Andre Goh, is a Singaporean man who lives in Melbourne.

He was born into a Buddhist family and followed Buddhist traditions and practices before he moved to Australia around five years ago, where he regularly visits gurdwaras and temples to do sewa (voluntary community service).

He works in an accounting firm, and is a man of few words. It can be a test to sustain a conversation with him about himself. However, he appears ever ready to tell you how much he enjoys doing sewa in the various Sikh and Hindu temples of Melbourne.

SBS Punjabi spotted him while washing utensils in Melbourne’s Sri Guru Nanak Satsang Sabha gurdwara in Blackburn recently. He dons a bright red patka (headscarf) embroidered with a khanda (symbol of Sikhism) as he navigates the wet and dry areas of the gurdwara’s kitchen.

Ruchika Talwar

“My job takes me to different places around the city. Often, after work, I go to the nearest Sikh or Hindu temple and do sewa there. I go to ISKCON Temple in Albert Park quite often, apart from coming to Blackburn gurdwara as they aren’t too far off from where I live in Oakleigh,” says Mr Goh.

Dwelling upon what attracts him to these places of worship, he says: “I love the Indian culture of serving others selflessly, which takes me to gurdwaras and temples. I want to thank you all for allowing me to come here and do my bit.”

Apart from washing utensils in the langar (community kitchen) halls of gurdwaras and temples, what else has Mr Goh picked up from the Indian community?

“Vegetarianism is a very inspiring way of life. I have almost given up eating meat now. I eat it only if I can’t get any vegetarian food. I noticed while visiting gurdwaras and temples, how compassion is taught through vegetarianism in the kitchens of Hindu and Sikh temples,” he adds.

He stresses one doesn’t need to “convert” to another religion if its tenets inspire you.

“I’m inspired by the ideas of selfless service, compassion and community that I see in temples and gurdwaras. But if I stop and think, isn’t this what every religion teaches? The difference is that Hindus and Sikhs implement it everyday in their places of worship. I feel welcome here and that enables me to practice what I grew up with as a Buddhist,” says Mr Goh as he gets back to scrubbing clean stainless steels thalis (traditional plates mad of steel).

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