Prohibitions in Sikhism

2021-08-25T18:05:26Z

103.46.202.112: /* Prohibitions */

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{{Sikh practices}}
There are a number of '''prohibitions in Sikhism''' that [[Sikhs]] follow—particularly [[Amritdhari]] (formally baptized) and [[Keshdhari]] (non-baptized but practicing).

== Prohibitions ==
* '''Haircuts''': Cutting or removing hair (''[[Kesh (Sikhism)|kesh]]'') from any body part is strictly forbidden including shaving or trimming facial and nostril hairs for both [[Amritdhari]] and [[Keshdhari]] Sikhs.
* '''Intoxication''': Consumption of drugs, [[alcohol]] is not allowed for Amritdhari and Keshdhari Sikhs. [[Sahajdhari]] Sikhs do not hold these precepts, but generally avoid alcohol. Marijuana and tobacco are not accepted within the Sikh community as a whole and are strictly prohibited for baptized Amritdhari Sikhs.
* '''Gambling''': Gambling (''jooa''), be it in any form—such as [[lottery]], [[roulette]], [[poker]], [[Bingo (American version)|american bingo]] or [[Bingo (British version)|british bingo]]—is prohibited in some 'codes of conduct', such as the [[Sikh Rehat Maryada]].
* '''Blind spirituality''': [[Idolatry in Sikhism|Idolatry]], superstitions, and rituals should not be observed or followed, including [[Pilgrimage|pilgrimages]], [[fasting]], and [[ritual purification]]; [[circumcision]]; idol or [[grave (burial)|grave]] worship; and compulsory wearing of the [[veil]] for women. Observation of the [[The Five Ks|five Ks]], however, is not considered blind superstition, as it help Sikhs in their everyday life.
* '''Material obsession''': Obsession with material wealth is not encouraged in Sikhism.
* '''Sacrifice of creatures''': Practices such as [[Sati (practice)|sati]] (widows throwing themselves on the [[funeral]] [[pyre]] of their husbands and wives) and ritual [[animal sacrifice]] to [[celebration (party)|celebrate]] holy occasions are forbidden.
* '''Non-family-oriented living''': Sikhs are discouraged to live as a [[recluse]], [[beggar]], [[yogi]], [[Monasticism|monastic]] ([[monk]]/[[nun]]), or [[Celibacy|celibate]].{{cn|date=April 2017}}
* '''Worthless talk''': [[Bragging]], [[gossip]], [[Lie|lying]], [[slander]], "backstabbing," et cetera, 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=Page&Param=1253&english=t&id=53906|title=Sri Granth: Sri Guru Granth Sahib|work=srigranth.org}}</ref>
* '''Priestly class''': Sikhism does not have priests, as they were abolished by the 10th Guru of Sikhism, [[Guru Gobind Singh]].<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web|url=http://www.sikhs.org/summary.htm|title=Sikhism Religion of the Sikh People|work=sikhs.org}}</ref> 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.<ref name="autogenerated2" />
* '''Eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner''': Sikhs are strictly prohibited from eating —meat killed in a ritualistic manner (such as [[halal]])<ref>Sikhs and Sikhism, Dr. I.J.Singh, Manohar Publishers.{{ISBN|978-8173040580}}</ref>—or any meat where it is served, except ''[[jhatka]]'' meat.<ref>"Sikhism, A Complete Introduction" by Dr. H.S. Singha & Satwant Kaur Hemkunt, Hemkunt Press, New Delhi, 1994, {{ISBN|81-7010-245-6}}</ref> For many Sikhs (and in some small Sikh sects, e.g. [[Akhand Kirtani Jatha]]) eating any meat cooked by Jews (i.e., [[Kosher meat|kosher]]) and Muslims (i.e., halal) is believed to be forbidden, this is a universally held belief.<ref>"Sikh Identity: An Exploration of Groups Among Sikhs" by Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, pg. 51, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd, 2005, {{ISBN|0-7546-5202-5}}</ref>
* '''Extramarital sexual relations''': [[Adultery]] is prohibited; Sikhs are not allowed to cheat on their spouse.<ref name="autogenerated4">[http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_four.html Sikh Reht Maryada, The Definition of Sikh, Sikh Conduct & Conventions, Sikh Religion Living, India] §4</ref><ref name="autogenerated3">[http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html Sikh Reht Maryada, The Definition of Sikh, Sikh Conduct & Conventions, Sikh Religion Living, India] §6</ref><ref>[http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/sikh-rehat-maryada/the-sikh-rehat-maryada-section-four.html#art16 The Sikh Rehat Maryada: Section Four | Gateway to Sikhism-Gateway to Sikhism]</ref><ref>Jakobsh, Doris R. 2003. ''Relocating Gender In Sikh History: Transformation, Meaning and Identity''. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. pp. 39–40</ref>
* '''Cutting turbans whilst worn''': Cutting turbans too short when worn (excepting excessive material) will be damaged by scissors as it is strictly forbidden the same way as cutting hair.
* '''Swimming water through turbans''': [[Swim caps]] are a different head gear to wear as a substitute to turbans when all Sikhs go to swimming pools at leisure centres.

