Topic about meat.

[Gursikh10]

I am 15 years old, and I and maybe one or two people are the only Sikhs* that are vegetarian in my high school.

I don't know if this is written somewhere in Guru Granth Sahib ji, but I as a human being think, whether Sikh or not,

eating other animals is wrong. When you have free fruits and vegetables, why would you want to take the life of someone for food?

All my Sikh friends try to avoid the topic...they say not eating meat was just a rumour and not true.

But why do we not serve meat in Gurdwaras?

Modern day Sikhs are changing, and a kid like me in high school is witnessing it. The things adults don't see.

They talk about shaving, eat chicken with no shame.

So what is the truth?

*These are not true Sikhs. They cannot read punjabi, they only have turbans, nothing else.

How do we change this corruptness?

What is the true answer about meat?

Bhul Chuk Maaf.

Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji Ki Fateh!

[singhgsingh]

There a Saakhi (account) which claims that when Guru Amar Daas Ji first met Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Ji invited his daughter’s father-inlaw (Baba Amar Daas Ji) to eat Langar. Rice and daal (lentils) were first served, then “maha-parshaad” was served. Baba Amar Daas Ji said to himself, “I have never eaten meat before, if I do, where does this leave my dharma?” Baba Ji thought to himself that, if this Guru is perfect and all-knowing he will tell the sevadaars (volunteers) to not serve him the meat. Guru Angad Dev Ji told the sevadaars to not offer Baba Amar Daas Ji “maha-parshaad”. Hearing this, Baba Amar Daas Ji’s faith in Guru ji was affirmed and he fell at the feet of Guru Ji.

The above Saakhi of meat being served in langar of Guru Angad Dev Ji first appeared in Mehima Parkaash Vaartak whose author and the year it was written are unknown though it is sure that it was written in later part of 18th century. This granth (scripture) is heavily based on Mehima Parkaash Kav of Saroop Daas Bhalla, a descendent of Guru Amar Daas Ji, with some more saakhis such as the meat one added into it. The Saakhi of meat does not appear in original Mehima Parkaash.

The same Saakhi is retold by Kavi Santokh Singh in Sooraj Parkaash. Kavi Santokh Singh had mainly used five sources to write his Sooraj Parkaash and one of them was Vaartak Mehima Parkaash. Bhai Sahib Vir Singh and Bhai Satbir Singh also copied this saakhi from the same source. “Sada Itihaas Part 1†by Bhai Satbir Singh in which this saakhi appears is provided with the reference of Mehima Parkaash with no name of the author. Bhai Satbir Singh wrote only half of the saakhi which to means that he did not accept the other half.

Saakhis were added deliberately to justify meat eating which became common among Sikhs after the Misls took over Panjab. This is similar to adding saakhis to Guru Sahib’s name to justify cannabis, jhatka etc. Prior to 1765, evidence of Sikhs eating meat is very scarce if any. There are numerous historic events from first half of 18th century that make it clear that eating meat was not practiced by the Sikhs.

If we assume that Mehima Parkaash Vaartak was written in 1780 and this is the first time the saakhi appeared in history then one cannot but doubt the authenticity of it since how did the author who was too scared to mention his name in the entire text came to know of this unknown sakhi 228 years after Guru Sahib’s Jyoti Jot? To say that Guru Amar Daas Ji stopped meat in langar is also wholly incorrect but even if we assume this is true then it goes to show that it was Guru Angad Dev Ji himself in form of Guru Amar Daas Ji who stopped serving or eating meat because Guru Amar Daas Ji was the same jyot as his predecessor and had full authority to make any changes. To distinguish one Guru from another in principle is contrary to Gurmat and Guru Gobind Singh Ji calls such people fools in Dasam Granth. Although it is clear in Gurbani that meat eating is against Gurmat but it also cannot be justified based on historical evidence.

http://www.sikhanswers.com/sikh-history-personalities/was-meat-served-in-langar-during-the-period-of-the-first-two-gurus/

Negative affect on mind and body

Sikh’s do no eat meat, fish or eggs because such foods cause spiritual instability and have negative affects on the mind, spirit and body.

ਬਾਬਾ ਹੋਰੁ ਖਾਣਾ ਖੁਸੀ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥

ਜਿਤੁ ਖਾਧੈ ਤਨੁ ਪੀੜੀਐ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

“O Baba, the pleasures of other foods are false by eating which is unhealthy for the body and negativity enters into the mind. ||1||Pause and reflect||”

(Ang 16)

A few of the many health benefits of being Vegetarian:

• Vegetarians have a 20% lower rate of mortality from all causes (ie. they live longer & don’t get sick as often)
• Meat is full of traces of antibiotics, hormones, toxins produced by stress & pesticide residues that become concentrated from all the crops they have eaten
• Vegetarians have 24% reduced risk of getting heart disease & Vegans a 57% reduction (heart disease is the biggest killer in the UK accounting for 50% of deaths)
• Vegans & vegetarians have lower blood pressure & cholesterol levels – high levels are associated with heart disease, strokes & kidney failure
• Vegetarians have a 50% reduced risk of dying of diabetes
• Vegetarians have a 40% reduced level of cancer than the general population thought to be because they have a higher intake of vitamins A,C & E
• Vegetarians have a reduced risk of developing gall & kidney stones
• 80% of food poisoning is due to infected meat (feces, bacteria etc.) after all meat is decomposing flesh – most of the rest is due to salmonella in eggs
• Meat eaters have double the rate of Alzheimer’s disease as Vegans & Vegetarians – some people also think that Parkinson’s disease is also linked to meat eating
• Meat eaters are two and a half times more likely to get bowel cancer than Vegetarians

A pure vegetarian meal served to visitors at the Gurdwara.

Avoiding tyranny and violence

ਕਬੀਰ ਜੋਰੁ ਕੀਆ ਸੋ ਜੁਲਮੁ ਹੈ ਲੇਇ ਜਬਾਬੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥

ਦਫਤਰਿ ਲੇਖਾ ਨੀਕਸੈ ਮਾਰ ਮੁਹੈ ਮੁਹਿ ਖਾਇ ॥੨੦੦॥

“O Kabeer! It is tyranny to use force and kill; the Lord shall call you to account. When your account is called for, your face and mouth shall be beaten. ||200||”

(SGGS – Ang 1375)

Eating any food obtained through tyranny, violence and oppression is considered sinful for a Sikh to eat and therefore killing animals for the purpose of eating them is considered a sin.

