Bhujangan

The Rehit Maryada for Sikhs is not found in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, although there are many references to rehit in bani that support the rehit maryada, it is not a book of rules like other religious texts. The Sikh rehit Maryada is in oral form, passed down from the panj to abhilakhees for generations. Many of these rehits have been documented in Rehit Maryadas as well. The rule to not cut hair, however, did not start with Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, infact, it was the first rule that Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji told Bhai Mardana Ji, to never cut his hair. Nor is this a new concept, long hair has been known to have spiritual significance since the dawn of time, in almost all of the major world religions. Yoghis, Sadhus etc all had unshorn hair. In fact, to cut ones hair was an insult and way of defiling someone in public. If a woman was found to be unchaste, or if a man did something to receive punishment, to cut his or her hair of was worse than capital punishment. I am not familiar with Hindu texts, but I believe it was Rukmani's brother who had half his had shaved off because he tried to take his sister from Krishn for someone else. Also, Krishn himself his refered to as Keshav, because of his long beautiful hair.

The prithm rehit is amrit chakna. So, you have to got an entrance into doctors college if you eventually want to be known as DR. Likewise, you have to gain entrance into Guru Sahib's school if you want to be a GS=Gursikh

THe shabad saabat soorat dastaar siraa is translated wrong. The word soorat is confused with the word surat. Surat means concentration, but soorat means our roop, our appearance. The translation would be that saabat soorat, or complete appearance is with a dastaar on the head.

Rehenee Rhai Soee Sikh Meraa. Oh Sahib Mai Us Ka Cheraa. Rehit Binaa Nehee Sikh Kahavai. Rehit Binaa Dar Chotaa Khavai

But wouldn't your kirpan get jungaal all over it then?

Actually, traditionally the langar at Harimander Sahib was only prepared by amritdharees. Infact, even now, if you go there, you can see the sign that says only amritdharees are allowed to prepare langar, its just that no one pays heed to the Sikh traditions or maryadas anymore. THey are too busy being all encompassing and politically correct to see that while trying to please others, they are throughing SIkhi out into the air. A Sikh does not keep bibek because they think they are better than non amritdharees. IF they do, this is the wrong reason for bibek. A Sikh should always be the dust of everyone's feet. A SIkh keeps bibek simply because it is a puratan rehit of Guru Ji. It is a way of showing love and devotion to Guru Ji, by followin thier rehit, since Guru Ji said Rehit Pyaree Mujh Ko, Sikh Pyaraa Nahe. It has nothing to do with ego or haumai, or atleast it shouldnt.

Sikhi is not against comsuming meat at all. Why, because we do it all the time, when we breath air in etc. What SIkhi tells us not to do is eat Kuthda meat, meat that is specifically killed for the pleasures of jeev. I would rather beleive Guru Ji, who wrote dhur ki bani, rather than a 20th century historian/writer. Bani: kbIr BWg mwCulI surw pwin jo jo pRwnI KWih ] qIrQ brq nym kIey qy sBY rswqil jWih ]233] As for the panthic rehit maryada, you are misinformed about it. The whole panth did not agree to it, and it has not remained uniform throughout its inception either. It has been changed by individuals on their own whims. As for the panth, let me remind you that before the Gurdvara reform movement, most of the "panth" thought it was okay to do murti pooja and have moortiaan in the gurdvaras, it was only a few SInghs that raised awareness which lead to the Movement. Before that, most of the "Sikhs" had no problem with getting up and matha tekking to both Mata Ji and Guru Ji. As for Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib's hukamnamey being fake, I would understand if it was only one, but EVERY SINGLE hukamnaa issued by them has those opening remarks on them. I am sure that we all know what mass is referred to here. Also, according to bani, a Sikh must reap what he has sowed. I cannot imagine what a person who has been the cause of murdering so many chickens, cows and pigs must have to sow in the hereafter.

The best essay I have read so far refuting the claims that SIkhi is part of HInduism is by Bhai Balpreet SIngh Ji: Bhai Balpreet Singh Ji''s essay As for caste, whosoever takes sharn in the charn of Satguru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and gives their head to Guru ji, totally submits to them, has only one caste, and that is: As for everything else, there are some baleful creatures everywhere trying to raise issues of identity, but if the Khalsa panth is confident in their own roots, and their rehit and history, and actually start following it, these otherwise pernicious beings will not be able to do anything.

