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Summary of Question:	Langar?
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Wednesday, 11/29/2000 7:49 PM MST

Guru Ka langar was developed to help the needy. Today what have we made the langar. Especially in the west, people go to the gurudwara, listen, and then have langar. So much money is invested in the langar. But 99% of these people are not in need of help. We have to remember the real purpose behind it: to help the needy. So, the money invested in the langar should be used to provide food for the homeless and the less fortunate. Although, another purpose of langar was the fact that by sitting on the ground, everybody would be considered equal to each other but this purpose is also present when we all sit together in the presence of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. How do you like my suggestion. It should be addressed to the Akal Takht so that it would be practised around the world by sikhs

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Reply
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Guruka Langar is the community meal in which all who come to the Court of the Guru get physical nourishment as well as community. The food that is cooked is given as an offering. The cooking and serving of the Langar is also done as seva, donated time and energy. The underlying concept is, as God is the Giver and nourisher, so do we have the opportunity to do God conscious service simply for service and good will.
Feeding the needy is another aspect of langar, it is not the primary reason for doing langar. But your suggestion to feed the hungry and the homeless is a great application that we here in the West could definitely do. I like your suggestion. God bless you.