SACRAMENTO: Each one spoke eloquently. The Jewish Rabbi, Sikh, Catholic and Greek Orthodox Church Priests, Protestant Ministers and a Moslem Iman, They talked of deep roots and reflected on common goals. That was part of what it was like Dec 7 at an interfaith dialogue held at the ‘West Sacramento Sikh Temple at 2301 Evergreen Street.

The event was sponsored by the Interfaith Service Bureau of Sacramento, a nondenominational affiliation of churches which grew out of the former Sacramento Council of Churches. In order to attract a growing number of nontraditional faiths, the word church was dropped from the SCC and the new grou emerged. But their mission stayed the same: to increase understanding and come together to provide a wide variety of community services, especially during the holiday season.

One speaker, the Reverend Lloyd Hanson, a Lutheran minister, best summed up the purpose of the gathering that attracted about 45 lay and professional clerics. “What’s our purpose on earth?” he asked his listeners. “To spread the good news; to help the poor and sick,” he answered. Continuing, he said: “I want to challenge you. If ‘we truly want to coexist let us not wait. Let’s continue to talk and try and understand each other.”

Before entering the Sacred Temple, everyone had to remove their shoes and were given a cloth head cover. Those who were able sat on the floor. Bakhshish Singh Banwait, general secretary of the Sikh (disciple) Temple, said the purpose of sitting on the floor was to make everyone equal. “The most high and low come together side by side.”

The Sikhs come from an area called the Punjab, a region that covers about 135,000 square miles in northwest India and Pakistan. Their Golden Temple is in the holy city of Amnitsar. A minority in India, the Sikhs are a majority in predominantly agricultural Punjab State. They are currently trying to form a separate nation called Khalistan in order to worship freely after years of conflict with the ruling Hindu Indians.

After everyone got settled on the floor they listened to a Sikh hymn. A singer, accompanied by a musician tapping a round, hollow drum like instrument, chanted a prayer: “The world is on fire; O God, save it Thou in They Mercy”

Following the hymn speakers began their discourse. The first was a Jewish Rabbi. He was followed by a Roman Catholic Priest and a Muslim clergyman and others. Whether referring to the Talmud, Bible, Koran or the Sikh Granth Sahib (Holy Book), they all shared the same message: Salvation and the different roads to reach it.

Wadhawa Singh Gill, a Sikh priest, recalled that God resided in the soul. “If you want to communicate with him, that’s where he’s at.” But he added that too many people today are guided by animal instincts and only religion could change them.

While the devout were focusing on spiritual concerns inside the Temple, workmen outside were busy with mundane affairs. A cement mixing truck was pouring the substance on a framed pad to enlarge the building that houses the Temple. The two acre facility was the site of a protestant church at the time the Sikhs took possession in 1981.

Speaking on the Muslim faith, Dr. Irfan Haq said Islam reflected the teachings of the early Bible

Prophets and the ‘Koran: (sacred teachings) was a guide for all humankind. “It says that the earth is a testing ground to see how we behave. People will be judged by their performance. This is why the earth is important for Moslems. They must pray five times a day.”

When all the speakers finished a closing hymn was sung by the Sikh cantor. The General Secretary than ked everyone and a prayer was said. This was followed by a Punjabi luncheon and individual, conversations on the sharing of beliefs.

The convocation was the second interfaith meeting hosted by the Sikh Temple and others are planned. The Temple has proved to be a valuable asset to West Sacramento. In addition to providing for this gathering it serves as a voting precinct and its members hope to stage other community forums.

(NEWSLEDGER)

Article extracted from this publication >> December 14, 1990