Indian culture, beliefs preserved
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A mother of Indian descent stood in front of the altar inside the Gurdwara, a Sikh temple, holding the hands of a toddler to show him how to bow toward the Sikh holy book, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Clad in a light blue sari, the mother whispered praises in Punjabi over and over to her son, "My God is one, and He is my protector".
Anjani, is one of the thousands of Indonesians of Indian descent in Jakarta who adhere to strong religious and cultural beliefs.
"I'm a Sikh. I go regularly to this temple during the day to pray, while taking some time to introduce my baby boy to our religion," said Anjani, who came to the temple, located on Jl. Pasar Baru Timur, Central Jakarta, with her older sister and her uncle.
Fifty-something Pritpal Singh, a member of the Sikh Gurdwara Mission Foundation, whose office is located in the temple, confirmed the notion of the Indian community in Jakarta that it was important to protect the younger generation from the negative influence of foreign values.
"Jakarta is widely exposed to modernization and western values. We don't want our children to fall into a negative environment. That's why parents, as early as possible, introduce religion and culture to their children," said Pritpal.
"Even the Indians who know little of religious teachings, try to learn by coming to the temple, just so their children and the coming generations can hold on to the traditions."
Pritpal, who originates from North India, said that Giani, the priest at the temple, had his own way to get children to learn about their culture.
"He uses the sweet sound of Indian music to attract children to listen to his lectures. Even though unable to speak Indonesian, Giani always gets the children to laugh and enjoy the entire religious ceremony," said Pritpal. "We invited him all the way from India, and he has been staying in Jakarta for five years now."
The children of Sadh Sangat, or the Sikh community, are taught how to read the prayers in Punjabi, known as Gurbani, followed by singing praises accompanied by Indian musical instruments the harmonium and tabla.
Pritpal explained that the Indian community values its culture and background highly despite differences in their religions.
"The Indians here never have any cultural problems. There are Indians who are Protestant, Catholic, or Muslim, but when it comes to cultural gatherings, we are one."
The Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak Devji in 1469 in Punjabi, India, where he taught people to believe in the oneness of God and God's will, and to see God as truth. The teachings were later carried on by nine other gurus, including the last one, Guru Gobind Singhji.
In the temple, or the House of Guru, people from various ethnic groups and beliefs are invited to taste many kinds of traditional Indian food, which they eat while sitting on a pangat, or long bench.
"People of different religions or cultures are welcomed in the temple. Here, we set aside our differences to share stories and life experiences," said Pritpal.(001)