Previous

Next

Ask a Question

Summary of Question:	Non Sihk Invited To A Sihk Wedding
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Sunday, 4/15/2001 1:42 PM MDT

My wife and I have been invited to a wedding in a sihk temple.

We are keen to enjoy the occasion but do not want to inadvertantly offend any sihk traditions.

Is ther any advice on what to were and acceptable behaiour by non sihks in a sihk temple.
********************************************************************************
Reply
********************************************************************************
Greetings and Blessings to you. How great to have this experience of this wedding. The Sikh Gurdwara is a house of God open to all.

The basic protocol inside the Gurdwara (the door to the wisdom that takes us from darkness to Light) is to remove your shoes before entering, and cover your head before entering.

Prepare yourself as you were going to meet and greet your own Divinity. Bathe and dress in beautiful and modest clothing. The Western way of dressing with low cut necklines and short skirts would be inappropriate. Best to minimize drawing attention to your 'body" and rather set yourself up for having an experience of the soul...a meditative experience. Also, we sit on the floor together, so it is a bit awkward to sit comfortably and gracefully if your clothing is too tight or short.

You can read about the wedding ceremony on Sikhnet at the book "Victory and Virtue, ceremonies and code of conduct of Sikh Dharma". Chapter 9 explains the wedding.

It can be a very meditative and beautiful experience is you read up on it and go in to the wedding knowing what is being said. It is all there in Chapter 9. You may even know more then most.

God bless you, SKKK