Video of animals screaming and crying out in a slaughterhouse:

Animals being violently murdered for the sake of satisfying human appetite:

Gurbani says:

ਜੀਅ ਬਧਹੁ ਸੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਥਾਪਹੁ ਅਧਰਮੁ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਤ ਭਾਈ ॥

ਆਪਸ ਕਉ ਮੁਨਿਵਰ ਕਰਿ ਥਾਪਹੁ ਕਾ ਕਉ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਸਾਈ ॥2॥

“You kill living beings, and call it a righteous action. Tell me, brother, what would you call an unrighteous action? If you religious people are doing “religious” killing for meat, then what is A-dharam (atheism)? If you are a religious person then whom will we call a butcher? ||2||”

(Ang 1103)

ਕਬੀਰ ਜੋਰੀ ਕੀਏ ਜੁਲਮੁ ਹੈ ਕਹਤਾ ਨਾਉ ਹਲਾਲੁ ॥

ਦਫਤਰਿ ਲੇਖਾ ਮਾਂਗੀਐ ਤਬ ਹੋਇਗੋ ਕਉਨੁ ਹਵਾਲੁ ॥੧੮੭॥

“O Kabeer! Those that use force and kill and call it lawful (halaal), after going to the Court of God, what will be their state? ||187||

(SGGS – Ang 1374)

ਕਬੀਰ ਖੂਬੁ ਖਾਨਾ ਖੀਚਰੀ ਜਾ ਮਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਲੋਨੁ ॥

ਹੇਰਾ ਰੋਟੀ ਕਾਰਨੇ ਗਲਾ ਕਟਾਵੈ ਕਉਨੁ ॥੧੮੮॥

“O Kabeer! (Despite the Mullah justifies eating meat with the excuse of sacrificing it to God,) the dinner of beans and rice is excellent, if it is (just) flavoured with salt. I am not ready to have my own throat cut to have meat with my bread? ||188||”

(SGGS – Ang 1374)

Compassion

Compassion evaporates when one butchers and eats meat. A carrot may have life but it will never run away screaming when you go to the garden to get it. Guru Sahib is clear in Gurbani that life must sustain itself on life. There is no lack of mercy or daya (mercy) exercised when cutting a vegetable as it does not reacts to being cut. Contrast that with animals. These animals beg and cry and little calves cling to their mothers in terror when they sense they will be slaughtered.

Gurbani says:

ਅਠਸਠਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਸਗਲ ਪੁੰਨ ਜੀਅ ਦਇਆ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ ॥

“Rather than bathing at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage and the giving of charity – the most meritorious act that will be accepted by the Lord is showing compassion to all beings.”

(Ang 136)

ਦੂਖੁ ਨ ਦੇਈ ਕਿਸੈ ਜੀਅ ਪਤਿ ਸਿਉ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਵਉ ॥

“Do not cause any being to suffer, and you shall go to your true home with honor.”

(Ang 322)

ਜੇ ਰਤੁ ਲਗੈ ਕਪੜੈ ਜਾਮਾ ਹੋਇ ਪਲੀਤੁ ॥

ਜੋ ਰਤੁ ਪੀਵਹਿ ਮਾਣਸਾ ਤਿਨ ਕਿਉ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਚੀਤੁ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਉ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਾ ਦਿਲਿ ਹਛੈ ਮੁਖਿ ਲੇਹੁ ॥

ਅਵਰਿ ਦਿਵਾਜੇ ਦੁਨੀ ਕੇ ਝੂਠੇ ਅਮਲ ਕਰੇਹੁ ॥੧॥

“If one’s clothes are stained with blood, the garment becomes polluted. Those who drink the blood of others – how can those people’s consciousness be pure?”

(Ang 140)

Guru Nanak Dev Ji simply tells us that if blood stains our clothes are clothes become dirty and polluted, and the mind’s of the people who drink blood also becomes dirty. Therefore, blood is considered as unpleasant thing to drink. Blood can be obtained be killing any living being – whether man or animal through butchery, torture or slaughter. Guru Ji tells us that a cold-hearted person cannot maintain a pure mind, only a compassionate person can have a pure mind.

Plants have no nervous system. Plants are a life form that can’t feel pain – animals are not as such. The word “gardener” has no pejorative connotation. The word “butcher” on the other hand stands for someone who has no mercy. If one’s heart doesn’t melt at seeing the shrieks and anguish of animals, why would it matter when a human does the same? Why is it Muslims can do Halaal on humans? It’s because they have so much experience with animals that the jerking, gasping of dying animals and blood is something usual for them. A butcher will have the heart of a butcher. A butcher can never be a ‘Dharmee’ (spiritually pious) person.

ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਕਹਹੁ ਮਤ ਝੂਠੇ ਝੂਠਾ ਜੋ ਨ ਬਿਚਾਰੈ ॥

ਜਉ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਹਤ ਹਉ ਤਉ ਕਿਉ ਮੁਰਗੀ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੧॥

ਮੁਲਾਂ ਕਹਹੁ ਨਿਆਉ ਖੁਦਾਈ ॥

ਤੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

“Call the religious ways of the Vedas and Semitic Books (Torah, Bible, Quran etc.) false, and one who does not realize this is also false. (O dear Mullah!) If you say that the One Lord is in all, so why do you kill chickens (as a sacrifice before that Lord)? (Does He not pervade in the chicken? What is the meaning of killing the creation of the Lord and presenting it before Him?) ||1|| O Mullah! Tell me: is this God’s Justice? The doubts of your mind have not been dispelled. ||1||Pause||”

(Ang 1350)

Conclusion

When Guru Nanak Dev Jee travelled to Kurukshetra he met some Vaishnav Pandits who were staunch vegetarians and had such a disgust for flesh that they hated even the word meat, yet they had little or none (Gurmat) wisdom and Bhagti (meditation). Guru Ji enlightened the hypocritical Pandits that it is foolish to start bitter controversy over meat, as one cannot know whether there is sin in flesh (ਮਾਸ) or vegetables (ਸਾਗ).

ਮਾਸੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਕਰਿ ਮੂਰਖੁ ਝਗੜੇ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਣੈ ॥

ਕਉਣੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਕਉਣੁ ਸਾਗੁ ਕਹਾਵੈ ਕਿਸੁ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਪ ਸਮਾਣੇ ॥

“Only the fool quarrels over the question of eating or not eating of flesh. They do not have the True Wisdom. (Without True Wisdom they harp on) what is flesh and what is vegetable and which food is sinful and which is not.”

(Ang 1289-1290)

In the true sense neither meat or vegetables are condemnable or sinful in itself. Actually the commendable is the tyranny, violence and evil means adopted in the act of obtaining the meat, driven by one’s lustful palate and is, thus, a sinful act. Even vegetarian food obtained through foul means of bribery, extortion and exploitation is deplorable:

ਹਕੁ ਪਰਾਇਆ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਉਸੁ ਸੂਅਰ ਉਸੁ ਗਾਇ ||

“(Nanak) Grabbing the rightful share of others is like (a Muslim) eating pork and eating beef (for a Hindu).”

(Ang 141)

ਖੁਸਿ ਖੁਸਿ ਲੈਦਾ ਵਸਤੁ ਪਰਾਈ ||

ਵੇਖੈ ਸੁਣੇ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਲਿ ਖੁਦਾਈ ||

“You happily, cheerfully steal the possessions of others, but the Lord God is with you, constantly watching and listening.”

(Ang 1020)

Guru Nanak Dev Ji squezed the dry roti from the pious Bhai Lalo's house and the fried Puri from the corrupt Malik Bhago's house.

At Malik Bhago’s feast, Guru Nanak Dev Ji refused to eat any of the food because it was prepared through wealth snatched from the poor by force. When one kills the living beings for obtaining meat, the blood virtually flows out and the use of tyranny and oppression is obvious. Such an action is considered sinful according to Gurbani:

ਅਸੰਖ ਗਲਵਢ ਹਤਿਆ ਕਮਾਹਿ || ਅਸੰਖ ਪਾਪੀ ਪਾਪੁ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਹਿ ||

“Countless people are the cut-throats who commit murders. Numberless are the sinners, who go on committing this particular sin.”

