May 11, Richmond, VA

Thomas Jefferson wanted to be remembered for two things. First of course, that he wrote the Declaration of Independence. And second, that he passed the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.

In Richmond, The Sikh Association of Central Virginia, Inc. (SACVI) Gurduaara opened it’s doors with the celebration of Vaisakhi.

The 10,000 square foot Gurduaara building was built on a 23 acre wooded lot with ample parking space. It has a large divaan hall at the main level and a large langar hall and kitchen at the ground level. The setting is very peaceful and spacious.

There are approximately 100 Sikh families in the Richmond area. A spokesperson for the new Gurduaara wrote “the Gurduaara Sahib would be a place for learning about our religion, culture, and spirituality and above all to learn ways to better ourselves as human beings. So that we can avoid making mistakes we have invited some well-known scholars to come to Richmond and share with us their views and guide us.”

SACVI held its first International Seminar on Saturday May 11, in Richmond, on the topic: WHAT AN IDEAL GURDUAARA SHOULD BE AND DO FOR THE COMING GENERATIONS OF SIKHS. About 130 people attended the seminar.

The following is a flavor of what the scholars presented:

Rajinderjit Kaur, teacher & activist, formed Hemkunt Foundation, New York

The Sikh youth feel disconnected with Gurduaaras. Sikhs should wear a turbans and women must support the men and boys in that effort. We must highlight our heros and role models.

Prof. Ujagar Singh Bawa, author and translator of Sikh scriptures, Maryland

We need a national destiny. We should propagate Sikhi through education. Our Granthis need a strong knowledge of Sikhi and must have a mastery of English and Punjabi.

Dr. Cliff Edwards, Director of Religious Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University

The opening of the Gurduaara marks a new religious diversity in the Richmond area. We need to talk and cooperate, listen and learn.

S. Gurtej Singh, IAS, National Professor of Sikhism, Chandigarh

Sikhism has the formula for world peace and to assure an ever increasing state of happiness. This message needs to be communicated to humankind.

Gurduaaras must interpret Sikh theology and set up a university to accomplish this.

Prof. Harbans Lal, University of North Texas and Guru Nanak Dev University

The Sikh generation of year 2015 will see religion less in doctrinal or ritual terms, and much more in personal meaning terms. To them, there will be no real basis for arguing that one ritual is preferable to another, as a ritual is only a ritual. They would want programs and theology that impacted their lives positively on daily basis.

The full text of Dr. Lal's presentation can be requested from: japji@attbi.com

Prof. Devinder Singh Chahal. Editor-in-Chief, Understanding Sikhism, Canada

Gurduaara means “Gateway to the Guru.” Its functions are to disseminate Sikh philosophy to humanity. Gurduaara management is turning Gurduaaras into their own fiefdoms.

Prof. Ranbir Singh Sandhu, Author, Ohio State University

Gurduaaras need to function under an umbrella organization which has the authority to arbitrate disputes. A Gurduaara in which the Sangat does not have a voice cannot grow.