International Guests visit Sikh Community in New Mexico

By Ek Ong Kaar Kaur

Guests from the People’s Republic of China and from Tibet came to visit the Hacienda de Guru Ram Das ashram in Espanola, New Mexico on Monday, Nov. 16th. The guests were part of a US Department of State program that brings international community leaders to the United States to tour and become familiar with US culture, people, politics and practices. The guests on this tour included Mr. Luo Sang Cicheng Pengcuo, a Tibetan Lama from the Lucan Monastery in Guinan County, Qinghai Province who is considered the 6th reincarnation of the Jiamao Lama; Mr. Guanghi Wang, a Christian Pastor from Nanchong; and Ms. De Qian Wang Mu, a folk singer from Tibet.

These international guests were touring many cities in the United States. The purpose of their visit was to learn more about religious freedom in the United States, and the impact of religion on US politics. They were interested in hearing how US law protects and encourages religious faith and freedom, and how culture and religious practices in the United States are intertwined. The group was accompanied by Herb Thomas of the Santa Fe Council on International Relations (www.santefcouncil.org) who hosted the group during their time in Santa Fe; as well as by Joshua Hendryx, the group’s interpreter.

Hacienda de Guru Ram Das ashram is the mother ashram for Sikh Dharma International, and for Kundalini Yoga as taught by the late Yogi Bhajan. Members of the Sikh community in Espanola greeted the international guests, gave them their first ever introduction to the Sikh faith, and shared stories about the history of the community. The guests were also treated to a tour of the late Yogi Bhajan’s residence, and served a delicious vegetarian lunch. Throughout the visit, these guests engaged in a deep dialogue with ashram members about how the community here developed, and the community’s approach to both interfaith and political relationships.

Ashram members hosting these visitors from China and Tibet included MSS Amrit Singh Khalsa, Jethedar; MSS Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa, Chief of Protocol for SDI and his wife Sat Bachan Kaur; SS Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa, Creative Director for SDI; Guru Simran Kaur Khasa; Custodian; Swaran Kaur Khalsa, Ashram Secretary; SatSundri Kaur Khalsa, Guru Fateh Kaur Khalsa, Gobind Kaur Khalsa, Property Manager; Sat Kartar Kaur Khalsa and others.

The Hacienda de Guru Ram Das ashram was founded in the Espanola Valley of New Mexico in the early 1970’s by the late Kundalini Yoga master, Yogi Bhajan. Yogi Bhajan was also known as Siri Singh Sahib Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, and in that capacity he served as the Chief Spiritual and Administrative Authority of Sikh Dharma in the Western Hemisphere throughout his life. Through his inspiration thousands of people in the West adopted the Sikh path. Although he left his physical body on Oct. 6, 2004, the ashram continues to serve and share the teachings of Kundalini Yoga and Sikh Dharma on an international scale.