Every single hukamnaamaa written by Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji starts with: "guru guru japna janam savar sangat dee kamnaa guru pooree karraygaa. Sangatee da ruzgaar hog, ik daasee rahinaa. Maas muchee day naray nahee avanaa."

Sikh missionary excommunicated for blasphemous writings Varinder Walia Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 22 Taking strong and suo-moto exception to the alleged blasphemous writings and statements by Prof Inder Singh Ghagha, an alumnus of Sikh Missionary College, Ludhiana, Akal Takht today directed the Sikh sangat to stop him forthwith from carrying out his religious activities all over the world. In a directive issued on the letter head of Akal Takht, the Jathedar also took similar action against Prof Ghagha's associates, including Mr Gurcharan Singh Jeeonwala, Mr Manjit Singh Sahota, Mr Karamjit Singh Gill, Mr Amandeep Singh Kang, Mr Gurmit Singh , Mr Parminder Singh Parmar, Mr Jasbir Singh Mangat and their associates. The development is considered unprecedented since Prof Ghagga and his associates were not given an opportunity to clarify their respective positions. Finding the remarks too obnoxious, the Akal Takhat this time directed the Sikhs not to allow Prof Ghagha and his associates to speak from any gurdwara or panthak stage. Earlier, one Bhag Singh of Ambala was also excommunicated on the same grounds for writing against 'benati choupai' and 'ardas'. However, he had presented himself before the Akal Takht and sought forgiveness. Later, Mr Gurbax Singh Kala Afghana was excommunicated from the Sikh panth for the same reasons. Of late, many petitions had been pouring in against Prof Ghagha, He and his group had been indulging in blasphemous writings against the Sikh ideology and 'gurbani', they allege. Interestingly, Ghagha claims himself to be associated with missionary colleges but the Sikh Missionary College, Ludhiana, declared that he was not associated with the institute. The same statement had come from Gurmat Gian Missionary College where Ghagha was teaching. Mr Gurcharanjit Singh Lamba, editor of the community journal Sant Sipahi, criticsed these statements saying that merely saying that he was not associated with them had no meaning unless these institutions condemned the writings of Ghagha and Kala Afghana. Prof Ghagha who had been an ardent supporter of cop-turned- Sikh scholar Gurbakhsh Singh Kala Afghana, is presently in Canada. His speeches there triggered physical clashes between rival groups and the atmosphere was getting surcharged. Ghagha started with casting aspersions against the 'bani' of Guru Gobind Singh and then came down to passing adverse remarks on the 'bani' and history of all the gurus. The Akal Takhat directive has also given a stern direction to Sikhs not to cooperate in any of the seminars and conventions organised by Ghagha and his associates.

THe debate in Panthic Weekly's first article was the first debate. That one was not recorded. THis is the follow up debate to that one.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji said, rehit pyaree Mujh Ko, SIkh pyara Nahe. For a Sikh, it is imperative to read gurbani and listen to guru ji, but that means following rehit. THe Khalsa Rehit is mostly ORAL, passed down from generation through panj pyarey. THe Khalsa Bana is a UNIFORM, and every uniform has spefic colours. The Khalsa uniform has the four colours mentioned above, which have been passed down from the panj to abhilakhee. Yet we can find these references in our history as well. Lets not mix Punjabi culture with Sikh culture. IT is quite different. Though punjabis can wear whatever colour pugh they want, a Sikh Dastaar is of the four colours. THere is no where in Gurbani where it says that have to where the five kakaars, or get amrit schhuck, that does not mean that these things are not important. Infact many people have started saying exactly that, that SIkhee does not mean you have to keep your hair because it is not written in gurbani. Going back to the beginning of my post, if we just call ourselves SIkhs, yet discard the rehit that guru ji gave us, that is not going to be enough, Guru Ji is looking for a REHITDHAREE Sikh, a Sikh is practice, not just in theory. THere are also scientific reasons for colours. For example, the colour red actually makes your mind more chanchal, and is also the colour of kaam. Yet, only those who actually go and research rehit, will find it. Sikhi is a path that is sharper than the edge of the sword and thinner than a hair. If you seek the rehit of Guru Sahib with a true heart he will surely give it to you. But if we choose to follow what we see around us without matching it with our history, and without seeing whether it actually helps us in our bhagti or makes sense, than we will keep on arguing that rehit is just making SIkhi restrictive and narrow minded. Sikhi is not a theoretical religion, it is a hands on one. Just like we cannot taste an orange simply by looking at it, we cannot taste Sikhi, just by knowing about it, we have to live the life.

