Followers ofSikhism do not have a preference for meat or vegetarian consumption.[1][2][3][4] There are two views on initiated or "Amritdhari Sikhs" and meat consumption. "Amritdhari" Sikhs (i.e. those that follow theSikh Rehat Maryada - the Official Sikh Code of Conduct[5]) can eat meat (provided it is notKutha meat).[6][7][8][9] "Amritdharis" that belong to some Sikh sects (e.g.Akhand Kirtani Jatha,Damdami Taksal,Namdhari[10][11]) are vehemently against the consumption of meat and eggs.[12]
TheSikh Gurus have indicated their preference for a simple diet,[13] which could include meat or be vegetarian.Guru Nanak said thatoverconsumption of food i.e.Lobh (Greed) involves a drain on the Earth's resources and thus on life.[14] In the case of meat, passages from theGuru Granth Sahib (the holy book of Sikhs, also known as the Adi Granth) say that fools argue over this issue. The tenth guru,Guru Gobind Singh, prohibited the Sikhs from the consumption ofKutha (any ritually slaughtered) meat because of the Sikh belief that sacrificing an animal in the name of God is mere ritualism (something to be avoided).[1]
InSikhism, onlylacto-vegetarian food isserved in theGurdwara (Sikh temple) but Sikhs are not bound to be meat-free.[15][6] The general consensus is that Sikhs are free to choose whether to adopt a meat diet or not.[6][16]
Volunteers preparing langar at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, India, 9 January 2007
Within the gurdwara, the Guru ka Langar (Guru's community kitchen) serves purelylacto-vegetarian food because the Langar is open to all. Since people of many faiths with varying dietary taboos, and since Sikhs accept these restrictions and accommodate people regardless of their faith or culture, the Sikh Gurus adopt vegetarian food for Langar. Meat was included in langar at the time ofGuru Angad, but was discontinued to accommodateVaishnavites.[17]
Sikhism argues that the soul can possibly undergo millions of transformations as various forms of life before ultimately becoming human. These life forms could be a mineral, vegetation, or an animal. Sikhism does not see a difference between these types of existence,[18] however the human has a privileged position compared to other life forms.[19] In terms of the Sikh view ofkarma, human life is seen as being most precious, and animal, vegetable, and mineral all viewed as being equally below human life. Therefore, Sikhs view eating an animal is the same as eating a plant or mineral.[20]
According to Surjit Singh Gandhi, theGuru Granth Sahib on page 472 and Guru Nanak in early 16th century said that "avoidance of flesh as food was impractical and impossible so long as they used water, since water was the source of all life and the first life principle".[21]Guru Nanak states that all living beings are connected. Even meat comes from the consumption of vegetables, and all forms of life are based on water.[22]
O Pandit, you do not know where did flesh originate! It is water where life originated and it is water that sustains all life. It is water that produces grains, sugarcane, cotton and all forms of life.
TheAkal Takht (Central Body for Sikh Temporal Affairs) represents the final authority on controversial issues concerning the SikhPanth (community or collective). TheHukamnama (edict or clarification), issued by theJathedar of the Akal Takht (head priest or head caretaker)Sadhu Singh Bhaura dated February 15, 1980, states that eating meat does not go against the code of conduct (Kurehit) of the Sikhs; Amritdhari Sikhs can eat meat as long as it isJhatka meat.[23]
TheAkhand Kirtani Jatha dispute the meaning of the word "kutha", claiming it means all meat.[26] However, in mainstream Sikhism this word has been accepted to mean that which has been prepared according to Muslim rituals.[27]
I. J. Singh states that throughout Sikh history, there have been many subsects of Sikhism that have espoused vegetarianism. However, this was rejected by theSikh Gurus.[33] Sikhs consider that vegetarianism and meat-eating are unimportant in the realm of Sikh spirituality. Surinder Singh Kohli links vegetarianism toVashnavite behaviour.[34] Gopal Singh, commenting on meat being served in the langar during the time of Guru Angad[35] Gyani Sher Singh—who was the head priest at theDarbar Sahib—notes thatahimsa does not fit in with Sikh doctrine.[36] W. Owen Cole and Piara Singh Sambhi[37] comment that if the Sikh Gurus had made an issue on vegetarianism, it would have distracted from the main emphasis of Sikh spirituality. H. S. Singha and Satwant Kaur comment on how ritually-slaughtered meat is considered a sin for initiated Sikhs.[38] G. S. Sidhu also notes that ritually-slaughtered meat is taboo for a Sikh.[39] Gurbakhsh Singh comments on how non-Kutha meat is acceptable for the Sikhs.[40] Surinder Singh Kohli comments on the "fools wrangle over flesh"[41] quotation from the Guru Granth Sahib by noting how Guru Nanak mocked hypocritical vegetarian priests. Gobind Singh Mansukhani states how vegetarianism and meat-eating has been left to the individual Sikh.[42] Devinder Singh Chahal comments on the difficulties of distinguishing between plant and animal in Sikh philosophy.[43] H. S. Singha comments in his book how the Sikh Gurus ate meat.[44]Khushwant Singh also notes that most Sikhs are meat-eaters and decry vegetarians asdaal khorey (lentil-eaters).[45]
