When Grace Is Refused
A few weeks back, while skimming through the news, I found an interesting report on Canadian Prime Minister 
Stephen Harper’s recent visit to the Darbar Sahib in Amritsar. Although I didn’t care much for the hoopla around his visit, I did find it interesting that he “offended” Sikhs by refusing to accept parshad or langar.
As I understand it, the preparation of parshad (grace) is unique in that it is ceremonially touched by a kirpan (kirpan bhet), which serves as an indication of the Guru’s acceptance and blessing. It is then distributed to 5 Amritdhari Sikhs representing the Guru Khalsa Panth. A Sikhs’ consumption of parshad displays a submission to the Guru. So accepting parshad is essentially “accepting His grace.” I’ve also been taught that parshad should be distributed after the hukamnama is read, as accepting parshad symbolizes acceptance of the hukamnama.
Now, whether or not Sikhs themselves understand the hukamnama, or even listen to it is another post for another day – but, if accepting parshad is accepting the Guru’s hukam, should a non-believer accept it? Although the Rehat Maryada states that parshad should be offered to everyone equally (as it should), should we be offended if someone rejects it? If a non-Sikh understands the meaning behind our practice and politely refuses it out of respect, shouldn’t we appreciate it instead?
I remember years ago at a Sikh Day Parade in Washington DC, as a handful of us were walking through the sidewalks handing out “Who are the Sikhs” pamphlets and answering questions from onlookers, an elderly BibiJi was darting through the crowd distributing parshad to random strangers. As shocked as I was to see this, it couldn’t compare to the shock on the face of those who received it. Most were not sure what to do with it, or joked about it with their friends, while others were seen throwing it away. I’m sure the BibiJi’s heart was in the right place, but what were we hoping to accomplish by this?
My question is…how can we value our traditions if we don’t even understand them?
And if we don’t value our traditions, how can we expect others to?
Unlike parshad, langar is prepared without such rituals. It is meant to be a “common kitchen” where everyone can participate regardless of beliefs. It is such a central part of our tradition to partake in langar, that I can understand why Sikh sentiments may have been hurt when Prime Minister Harper refused it. Perhaps his administration did not understand the origins behind it, or maybe his handlers in Punjab did not prepare him well enough. But if in fact he did understand the origins of langar and still refused it, then maybe Canadian Sikhs can begin a dialogue with the PM to understand why. Perhaps the Ontario-area Sikhs can invite him to the Gurdwara to “give him another chance.” Seems like a small price to pay for a politician who is clearly interested in the Sikh vote.
Harper’s visit raises another question – do local Sikh communities have a published “Gurdwara Protocol” for non-Sikhs? Does the SGPC have such a document for foreign dignitaries visiting Gurdwaras of historical significance?
When I’ve seen local politicians brought in to our own Gurwdara, they seem to be ushered in while committee members bark commands in to their ear on where they should bow and when they should stand. Often times they approach the podium not having a clue on who Sikhs are or what we’re all about.
Perhaps one of the upcoming Sikh conferences could take on this “one-pager” for non-Sikhs outlining central tenets of our faith as well as basic protocol.
Lastly, how far should we go to accommodate our guests? Essentially…how should we treat VIPs in a place where there is no such thing as a VIP? What if Prime Minister Harper preferred to wear his shoes during his visit? When does a visitor become unwelcome and how do we handle it?
As our generation takes bigger strides to open the doors of the Gurdwara to non-Sikhs, these questions will become more relevant. Perhaps we need to be more proactive and find better ways to prepare visitors so their visit to the Gurdwara can be both a pleasant and educational experience.
I’d love to hear your thoughts…or hear what more progressive sangats have already done.
8 Responses to “When Grace Is Refused”
Firstly, a well written blog- I enjoyed reading it.
On the issue of the Canadian PM not accepting the prashad, as a Sikh, I am not at all sentimentally hurt. I am almost certain that he did not know the significance of parshad. To tell you the truth, I, a SIKH, DID NOT KNOW IT EITHER. I agree on your point that if we do not understand our own traditions, how can we expect others to do so?
Anyway, Sikhs believe that Sikhism is NOT the only way to reach Akal Purakh. We acknowledge that it can be done through other religions. Then, maybe the PM didn't take the parshad because he has his own religion that he follows (assuming that he knew the significance of parshad). Being a Sikh we must respect the religion that he follows.
Finally, my belief on the PM's refusal of parshad is that he DID NOT know the significance of Parshad. If he had known the significance, would he have accepted it? I believe so. In addition, he may have never seen parshad. He may have felt it was odd to consume and did not want it.
Firstly, a well written blog- I enjoyed reading it.
On the issue of the Canadian PM not accepting the prashad, as a Sikh, I am not at all sentimentally hurt. I am almost certain that he did not know the significance of parshad. To tell you the truth, I, a SIKH, DID NOT KNOW IT EITHER. I agree on your point that if we do not understand our own traditions, how can we expect others to do so?
Anyway, Sikhs believe that Sikhism is NOT the only way to reach Akal Purakh. We acknowledge that it can be done through other religions. Then, maybe the PM didn’t take the parshad because he has his own religion that he follows (assuming that he knew the significance of parshad). Being a Sikh we must respect the religion that he follows.
Finally, my belief on the PM’s refusal of parshad is that he DID NOT know the significance of Parshad. If he had known the significance, would he have accepted it? I believe so. In addition, he may have never seen parshad. He may have felt it was odd to consume and did not want it.
Point taken RP Singh!
What if Prime Minister Harper preferred to wear his shoes during his visit? When does a visitor become unwelcome and how do we handle it?
Unfortunately these small 'crisis' have a way of always popping up. I remember in 1997 when the Queen of England visited Darbar Sahib, there was a 'hue and cry' that she was allowed to wear socks. Most of it was politically driven as many Indians were calling for her to issue an apology for the Jalianwala Bagh massacre. Many Sikhs countered that Indian officials had never issued an apology for the massacre in June 1984. Indian newspapers did not want to look at that issue and quickly turned the page.
Still that aside, your question is relevant. How do we create that protocol?
Point taken RP Singh!
What if Prime Minister Harper preferred to wear his shoes during his visit? When does a visitor become unwelcome and how do we handle it?
Unfortunately these small 'crisis' have a way of always popping up. I remember in 1997 when the Queen of England visited Darbar Sahib, there was a 'hue and cry' that she was allowed to wear socks. Most of it was politically driven as many Indians were calling for her to issue an apology for the Jalianwala Bagh massacre. Many Sikhs countered that Indian officials had never issued an apology for the massacre in June 1984. Indian newspapers did not want to look at that issue and quickly turned the page.
Still that aside, your question is relevant. How do we create that protocol?
sikhs love AMG mercedes, but don't spread the word of guru ji to other religions.shame on us. i am tired of discussing our issues to different sikhs and sikhs from countries.no one is keen to help sikhs or our community.
sikhs love AMG mercedes, but don't spread the word of guru ji to other religions.shame on us. i am tired of discussing our issues to different sikhs and sikhs from countries.no one is keen to help sikhs or our community.
Every country have own faith and believes to follow and other countries their believes so that they can that respect in return. Ironically, two countries of different religion English writing service just sharing their event to improve the foreign relations with each other.
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