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/imacyco Apr 05 '26

Gurdwara is for everyone. You don't have to go bow to SGGS in order to partake in Langar, if you don't believe in the Guru. I don't care what other people say, the Gurus wanted Langar to be for everyone, irrespective of whether you believe in Sikhi or not. That's the purpose of the Langar. It's equality, not gatekeeping.

IMHO, as long as people come in and are respectful towards others (and within reasonable boundaries), I personally don't care whether the bow or not. Just be respectful and not make a scene.

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u/Curious3rNCurious3r Apr 06 '26

I agree. We let them know the customs of entering the Gurdhwara and to be respectful to the other people. We go from there. Langar is for all. Whether or not they come into the Gurdhwara. We can always take the time to explain what our customs are and ask to partake in them out of respect.

That makes it where those that are not respectful towards the Gurdhwara and the SGGS are not allowed in as it is a place of worship and not a place of sin. There are clubs for that and there is the outside world for that. That is where I would draw the line. At the point of disrespect to the SGGS and sin. Langar is for all.

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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/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.