We go back to visit the Golden Temple and learn more about Sikhism. Hinduism, India's main religion, seems to me to be a much more approachable religion that the Western World's Christianity. As I have witten in the earlier entries, Hinduism seems almost tongue in cheek with it's presentation to the world. (My miniature of the pink, pot-bellied Elephant God Ganesh is looking at me now). But it's a happy accessible, fun and colorful religion and I can't help but compare that to the austere and grey Christian architecture and the corresponding mournful style of that religion. Sikhisms seems to top them all with it's simplistic and pure approach (One God and open to all). Anyone of any faith or non-faith is welcome to visit the Golden temple and everyone is offered a free meal. All the Sikhs that are here are happy and smiling at us and welcoming us. The donation boxes are tucked away and contributions are not solicited. Of course we all then want to, and do, contribute.
The kitchen that serves between 60k and 100k free meals to anyone who wants food every day is simply beyond comprehension in it's simplistic efficiency and success. It is staffed entirely by volunteers and no-one seems to be in charge - but it works. The main room can seat almost 4,000 people (you do have to squat on the floor) and they try and rotate people every hour. Poor people can sleep inside the temple compound and we see plenty of those.
I can't help but muse on what a Western business would do if they were asked to develop the facilities and management structure to serve so many people each day, I can just see armies of middle management, accounting and health and safety people. There are non here-the business schools should come and take a look. All the volunteers seem to be self-managing and just move around making chapatis, tea or preparing and cooking vegetables.
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