In early 1987Kharkus issued a moral code banning the sale and consumption of meat. The ban led to much of Punjab being without meat. Those who continued to sell or eat meat risked death and commonly would have their businesses destroyed and be killed. One survey found that there were no meat or tobacco shops betweenAmritsar andPhagwara. In the peak of the militancy most of Punjab was meatless. Famous restaurants that served meat had removed it from their menu and denied ever serving it. The ban was popular among rural Sikhs. Kharkus justified the ban by saying, "Noavatars, Hindu or Sikh, ever did these things. To eat meat is the job ofrakshasas (demons) and we don't want people to becomerakshasas."[46][47][48][49]
Painting depicting Sikh horsemen hunting boar and deer, circa 1790
According toDabistan-e-Mazhib (a contemporary Persian chronology of the Sikh Gurus), Guru Nanak did not eat meat, andGuru Arjan thought that meat eating was not in accordance with Nanak's wishes. This differs from I. J. Singh's research that states that Guru Nanak ate meat on the way toKurukshetra.[50] According to Persian records, Guru Hargobind (the 6th Guru) ate meat and hunted, and his practice was adopted by most Sikhs.[51]
Sikhs also generally avoid eating beef because the cow, the buffalo and the ox are an integral part of ruralSikh livelihoods.[52][53] Similarly, Sikhs may avoid eating beef in the company of Hindus and avoid eating pork in the company of Muslims out of respect for their shared values. However, there is no religious prohibition about eating beef and pork.[52]
Some Sikh groups likeAkhand Kirtani Jatha keep Sarbloh Bibek. Sikhs who follow this practice eat from iron bowls and iron plates only.[54]
Another key aspect to maintaining Sarbloh Bibek is that Sikhs must only eat food prepared by otherAmritdhari (baptized) Sikhs. Amritdhari Sikhs are also not to eat Jootha food (previously eaten food) from non-Amritdharis.[55]
^Sikhs and Sikhism, by I.J. Singh, Manohar, DelhiISBN978-81-7304-058-0:Throughout Sikh history, there have been movements or subsects of Sikhism which have espoused vegetarianism. I think there is no basis for such dogma or practice in Sikhism. Certainly Sikhs do not think that a vegetarian's achievements in spirituality are easier or higher. It is surprising to see that vegetarianism is such an important facet of Hindu practice in light of the fact that animal sacrifice was a significant and much valued Hindu Vedic ritual for ages. Guru Nanak in his writings clearly rejected both sides of the arguments—on the virtues of vegetarianism or meat eating—as banal and so much nonsense, nor did he accept the idea that a cow was somehow more sacred than a horse or a chicken. He also refused to be drawn into a contention on the differences between flesh and greens, for instance. History tells us that to impart this message, Nanak cooked meat at an important Hindu festival in Kurukshetra. Having cooked it he certainly did not waste it, but probably served it to his followers and ate himself. History is quite clear that Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh were accomplished and avid hunters. The game was cooked and put to good use, to throw it away would have been an awful waste.
^Guru Granth Sahib, An Analytical Study by Surindar Singh Kohli, Singh Bros. AmritsarISBN81-7205-060-7:The ideas of devotion and service in Vaishnavism have been accepted by Adi Granth, but the insistence of Vaishnavas on vegetarian diet has been rejected.
^A History of the Sikh People by Dr. Gopal Singh, World Sikh University Press, DelhiISBN978-81-7023-139-4:However, it is strange that now-a-days in the Community-Kitchen attached to the Sikh temples, and called the Guru's Kitchen (or, Guru-ka-langar) meat-dishes are not served at all. May be, it is on account of its being, perhaps, expensive, or not easy to keep for long. Or, perhaps the Vaishnava tradition is too strong to be shaken off.
^abcMosher, Lucinda (1 June 2005)."4 Distance".Belonging (Faith in the Neighbourhood). Church Publishing Inc. p. 108.ISBN1-59627-010-1. Retrieved24 November 2010.
^Singh, Dharam (2001).Perspectives on Sikhism: Papers Presented at the International Seminar on Sikhism: a Religion for the Third Millennium Held at Punjabi University, Patiala on 27-29 March 2000. Publication Bureau, Punjabi University. p. 89.ISBN9788173807367.
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