Have you ever wondered why is seva so important in Sikhs? Why does the Sikh culture hold this much importance for sewa?
Well talking about the literal meaning, the word sewa means ‘selfless service’. It is giving to others without expecting anything in return or for oneself. It is predominant in Hinduism and Sikhism. The people there perceive this act as an act of service to god hence, must be done on a regular basis to be closer to god.
It also awakes the spirituality among them as they feel like god is happy with them for helping others in need without thinking of any return. Sikhs believe that they have to perform sewa at every possible chance they come through.
Types of Seva
Any service that can be performed to benefit other humans is sewa. There are a variety of ways Sikhs and Hindus do sewa for the local community. Sewa is seen as the highest form of righteousness in Hinduism. Yet there are still misconceptions that the motivated deeds that are done for seva are wished to be done to gain popularity among the people or to appear honorable, generous, and kind. Sewa contributes to the wellness of a community by bringing it all together.
Following are the three ways of sewa that are particularly known as Tan, Man, and Dhan in the native language of Sikhs. Count a good deed for yourself among the god by contributing to the people’s life who are in need.
- Tan (Physical Aspect of Sewa)
Tan means physical services to offer for the sake of sewa. It involves different physical works and tasks to offer selfless service to people. This mainly includes volunteering in the gurdwara, a house of worship, cooking food on a larger scale, and is distributed among the people who work or stay at the religious Gurdwara of Sikhs, cleaning and helping can also be included in sewa.
- Man (Mental Aspect of Sewa)
Offering your skills and talents in a way that can benefit the path of god is counted as a mental aspect of sewa. Such as teaching people how to verbally worship god or making them learn how to play extinct music at the Gurdwara. Helping in the education of children or even teaching children can also be a great way to serve in the path of god.
- Dhan (Material Aspect)
Seva can also be given by sharing one-third of your wealth or working for a religious cause, like building a gurdwara, that organizes volunteer-run food pantries or other community services. Giving charity is also counted as the materials spect. It could include lending money to those who are poor or supporting individuals in need financially. Donating to the education of Sikh children or funding a sikh education trust can help a lot of children in India with their education.
Ways to do Sewa
A custom established on the obvious belief that all people are children of God and that helping others is a way to serve God’s creation. Educate Punjab Children offers you ways to help brighten up the future of Punjab children while sitting in any state of the US.
- Khalsa Care Foundation Gurdwara
The Khalsa Care Foundation Gurdwara is a Sikh organization for worship that imparts the basic concept of what Sikhs conceptualized as sewa. To translate the Sikhism-based concept of selfless service that lays emphasis on helping the Sikh community and donate for Punjab Education in association with this Sikh Gurdwara in India. All these things, when put together, can have tremendous potential to enhance classrooms, provide requisite educational resources, and empower teachers – all this will help to foster a supportive atmosphere in which every Sikh child in Punjab can grow and prosper.
- Sikh Donation Program
Educate Punjab Children runs campaigns to raise donations for the Sikh community. Their efforts are directed towards extending a helping hand to distressed Sikhs. Focuses on the education of Sikh children through various initiatives and outreaches. Raise awareness and mobilize resources for the empowerment and upliftment of the Sikh community. It’s a great sight to see an organization such as Educate Punjab Children which is actively involved in creating a difference and also reaching out with a helping hand to those in need within the Sikh community.
- Sikh Education Trust
The Sikh Education Trust is a trust working towards education among Sikhs. Its mission is to support and empower Sikh children living in India by providing educational resources and sponsorships. The Sikh Education Trust is dedicated to the development of a better tomorrow for Sikh children who, are given the opportunity for quality education through a range of initiatives—from sponsoring child education in Punjab to organizing donation programs. The organization uplifted and empowered the Sikh community through education support and various initiatives.
- Sponsor a Child’s Education in India
Your sponsorship of a child in India can make a whole lot of difference in his/her whole future. You give them hope that they can break out of poverty and ultimately become all that they can be by supporting their education. Your sponsorship will provide the best possible schooling, educational materials, and opportunities for advanced studies. Making a difference in the life of a child by providing education is very meaningful to bring about positive change and empower the next generation.
The Conclusion
In a nutshell, seva is part of Sikh culture that implies selfless service and contributing towards the well-being of a community. Donations to some educational trusts, such as Educate Punjab Children and the Sikh Education Trust, play a vital role in providing adequate education and resources to the children of this Punjabi community. Such initiatives would help bring about a considerable amount of change in the lives of children in Punjab and would go a long way in breaking out of the poverty cycle and fostering a nurturing environment for the growth and prosperity of people in the Sikh community. Donate for Punjab Education now, and join Hands for a Change in the Sikh Community.
