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Hello everyone, As the title of the thread suggests, I am currently exploring Sikhi as well as other religious beliefs (including Buddhism and Radha Soami, though I have issues with following a human master). I come from a Christian background, but I would not describe my beliefs as being particularly Christian, as I believe in an all-pervading God who is impersonal, and I believe in systems such as reincarnation and karma. So, I have many questions about Sikhi as I am on my search, and I was hoping that you all might be able to answer some questions for me. None of these questions are meant to challenge your beliefs at all, but merely to express my own doubts and challenges that I face in my search. 1. Buddhism and Sikhism I think are largely similar, but they have a major difference that I find hard to reconcile. Buddhism (at least Theravadan and Zen) teaches that the existence of God can't be answered for sure, and the same can be said for the soul. Instead the Buddha says that we should forget such questions, and instead focus on achieving Nirvana, as these questions impede our spiritual growth. Sikhi (as far as I am aware) states that our ultimate purpose is to merge with God, and reach Sach Khand. The problem is, I can see and understand the reasoning behind both of these positions, and I have a really hard time figuring out what to believe on this issue. How can I resolve this conflict? 2. Scriptures are obviously very important to Sikhs, as the SGGSJ forms the foundation for Sikhi. My question regarding this is, why is reading the Bani repeatedly so important? Is kirtan more beneficial than to practice simran and meditation on the atman inside? I can understand reading it for understanding, and of course reading scriptures at different times in our lives, we will receive different lessons. But is inward meditation not more valuable, provided it is done with a proper spiritual understanding? 3. As I am young and come from the West (I am only 18), I have certain Western values which I find hard to reconcile with both Sikhism and Buddhism, even though I may find the religion very appealing. Specifically, I feel very strongly about gender equality, and that differences between men and women are almost entirely (if not entirely) cultural rather than biological or spiritual in nature. This means that I am a strong advocate of homosexual rights, gay marriage, and transgender rights. I realize that Sikhi has done a lot to stand up for many of these things, but at the same time, I see that homosexuals are not allowed to be married with the Anand Karaj. As a Westerner, this seems to be the same religious dogmatism that I tried to escape when I left Christianity, but maybe I am misunderstanding it. 4. Marriages. As far as I understand, Sikhs do not condone love marriages, and instead practice arranged marriages. What is the harm in a love marriage, or in dating? Again I realize I come from a Western perspective, but I fail to see how these things are harmful to your spirituality. If all of your energy is focused on finding a partner, or on sexual promiscuity, or the like, I can definitely understand it. Also, why can an inter-faith marriage not be done with the Anand Karaj? If a Sikh wants to marry a non-Sikh, isn't that their choice? And if they want to do the marriage the Sikh way, is that not displaying the proper respect to Sikhi? For a long time, I dated a Muslim girl and we planned to be married. Sadly that didn't happen, but I can't imagine missing out on someone who may be the love of my life, because I am limited to only marrying someone of my religion. 5. Again as far as I understand, Guru Nanak Ji shunned religious labels. He stated "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim." So therefore, why have his teachings started a religion? This is something I haven't been able to find much discussion about, and I am quite curious about it. Has Sikhism fallen prey to the same dogmatism that he taught against? 6. The SGGSJ was named as the last Guru for the Sikhs. Does this mean there will never be another Guru? What about when we move out of Kal Yug and into the next age, will there be another succession of Gurus? I'm sorry for the long list of questions. I look forward to hearing your responses. Thank you.

Dear All Forum Users, I am currently studying the Doctorate Practitioner in Counselling Psychology at the University of Wolverhampton. As part of my training, I am conducting a research into: “Impact of Religion and Spirituality on Wellbeing within an Asian-Faith Community: How can Counselling Psychologists help?” I am writing to request your valuable time and participation in my study. This study intends to explore the spiritual and religious experience of the Sikh community in particular in relation to their wellbeing. My aim is to increase the knowledge base within the Psychology field in the hope of helping the Asian Faith community access mental health services. I would like to interview twenty Sikhs (male or female) who have been practicing their religion for at least 2-3 years within the West Midlands. This interview will take place at your local Sikh Gurdwara or Health Centre and will last for about 45 minutes. The interviews will be audio taped so I can analyse them fully to improve our understanding. Please be assured that all interviews will be kept strictly confidential and personal information will be removed from the transcripts. Any information collated will only be used for educational purposes. If anyone is interested to take part, please private message me on this forum and let me know how you would like to be contacted (e.g., telephone, email, post). I will then send you an information sheet and a consent form with more details of the study. I would like to add that as the questions on religion and spirituality might bring up sensitive issues to some, it is not advisable to take part if you are currently going through a difficult period. The interview is not an alternative therapeutic treatment for people who partake in. Unfortunately, I will not be able to provide any therapeutic treatments as a result of you taking part. I hope you may appreciate this. Thank you for your time. :respect: Kind regards, Mandeep Kaur.

