Langar: “Regardless of who you are, where you come from, what your background is, you’re welcome into this space.” This faith statement of the Sikh religion was lived out at the sixth Parliament of the World’s Religions: The Global Interfaith Movement, in Salt Lake City for five days in mid-October. Langar: the radical hospitality of the Sikh faith fed a full meal to up to 6000 people a day. At no cost, with no “free will offering” buckets, with great dignity and humble kindness.

As we entered the huge hall, each of us was greeted by women dressed in the traditional Sikh white pants and long tunic. Asked to remove our shoes, we placed them on a numbered bookcase, memorizing the number for retrieval later. Then I joined one of two long lines to wait my turn. The first day, I assumed the wait would be long and my friend and I chose not to wait. The second day, I realized this was a mistake: the lines moved swiftly as people finished their meals and left. No one hurried us–there was enough time and food for every one.

Before we were seated cross-legged in long rows on the thinly carpeted floor, if our heads were not already covered, we were given a white bandanna to cover our heads in order to honor our partaking of this meal which had already been blessed. Most servers wore either a white turban or white head covering. There was a long line of tables with chairs for those who needed to sit in order to partake of the meal. As I sat down, I took in our diversity which included people from up to 50 faith expressions and subsets, including Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Jains, Zoroastrians, Baha’is, Yorubas, Quakers, Native Americans, Pagans, Buddhists, Hindus and Wicca. Sitting together on the floor and breaking bread together, we were “all equal before God,”no matter what our faith background was, as one Sikh explained the purpose of Langar.

GUESTS WITH HEAD COVERS BEING SERVED AT LANGAR BY SIKH HOSTS

First, we were given a rectangular Styrofoam plate with dividers, napkins, a spoon and a plastic glass. The servers were all ages, from older men and women in traditional garb and turban-covered heads to youngsters eager to serve us as their elders were. They were joined by volunteers. Adults carried large stainless steel buckets full of a plentiful variety of food: a vegetable curry, raita, rice and salad. The children served us nan bread, made sure we had enough water or mango lassi to drink, and served the fruit as the meal ended. Second servings were graciously offered. Then we were guided to the dessert area!! where we were also given a choice of tea to savor with the dessert. Meanwhile, a volunteer, using a portable electric vacuum, cleaned the space we had occupied so that the next recipient of this blessed meal could be seated. My remembrance of this Sikh generosity offered with humility fills me once again with gratitude and continues to enrich my faith in the peoples of the world. The community represents the hope of our survival found when we talk and take loving action across our differences.

Langar also exemplified the theme of the Parliament 2015, “Reclaiming the Heart of Our Humanity – Working Together for a World of Compassion, Peace, Justice and Sustainability.” In delightful harmony more than 9600 people attended the hundreds of events and exhibitions over the five day period. As I re-member the Parliament, I see people from around the world, many in faith tradition defining clothing walking in peace and companionship passed one another headed for a plenary session or one of the hundreds of workshops on endless topics. I wore my clerical collar in order to identify myself as a priest wanting to be in conversation with other attendees. Two other aspects of this Parliament captured my attention and heart: the Inaugural Women’s Assembly held from 9 to 5 before the evening opening ceremony; second, the Native American Ute presence, particularly their tending 24 hours a day each day a ceremonial fire burning in a large stainless steel cauldron at the south entrance to the Salt Palace conference center. I will describe these and other aspects in my next blogs.

Here I want to offer a bit of history. The First Parliament of World Religions was held in Chicago in 1893 during a World’s Fair type of event. This event, attended by 10,000 people over its March to May duration, introduced the leaders of Eastern and Western religions to one another, offering an opportunity to learn about one another’s faith. With smaller gatherings during the next one hundred years, the modern Parliaments began in 1993 with Chicago again hosting the second Parliament, followed by 1999 in Capetown, 2004 in Barcelona and 2009 in Australia. The plan of the Parliament Board is to work toward a gathering every two years, with the particular hope of nurturing and learning from the emerging leaders of our future. To learn more enter Parliament of World’s Religions in your browser. Also ask me questions in the comment space below.