That beats bread and water that comes with communion. If all one wishes is to satisfy the belly and not the soul, the Sikhs are renown.
Langar was used by Sikh Gurus to foster equality between people. In India at the time of the Gurus (~500 years ago) people of different castes and different social classes were prohibited from eating together or even eating the same food. Sikh Gurus would bring anyone 'higher' or 'lower' to them and everyone would sit on the floor together and eat the same food together as equals.
Today, Sikhs continue to share langar with anyone who turns up, regardless of their gender, religion, race, etc as equals. Sikhs are encouraged to serve langar with humility to anyone who attends. They also serve by cooking beforehand and cleaning up afterwards. This is voluntary service which benefits the community as a whole and also the individual by increasing humility and providing space for Rememberance of God.
Guru Granth Sahib Ji says on
page 82
Meditate on the Lord, with every breath and morsel of food.
And on
page 6
Let spiritual wisdom be your food, and compassion your attendant. The Sound-current of the Naad vibrates in each and every heart.
Also like Odion says, a Gurdwara service involves singing of hymns, sermons, reading a random passage from Guru Granth Sahib Ji and formal prayers before the langar service begins. Put all together the Gurdwara and langar service provides a holistic spiritual and material experience, I think.
The difference is we don't worship our food. :run:
