Editor’s note: In the Nov. 3 NFH, we published a story about the expansion of Christian churches in Falcon. From her research, writer Chandra Bartlett found religious diversity in Falcon. In this article, Chandra highlights Buddhism and Sikhism.The Buddhist Kathina CeremonyOn Nov. 3, the Buddhist Temple, which is a mile west of Falcon on Woodmen Road, was illuminated by a display of colorful lights, blinking against the night sky. Several cars lined the driveway, and people jammed through the front doors, armed with dishes of Thai food – crunchy fried bananas, fish, vegetables, curly noodles and lots of spice. Richly accented voices floated through the room welcoming everyone. It was the night before the Kathina Ceremony.The annual ceremony takes place at the end of Vassa, the rainy season between October and November known as Phansa in Thai.The history of the ceremony begins with the word, “kathin,” which means wooden frame. It refers to a device used to stitch pieces of cloth together for the monks’ robes. “The story of the Kathin can be found in the Pali scriptures,” said Jomjitre Zimmerman. “It is told that there was a group of 30 monks traveling to spend Vassa with the Buddha, but they were delayed by heavy rains and had to seek shelter. When the Buddha heard of their disappointment, he showed them kindness by allowing them to roam the countryside for one month, collecting pieces of cloth for their new robes.” Thus, it has become a tradition for the lay followers to offer monks new cloth, imported from Thailand.Besides the robes, the followers also make special offerings and donations to help with the basic needs of the monks serving in the temple. “To raise $3,000 or $5,000 is not enough,” said Jonsruktaylou, one of the festival volunteers. “It takes more like $15,000 to $20,000 to support the temple for an entire year.”Jonsruktaylou slipped off her shoes and scurried up the staircase to the worship room.A monk, who was clothed in an orange robe, sat cross-legged in a room lit up with a golden hue. Images of Buddha stood guard amongst rows of money trees – wooden frames filled with cash. “Each tree represents the name of a candidate, and the one with the most money on their tree becomes the main organizer for all events throughout the next year; one person, one temple,” Jonsruktaylou said.The Buddhist Temple and the four monks that reside there are supported by the lay followers in the Falcon community. “They eventually plan to make the house look like a real temple with some cool architecture,” said Jomjitre Zimmerman. As Zimmerman spoke, dancers dressed in Thai costume moved gracefully to an ancient dance that told the story of the culture of the people of Northern Thailand.The followers explained the history of Buddhism.Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who was born a prince in a small kingdom in what is now Nepal. Gautama viewed life as unsatisfying and eventually discovered an ultimate consciousness – Nirvana or enlightenment, which rises above the ordinary human state of mind. Siddhartha became known as the Buddha or the “enlightened one.” Throughout his life, he believed that the path to Nirvana leads to a more satisfying life. He spent his life teaching others the four noble truths of Buddhism: life means suffering, the origin of suffering is attachment, the cessation of suffering is attainable and the steps necessary for the cessation of suffering.Religious practices vary among the different branches of Buddhism, but all Buddhists share a reverence for the Buddha, their religious teacher and guide.The followers of Buddha welcome visitors to their temple services, ceremonies and festivals. The next event is Dec. 5, a celebration of King Bhumipol’s 80th birthday and 60 years of reign.For more information, contact Jomjitre (JJ) Zimmerman at sirius99x@hotmail.com.Understanding SikhismGurder Bisla and his wife, both natives of India, add to the religious diversity found in Falcon. They are disciples of Sikhism, a monotheistic religion that believes in one, all powerful and loving God who has no gender or form.Bisla and his wife have lived in the United States for two years. With their son and his family, they moved from California to Falcon over seven months ago. It was time for a change, they said, and the small Falcon community seemed like a good choice. They have recently purchased Woolsey’s, a small store in Calhan, Colo. They talked openly about their religion.Sikhism is the fifth largest organized religion in the world, founded more than 500 years ago by Guru Nank, who was born into a Hindu family near Punjab, India, Bisla said. Nank is considered a saint and a poet who wrote more than 400 hymns, which comprise the core of the Granth – or holy book of the Sikhs. The poetic compositions are believed to have been the words of God and were originally taught by Nank and the nine gurus who succeeded him.It was the ninth guru, Gobind Singh, who declared that in the future the Granth would serve in place of a living guru. The holy book, as a result, is kept in the Sikh temple – the gurdwara. There, a priest, referred to as the Granthi, performs daily prayers. The most sacred Sikh shrine is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, where many Sikhs make the pilgrimage to worship.In addition to worshiping at gurdwaras, Sikhs pray and recite hymns from the holy book in their homes, Bisla said. The Granth is filled with important teachings. Sikhs believe in universal brotherhood, the unity of humanity and working for the welfare of everyone, regardless of race, religion, nationality or social position. The sacred text also urges followers to earn their living honestly, to share their wealth with the needy and to meditate in the name of God.Sikhs are generally considered an affectionate, peaceful and progressive community – respected for their work ethic, community service and entrepreneurship.Sikh believers practice strict self-denial, with a goal to maintain a clean and pure body. Sikhs do not consume tobacco and alcohol; they are strict vegetarians. Sikh men have a distinct identity with their unshorn hair, beards and moustaches. Traditionally, the hair is tied in a knot and covered with a peaked colored turban, considered a crown of spirituality.Many Americans do not distinguish Sikhs from others who wear turbans, Bisla said. Afghan men also wear a variety of turbans, as well as Iranian men. Although there are significant differences in the turbans, Sikhs have experienced some of the same hate crimes often associated with the Muslims. “We are not Muslim or Hindu,” Bisla said. “It is common that Americans mistake us for Muslims, but we are the Sikhs. We were persecuted by the Hindus and the Muslims.”Regardless of their mistaken identity, they are happy to be in Falcon. We love it out here,” said Amanpreet Singh, Bisla’s 13-year-old grandson.Bisla said he and his family would like to extend an invitation to people of all religions to visit and pray at their Sunday services, currently held in their home. Someday, they plan to build a temple in the area.For more information, contact Rajineer, founder of the Sikh program in Colorado Springs, at 719-271-6816, or visit www.gurdwara.com.
