Religion feeds all comers because 'we are all equal human beings'

2015 Parliament of the World's Religions • Sikhs provide traditional free meal "to show that there are no differences among us."

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery create an intricate Mandala sand painting one grain of sand at a time at the Parliament of the World's Religions inside the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 in Salt Lake City. It takes monks 3-5 days to complete a Mandala. An estimated 9500 people from 50 religions will attend the event from Oct. 15-19.
Diverse, religious female leaders share their collective wisdom for the empowerment of all and celebrate achievements within the interfaith movement.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Several thousand attending the Parliment of the World's Religions wear head covering and sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center on Friday while members of the Sikh religious community serve food at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Tarlochan Gill of Salt Lake City greets the several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions "Langar" at the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16. Dozens of members of the Sikh religion served the conference attendees sitting together on the floor in the 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Participants at the Parliament of the World's Religions talk and wear obligatory head coverings while waiting to be seated and served food at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Several thousand sat together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and were served by dozens of Sikh volunteers.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery create an intricate Mandala sand painting one grain of sand at a time at the Parliament of the World's Religions inside the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 in Salt Lake City. It takes monks 3-5 days to complete a Mandala. An estimated 9500 people from 50 religions will attend the event from Oct. 15-19.
Diverse, religious female leaders share their collective wisdom for the empowerment of all and celebrate achievements within the interfaith movement.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery create an intricate Mandala sand painting one grain of sand at a time at the Parliament of the World's Religions inside the Salt Palace Convention Center on Friday. It takes monks 3-5 days to complete a Mandala. An estimated 9,500 people from 50 religions will attend the event which runs through Monday.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Participants at theParliament of the World's Religions talk and wear obligatory head coverings while waiting to be seated and served food at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Several thousand sat together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and were served by dozens of Sikh volunteers.

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Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery create an intricate Mandala sand painting one grain of sand at a time at the Parliament of the World's Religions inside the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 in Salt Lake City. It takes monks 3-5 days to complete a Mandala. An estimated 9500 people from 50 religions will attend the event from Oct. 15-19. Diverse, religious female leaders share their collective wisdom for the empowerment of all and celebrate achievements within the interfaith movement. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Several thousand attending the Parliment of the World's Religions wear head covering and sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center on Friday while members of the Sikh religious community serve food at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Tarlochan Gill of Salt Lake City greets the several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions "Langar" at the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16. Dozens of members of the Sikh religion served the conference attendees sitting together on the floor in the 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Several thousand attending the Parliament of the World's Religions wearing head covering sit together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and served food by members of the Sikh religious community at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Participants at the Parliament of the World's Religions talk and wear obligatory head coverings while waiting to be seated and served food at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Several thousand sat together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and were served by dozens of Sikh volunteers. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery create an intricate Mandala sand painting one grain of sand at a time at the Parliament of the World's Religions inside the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 in Salt Lake City. It takes monks 3-5 days to complete a Mandala. An estimated 9500 people from 50 religions will attend the event from Oct. 15-19. Diverse, religious female leaders share their collective wisdom for the empowerment of all and celebrate achievements within the interfaith movement. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery create an intricate Mandala sand painting one grain of sand at a time at the Parliament of the World's Religions inside the Salt Palace Convention Center on Friday. It takes monks 3-5 days to complete a Mandala. An estimated 9,500 people from 50 religions will attend the event which runs through Monday. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Participants at theParliament of the World's Religions talk and wear obligatory head coverings while waiting to be seated and served food at a traditional Langar. Langar is a 500-year-old Sikh religion tradition where vegetarian food is served to all for free, regardless of religion or class. Langar expresses the ideals of community, sharing and oneness of mankind. Several thousand sat together as equals on the floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center Friday, Oct. 16 and were served by dozens of Sikh volunteers.

By Peggy Fletcher Stack The Salt Lake Tribune

· October 31, 2015 6:41 am

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Suppose it was a matter of faith to feed anyone who needs food whenever they show up at your temple. For free.

Now, imagine doing that for 3,500 to 7,000 participants per day at the 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions.

That's what the Sikh community has undertaken. Providing "langar," as the free meal is known, isn't cheap, but the believers don't regret the cost.

The whole undertaking costs about $100,000, says Jagdish Gill, a local Sikh who serves as vice chairman for this gathering's langar.

This practice has been part of the Sikh religion since its founding in the 1400s, says Sukhbir Singh, who traveled to Utah from England to oversee the effort.

At that time, so the story goes, the founder's father gave Guru Nanak 20 rupees to start a business. When he returned, his father asked about the money, and the guru replied: "I met many hungry, holy people. Our first duty is to feed them. The true business of life is feeding."

Since then, Sikh temples have always offered a free meal.

The tradition also has been part of several previous parliaments, including the 2004 gathering in Barcelona, where they served an estimated 10,000 people per day.

It's clearly a crowd pleaser in Utah as well.

For the past two days, thousands of attendees have lined up to remove their shoes, cover their heads and get their taste of Sikh hospitality.

Most of the food is cooked at Utah's main Sikh temple, with some additional efforts made behind the scenes at the Salt Palace. Diners sit in lines on the floor and are served by volunteers — people of all faiths — who walk up and down the aisles dishing out rice, yogurt, chick peas, pasta and fruit in large tin buckets. They provide water to drink.

"Everyone sits on the floor," Gill says, "to show that there are no differences among us. No caste, no rich or poor. We are all equal human beings."

pstack@sltrib.com