From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There are a number of religious prohibitions in
Sikhism
- Cutting Hair: Cutting hair is strictly
forbidden in Sikhism. Sikhs are required to keep unshorn hair.
- Intoxication: Consumption of alcohol, drugs,
tobacco, and other intoxicants is not allowed. Intoxicants are
strictly forbidden for a Sikh.[1][2][3]
- Adultery: In Sikhism, the spouses must be
physically faithful to one another. [4][1][2][3]
- Blind spirituality Superstitions and rituals
should not be observed or followed, including pilgrimages, fasting and ritual
purification; circumcision; idols, grave worship;
compulsory wearing of the veil for
women; etc.
- Material obsession : Accumulation of
material wealth is not encouraged in Sikhism.
- Sacrifice of creatures: The practice of sati (widows
throwing themselves on the funeral pyre
of their husbands), ritual animal sacrifice to celebrate holy occasions, etc. are
forbidden.
- Non-family-oriented living: A Sikh is
encouraged not to live as a recluse, beggar, yogi, monastic (monk/nun) or celibate.
- Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip, lying, slander, "back-stabbing", etc. are not
permitted. The Guru Granth Sahib tells the Sikh,
"Your mouth has not stopped slandering and gossiping about others.
Your service is useless and fruitless."[5]
- No Priestly class: Sikhism does not have
priests, that were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Guru
of Sikhism).[6]
The only position he left was a Granthi to look after the Guru Granth
Sahib, any Sikh is free to become Granthi or read from the Guru Granth Sahib.[6]
- Eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (Kutha meat):
Sikhs are strictly prohibited from eating meat killed in a
ritualistic manner (such as halal or kosher, known as Kutha meat[7] meat),
or any meat where langar is served.[8] In some
small Sikh Sects, ie Akhand Kirtani Jatha eating any
meat is believed to be forbidden, but this is not a universally
held belief.[9] The
meat eaten by Sikhs is known as Jhatka meat.
- Having premarital or extramarital sexual
relations[1][2][10][11]
Violation of
prohibitions
Not all people calling themselves Sikh subscribe to these
prohibitions. Some young Sikhs are now cutting their hair to the
dismay of spiritual leaders.[12]
According to the Sikh clergy, "the fad among youth to shed the pagri" is being observed more
commonly among the Sikh youth in Punjab than Sikhs in other Indian
states.[13]
Nihang Sikhs of Punjab, who
are defenders of historic Sikh shrines are an exception and consume
an intoxicant called bhang (cannabis) to help in meditation[14] [15][16],
saying that it's puratan maryada (Punjabi for
"old tradition"). Bhang is common in India; according to a legend,
even the Hindu God Shiva was
fond of bhang (cannabis) and it became his
favourite food.[17] In
2001, Baba Santa Singh, the Jathedar of Budha Dal, along with 20
chiefs of Nihang sects refused to accept the ban on consumption of
bhang by the apex Sikh clergy.[18] Baba
Santa Singh was excommunicated and replaced with Baba Balbir Singh,
who agreed to shun the consumption of bhang.[19]
The Udasis, who consider
themselves as denomination of Sikhism, lay emphasis on being
ascetic, thus violating the "Non-family-oriented living" principle.
Shrichand, the ascetic son of Guru
Nanak, was the founder of the Udasi Sikh order, and is respected among
Sikhs.
References
- ^ a
b
c
Sikh Reht Maryada, The
Definition of Sikh, Sikh Conduct & Conventions, Sikh Religion
Living, India
- ^ a
b
c
Sikh Reht Maryada, The
Definition of Sikh, Sikh Conduct & Conventions, Sikh Religion
Living, India
- ^ a
b
Sikh Code Of Conduct
- ^
Sri Granth: Search
Results
- ^
Srigranth.org - Guru Granth
Sahib Page 1253
- ^ a
b
The Sikhism Home Page: Introduction to
Sikhism
- ^
Sikhs and Sikhism, Dr. I.J.Singh, Manohar Publishers.ISBN
978-8173040580
- ^
"Sikhism, A Complete Introduction" by Dr. H.S. Singha & Satwant
Kaur Hemkunt, Hemkunt Press, New Delhi, 1994, ISBN
81-7010-245-6
- ^
"Sikh Identity: An Exploration of Groups Among Sikhs" by Opinderjit
Kaur Takhar, pg. 51, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd, 2005, ISBN
0754652025
- ^
The Sikh Rehat
Maryada :Section Four | Gateway to Sikhism-Gateway to
Sikhism
- ^
Doris R. Jakobsh. Relocating Gender In Sikh History:
Transformation, Meaning and Identity. New Delhi: Oxford University
Press, 2003, pp.39-40
- ^
Young Sikh Men Get Haircuts,
Annoying Their Elders. New York Times.
March 29, 2007.
- ^
'Pagri not very attractive,
out of tune with times'
- ^
Richard Beck, David Worden. Gcse
Religious Studies for Aqa. pp. 64. ISBN
0435306928.
- ^
Hola Mohalla: United colours
of celebrations
- ^
Mad About Words
- ^
Richard Beck, David Worden. Gcse
Religious Studies for Aqa. pp. 63. ISBN
0435306928.
- ^
Nihangs ‘not to accept’ ban on
bhang. The
Tribune. March 26, 2001.
- ^
No ‘bhang’ at Hola
Mohalla. The
Tribune. March 10, 2001.
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