It is the individual choice of whether someone wants to keep bibek or not, but to put it down as extemist is not the best way to describe guru sahib's rehit. It is indeed true that the LOVE a person has for God is what matters, but I think a rehitdharee, naam abhiyasee Singh has way more love because they are actually doing what GUru Sahib wanted his Sikhs to do, then someone who has not yet taken the first step towards guru sahib. Taking amrit is the first step. An amritdharee is not perfect, because taking amrit is just initition into the school of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Many of us have this impression that when a person amrit schhuks, they can no longer commit any mistakes, and are automatically free from the five bikaars. This is not true, THe difference is that they have STARTED to work on perfecting themselves, while those that have not taken this step have yet to do so. As for Bhai Jeevan Singh Ji, they admit themselves that although they have stopped keeping bibek, this rehit is very important for a Sikh. If you ever talk to them about bibek, they will always encourage, and never discourage you from keeping it.

Its funny how we as Sikhs are always lamenting about how Sikhi is being eroded and lost, yet it is us who are doing most of the damage. Budhism does not believe in God. It beleives in a state of enlightenment called Nirvana. But Atheism is one of its aspects. Please delve further into this religion. Now, there can only be one sach. Either there is a God, or there isnt. If there is, than that makes Bhuddism wrong. Now, God is not a mortal being, but an immortal one. Hinduism beleives there avtaars were manifestations of Brahma, Gurbani says there were special, but still trapped in the cylce of life or death. Only one of these opposing thoughts can be right. Which makes the other WRONG Christianity beleives Jesus is needed to save us and take us to the Kingdom of God. Guru Sahib does not beleive in Original Sin, because we are according to OUR karms, not the karms of Adam and Eve. Only one opnion can be right, is it our karms, or are we the victims of original sin and must be redeemed by Jesus? You cannot compare apples with oranges and say they are the same. You cannot compare Gold with other base metals and say they are the same. Likewise, you cannot compare two or more various ways of living and thinking and say they are all the same. Sikhi is the only religion where we do not condemn all beleivers to hell. It says that you will get to where you aim for. If no other religion aims for Sachkhand, why are so many people hell bent on sending them there? I dont think people realise the true magnitude of this realm. Its impossible to understand, I know, but just because we cannot understand it does not mean we should undermine it. Just look at the following equation: Bani says, Bin Satguru Kinai Paeo, Bin Satgur kinnai na Paiaa. Now that is pretty clear what that means. But this raises the question, who is Satgur? Well we are clearly told by Bhai Gurdas Ji, Sabh Te Vada SATGUR NANAK, Jin kar Rakhee Meree. Its great that we as Sikhs are liked by everyone and must promote our religion. But we are one of the only religions that looks at QUALITY, and not QUANTITY, so lets not always try to aim for political correctness, and belittle our faith in the process, instead lets acknowledge that what we have here is no mere jewel, but the jewel of all jewels, and not feel ashamed in saying that.

When we as Sikhs are confused about something, we can look to the chardikalaa singhs of the past for clues as to what is right. Now, I as you, did you ever see Bahi Sahib Bhai Randheer Singh Ji, Sant Jarnail Singh Ji, Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji, Sant Kartaar Singh Ji etc ever wear red or green cholay? Can you imagine nihung singhs wearing green cholay with red dumaaley? Can you imagine our guru jis wearing these colours? the pictures painted of them these days does not count

I think it should be noted that these prabhandaks are not changing the rules of the Sikhs marriage, but actually FOLLOWING the rules as laid out by the rehit maryada. The lavaa and the whole anand karaj ceremony is a pavitr occasion which not only signifies the joining of the two human souls, but the bride soul with the husband, Vaheguru. If we keep making Sikhi lax, sooner or later people are going to start seeing, oh why dont we let money be panj piyaarey, I mean if we dont, we are pushing them away. There are other ways of doing parchaar, and besides, I dont see how making a mockery of the anad karaaj where it resembles more the vivahaa of the hindus, how this is parchaar. I think we should aim to meet the high standards of SIkhi, instead of bringing it down to suit us.

edited posted twice

I am sure if another gursikh from sangat told them not to wear these colours as they are anti gurmat, if they are true gursikhs they would listen instead of arguing with the other gursikh.