(Ang 4)

Simply by avoiding meat as food no one can become holy person. One can become a religious person only by leading a pious life and simply by practising the rituals or by renouncing certain foods. Religion is far more deep and is about leading towards union with Vaheguru through Naam.

ਸਰਬ ਧਰਮ ਮਹਿ ਸ੍ਰੇਸਟ ਧਰਮੁ ||

ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਕਰਮੁ ||

“Of all religions, the best religion is to chant the Name of the Lord and maintain pure conduct.â€

(Ang 266)

Other virtuous deeds, for example truthful living, contentment, compassion, non-attachment, good will towards others etc, are very essential and noble qualities of a person. However,their grace is enhanced only alongside Naam-Simran just as a marriage party looks glorious only in the company of the bridgegroom. In fact, all these virtures come only from Naam-Simran and without Naam-Simran they lose their significance because in that case they tend to create ego.

It is important to cultivate one or more of the above mentioned virtues. However, one can become a fully religious person only if they adhere to Naam-Simran, the most important basis of all the virtues. Without Naam-Simran, all the other qualities are reduced to false show. If a zero is placed after any numeral, its value is increased, but all alone it is a mere zero.

ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰ ਕ੍ਰਿਆ ਬਿਰਥੇ ॥ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਣੇ ਇਹਿ ਓਰੈ ਮੂਸੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਸੰਜਮ ਮਹਿ ਰਹਤਾ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਆਢੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਆਗੈ ਚਲਣੁ ਅਉਰੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਊਂਹਾ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਇਆ ॥੧॥

“Without meditating upon God (i.e. Naam-Simran), all other actions are useless. Mere lip recitation, penance, austere self-discipline and rituals are all snatched (as tax by Death) at the outset. ||1||Pause|| Fasting, daily rituals, and austere self-discipline – those who keep the practice of these cannot get even a penny in return. In the domain following death, the currency is different. These rituals are of no use at all there (in the True Court). ||1||”

(Ang 216)

Guru Ji condemned people’s hypocrisy who believed that just by being vegetarian alone they were holier or purer than others yet their other actions were just as equal as to eating meat:

ਮਾਸੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਬੈਸਿ ਨਕੁ ਪਕੜਹਿ ਰਾਤੀ ਮਾਣਸ ਖਾਣੇ ॥ ਫੜੁ ਕਰਿ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੋ ਦਿਖਲਾਵਹਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਸੂਝੈ ॥

“Those who renounce flesh and hold their noses sitting near it, devour men at night. They practice hypocrisy, and make a show before other people, but they do not understand anything about meditation or spiritual wisdom.”

(Ang 1290)

The source of holiness and piety is nothing else but NAAM. Without Naam-Simran one remains impure even if one performs all other so-called virtuous deeds specified above. Then, if a human being who is basically formed of blood and semen, contends that he is pious simply because of his avoidance of flesh and fish as food, that claim is absolutely false.

http://www.sikhanswers.com/rehat-maryada-code-of-conduct/why-are-sikhs-vegetarians/

The Panthic Sikh Rehit Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct) makes it clear that the four Bajjar Kurehits (cardinal prohibitions) for a Sikh, which result in apostasy from the Sikh faith:

੧) ਕੇਸਾਂ ਦੀ ਬੇ-ਅਦਬੀ ।

੨) ਕੁੱਠਾ ਖਾਣਾ ।

੩) ਪਰ-ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਜਾਂ ਪਰ-ਪੁਰਸ਼ ਦਾ ਗਮਨ (ਭੋਗਣਾ) ।

੪) ਤਮਾਕੂ ਦਾ ਵਰਤਣਾ ।

The four transgressions, which must be avoided are (1) Dishonouring the hair, (2) Eating Kuttha, (3) Intimate relationship with a person other than one’s spouse, and 4) Using tobacco (i.e. intoxicants).

The question is, what is Kuttha? While Sikh scholars have defined Kuttha in modern times to mean “meat slaughtered in the Muslim way” or “Halaal meat”, the other interpretation is “slaughtered animal†or “killed animal†(viz. meat). As a result of this difference in interpretation, some Sikhs understand the word “Kuttha†to mean Halaal meat as opposed to meat in general.

In the early 1990s when the SGPC was searching for the consensus to form the Panthic Sikh Rehat Maryada, the majority of the Panth (unlike today) ate meat or believed eating meat was acceptable, however this knowledge was not based on deep Gurbani study as most people were illiterate. There were strict vegetarians at the time, the majority being the Sikh saints, however they too did not force their view upon the masses or the Panthic scholars because eating flesh was socially accepted. The SGPC added a footnote to the word “Kutthaa” to state it meant meat slaughtered in accordance to the Muslim tradition.

Many prominent Sikhs did not sign the drafted Maryada, even though they had participated widely in various deliberations. The absence of appropriate dietary recommendations in the Maryada was one of the main reasons. Also, as noted by some Sikh scholars, proper records of Sikh history, meanings of Gurbani, influence of social circumstances and role of other religious forces were not properly understood in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In the past 60 years the common Sangat’s knowledge of Gurbani and Gurmat has increased with a wider access to understanding Gurmat through books, TV, radio, Internet, kathaa and santheyaa given at Gurdwaras. Now the majority of the Panth believes eating any type of meat is unacceptable, if the same discussions were held in regards to the Maryada then it would be certainly changed to as it should be.

USING GURBANI TO ADDRESS MEAT-EATERS POINTS

Part 1 – Damdami Taksaal on Meat

Part 2 – - Damdami Taksaal on Meat

Debate on Meat and Gurmat (Part 3 of 3)

SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI CLEARLY PROHIBITING EATING MEAT

Those who eat meat are not labelled as ‘Sikhs’ or ‘Gurmukhs’ in Gurbani, rather they are called labelled deceitful:

ਕਾਹੇ ਕਉ ਕੀਜੈ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਜਪੰਨਾ || ਜਬ ਤੇ ਸੁਧੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਮਨੁ ਅਪਨਾ ||੧|| ਰਹਾਉ ||

ਸਿੰਘਚ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਜੋ ਨਰੁ ਜਾਨੈ || ਐਸੇ ਹੀ ਠਗਦੇਉ ਬਖਾਨੈ ||੨||

“Why do you practice meditation and chanting, when your mind is not pure? ||1||Pause and reflect|| The human who considers a lion’s food (i.e. meat) as their food, know such a person to be a god of thieves (

‘thugg’

). ||2||”

(Ang 485)

The fundamental principle of Gurmat (the Guru’s teaching) is:

ਦੂਖੁ ਨ ਦੇਈ ਕਿਸੈ ਜੀਅ ਪਤਿ ਸਿਉ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਵਉ ॥

“Do not cause suffering to any living beings, and you shall go to your true home with honor.”