== Violation of prohibitions ==
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Not all Sikh-identified people subscribe to these prohibitions. The [[Sahajdhari Sikhs]] reject most of the prohibitions, including trimming of hair (''[[Kesh (Sikhism)|kesh]]''). Some young Sikhs are now cutting their hair to the dismay of spiritual leaders.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/29/world/asia/29turban.html Young Sikh Men Get Haircuts, Annoying Their Elders]. ''[[New York Times]]''. March 29, 2007.</ref> According to the Sikh clergy, "the fad among youth to shed the [[dastar|pagri]]" is being observed more commonly among the Sikh youth in [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] than Sikhs in other Indian states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Pagri_not_very_attractive_out_of_tune_with_times/articleshow/msid-223157,curpg-1.cms|title='Pagri not very attractive, out of tune with times'|work=The Times of India}}</ref>

[[Nihang|Nihang Sikhs]] of Punjab, who are defenders of historic Sikh shrines, are an exception and consume an intoxicant called ''[[bhang]]'' ([[cannabis (drug)|cannabis sativa]]), opium and other narcotics to help in [[meditation]],<ref>{{cite book
| last = Richard Beck
| first = David Worden
| title = Gcse Religious Studies for Aqa
|pages= 64
| isbn = 0-435-30692-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/40701351.cms|title=Hola Mohalla: United colours of celebrations|work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040103/asp/opinion/story_2735311.asp|title=The Telegraph – Calcutta : Opinion|work=telegraphindia.com}}</ref> saying that it is 'old tradition' ([[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: ''puratan maryada''). Bhang is common in India. <ref>{{cite book
| last = Richard Beck
| first = David Worden
| title = Gcse Religious Studies for Aqa
|pages= 63
| isbn = 0-435-30692-8}}</ref> In 2001, [[Baba Santa Singh]], the [[Jathedar]] of [[Budha Dal]], along with 20 Nihang chiefs, refused to accept the ban on the consumption of ''bhang'' by the highest Sikh clergy.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010326/punjab1.htm#3 Nihangs ‘not to accept’ ban on bhang]. [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]. March 26, 2001.</ref> Baba Santa Singh was excommunicated and replaced with Baba Balbir Singh, who agreed to shun the consumption of ''bhang''.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010310/main7.htm#2 No ‘bhang’ at Hola Mohalla]. [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]. March 10, 2001.</ref>

The [[Udasi]]s, who consider themselves as a denomination of Sikhism, lay emphasis on being [[asceticism|ascetic]], thus violating the "Non-family-oriented living" principle. [[Sri Chand]], the ascetic son of [[Guru Nanak]], was the founder of the [[Udasi]].

== See also ==

* [[Sikh Rehat Maryada|Rehat maryada]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/8828-fools-who-wrangle-over-flesh.html Fools Who Wrangle Over Flesh]
* [https://www.scribd.com/doc/25772618/FOOLS-WHO-WRANGLE-OVER-FLESH-ORTHODOX-SIKH-VIEW-ON-MEAT Adobe Version of Fools Who Wrangle Over Flesh]
* [http://www.sikhs.wellington.net.nz/meat.pdf Professor Gurbax Singh Dhillon – Meat Eating and Rehat Maryada]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G8gUr9fIKc Video Showing Jhatka at Hazoor Sahib]
* [http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-news/24666-sacrifice-at-hazur-sahib-myth-truth.html The Myth of Goat Sacrifice and Hazoor Sahib]
* [http://sikhspectrum.com/112006/doris/ch8.htm Tenets of Guru Gobind Singh by Baldev Singh]
* [http://sikhs.tulwar.com/meat.htm Sikh History on Diet]
* [http://www.sikhs.org/meat_au.htm Sikh Scholar Views on Diet]

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Prohibitions in Sikhism