This is digusting. FIrst they had to go through 4 and half years of prison for something they did not do, and now they continue suffering after. Hopefully the Vancouver police will do something seriously about this.

WHy should they be called Khalistanis? THey were SIkhs and we should be proud of that fact. Just because the media is portraying this whole thing improperly does not mean we should be ashamed of the fact that these SInghs are SIkhs. T SHer Singh is dumb for comparing them to Nazis, how can you compare two innocent victims of media with the Nazis? I think it should be the other way around.

I just wanted to add that although I myself was not at the scene, from all of the first hand accounts , meaning from people that saw the scene live, that I talked to, it was the other way around, it was the other guy who provoked first, and then had the audacity to pull another singh's (Tapoban Singhs) beard. I understand that when one is angry, things can get hot, but to pull another singhs beard is just too much, Guru ji has given us kes, and in repecting them we must respect others kes as well, and that was a pretty major thing the other guy did to the Tapoban Singh. And I do not understand how they have hijacked the AKJ name, I mean, is it some franchise or something that you have to buy? From what I understand, it is the name of a keertan jatha who choose to follow rehit without compromise. How do you hijack this? By following the rehit they are hijacking? hmmmm...... sounds a bit out there to me.

As far as I have seen, they have only exposed anti gurmat stuff that happens in the panth, no matter what jathebandi it is happening in, and I do not see anything wrong with that, I mean, wouldnt you want your own family setting you on the right path instead of an outsider? As for the July smagaam, I suggest you find out all the facts as to what actually happened, and who caused what before you start making accusations, as it is very easy to point fingers if you only have one side of the story. As for Jarnail Singh Arshi, he bashes fake sants, the ones that take advantage of sangat and try profiting from it. From the posts I have read, I understand that the site shows a lot of respect for sant Bhindrawaley and the like, the ones that actually followed gurmat. This is what I have gotten from that site.

I dont think that is true. I just went on the site right now, and I read a post saying that all people who do not believe in raagmaalaa are not Sikhs, I think is bashing Tapoban sangat, but it was let through. Even before, i have read many posts where the moderators have been called fanatics, extremists, biased etc let on the post, so i do not agree with you that they will not let posts through. As for the bashing of other jathas, have you seen the Tapoban admins themselves bashing anyone? i cannot recall any time I have seen this, so can you please show when they have done so if I missed those posts?

I have gone on the site, and I am wondering what is this jatha bashing every one is talking about? Ok, I see that they have a few raagmalaa posts on it, but if the people that believe in raagmala have the right to do parchaar of that, then why dont anti raagmaalaa people have a right to do thier parchaar as well? Just wondering? I don't see where the Tapoban people themselves have bashed any specifc jatha? Maybe I am missing something?

I think you guys are overlooking the comment made before about bani and going number 2. This is indeed beadbi of bani, would you take a gutka sahib into the washroom and do paath while going number 2? THen what is the difference with bani on your skin? And if going jungle paani is totally clean, why do we have to do a kesi ishnaan before doing guru jis seva if we have gone jungle paani, or before going in front of the panj pyarey during an amrit sanchaar? And what makes you think that poking yourself with a needle and permanently injecting yourself with ink is ok? If sikhs are not even allowed to pierce their ears, how can we peirce the skin? Just because it is bani, how does that make it right? if I got a necklace with bani on it, it would still be a false shingaar, and the bani on it would not automatically make it right. so if I was to write bani with lipstick on my forehead, that would be ok, but putting it on my lips is not just becuase it is bani? Guru ji walked barefeet so many miles through think and thin out of repect for bani, and today we are willing to do this to it? This is truly kaljug