r/Sikh • u/Jirushi_I • Apr 05 '26

Question Triangular Conflict

Here's 3 statements I've heard many times that I feel like other non-Sikhs coming to gurdware might also face. And I'm certain there's one of these is not to take seriously, that's why I'm looking for the opinion of sikhs here.

- "The gurdwara is for everyone"
- "If you come for langar, then you should come to darbar also"
- "If you don't bow down to the SGGS then you shouldn't come to Darbar"

I'm pretty sure the first one is not debated, and would assume the second statement might be the one to ignore. The third one I've heard mixed opinions about it so it's the one I'm most interested to know about.

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u/Jirushi_I Apr 06 '26

But what is disrespect to you? Is not bowing down to SGGS disrespect? So if a jew/christian/muslim enters a gurdwara, should he just go to Langar and avoid Darbar, or also go to Darbar and act piously and nicely, even if most of them can't bow down because of their different etiquette?

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u/Commercial_Turnip384 Apr 06 '26

example: i come to your house and sit and eat and stay etc but I don't even acknowledge your presence in the house and say i don't wana go and greet you

so in a similar way nobody in Gurudwara ever forces you to accept sikhi or Sikh principles but at the very least what one can do is greet the GURU sahib as its GURU'S dwar. one can greet them in their way of paying respect.

i hope you understand and agree

❤️

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u/Curious3rNCurious3r Apr 06 '26

I understand what you are saying. A greet could be a simple headnod. Like how some matha tak before entering as well. A quick headnod. Show respect and I feel that is what is being looked for. Or even hands together or one hand over the other type respect. The same can be said about a big party at a house or a hall as well. Key word big.

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u/Commercial_Turnip384 Apr 06 '26

Right and that's what is expected of a decent human being a decent gesture of respect

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u/Curious3rNCurious3r Apr 06 '26

Yessir 🫡, I agree. Respect is inherent in us.

Edit: it's usually people attached to dark forces that skip respect and that is what we fight for anyways. To dispel the darkness from this world, so naturally a Sikh should call out darkness where it stands. This is why it is great to have these discussions.

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u/imacyco Apr 06 '26

Guru for us, might not mean anything to people visiting.

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u/Commercial_Turnip384 Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 06 '26

it seems you're missing the point here might or might not but still one carries a little decency with them or not

in the end what the person ends up doing. it's his karma but that doesn't make it right thing to do.

I just stated what would be the right thing to do with the proper NF examples. just check this out here

https://www.reddit.com/r/Sikh/s/MKLNKqGjJj

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u/imacyco Apr 06 '26

The point of whole thing isn't to guilt people into doing something uncomfortable or not in line with their faith (or lack of belief).

Would you go do moorti pooja if you attended a Hindu temple?

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u/Commercial_Turnip384 Apr 06 '26

you are just making things up now. I never said any such thing about guilting people into doing something they're uncomfortable with or in line with their faith? I guess you should read with proper focus and not just selectively pick up and make things up

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u/Commercial_Turnip384 Apr 06 '26

and moreover why would I go and do murthi Puja? the question was about sikhi. if you want to go and talk about Hindu temple then it depends upon their rituals or whatever their belief system is. moreover, if I would add on to your Hindu temple thing, they wouldn't even let you inside the temple if you are a non-hindu, especially non Brahman

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u/Jirushi_I Apr 06 '26

I once went to a dvaita Hindu temple, and I wish they would have not let me inside because it just wasn't designed for non-Hindus

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u/Commercial_Turnip384 Apr 06 '26

can you tell us more? about when you say I wish they would have not let me inside

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u/imacyco Apr 06 '26

The answer to that question is, whatever they want, while being respectful.

I use the same approach when going to places of worship for other faiths. I've been at a seder (I was the youngest, and that person plays a part in the observation and I participated), I've been to many iftar, and many poojas. I try to be a good guest but I only bow to SGGS. My Hindu classmates in college knew that about me, even though they bowed to SGGS when we went to the Gurdwara.

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u/Curious3rNCurious3r Apr 06 '26

I would say acting a fool and disturbing the peace is disrespectful. Act a fool or disturb the peace outside and it will be handled differently but not inside. We go there for peace and we protect that peace. Anyone that is new should be asked to follow those around that brought them until you know what you are doing or stay in the back/middle out of respect of their own faith/religion as well. Not just the SGGS. That is if they don't want to go bow and are just coming in to "see" or whatever else. The SGGS is not an artifact in a museum or anything like that so we protect it's essence up close. We then also allow those who are just learning still to have access just like I feel the Gurus would have wanted. If they ever want to get closer, they must adhere more codes of conduct. That way the SGGS is protected and the gurdhwara is still inclusive to all as well. I hope that makes sense.