(Ang 322)

Gurbani clearly states:

ਕਬੀਰ ਭਾਂਗ ਮਾਛੁਲੀ ਸੁਰਾ ਪਾਨਿ ਜੋ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀ ਖਾਂਹਿ ॥

ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਕੀਏ ਤੇ ਸਭੈ ਰਸਾਤਲਿ ਜਾਂਹਿ ॥੨੩੩॥

Kabīr bẖāʼng mācẖẖulī surā pān jo jo prānī kẖāʼnhi.

Ŧirath baraṯ nėm kī­ė ṯė sabẖai rasāṯal jāʼnhi. ||233||

Literal Translation:

“O Kabeer! Those mortals who consume marijuana, fish and wine – no matter what pilgrimages, fasts and rituals they follow, they will all go to hell. ||233||”

(SGGS – Ang 1377)

Meaning of words:

Note:Through the Revealed Word of God, Bhagat Kabir Ji explains to himself to instruct the world about the prohibitions in religious discipline (kurehits). It is false to believe that this salok (hymn) only prohibits the consumption of cannabis, fish and alcohol. One has to look beyond the surface level and dive deeper into Gurbani. Guru Ji cannot make a vast list of drugs, foods and wines that one is forbidden to eat or drink. This would be a waste of time. Instead Guru ji categorises drugs, meat/flesh/killed animals and wines/alcohol under three general categories which represent all products associated and in the same category.

ਭਾਂਗ — (bẖāʼng) = marijuana, cannabis |
The category of ‘cannabis’ or ‘bhung’ includes opium, heroine, tobacco, and all drugs whether inhaled, eaten, smoked or injected through needles.

ਮਾਛੁਲੀ (mācẖẖulī) = fish |
The category of ‘fish’ includes all killed animals whether sea or land animals and allied products like egg, i.e. all meat and flesh.

ਸੁਰਾ (surā) = liquor, alcohol | ਪਾਨਿ (pān) = one who drinks |
The category of alcohol or wine includes all types of alcohol whether beer, whisky, rum, brandy, or any type of wine etc.

ਜੋ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀ (jo jo prānī kẖāʼnhi) = whosoever, everyone | ਖਾਂਹਿ (kẖāʼnhi) = eat, consume |
Gurbani is not prohibiting drugs, meat and alcohol to only Sikhs. It is clear that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is addressing everyone, i.e. Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and the whole world.

ਤੀਰਥ (Ŧirath) = pilgrimages |
Guru Ji is addressing everyone and not only Sikhs. For Hindus, pilgrimage is bathing at the sixty-eight sacred places revered across India. For Muslims, pilgrimage is going on Hajj, i.e. visiting Mecca. For Christians, pilgrimage is visiting Bethlehem and Jerusalem. For Sikhs, pilgrimage in a physical sense is visiting Sri Harimandir Sahib (also known as the ‘Golden Temple’) in Amritsar as well as other historical Gurdwaras in India and Pakistan, but in a spiritual sense pilgrimage means travelling from your mind to one’s soul through bathing and immersing oneself in Naam.

ਬਰਤ (baraṯ) = fast |
Hindus keep fasts on certain days related to their deities as an act of penance. Muslims observe ‘Roza’ or a fast during the month of Ramadan. Christians keep a fast or give up certain foods during ‘Lent’ (before Easter). Sikhs observe the permanent fast of not telling lies, not cheating anyone else or stealing the wealth of others.

ਨੇਮ (nėm) = (religious) routine, practice | ਕੀਏ (kī­ė) = perform, follow |
Hindus perform daily rituals (puja) and chant devotional prayers as part of their daily routine. Muslims perform five prayers (namaaz) as part of their daily routine. Christians say the Lord’s prayer as part of their daily routine. Sikhs wake up Amrit-vela (the early ambrosial hours) and repeat and meditate upon Naam (the Divine-Name) followed by reciting the five prayers of the morning, and reciting Rehraas Sahib in the evening and Sohila Sahib before bed.

ਤੇ ਸਭੈ (ṯė sabẖai) = they will all |
Again, Guru Ji talks about everyone. There are no exceptions.

ਰਸਾਤਲ ਜਾਂਹਿ (rasāṯal jāʼnhi) = become useless, there is not an iota of benefit, go to hell. |233|
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Pefect True Guru, the Complete Truth, the Word of God, the Universal Truth, instructs us that if anyone (irrespective of faith or background) consumes drugs or intoxicants, eats any fish or meat, or drinks any wine or alcohol then all their pilgrimages, fasts and religious practices and prayers lose their value and become worth nothing. That person becomes worthy of hell and reaps no benefit from his religious commitments and efforts.

This salokh on ang (page) 1377 is crystal clear that a Sikh is prohibited from eating meat or any flesh. Anyone who accepts and has full faith in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as their Satguru will not doubt Gurbani. With one Hukam from Gurbani a Sikh accepts and obeys. On the other hand, a Manmukh would continue to ask for further proof or evidence and remain unsatisfied and unwilling to submit to the instructions of Satguru.

WHAT IS HALAAL MEAT?

Cow's throat being slit for blood to slowly pour out in accordance to Islamic law.

Halaal meat is meat obtained by the Muslim method of slaying an animal.

This method of slaughtering animals consists of a swift, deep incision with a sharp knife on the neck, cutting the jugular vein and carotid arteries of both sides but leaving the spinal cord intact, while reciting religious prayers.

Muslims claim that this is the most humane method of animal slaughter.

WHAT IS JHATKA MEAT?

A goat being slaughtered by a modern day 'Sanatan' Sikh.

The concept of “Jhatka” as it is known today is a Hindu one borrowed from the Rajputs who still do it today and have done it for ages before the Sikhs. Proponents of this practice explain this concept as a “Singh” cutting the head of a goat with one blow while shouting a Jaikara (the cry of “Sat Sri Akaal” (God is True). But in Gurbani we are faced with the question:

ਜੀਅ ਬਧਹੁ ਸੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਥਾਪਹੁ ਅਧਰਮੁ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਤ ਭਾਈ ॥
ਆਪਸ ਕਉ ਮੁਨਿਵਰ ਕਰਿ ਥਾਪਹੁ ਕਾ ਕਉ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਸਾਈ ॥2॥
“You kill living beings, and call it a righteous action. Tell me, brother, what would you call an unrighteous action? If you religious people are doing “religious” killing for meat, then what is A-dharam (atheism)? If you are a religious person then whom will we call a butcher? ||2||”
(Ang 1103)

ਕਬੀਰ ਜੋਰੀ ਕੀਏ ਜੁਲਮੁ ਹੈ ਕਹਤਾ ਨਾਉ ਹਲਾਲੁ ॥
ਦਫਤਰਿ ਲੇਖਾ ਮਾਂਗੀਐ ਤਬ ਹੋਇਗੋ ਕਉਨੁ ਹਵਾਲੁ ॥੧੮੭॥
ਕਬੀਰ ਖੂਬੁ ਖਾਨਾ ਖੀਚਰੀ ਜਾ ਮਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਲੋਨੁ ॥
ਹੇਰਾ ਰੋਟੀ ਕਾਰਨੇ ਗਲਾ ਕਟਾਵੈ ਕਉਨੁ ॥੧੮੮॥
“O Kabeer! (Tell the Mullah,) to use force is tyranny, (you grab animals and saying God’s Name you kill them) you you call this legal. (But committing this sin, have you ever thought) when your account is called for in the Court of the Lord, what will your condition be then? ||187|| O Kabeer! (Despite the Mullah eating meat, believing he is within God’s Law) eating the dinner of beans and rice is excellent, in which there is only salt. Who would cut his throat (in paying for the sin) to have meat with his bread? ||188||
(Ang 1374)

Someone could argue that Guru Sahib is addressing the Muslims and in the other cases the Hindus when giving teachings of not to kill animals for food. However, Gurbani is clear:

ਪਰਥਾਇ ਸਾਖੀ ਮਹਾ ਪੁਰਖ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਸਾਝੀ ਸਗਲ ਜਹਾਨੈ ॥
“Great holy men speak the teachings by relating them to individual situations, but the whole world shares in them.”
(Ang 647)

HALAAL MEAT AS A TABOO

Some Sikhs who choose to eat meat argue that one of the Bajjar Kurehits (cardinal prohibitions) is to eat Halaal meat as opposed to eat meat in general. The primary reason for this is that Halaal meat is considered a cruel way to kill an animal due to the length of time it takes for the animal to die.