How did people get mukhti before the concept of religion was created? Can people from religions other than Sikhism get mukhti? Thanks in advance for the responses

Hi it would be a great help if I could get some response in regards to these questions. I'm writing my Dissertation paper on the turban. 1. what does the turban represent for you personally? 2. How does the pagh determine your personality? (if it doesn't why?) 3. How does it construct your physical appearance? (by wearing a pagh how do you perceive yourself and how do others look at you) 4. whats the style of your pagh? (the way its tied, the style, the colour significance) and why? 5. Is it a cultural and or religious purpose and why? 6. Is there any gender distinctions(differences) in wearing and tieing a pagh? (For example through my observations I noted most men wear a pagh [not necessarily religious] whereas women only wear it for religious reasons, and they mostly cover the pagh with a chunni where as men do not.) What is your take on this difference? All responses and opinions are non judgemental. I would like genuine opinions rather than a definition or generalisations. So feel free to be expressive! :D

I am from patiala. Right now i am studying in delhi and doing photography. Sometime when i went for photowalk i saw many sikh boys having kesh ( wearing bandna not turban) and dahdi doing smoking! I dont understand why they are doing it. Many sikh boys and girls in delhi are busy doin weed hash and other drugs....why dont they realise that its not good. I tried stoping them & and making them understand that it is not for us. We r SIKH. We have blessing of sache pita waheguru. Je kuch krna hai rabh di gulami kro! I want to potrait my problem is some sort of documentory! I need help !

http://jezebel.com/sikh-temples-in-england-advised-to-beware-of-same-sex-u-857167306

Hello So I was raised as a Sikh...I'm male in my early 30's...and during my life I've come to my own conclusions about religion and spirituality....and I am no longer religious....but am very spiritual.....having come to that age when things like marriage become more of an issue.....having struggled to meet any Sikh girls thus far...with that spiritual side without being meshed into religion....I wondered if anyone here believed the are similar like minded people out there..or whether I should just stop looking. I don't see myself settling down with someone who has opposing views as I do....so it would be nice to know if these people who are like me, do exist....I'm not asking for phone numbers of email addresses....just confirmation they do or don't exist....either way.... Thanks [ModNote] This is approved because you clarified you do NOT want any personal contact information. Just to clarify to the rest of the Sangat, it is not allowed to ask or give personal contact information and this is not a dating/matching website. Keep it Sikhi related.

Um, I'm not sure how to write this... I don't know where to start so.. I am fifteen years old living in Michigan. My life has been extremely depressing ever since.. ever. I was born in Canada and moved to michigan and everything got worse. I always thought I was different with my patka and hair and all that. I went to a catholic school in elementary (haha that didnt help). Recently I've been questioning religion. I've been studying other cultures and religions for the past 15 weeks or so and have been having different thoughts about it. All I see is corruption in the world. I was never really religious in the past. I have uncut hair so I wear a patka right now. I've always held my faith high and learned more about sikhi at a young age thanks to the internet. I've been studying some crazy religions... I just can't have myself following a religion. Most of these religions claim to be right and true. Which one can be true. I've been exposed to so many religions how can I dare myself to choose?! I don't want to call myself Sikh because I don't believe in a religion. A group. I feel like this group divides me and gives me assumptions from others. When someone says they are muslim a common person thinks the person to be of the middle east with certain morals and principles. I don't want to call myself anything. I want to have the ability to have my own morals and principles. I've argued with my parents a bit trying to explain myself but our language barrier and their love for sikhi is unbreakable. What I don't understand is how my dad cuts and shaves his beard but expects me to praise the pagh and dhari. My whole family is like this.. the parents shave and dont follow the religion yet expect the kids to be good souls. My parents even sometimes offer me meat.. I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND how they can do this and call themselves sikh. I know they aren't amrit but still. I hate meat but on occasion I do eat it being honest. I have a dhari and do trim.. Is it wrong that I don't feel regret anymore? My views are kinda-of like Bhagat Singh in his last years. All I see is corruption in other religions why must I be abide to even follow one. I cannot be religious anymore. I don't need religion anymore. I have great morals thanks to Sikhism and love this religion to death. If God can accept where I am coming from then I praise him. If not.. Im sorry. I don't know what to expect with anyone posting a comment below. I've been feeling really down the past year and just don't know what to do. Can anyone else relate?

what if you are a sikh and like other religion.I want to say that the destination is same but the paths are different.what will happen if i want to change religion budhism for example. Pls cmnt

I posted this under the anonymous section as I couldn't seem to start a topic in other sections. My question is simple, and not in need of anonymity. I visited the Golden Temple a couple years ago, it was for the first time so we visited the museum aswell. From the museum visit, a quote stuck in my head, and has been in my head ever since, yet I haven't been able to find it on the internet anywhere. I was therefore wondering if anyone here had any background on it for me, for my personal knowledge. The quote was, i think; ''your religion is dear to you, mine is dear to me'' by Guru Gobind Singh Ji Any information would be helpful, for my personal knowledge. Thanks.