Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace at Kennedy-King Memorial

Indianapolis, Indiana, April 04, 2009
Kanwal Prakash “KP” Singh

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING & SENATOR ROBERT KENNEDY
A Prayerful Reflection by Kanwal Prakash “KP” Singh

The Sikh Faith tradition and sacred Scripture (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) reminds us:
“There is One God, and God is One; His Name is Eternal Truth.”
God is Self-Created, and Self-Illuminated; God is All-Knowing, yet Unknowable Immaculate Reality that has existed before the beginning of Time, Life, and the unfathomable Universe.

In our daily prayers, we recite:

“Lord: You are the Father and Mother of all Creation and we are all Your Children.”
“As the Master Potter, You have fashioned every living being from the same clay.”
“You have infused the same Divine Light in every living being; Your Light illumines the unfathomable Universe. Therefore, how can some be holier, and others are not worthy?”

The Sikh faith commands to embrace and honor this all-important spiritual lesson: one must not discriminate against God’s children based on a person’s caste, religion, skin color, gender, status, ethnicity, or national origin. Unity, Universality, and Oneness in Spirit thread all humanity to its One Origin and affirm its common temporal destiny in unmistakable ways.

In our daily conduct, we must remember:

“O mortal, recognize all humanity as One Race, One Brotherhood.”
“No one is outside the All-Embracing Circle of God’s unbound Love and Compassion,” and therefore must not be outside the circle of our prayer and understanding.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy understood and honored this commandment and sacrificed their lives in advancing this unifying ideal and inalienable right.

As I read the remarks of Senator Kennedy made in Indianapolis on the dark night of April 4, 1968, the words courage, equality, justice, understanding, and peace kept resonating in my mind causing a sense of reverence and awe for what Kennedy and King stood for and what their lives truly symbolized.

Senator Kennedy’s soul and humanitarian passion are reflected in the words of George Bernard Shaw as a frequent reminder of the unfinished task:

“Some people see things as they are and ask why?
I dream of things as they never were and ask why not?”

Dr. King and Senator Kennedy’s eloquent words speak of their deep anguish at the way things were and their hopes for a promising morning in America, when the divisions of race, the madness of hatred and violence, the deep despair and cries of all God’s children may find urgency in our national conscience and moral accountability as a people.

King and Kennedy came from different backgrounds and life-experiences. The paths and prayers of both these American heroes seem to converge at the sanctity of exemplary moral courage against prevailing winds. They raised their voices against injustice and for the righteous cause of those denied the full measure of rewards and opportunities, simply based on race.

Kennedy and King dreamed big and toiled hard to give shape and momentum to their dream for America. Both men became victims to senseless hatred and violence before they could see their hopes and dreams make great progress within a short span of 40 years. The lives of these American icons continue to inspire millions in America and beyond.

About such blessed souls, the Sikh Scriptures proclaim:
“Those who have meditated upon the Name of the Lord and engaged in righteous labor during their earthly journey, enter the Kingdom of Heaven with their heads held high and a brilliant Light on their faces, having inspired and emancipated many along the way.”

Dr. King and Senator Kennedy offer a lasting legacy, a powerful living testament, for each of us to follow, advance the unfinished dreams, and keep faith with the just laws of men and the Supreme Laws of the Master of All Creation. They knew, that without justice, there can be no peace.

Great ideas and noble intentions in themselves do not move the world; something needs to be done about those ideas. Each of us must stake a rightful claim in this emerging commonwealth of diverse cultures, faiths, and ethnic communities all around us that make-up the America of today. Senator Kennedy on April 4, 1968 left a defining marker in this hallowed ground by his presence and reassuring words in his tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King: a beloved spiritual leader, tireless advocate for non-violence, and a moving force for good in our world.

This Interfaith Prayer Service is a testimony that race and cultural relationships are changing for the better. Each of us have the power and responsibility to carry the torch of peaceful coexistence and service to our fellow man from this hallowed place to our myriad crossroads of daily endeavor and make a difference and personal contribution to the vision of these leaders and countless other great Americans. We must walk towards each other in friendship and respect. Embrace and honor the promise that freedom and justice do not remain an unanswered struggle for anyone; and that our spirit are led forward by the immortal prayer of the Indian Nobel Laureate, enlightened teacher, and great humanitarian, Rabindranath Tagore, which beautifully echoes the hope of Senator Robert Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King:

“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; where knowledge is free and the world is not broken-up into fragments by narrow domestic walls … into that haven of freedom let my country awake.”

It is now up to us to “overcome” our sad divides, “let freedoms ring,” and get “to the promised land.” May their souls rest in peace and their Light and legacy lead our way going forward.

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Kanwal Prakash “KP” Singh
Indianapolis, Indiana USA

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