Give me your honest opinions.

Narayanjot Kaur · #19 (**permalink**) 31-Dec-2009, 06:05 AM

Lee ji

This may be a trivial reply. So please do not think I did not appreciate the main points of your commentary.

But --- I have never heard of accepting food at Langar with both hands. First someone goes around and gives out plates, and then you hold up your plate when various sevadhars bring tasty foods to you. So I hold up my plate. Probably with both hands so that the plate is level and nothing is dropped. But to tell you the truth I never paid attention, and neither did anyone else to my knowledge. Where do these notions come from????????????????????????????
*

Lee · #20 (**permalink**) 31-Dec-2009, 17:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narayanjot Kaur

Lee ji

This may be a trivial reply. So please do not think I did not appreciate the main points of your commentary.

But --- I have never heard of accepting food at Langar with both hands. First someone goes around and gives out plates, and then you hold up your plate when various sevadhars bring tasty foods to you. So I hold up my plate. Probably with both hands so that the plate is level and nothing is dropped. But to tell you the truth I never paid attention, and neither did anyone else to my knowledge. Where do these notions come from????????????????????????????

Ahh yes perhaps I should have expliened a tad fuller. Yes the same thing, we have these little plate like things, like TV dinner plates with differant segmants, so the dal gets dished out, then some califlour or whatever, it is the bread that I speak of. I held up one hand for the bread and the chap, told me off and told me (not asked mind you) to raise both hands in a cupping motion to take the bread.

Narayanjot Kaur · #21 (**permalink**) 31-Dec-2009, 20:41 PM

Lee ji

This is one person or a sangat that has to rethink its mission, probably won't, and so consider yourself redeemed because I said so.............

Tejwant Singh · #22 (**permalink**) 31-Dec-2009, 23:23 PM

Narayanjot ji and Lee ji,

Guru Fateh.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/paganism/1769-give-me-your-honest-opinions.html

The reasons for holding both hands to accept Parshada- Roti are multifolds. We accept Karah Parshad with both hands. It is a tradition that one shows humility while receiving with both hands. It makes him/her look wanting and appreciating what he/she is receiving through Guru's grace.

In not too distant past, Langar was served without any plates of any kind in many Gurdwaras, especially during the celebration of the Gurpurabs when the sangat is much larger. So, parshada was served first and it used be much larger in circumference than it is today. Being a round big parshada, it was impractical to hold it in one hand. Daal and vegetables used be served on the parshada itself, hence both hands were necessary for that purpose. Normally 2 were served at the same time. The lower parshada was eaten first and the top one was used as a bowl.

Now, we have plates either of steel or of styrofoam on which Langar is served so the modus operandi has reversed because, sadly to say that Langar has become a banquet rather than something to fill the tummy up with basic things. Now we have salad, daal, vegetables/ sabzi, raita (yogurt with goodies) and may be something else,plus the dessert. So, all these things are served first. We normally lift our plates with both hands in order to avoid any spillage while receiving all these things. Parshada is the last thing that is served now rather than the first one. As the plate is almost full with the stuff, people do not lift their plates to receive a parshada or 2 because they want the roti to be dry so they themselves can mix and match with the things in the plate to eat it. So, people offer their both hands to get the roti as it is round and clumsy, it may fall if taken with one hand, and as mentioned above, receiving something with both hands shows one's desire,need and want to receive.

Regards
Tejwant Singh

Narayanjot Kaur · #23 (**permalink**) 01-Jan-2010, 00:47 AM

Tejwant ji

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=1769
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=1769
I appreciate your insight an information. However, we don't receive parshad at langar but during the gurdwara service, close to its ending. Yes parshad is received with both hands.

First we receive napkins and then we hold up the napkin with both hands and receive parshad on the napkin. That is one gurdwara.

At another one can receive parshad at any time during the day 24/7 because Sri Guru Granth Sahib is always in darshan. No napkins used. Yes here too parshad is received with both hands.

At both it is possible to have langar before, during or after a service. Most go following the service.

I did not realize that some gurdwaras serve the parshad at langar. So it would be appropriate to hold up both hands.

max314 · #24 (**permalink**) 01-Jan-2010, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecoopes

Can anyone see the irony?
Today in Britain we have peoples from all over the world wanting to live here. All want and expect that their cultures be nurtured. Let any voice be raised by the indigenous population that they are uncomfortable with these foreign cultures and all hell breaks loose! The Asians are by far the most vocal in their demand that we accept their cultures. I find that these festivals that are celebrated are an anathema to me and yet my view is a poor second to the rights of my new fellow citizens! They only have to scream their civil liberties are being infringed and my view is now turned into me being accused of racism.

The report below is from Reuters Sunday 13 Feb 05

BHOPAL, India (Reuters) – Hard line Hindus have vowed to disrupt Saint Valentine's Day celebrations in India's central state of Madhya Pradesh, saying the Western love festival was a violation of India's traditional culture.
Saint Valentine's Day has become increasingly popular in India in recent years, led by retailers selling red balloons, velvet pillows and teddy bears to mark the festival.
But the growing popularity of the day in officially secular, but mainly Hindu, India has in recent years sparked countrywide protests which have sometimes turned violent.
"We will oppose it tooth and nail because the concept of Valentine's Day celebrations has come from the West and through it an attempt is being made to spoil Indian culture," said Devendra Rawat, a member of the Bajrang Dal, on Saturday.

