Letter # 12: “Serve, And Be Served."

The darkness was dense at 6 PM, as I drove through the drizzle of a November evening. When I reached it, the parking lot was half-full at the Sikh Gurdwara (temple), named Nanaksar. The enticing aroma of cooking dal and vegetables warmed me as I approached the main entrance of the domed, ornate, white building. It’s a veritable piece of India on the farmlands of Richmond BC.
A happy din and warm air assaulted my senses as I walked through the main doors. People milled about with the children running around playing. I covered my head with a kerchief and removed my shoes, as is customary. I entered the main hall to pay my obeisances, and to catch a few spiritual gems. Devotees, some with eyes closed, sat on the thick carpet listening to continuous recitation of the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. The recitation was of the whole scripture, over 1400 pages, non-stop, beginning on the Friday and ending 48 hours later. For those unfamiliar with Sikhism, here is some brief history: Nanaksar Gurdwara is named after Guru Nanak, (1469-1539), the founder of Sikhism. See Wikipedia "Guru Nanak".
Guru Nanak gave three simple instructions:
1. Work honest ly, in order to earn.
2. Share with others.
3. Recite the Name of God.
I could see plainly that Instruction 2 was being observed, as 14 families were hosting the event. People were bustling about sharing their energy and effort, and most were donating money. By the latter, it was plain to see that Instruction 1 was being honoured, for how can you donate money unless you do something to earn it. Even those who have little can donate a little. I’m reminded of Mark 12:42 (New International Version) “… a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny…” Here, at Nanaksar, I saw so many people donating money. I even had to wait in line to make a cash donation! Others were donating in different ways - cleaning the tables and floors, cooking in the large kitchen, and serving food to hungry devotees. The mind can’t take in spiritual food when a hungry stomach pesters it. My stomach was grumbling. I went into the dining hall to eat. At the line-up at the food counter, devotees heaped my tray with excessively generous helpings of vegetarian fare, flatbread called rotis, salad, rice pudding and more. Meanwhile, Instruction 3 was being honoured through continuous recitation of the scriptures. My nephew Happy, happy by nickname and by nature, was serving rotis. After I finished eating, I asked him if there was any item I could serve. He replied, “Uncle, you can serve water. Serving water is the best service!” You can learn a lot from those younger than you, if you want to. Hmm: Serving water is the best service. “God has created every animal of water…” states the Holy Koran 24:45 (Translated by S.V. Mir Ahmed Ali (US Library of Congress catalogue number 2004099418]. I took a jug and began serving water. A thirsty seven-year old boy was disappointed when I came around with the water jug. He had no cup. I had to move on but I came back to him two minutes later with a steel glass full of water for him. You should have seen the smile on his face! Serve and be served. Do it, and you could win a smile - it's better odds than the lottery.


God Bless; Allah Hu Akbar; May The Forces Of The Universe Bring You Harmony; Hare Krishna; Radha-Swami; and Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Dha Bhalla.

I wish to express my gratitude for your comments, which inspire me to carry on writing. Please forgive my fallibilities in presenting this material. Also, feel free to send this message on to someone that you might think would like to receive it. If you do send it on, my only request of you is that you send it as it is, in its entirety, and to not alter or modify any of the text, references or authorship information. Thus you will help to give credit or liability to where they are properly due.

Jas Bhopal
Copyright© 2007
“Practicing goodwill makes for a good life."
Tel: 604 273 6641 (also for fax on request)

http://jasbhopal.com/

References: "The Holy Bible" Online version; "The Koran" as translated by SV Mir Ahmed Ali 2005 ISBN 0-9761870-0-0); "The Bhagavad Gita As it Is" as translated by Srila Prabhupada ISBN 0-89213-268-X; The Srimad Bhagavatum as translated by Srila Prabhupada ISBN0-89213-259-0; "I Am That. Talks With Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj” ISBN 0-89386-022-0; The Dhammapada ISBN-10:1-84483-344-5; The Sacred Sukhmani ISBN 81-7205-098-4; Wikipedia.