Sikhs generally hold the view that the Halaal method of slaughter is indeed cruel. Other groups such as the ‘The Farm Animal Welfare Council’ (FAWC), which advises the UK government on how to avoid cruelty to livestock, hold the same view and say that the way Kosher and Halaal meat is produced, causes severe suffering to animals. In addition, the Humanists movement, which has previously called for the abolition of ritual slaughter, says ethical values should be put above religious ones.

Sikhs do believe it is good practice for society to move away from this type of ritual slaughter of an animal. But below is presented evidence from Sikh scriptures and edicts from the Gurus that encourage and promote a lacto-vegetarian diet as the best for a human being.

INTERPRETATION OF THE WORD “KUTTHAA”

In Dictionary of Guru Granth Sahib by Surinder Singh Kohli on page 205 is the following entry:
Kutha: (ਕੁਠਾ) adj (from Punjabi Kohana) Slaughtered.

From Punjabi-English English-Punjabi Dictionary by Krishan Kumar Goswani Page 91
Kohnaa ( ਕੋਹਣਾ ) v To torture, to slay, to kill

1. The word ਕੁਠਾਰੁ “Kuthaar”

a) SGGS page 693:
ਬਜਰ ਕੁਠਾਰੁ ਮੋਹਿ ਹੈ ਛੀਨਾਂ ਕਰਿ ਮਿੰਨਤਿ ਲਗਿ ਪਾਵਉ ॥
bajar kuthaar mohi hai chheenaaN kar minat lag paava-o.
“I fell at the Guru`s feet and begged of Him; with the mighty axe, I have chopped off emotional attachment.”

Here word “Kuthaar” appears to mean “Axe”

b) SGGS page 714
ਕਾਢਿ ਕੁਠਾਰੁ ਪਿਤ ਬਾਤ ਹੰਤਾ ਅਉਖਧੁ ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਉ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
kaadh kuthaar pit baat hantaa a-ukhaDh har ko naa-o. ||1|| rahaa-o.||
“The Name of the Lord is the medicine; it is like an axe, which destroys the diseases caused by anger and egotism. ||1||Pause||”

Again the word “Kuthaar” appears to mean “Axe”

2. The word ਕੁਠਾਰਿ “kuthaar”

SGGS Page 1225 Full Shabad
ਹਰਿ ਕਾਟੀ ਕੁਟਿਲਤਾ ਕੁਠਾਰਿ ॥
har kaatee kutiltaa kuthaar.
The Lord has cut down the crooked tree of my deceit.

3. The Word ਕੁਠੇ ॥ “kuthay”

SGGS Page 1019 Full Shabad
ਅਜਰਾਈਲਿ ਫੜੇ ਫੜਿ ਕੁਠੇ ॥
ajraa-eel farhay farh kuthay.
“Azraa-eel, the Angel of Death, seizes and tortures them.”

The word “Kuttha” (ਕੁਠਾ) appears in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji a number of times. Kuttha can have two meanings: either to butcher, kill or destroy or alternatively, it can mean meat (the product of killing, butchering, destroying). The root of “Kuttha” is “Kutthaar” or axe. A word that operates like “Kuttha” is “muthha” which refers to the act of looting and also the product of looting i.e. “the loot”. In this way, Kuttha can mean, “to butcher/ kill/ destroy” and also refers to the product i.e. “butchered meat”. It cannot by any means refer to Halal meat or Muslim meat.

Everyday we kill countless organisms just through breathing or stepping, but that is much different than Kuttha. Kuttha is the meat of an animal that has been ‘butchered’ and then ‘intentionally’ eaten.

SOME HISTORICAL SOURCES

If we look at the lives of the Gurus we should try to emulate as much of them as possible because we regard their lives as ideal living, then this should be part of it.

Dr. Ganda Singh, a 20th century famous Sikh historian, collected historical edicts and commands written by the Guru Sahibs and published them in his book “Hukamnamas”. On page 64-65 a photograph of the Sixth Nanak, Guru Hargobind Sahib’s Hukamanama (edict) is given with a translation of it in Punjabi:

Historical edict hand written by Guru Hargobind Ji.

The Hukamnama clearly states:

ਮਾਸ ਮਛੀ ਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਵਣਾ |

“Do not come near (i.e. consume) meat and fish.”

(Hukamnama of 6th Guru found at Sri Harimandir Sahib, Patna Sahib)

The last line clearly says not to go near meat or fish. This can’t be just a hoax because all Hukamnamas collected issued from the bear this order. The reason for issuing such an edit proves that historically some followers of the Sikh religion have hunted for eating meat and consumed flesh. But this was not in accordance to Sikh teachings and therefore, to clear the doubts of the Sikhs. The Guru and his Sikhs hunted to defend villages and people from dangerous animals and also to give selected animals salvation who had previously been Sikhs of the Guru or had dealings with them when they were in the human life. Unfortunately, some Sikhs misunderstood this and began to hunt for killing animals for food. As a result of this Guru Hargobind Ji issued the edict above.

Mohsin Fani (1615-70), the well known historian and a contemporary of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib, rites in his work DABISTAN-E-MAZAHIB as follows:

“Having prohibited his disciples to drink wine and eat pork, he (Nanak) himself abstained from eating flesh and ordered not to hurt any living being. After him this precept was neglected by his followers; but Arjun Mal, one of the substitutes of his Faith, renewed the prohibition to eat flesh and said: This has not been approved by Nanak.”

A modern-day Nihang removing the skin of a killed goat, contrary to Gurmat (the Guru's teachings).

The philosophical poetry (Vaars) of Bhai Gurdaas Ji, the nephew of the third Guru and close associate of the subsequent Gurus, is given the utmost respect in the Sikh religion. Bhai Gurdaas Ji poetically describes the killing of a goat for it’s meat, and explains to Sikhs the consequences of eating meat through the eyes of the Goat being killed:

ਅਕ ਧਤੂਰਾ ਖਾਧਿਆਂ ਕੁਹਿ ਕੁਹਿ ਖਲ ਉਖਲਿ ਵਿਣਸੀ ॥

ਮਾਸੁ ਖਾਨਿ ਗਲ ਵਢਿ ਕੈ ਹਾਲੁ ਤਿਨਾੜਾ ਕਉਣੁ ਹੋਵਸੀ ॥

“I was eating ‘Ak’ and ‘Dhatura’ plants (weed plants found in India) for whole of my life, to which no body else liked to eat. And even then I am being brutally killed and my skin being ripped, What will happen to those who cut my throat and eat my meat?