Can anyone see the Irony here? Or is it just me?

John

Mainstream India is a fiercely conservative society. Valentine's Day is about open flirtation and fraternisation between young men and women, and this is seen as unacceptable by many. It's got nothing at all to do with St. Valentine. As I'm sure you're aware, there is a thriving Christian community in India that has been warmly encouraged by mainstream India.

So this is really a cultural issue. I assure you the people celebrating Valentine's Day won't be doing it for religious reasons.

As for your views on minorities in Britain, I have no doubt that you are a racist. One of those "I'm not racist, but..." type racists. Non-Whites are not responsible for the decline of indigenous British culture. I gather you enjoy blaming the visible 'others' but I'm afraid that if you value indigenous British culture (which I don't think you actually do - I think you're just reacting to seeing a bunch of darkies whose unfamiliar cultural habits frighten you) then the only people to blame are White Brits.

After all, you do make up 92% of the country's population. What the hell can minorities actually affect in the grand scheme of things?

So don't confuse a democratic country's duty to accommodate and protect its minority citizens with an imagined attack on so-called 'indigenous' British culture. Because you won't find the answer you're looking for if you do. Only hatred.

Tejwant Singh · #25 (**permalink**) 01-Jan-2010, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narayanjot Kaur

Tejwant ji

I appreciate your insight an information. However, we don't receive parshad at langar but during the gurdwara service, close to its ending. Yes parshad is received with both hands.

First we receive napkins and then we hold up the napkin with both hands and receive parshad on the napkin. That is one gurdwara.

At another one can receive parshad at any time during the day 24/7 because Sri Guru Granth Sahib is always in darshan. No napkins used. Yes here too parshad is received with both hands.

At both it is possible to have langar before, during or after a service. Most go following the service.

I did not realize that some gurdwaras serve the parshad at langar. So it would be appropriate to hold up both hands.

Narayanjot ji,

Guru Fateh.

I gave the example of Parshad in the manner of receiving in a wanting manner with both hands, nothing more. If I am not mistaken you are confused between Parshad and Parshada which is Roti. In many Gurdwaras people are waiting in the langar hall when the ardaas and then Hukumnaama take place. The Parshad is served to them in the langar hall where they are having langar. Many Gurdwaras discourage people to receive Parshad on a napkin. Napkin is there to clean one's hands after the Parshad has been received. There are no napkins given in any Gurdwaras in India. Many people take Parshad at home and then distribute it to their relatives who receive it in the same manner, with two hands.

Tejwant Singh

Narayanjot Kaur · #26 (**permalink**) 01-Jan-2010, 02:17 AM

Tejwant ji
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=1769

Yes i was confused. I did not know what you meant by receiving parshad at langar. It did not sound right.

Tejwant Singh · #27 (**permalink**) 01-Jan-2010, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecoopes

Can anyone see the irony?
Today in Britain we have peoples from all over the world wanting to live here. All want and expect that their cultures be nurtured. Let any voice be raised by the indigenous population that they are uncomfortable with these foreign cultures and all hell breaks loose! The Asians are by far the most vocal in their demand that we accept their cultures. I find that these festivals that are celebrated are an anathema to me and yet my view is a poor second to the rights of my new fellow citizens! They only have to scream their civil liberties are being infringed and my view is now turned into me being accused of racism.

The report below is from Reuters Sunday 13 Feb 05

BHOPAL, India (Reuters) – Hard line Hindus have vowed to disrupt Saint Valentine's Day celebrations in India's central state of Madhya Pradesh, saying the Western love festival was a violation of India's traditional culture.
Saint Valentine's Day has become increasingly popular in India in recent years, led by retailers selling red balloons, velvet pillows and teddy bears to mark the festival.
But the growing popularity of the day in officially secular, but mainly Hindu, India has in recent years sparked countrywide protests which have sometimes turned violent.
"We will oppose it tooth and nail because the concept of Valentine's Day celebrations has come from the West and through it an attempt is being made to spoil Indian culture," said Devendra Rawat, a member of the Bajrang Dal, on Saturday.

Can anyone see the Irony here? Or is it just me?

John

John,

I am sorry to say but I do not understand what you are upset about and what is your true gripe? Is Valentine's day a religious affair and only in the UK?

What if some radical conservatives object to it in India?
Valentine has become a big business in India now despite the protests. It rakes millions of dollars. It is about time you updated yourself with the reality

What does the news from Reuters have to do with the Asians living in the UK?

Can you please show me the connection in an objective manner?

Why are you angry at the immigrants who have also pitched in the UK society with their hard work, blood sweat and tears?

Was it OK for you when the Brits invaded almost the whole world and looted at will?

I do not know whether you know this or not that The Kohinoor diamond that is in the Queen's Crown was looted from Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikh King who was conned by the Brits. Your gripe shows you have very little understanding about the subject you are talking about.

When are you going to write to your Queen to hand that back to its rightful owners?

As I said in my other post, never be afraid to learn. Have the knowledge of things and then make your point otherwise it seems you are full of hatred and disdain of people from other cultures that live in the UK, which shows your own insecurity.

Tejwant Singh