The Hindu : National : They are Americans but appear the perfect Khalsa

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They are Americans but appear the perfect Khalsa

S. Harpal Singh

‘Guru Granth Sahib gives message of universal brotherhood’

— Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

S.S. Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa in Nanded.

NANDED (MAHARASHTRA): The colour of their eyes and distinctive facial features gave a clue to their identity though the Americans looked the perfect Khalsa having attired the Sikh way.

These American Sikhs have come to Nanded to participate in the tercentenary celebrations of Gurta Gaddi of the Guru Granth Sahib. Many Americans are accepting Sikhism as a religion if one were to believe S.S. Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa, the director of communications, Sikh Dharma International, Santa Cruz, New Mexico, USA. She and a few of her compatriots have undertaken the pilgrimage to the home of Sikhism, the religion they have come to embrace.

In an informal chat with The Hindu, Ms. Khalsa threw light on certain aspects of Sikhism that are much sought after in her country and also America’s attitude towards other religions. She had taken to Sikhism about 10 years ago, inspired by the teachings of the Sikh gurus as enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib and propagated in her land by the Yogi Harbhajan Singh Khalsa.

“The Guru Granth Sahib gives the message of universal brotherhood that is certainly relevant now because the World stands divided,” observes Ms. Khalsa. “Not only does this message contain a tremendous appeal but, meditation on Gurubani proves to be healing and transformational,” she adds.

On the question of Sikhism being accepted by a society that is considered materialistic with rationality also attributed to it, Ms. Khalsa says, it only shows the greatness of American society. “Americans are tolerant of different religions. And so it was with Guru Nanak and other Sikh Gurus,” she says. They also preached tolerance of other religions and faiths, she points out.

The Sikh Dharma International was founded by the late yoga teacher in New Mexico in the late 1960s and propagated the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib.

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