(Vaar 25, Pauri 7)

Elsewhere, Bhai Gurdaas Ji says:

ਕੁਹੈ ਕਸਾਈ ਬਕਰੀ ਲਾਇ ਲੂਣ ਸੀਖ ਮਾਸੁ ਪਰੋਆ ॥

ਹਸਿ ਹਸਿ ਬੋਲੇ ਕੁਹੀਂਦੀ ਖਾਧੇ ਅਕਿ ਹਾਲੁ ਇਹੁ ਹੋਆ॥

ਮਾਸ ਖਾਨਿ ਗਿਲ ਛੁਰੀ ਦੇ ਹਾਲੁ ਤਿਨਾੜਾ ਕਉਣੁ ਅਲੋਆ ॥

“Goat is being killed, cut into pieces, and salt being spread on the pieces. While being killed goat says this all happened to me while I was just eating ‘Ak’ plant (weed found inIndia’s desert fields). What will be the fate of those in the Court of the Lord who cut my throat with a knife and eat my meat?”

(Vaar 37, Pauri 21)

The Tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s “UPDESH” to Bhai Daya Singh ji which is mentioned in “SUDHARAM MARAG GRANTH” :

“One who does not steal, commit adultery, slander anyone, gamble, eat meat or drink wine will be liberated in this very life (i.e. Jeewan Mukt)”.

REASONS BEHIND NOT EATING MEAT

In the true sense neither meat or vegetables are condemnable or sinful in itself. Actually the commendable is the tyranny, violence and evil means adopted in the act of obtaining the meat, driven by one’s lustful palate and is, thus, a sinful act. Even vegetarian food obtained through foul means of bribery, extortion and exploitation is deplorable:

ਹਕੁ ਪਰਾਇਆ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਉਸੁ ਸੂਅਰ ਉਸੁ ਗਾਇ ||

“(Nanak) Grabbing the rightful share of others is like (a Muslim) eating pork and eating beef (for a Hindu).”

(Ang 141)

At Malik Bhago’s feast, Guru Nanak Dev Ji refused to eat any of the food because it was prepared through wealth snatched from the poor by force. When one kills the living beings for obtaining meat, the blood virtually flows out and the use of tyranny and oppression is obvious. Such an action is considered sinful according to Gurbani:

ਅਸੰਖ ਗਲਵਢ ਹਤਿਆ ਕਮਾਹਿ || ਅਸੰਖ ਪਾਪੀ ਪਾਪੁ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਹਿ ||

“Countless people are the cut-throats who commit murders. Numberless are the sinners, who go on committing this particular sin.”

(Ang 4)

Simply by avoiding meat as food no one can become holy person. One can become a religious person only by leading a pious life and simply by practising the rituals or by renouncing certain foods. Religion is far more deep and is about leading towards union with Vaheguru through Naam.

ਸਰਬ ਧਰਮ ਮਹਿ ਸ੍ਰੇਸਟ ਧਰਮੁ ||

ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਕਰਮੁ ||

“Of all religions, the best religion is to chant the Name of the Lord and maintain pure conduct.”

(Ang 266)

Another reason linked to why a Sikh doesn’t eat meat is compassion. Mercy evaporates when we butcher and eat meat. A carrot may have life but it will never run away screaming when you go to the garden to get it. Guru Sahib is clear in Gurbani that life must sustain itself on life. There is no lack of mercy or daya (mercy) exercised when cutting a vegetable as it does not reacts to being cut. Contrast that with animals. These animals beg and cry and little calves cling to their mothers in terror when they sense they will be slaughtered.

Gurbani says:

ਅਠਸਠਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਸਗਲ ਪੁੰਨ ਜੀਅ ਦਇਆ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ ॥

“Rather than bathing at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage and the giving of charity – the most meritorious act that will be accepted by the Lord is showing compassion to all beings.”

(Ang 136)

ਦੂਖੁ ਨ ਦੇਈ ਕਿਸੈ ਜੀਅ ਪਤਿ ਸਿਉ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਵਉ ॥

“Do not cause any being to suffer, and you shall go to your true home with honor.”

(Ang 322)

ਜੇ ਰਤੁ ਲਗੈ ਕਪੜੈ ਜਾਮਾ ਹੋਇ ਪਲੀਤੁ ॥

ਜੋ ਰਤੁ ਪੀਵਹਿ ਮਾਣਸਾ ਤਿਨ ਕਿਉ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਚੀਤੁ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਉ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਾ ਦਿਲਿ ਹਛੈ ਮੁਖਿ ਲੇਹੁ ॥

ਅਵਰਿ ਦਿਵਾਜੇ ਦੁਨੀ ਕੇ ਝੂਠੇ ਅਮਲ ਕਰੇਹੁ ॥੧॥

“If one’s clothes are stained with blood, the garment becomes polluted. Those who drink the blood of others – how can those people’s consciousness be pure?”

(Ang 140)

Guru Nanak Dev Ji simply tells us that if blood stains our clothes are clothes become dirty and polluted, and the mind’s of the people who drink blood also becomes dirty. Therefore, blood is considered as unpleasant thing to drink. Blood can be obtained be killing any living being – whether man or animal through butchery, torture or slaughter. Guru Ji tells us that a cold-hearted person cannot maintain a pure mind, only a compassionate person can have a pure mind.

Video of animals screaming and crying out in a slaughterhouse:

‘Meet Your Meat’ – video showing animals suffering for the sake of being killed to satisfy human appetite:

Plants have no nervous system. Plants are a life form that can’t feel pain. Animals are not as such. The word “gardener” has no pejorative connotation. The word “butcher” on the other hand stands for someone who has no mercy. If one’s heart doesn’t melt at seeing the shrieks and anguish of animals, why would it matter when a human does the same? Why is it Muslims can do Halaal on humans? It’s because they have so much experience with animals that the jerking, gasping of dying animals and blood is something usual for them. A butcher will have the heart of a butcher. A butcher can never be a ‘Dharmee’ (spiritually pious) person.

ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਕਹਹੁ ਮਤ ਝੂਠੇ ਝੂਠਾ ਜੋ ਨ ਬਿਚਾਰੈ ॥

ਜਉ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਹਤ ਹਉ ਤਉ ਕਿਉ ਮੁਰਗੀ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੧॥

ਮੁਲਾਂ ਕਹਹੁ ਨਿਆਉ ਖੁਦਾਈ ॥

ਤੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

“Call the religious ways of the Vedas and Semitic Books (Torah, Bible, Quran etc.) false, and one who does not realize this is also false. (O dear Mullah!) If you say that the One Lord is in all, so why do you kill chickens (as a sacrifice before that Lord)? (Does He not pervade in the chicken? What is the meaning of killing the creation of the Lord and presenting it before Him?) ||1|| O Mullah! Tell me: is this God’s Justice? The doubts of your mind have not been dispelled. ||1||Pause||”

(Ang 1350)

FURTHER QUOTATIONS FROM GURBANI

ਜਉ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਹਤ ਹਉ ਤਉ ਕਿਉ ਮੁਰਗੀ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੧॥

“(O Mullah!) If in all is the one God, then why kill a chicken?”

