lal felt that the spirit of Langar needed a revival. So, he began to serve Langar at his house where, irrespective of the time of day, whatever food was ready was offered to any who came. Guru Gobind Singh ji visited Bhai Sahib's Langar and was pleased with its true spirit.

Now, it is time for us to revive the true spirit and practice of this wonderful tradition.

Men: please discuss Langar with your families, including its simplicity, impact upon the environmental, and nutritional value, as well as the need to provide it in a spirit of dedication to the sangat and the needy alike.

Women: please stop that competition and let go of the desire for praise of your culinary skills. Add a piece of fruit if you feel the need for sweets at the end of Langar. Don't worry  -  with plenty of beans, lentils and legumes available in the market, your daal will not be boring. With the array of vegetables, herbs and fruits, your sabzi or salad can be simple, yet highly nutritious, colorful and full of nature's beauty and taste. With whole grain flour available at all grocery stores around the continent, you can make the goodness and wholesomeness of the traditional Langar Parshaad felt once more.

Gurdwara management leaders: please talk to the sangat to make Langar simple. Mandate it. Start a project to fundraise for buying those reusable steel utensils and building large sinks. Encourage youth to take on the dishwashing seva. And, make sure to get biodegradable dishwashing soaps to protect the water and earth.

Youngsters: please stop pressuring your parents to cater pizza and donuts for Langar. It is neither nutritious nor prepared with seva bhavna ("the spirit of service"); nor are the devotional traditions in preparations observed, i.e., heads covered, simran done.

Let us take whatever steps we as individuals can take on this road to transformation.


Let us once again make our gurdwaras models that anchor the community, revive our physical, mental and spiritual bodies, and cater to the needy  -  with eco-friendly, nutritious and simple meals.

[June 7, 2008]

Conversation about this article

1: Harinder (Delhi, India), June 08, 2008, 6:17 AM.

I could not agree more with the author. I feel the langar today has food but is devoid of its spirituality. It looks more like a party where middle and upper class Sikhs get together and prepare food and eat amongst themselves. Other members of community like Dalits, Muslims, Christians, labourers, Africans, are conspicous by their absence. It should be a place for divine unity of all mankind.

2: Atika Khurana (Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.), June 08, 2008, 10:21 AM.

When things around us don't make any sense, there are some people who don't even realize it. Some do realize, but feel impotent to change them (these are the people who love to share their dissatisfactions). And finally, there are those who act. Thanks for this inspiring read - I hope it can awaken more people and launch them into action.

3: Ravinder Singh (Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.), June 08, 2008, 7:04 PM.

Your observations are spot on and recommendations very worthy of implementation. We tried - and failed - to simplify Langar to "Dal/Roti" at our local gurdwara. The attempt was seen as putting a damper on the "shardha" or devotion of the faithful. Our recommendation to donate the weekly langar to the poor and homeless also fell on deaf ears. Many in the sangat protested that they enjoyed having a good "meal"! Needless to say, these attitudes stem from a lack of awareness and education around the meaning of Langar that you have captured so well. And that is part of a larger problem: we are just disconnected with Sikhi. Gurdwaras are social clubs that serve a nice lunch on a Sunday afternoon. Did not mean to sound so discouraging but that is the reality we are dealing with. But we remain eternally optimistic!

4: Bhupinder Singh Ghai (New Delhi, India), June 09, 2008, 2:07 AM.

I totally agree with the author because the practices are identically followed in some South Delhi gurdwaras. Sometimes you actually have caterers preparing langar. It is just a show of money power. During gurparabs, it is worse: everyone is trying to outbid each other. Unfortunately, it does not reach the intended people as Guru Nanak had envisioned in "sacha sauda". Lured by the extraordinary meals served, some famiies have become totally depended on langar and do not do any "kirat" whatsoever. They have langar and then pack the leftovers for home. In old delhi,beggars/rickshawpullers etc. partake langar and then have drinks with the money earned during the day. We need counsellors for both the rich families as well as families dependent on langar to do some kind of productive work. I hope this article serves as an eye opener for all of us around the world.

5: Bhupinder Singh Ghai (New Delhi, India), June 09, 2008, 2:19 AM.

One interesting aspect I forgot to mention is the Sunday Club at the Gurdwara. In Germany, after the langar, some devotees would buy drinks from the nearby liqour store and then head out for barbecue in one of the many parks. Gurdwara was just one of the central meeting point ...

6: Avtar (U.S.A.), June 09, 2008, 6:19 AM.

Good article. The points of concern are twisted to suit individual desire of simplicity. Langar, as mentioned in the article, feeds the attendees at the Gurdwara. If the needy and hungry can come to the Gurdwara and endure the time listening to the programs in different languages, surely they can enjoy the same cuisine as langar. The langar does not have to be served at the needy's home, the needy has to attend the Sangat. The point of concern here is 'competition', to show one-upism, ego and grandiose feelings. All against the teachings of Gurbani. Personal responsibility requires individuals to eat according to one's wishes. A simple request to the server for smaller portion makes all the difference in maintaining good health. Management committees can dictate the menus, but will anybody listen in all humility?

