Page 209 - รวมเล่มศาสนาในประเทศไทย ภาคภาษาอังกฤษ

The Gurdwara
and Religious Objects

The religious place of the Sikhs is called, “Gurdwara,” Every person of any religion or belief can enter to
which means the “guru’s door," a gate or path leading to the Gurus. worship inside the Gurdwara; one only has to follow the rules and
In Sikhism, it is designated that wherever there are more than two regulations of that certain place. The formal rules that are to be
families living nearby each other, there should be a place for religious applied in every Gurdwara are to take off shoes (and socks too, if
practice together. However, it need not be a permanent construction, possible) in order to pay respect to the temple and also to prevent
for that matter, for they can use any appropriate space to fulfil the dust and dirt from coming inside the building. Non-Sikhs are asked
purpose. It must be clean with an appropriate and large enough area to cover the head with a cloth provided by the temple to pay proper
to install the Holy Book. Due to the sacredness of the Holy Book respect to the adherents and the Holy Book, representing the Guru in
in representing the Guru, the enshrining place must be elevated to the prayer hall. Also, it is forbidden to bring any intoxication (drink,
a level of a pedestal, or at least higher than the surrounding area. smoke) or weapons of any kind inside the temple.
A white cloth must be laid on top of the pedestal for the Holy Book
When entering the Gurwara, one must walk quietly and
to be installed. All together, is considered a “Gurdwara”or a holy
pay homage with a gesture of ‘Krab’ to the Siri Guru Granth Sahib
place of Sikhism.
one time, before withdrawing to calmly sit down on the floor. This
In the big hall of every “Gurdwara” where the Sri gesture is not only to pay homage when entering from outside the
Granth Sahip is enshrined is where the adherents of Sikhism will hall, but an opportunity to express one’s own true solemn prayer to
come to congregate for various religious activities of praying, singing the Holy Book and God himself.
the hymns (in Kirtan style) and performing ritual ceremonies on
At present, there are 17 Gurdwaras in the various
important religious days. Also, there will be traditional practices 6
provinces in Thailand. The one in Bangkok is considered the biggest
according to the local community’s needs: the Naam Karan Ceremony
in the country, where there is religious activity every day. On weekends,
(Naming of a Child), the Anand Karaj Ceremony (Marriage), the
and especially on important religious days, there are a large number
Amrit Sanskar Ceremony (Baptism) and any announcement of
of the Sikhs in Thailand, and India and many other countries,
important activities. Thus, Gurdwara is the center for both the secular
who join in these ceremonial activities, as well. The Gurdwara in
and the dharma of Sikhism.
Bangkok, as a consequence, became the largest center for congregants
Moreover, another important element of the Guru- among the Sikhs in the region.
wara is the “Guru Ka Langar” or the “Guru Kitchen.” This place is
situated for the purpose of serving food to everyone who came to
pay respect to the Gurus with no condition for their religion, race,
language or caste. All are invited to have food by sitting together
6 Other centers are located in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chonburi, Khon Kaen,
in rows, sharing food from the same containers. This is to show the Lampang, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Pattani, Phuket, Samut
equality of right, status, belief and brotherhood among the religious Prakan, Songkhla, Trang, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Yala.
adherents and guests.
A lady is paying respect to the Holy Book as she reads
the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

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