(SGGS – Ang 1350)

ਸਰਜੀਉ ਕਾਟਹਿ ਨਿਰਜੀਉ ਪੂਜਹਿ ਅੰਤ ਕਾਲ ਕਉ ਭਾਰੀ ॥

“You kill living beings and worship lifeless things, at your very last moment you will suffer terrible pain.”

(SGGS – Ang 332)

ਕਬੀਰ ਖੂਬੁ ਖਾਨਾ ਖੀਚਰੀ ਜਾ ਮਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਲੋਨੁ ॥

ਹੇਰਾ ਰੋਟੀ ਕਾਰਨੇ ਗਲਾ ਕਟਾਵੈ ਕਉਨੁ ॥੧੮੮॥

“O Kabeer! Blessed is the simple food of rice mixed with salt; who would risk his head to be slain hereafter, for the meat one eats here?”

(SGGS – Ang 1374)

ਕਬੀਰ ਜੋਰੀ ਕੀਏ ਜੁਲਮੁ ਹੈ ਕਹਤਾ ਨਾਉ ਹਲਾਲੁ ॥

ਦਫਤਰਿ ਲੇਖਾ ਮਾਂਗੀਐ ਤਬ ਹੋਇਗੋ ਕਉਨੁ ਹਵਾਲੁ ॥੧੮੭॥

“O Kabeer! Those that use force and kill and call it lawful (halaal), after going to the Court of God, what will be their state? ||187||

(SGGS – Ang 1374)

ਕਬੀਰ ਜੋਰੁ ਕੀਆ ਸੋ ਜੁਲਮੁ ਹੈ ਲੇਇ ਜਬਾਬੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥

ਦਫਤਰਿ ਲੇਖਾ ਨੀਕਸੈ ਮਾਰ ਮੁਹੈ ਮੁਹਿ ਖਾਇ ॥੨੦੦॥

“O Kabeer! It is tyranny to use force and kill; the Lord shall call you to account. When your account is called for, your face and mouth shall be beaten. ||200||”

(SGGS – Ang 1375)

ਕਬੀਰ ਖੂਬੁ ਖਾਨਾ ਖੀਚਰੀ ਜਾ ਮਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਲੋਨੁ ॥

ਹੇਰਾ ਰੋਟੀ ਕਾਰਨੇ ਗਲਾ ਕਟਾਵੈ ਕਉਨੁ ॥੧੮੮॥

“O Kabeer! (Despite the Mullah justifies eating meat with the excuse of sacrificing it to God,) the dinner of beans and rice is excellent, if it is (just) flavoured with salt. I am not ready to have my own throat cut to have meat with my bread? ||188||”

(SGGS – Ang 1374)

ਦੂਖੁ ਨ ਦੇਈ ਕਿਸੈ ਜੀਅ ਪਤਿ ਸਿਉ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਵਉ ॥

“Do not cause any being to suffer, and you shall go to your true home with honor.”

(SGGS – Ang 322)

EATING MEAT AND HEALTH

“Doctors say eating meat is healthy – you get vitamins and good things – so there are benefits in eating meat, like with anything its about how much you eat.”

The health aspect we all know and there are lots of resources on the Internet on this issue. One site, which highlights the main risks of eating meat, is:

http://www.healthandgoodness.com/nutritiondiet/health_risks_meat.html.

Meat is disease-ridden and is a dirty thing to eat.

Gurbani tells us:

ਬਾਬਾ ਹੋਰੁ ਖਾਣਾ ਖੁਸੀ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥

ਜਿਤੁ ਖਾਧੈ ਤਨੁ ਪੀੜੀਐ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

“O Baba, the pleasures of other foods are false. Eating which, the body is ruined (i.e. are unhealthy), and wickedness and corruption enter into the mind. ||1||Pause||”

(Ang 16)

The vegetarian diet is known to be light on the digestive system and easy to digest. In modern times, medical practitioners and dieticians alike have emphasized the virtues of vegetarian diet. In the western world, vegetarian diet is increasingly becoming popular in recent years.

www.cancerproject.org
“The World Health Organization has determined that dietary factors account for at least 30 percent of all cancers in Western countries and up to 20 percent in developing countries. When cancer researchers started to search for links between diet and cancer, one of the most noticeable findings was that people who avoided meat were much less likely to develop the disease. Large studies in England and Germany showed that vegetarians were about 40 percent less likely to develop cancer compared to meat eaters.”

ec.europa.eu:
“The use of six growth hormones 17ß-oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone, zeranol, trenbolone and melengestrol acetate (MGA) for growth promotion in cattle pose a risk to the consumers, but with different levels of conclusive evidence. This is the main finding of the Scientific Committee for Veterinary Measures relating to Public Health which has unanimously adopted an opinion on potential risks to human health from hormone residues in meat and meat products. The adverse effects include developmental, neurobiological, genotoxic and carcinogenic effects.”

DISTORTION OF GURBANI TO JUSTIFY EATING MEAT

The only Shabad (sacred hymn) in the whole of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji that is specifically cited by meat eaters in support of eating meat is the Shabad of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji in the Vaar of Raag Malaar that revealed at Kurekshetra during a solar eclipse day, a day considered holy by the Brahmins (Hindus priests). It begins with the couplet:

ਮਾਸੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਕਰਿ ਮੂਰਖੁ ਝਗੜੇ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਣੈ ॥

ਕਉਣੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਕਉਣੁ ਸਾਗੁ ਕਹਾਵੈ ਕਿਸੁ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਪ ਸਮਾਣੇ ॥

“Only the fool quarrels over the question of eating or not eating of the meat. He does not have the True Wisdom. Without True Wisdom or Meditation, he harps on which is flesh and which is not flesh and or Meditation, he harps on which is flesh and which is not flesh and which food is sinful and which is not.”

(SGGS – Ang 1289-1290)

The Guru is addressing a Vaishnav Pandit (scholar) who believes that he can achieve Nirvana (a state of liberation) only by avoiding meat as food and not trying to obtain the true wisdom through meditation. The Guru has stressed that only avoiding meat will not lead one to the achievement of Spiritual Bliss. Guru Sahib exposes the Pandit’s hypocrisy and double standards.

