Reading through the comments here are some points that were shared in response to the post:
1) Its ok for elders because it is hard for them to sit on the floor
2) The practice to sit on the floor is so no individual is above the others (in the literal sense and figuratively)
3) Sitting on the floor makes one more humble as they are closer to the earth.
I like to address these, and share my thoughts.
- Its ok for elders - while this is obvious for physical reasons, my thought is while rest of us sit on the floor, we know its not the most comfortable position. What about those that are not old in age, but physically unable (for example over weight). Is it simply age, or disability, or physical challenges?
- Sitting on the floor so all are equal. I believe this is a great concept. But if all were to sit on chairs/tables then wouldn't they still be equal?
- Being closer to earth makes one more humble - what does distance have to do with anything. Are you telling me everyone sitting on the floor are humble people, or they don't have thoughts that they are better than others in the langar hall?
One thing that I have observed from my own learning, is that the Guru's were not all perfect. They did what they did, taught what they taught based on the time they were in. As time goes on, people evolve, towns/cities evolve, new forms engineering is introduced. So each new Guru would build on their predecessor. Each Guru was known for something iconic that they felt should be followed by all.
The idea of Langar as we all know is to provide meal to the sangat, and for anyone else seeking a meal. Hence why Gurdwaras would have 4 entrances to show you can come from any direction and are welcomed. But don't you think the sitting on the floor has little more reasons than just so everyone is equal. Like it was asked in the comments, to avoid someone sitting above the rest, why didn't everyone eat in a sitting up position?
My take is maybe they didn't have enough tables/chairs for all people. Historically in India, how many homes during those times did people have a dining table/chairs at home? Even today, you can go to the poor areas of India and people still eat on the floor. So maybe it wasn't just to show equality but because of availability. Lets say they did have tables and chairs, but it wasn't enough for all. So who would decide who gets the tables, and if all were taken rest had to sit on the floor? Was this how it started, and then later changed so no one would feel lesser than the next person? Or did someone call dibs or placed personal items saving it for other family members to join. Ok I'm just messing with that last sentence. But hope it makes sense what I'm saying.
If the Gurus adapted and evolved, shouldn't we also update some Sikh practices. Is eating on the floor really the best practice. Lets just for a brief moment ignore the basics behind eating on the floor, and think practically. He are some things I've experienced and observed in the langar hall in today's Gurdwaras:
1) If you're a tall person serving daal (or any thin liquid dish) it is brutal on ones back trying to pour into an individuals plate (ESPECIALLY IF THEY DON'T PICK IT UP) to bring it closer to you. So you end slowly pouring it on to their plate while bent over. Now repeat that for hundreds more.
2) I've seen kids knock over water, step on food, drop food in aisles. While food spills can be avoided (until cleaned up) sometimes water isnt always seen, and a wet sock is not so nice to walk around in.
3) Kids cant sit still (while sitting in a chair doesn't guarantee they wont leave and run around) it maybe easier for mothers to feed them
4) How many times have you had little drops of daal or subji drop on your clothes. I'm sure the ladies can relate. - Wouldn't a table and chair provide a more comfortable eating experience?
5) WATER - again if people don't lift their cups for you, its brutal on the back, and if that cup is sitting the on the floor and you're not careful, that empty cup is going to start dancing around as you pour the water. And it can either overfill, or completely tip over causing a bigger mess.
6) Chai - Everyone loves a cup of chai after a hearty langar meal, but I've seen people over fill a cup and burn a person sitting and causing them to drop it. I've even seen chai fall on a persons back. Some of which could be avoided (not guaranteed) serving on a table
7) This last one I feel its an embarrassing and shameful observation, but same time unavoidable. We all know that a Gurdwara is not only a place of worship, but a place where people gather to socialize within the community (especially in the US). And ladies like to wear their prettiest suits and look nice. But sometimes, some ladies wear suits that can be either low cut or "loose", and end up giving a more visible view of their cleavage area when standing up and looking down on someone sitting on the floor. Now as adults we have to be mature about this, but there are little kids who serve (be it spoons/napkins) and you have teenage boys serving as well. That is not something they should be seeing or have thoughts that can be processed at that moment in time. I could be completely wrong about this last point but I have a feeling I'm not the only one whos observed this.
My whole point in all this is, if the Guru's evolved, why can't we. Wouldn't tables/chairs just make more sense. I know its a difficult thought to process or even experience it, especially since we've been doing it since we could crawl. But if we can improve on this, make it a more comfortable/enjoyable experience wouldn't that be better.
Or is comfort a sin, and discomfort shows your "commitment"
