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The Sikh Tradition of Selfless Service Illustrated

By Sukhmandir Khalsa, About.com

8 of 10

Washing Dirty Dishes in the Langer Kitchen

Seva - Washing Utensils

Seva - Washing Utensils

Photo © [Khalsa Panth]

Cleaning up the Kitchen

The Sikhs in this photograph are washing utensils used during langar meal preparation. All cleanup is done voluntarily. Seva is considered, by Sikhs, as an opportunity to clean stains from the soul, if performed with loving meditation.

"Bhareeai mat paapaa kai sang||
But when the intellect is stained and polluted by sin,
ouh dhopai naavai kai rang||
it can only be cleansed by the Love of the Name." SGGS||4

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