7: Satvir Kaur (Boston, U.S.A.), June 09, 2008, 10:44 AM.

I tried to talk some shelters into receiving food from Gurdwara on Sunday. I meant the leftovers ... till now I've heard all negative responses from homeless shelters about their safety standards and what not, but let's hope I can find someone to take it. [Editor: These types of concerns are valid and we need to anticipate them, because obvious issues over health standards, insurance, liability, etc., will invariably arise.]

8: Brijinder Kaur Khurana (Delhi, India), June 10, 2008, 8:11 AM.

I agree with Gurmeet Kaur. Even amongst our own relatives, I have found the same thing. After paatth, they serve langar on dining tables with all the stylish dishes to prove to their relatives that they are the best hosts. I feel so bad about it. Since I am not in that race to be stylish when praying to the Almighty, I have stopped going to these langars. The writer has described a real situation: we should try and implement her recommendations.

9: Brijinder Kaur Khurana (Delhi, India), June 10, 2008, 8:21 AM.

This is continuation of my earlier comments, I forgot to mention that these langars have become a meeting point for many women. They wear the best of their clothes, perfumes and jewellery. Though I don't donate much, when I do, I do so - to the best of my ability - to the Pingalwara Society, Amritsar. My father passed away four years ago at Gurdwara Sri Goindwal Sahib while doing his paatth on the 84th stair. He was a very straight-forward person and never believed in show-offs. Hence, every year on his death anniversary, I cook simple langar myself in my kitchen and distribute the same to the orphanage. This gives a very good feeling to my mother that my father has left enough for her livelihood and the langar which she provides to orphans, the blind and needy old people, is the best option for donation. I think if we love our religion and our Gurus, we should offer food to the needy.

10: Tripti Singh (U.S.A.), June 10, 2008, 10:31 AM.

Very apt and accurate article. I have had the experience of people while sitting for langar asking "what is the menu". "Why is there no kheer today?" It becomes difficult to teach our children when we see people around forgetting the true meaning of langar and why our Gurus started it. But yes, we should be optimistic - and try to teach our children the best ... it will pass on. For seva also, my 6 year old son asked me - Mama, how do they choose people for serving? It was nice to know he wanted to do "seva" and I will request at the Gurdwara next time if he could do seva by distributing spoons. We all hope, Gurmeet, that your plea will be heard.

11: Savraj (Pennington, New Jersey, U.S.A.), June 14, 2008, 12:55 PM.

Great work, Gurmeet Kaur. You are exactly right. At the Philadelphia Gurdwara Sahib, I attended a seminar on this very topic in March. We had various experts present, who noted most of your points. (see sikhswim.com and search "langar") When it came to the open discussion after the presentations, however, I was a bit shocked. The level of passion on "langar" was completely unmatched when compared to our other seminar topics. The points of "shardha" and all that were brought up. The gurdwara kitchen head chef said something like: "People demand cha and fresh pakoray right until noon, if we didn't have them, we wouldn't have enough sangat, and then we wouldn't be able to pay the rent." Comments like that made it clear that folks show up for the food instead of meeting the Guru! I am hopeful, however, that langar will return to its simple roots. At least we're having the discussion - action is just around the corner.

12: Sat Atma Singh Khalsa (Segrate, Milano, Italy), August 03, 2008, 1:49 PM.

I am an Italian and I tell other Italians about the Sikh Langar. In reality, nobody knows about Sikhs and obviously the langar; same for Muslims or Christians other than Catholics. The problem lies in the fact that Sikhs in Italy keep all to themselves without socializing with other people. They hardly use public transportation but ride cars or "Motorino". Many thanks to Guru Nanak for establishing the langar and thanks to those who make a langar a real banquet, as well as just roti and dhal. God bless us all.

13: Harbinder (England, U.K.), November 03, 2008, 1:21 PM.

Whilst I agree with the article's sentiment, I would like to point out that not all gurdwaras practice langar in this way. My hometown gurdwara serves the more humble and nutritious foods you mention, even though many of the families in the sangat are well-to-do. Of course, one family will usually take the responsibility of preparing the langar each week (and this is where family tensions arise when certain family members don't turn up for the seva - I'm sure this happens everywhere). However there are a handful of womenes who will always be found in the kitchen doing seva, regardless of who is in-charge of, or sponsoring that langar. Some men from Punjab working on a local building site did more seva than most of the locals have ever done. I agree that langar is not "promoted" enough to those in need of it most. Recently, we got rid of the practice of eating on tables and chairs (we have kept a few for the elderly and those who wish to eat at a table). The majority of the sangat eats on the floor and a few who disagree remain eating at tables; so everyone has a choice.

14: Manmeet Singh (Pakistan), November 21, 2012, 12:04 PM.

How can we spend the money of daswandh in langar?

15: Rajat Bagga (Melbourne, Australia), September 02, 2014, 6:23 PM.

@ Manmeet Singh ji: The whole concept of daswandh was to help the poor (the ones in real need). If we wish to spend daswandh money towards langar, then we should also facilitate needy (poor) people to come to the gurdwara and have langar. Also, we should encourage them to do some seva; this will not only feed them but they will also find inner peace.

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