The same hymn states that everything is flesh, which is inappropriately used to argue that eating meat is okay:

ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਮਾਸਹੁ ਨਿੰਮਿਆ ਮਾਸੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਵਾਸੁ ॥

ਜੀਉ ਪਾਇ ਮਾਸੁ ਮੁਹਿ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਹਡੁ ਚੰਮੁ ਤਨੁ ਮਾਸੁ ॥

ਮਾਸਹੁ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਕਢਿਆ ਮੰਮਾ ਮਾਸੁ ਗਿਰਾਸੁ ॥

ਮੁਹੁ ਮਾਸੈ ਕਾ ਜੀਭ ਮਾਸੈ ਕੀ ਮਾਸੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਾਸੁ ॥

ਵਡਾ ਹੋਆ ਵੀਆਹਿਆ ਘਰਿ ਲੈ ਆਇਆ ਮਾਸੁ ॥

ਮਾਸਹੁ ਹੀ ਮਾਸੁ ਊਪਜੈ ਮਾਸਹੁ ਸਭੋ ਸਾਕੁ ॥

ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਮਿਲਿਐ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਬੁਝੀਐ ਤਾਂ ਕੋ ਆਵੈ ਰਾਸਿ ॥

ਆਪਿ ਛੁਟੇ ਨਹ ਛੂਟੀਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਚਨਿ ਬਿਣਾਸੁ ॥੧॥

“First, the mortal is conceived in the flesh, and then he dwells in the flesh. When he comes alive, his mouth takes flesh; his bones, skin and body are flesh. He comes out of the womb of flesh, and takes a mouthful of flesh at the breast. His mouth is flesh, his tongue is flesh; his breath is in the flesh. He grows up and is married, and brings his wife of flesh into his home. Flesh is produced from flesh; all relatives are made of flesh. When the mortal meets the True Guru, and realizes the Hukam of the Lord’s Command, then he comes to be reformed. Releasing himself, the mortal does not find release; O Nanak, through empty words, one is ruined. ||1||”

(SGGS – Ang 1289)

The fact is that a human’s own flesh is exactly like that of meat. Observing surgery or perusing internal medicine books, one notes that we are the same substance. That’s why Guru Nanak Sahib Ji has said not to hate meat. We are meat. But at the same time we cannot eat it because it would be like eating a dead body. It’s foul and unthinkable.

Vegetarianism by itself cannot confer spiritual merit or lead to the door of salvation (mukti). Spiritual achievement depends on Saadhana or religious discipline. However, it has been observed that a vegetarian diet helps to keep a healthy body and a healthy body makes a healthy mind. To practice hypocrisy, enter futile arguments, harbour hate for others or believe salvation rests in mere rituals or practices other than meditating on Naam (the Name of the Lord) is condemned by the Guru.

http://www.sikhanswers.com/rehat-maryada-code-of-conduct/meat-controversy-in-the-panth/

ਫੜੁ ਕਰਿ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੋ ਦਿਖਲਾਵਹਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਸੂਝੈ ॥

“They practice hypocrisy, and make a show before other people, but they do not understand anything about meditation or spiritual wisdom.”

(Ang 1289)

CONCLUSION

The word ‘Kuttha’ used in the Sikh Code of Conduct does not refer to Halaal or sacrificial meat at all, but refers to meat and allied products as a whole. It means simply to slay or cut the animal irrelevant of the method of slaughter. The use of the word in the same sense at a number of places in Gurbani brings out this point beyond any shadow of a doubt. Accordingly, eating flesh in general (and not only Halaal) is totally prohibited for the Sikhs and is one of the four Bajjar Kurehits (cardinal prohibitions) in accordance to Gurmat (the Guru’s teachings).

[Gursikh10]

What about Modern Day Sikhs? The ones who shave their beard? Who do not bother to think about these things?

How do you get this message across?

* So-called Sikhs..

[savinderpalsingh]

please read this little book


http://www.scribd.com/doc/100583067/Jhatka-Parkash

[luckysingh99]

Don't be a veggie because others say, and in the same way don't eat meat if others advise.

There are as many gurbani shabads that can be intepreted as for or against meat. However, gurbani advises you to use your god-given logic in helping you decide what you should eat.

There is no argument that can deny that vegetarian diets are more sattivic and therefore better for increasing your spirituality.

If common sense and your logic tells you that it is wrong to kill for food, then you should follow your instinct.

Don't try to justify or defend your decision amongst others, as the world is split with this issue and it won't do you any favours.

Another thing is that you shouldn't fall for the nihang sacred tradition of jhatka either!

Because this itself is misinterpreted. The significance and reason for jhatka is NOT about killing to eat at all, it is about the sacred tradition of tilak and annointing weapons as part of shastri puja as well as the mental warrior factors involved.

FACT is that the true nihangs are not supposed to buy or eat meat from sources where they have NOT been involved in the jhatka of it.

This virtually means that any meat to be consumed has to be killed by jhatka by oneself and can't be bought from the butcher or supermarket..etc.....

[Gursikh10]

If Gurbani tells us so many consequences about eating meat then why do Sikhs eat it?

That jhadka thing sounds foolish.

How many sikhs in percentage eat meat?

[savinderpalsingh]

please read this for your answer

http://www.scribd.com/doc/100583067/Jhatka-Parkash

[ladli-fauj]

this is what i have to say

groups within sikhi like to put sikhi within boundries, a little box...anything within the box is sikhi and anything outside is not...this does not go with the teaching of guru granth sahib...sikhi is more than that...you can not put sikhi within boundires, labels, a box and say its that....

many people will write bhagat kabeer jis baani on here using there baani as a tool to fight against meat eaters...then the supporters of meat will either try to twist bhagat kabeer jis baani and say you are not thinking in perspective of what they were saying etc....

but the truth is this (well for me) there is not 1 answer...several times in your spirtual jeevan youll find out there isn't 1 answer to things...for example waheguru is closest to everyone but at the same time waheguru is the farsest...guru gobind singh ji writes khanda prithmai saaj ke...god createsd the double edged sword first..thr double edged sword represents how the world is,,,life is both posion life is both sweet

GURU Granth sahib will answer this question---in Guru granth sahib every bhagat has his own way of reaching god, those who use bhagat kabirs lines to make their claim against meat..ok..then also go ring bells in mandirs...also go do nawaz like bhagat farid every morning....see 1 bhagat for example bhagat kabeer is saying 1 thing about meat and a topic...while another for example guru nanak dev ji is saying some thing else about the same topic (example the opposite view on the meat situation between them)..but both bhagat kabeers and guru nanak dev jis bani is in guru granth sahib...the point wasnt to do kandhar of the other...but recognize theres differenrt ways of reaching god...wherever the truth was heard guru nanak dev ji accepepted it....that is the universal message of guru granth sahib and sikhs dont even rememeber that..,hardcore jathabndi fanboys will not like my answer but in the end this is wat i feel is the truth...

the vedas each have a different sadhant...message...which will you use, that is up to you, dont get into the kandhar mode of the other ...the vedas dont have writing denouncing the other either....just like in guru granth sahib 1 bhagat isnt denying the other and actually bhagat kabeer mentions bhagat ravidas and bhagat ravidas mentions bhagat kabir and others and they both tell they are all right in their own way and have reached god...this is sikhi....(not actuallty telling you to choose vedas but just giving example of how they are also like that) the matter isnt bringing down the other view point but offering something for all...annd if u cant do that ull be stuck in small fighting and live in boundries...limits

waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh

[N30S1NGH]

Great post ladli fauj, at the end it comes to one's avastha and dristhi(perception)..!!!!!!!

[Wicked Warrior]

Surely the rationale behind not serving meat in langar is so that all are welcome? How would you feel as a vegetarian to go in and find the only thing being served was roti and meat? What if a muslim came and couldn't eat it because it was not halaal?

For people of all castes/colour/creed to be able to sit and partake of Langar, the food must be acceptable to all.

Agree with above comments that you must walk upon your own path in Sikhi and make your own decisions.