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In Sikhism, only vegetarian food is served in the Gurdwara, but Sikhs are not totally bound to be meat-free. The general consensus is that Sikhs are free to choose whether to adopt the vegetarian or meat diet, although once baptized by taking Amrit, some minority sects of Sikhs (Damdami Taksal, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Namdharis, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha and the 3HO), believe that a Sikh should be meat free, however this is not a Universally held belief amongst Sikhs. Orthodox Sikhs believe that once Amrit is taken, Sikh's are only prohibited from eating Kuttha or ritually slaughtered (Halal, Kosher).
Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the holiest book of the Sikhs quotes first Sikh Guru Nanak: Template:Quoter
On the views that eating meat would be eating flesh, first Sikh Guru Nanak states: Template:Quoter
Sikhism is a liberal, tolerant faith that acknowledges personal liberty and the crucial proponent of human nature, free will . As such, Sikh philosophy and Scriptures are not didactic in nature, for Sikhism offers spiritual, ethical and moral guidance to a fulfilling way of life rather than a tightly-construed and strict religious discipline. As a result, it is the subject of much debate as to whether Sikhs are prohibited by the Sikh Code of Conduct, the Rehat Maryada, from eating meat. The consensus is however, Sikhs are bound to avoid meat that is killed in a ritualistic manner e.g. Halal, Kosher etc.
Within the Gurdwara, the Guru ka Langar (Guru's community kitchen) serves purely vegetarian food, freshly prepared from all natural ingredients for all people, at all times. The reason for serving vegetarian food is that the Langar is open to all. Since many faiths and people have varying taboos on what to eat and how meat should be prepared etc, and since Sikhs accept these restrictions and accommodate people no matter their faith or culture, the safest option thought by the Sikh Gurus was to adopt vegetarian food for Langar. The exception to vegetarian langar is when Nihangs, ( a minor but oldest Sikh sect in India) serve meat on the occasion of Holla Mohalla, and call it MahaPrashad .
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 rock, vegetation or animal. Sikhism does not see a difference between mineral, vegetation and animal. The only distinction made is that between these (mineral, vegetation and animal), and human.
The first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev said it was a pointless argument to debate the merits of either not eating or eating meat in the context of religion, as maintaining a strict diet does not make one blessed or elevate one to a superior status, spiritually or otherwise, over another. Being a member of a religion incorporates not merely one's dietary customs but the entire way in which they govern their lifestyle. He advocated a lifestyle consisting of honest, hard work and humility Kirat Karni, focus and remembrance of God Naam Japna and compassion for all of humanity and God's creation all around Vaṇḍ chakkō, with these 3 key principles taking far greater precedence over one's mere dietary habits.
Sikh Intellectual Views on Vegetarianism and Sikhism
Many articles have been written by many Sikh intellectuals on this issue. Cited below are extracts from various pieces of work by these experts.
The Sikh Code of Conduct on the Vegetarian Issue
Leading Sikh intellectuals ruled on this issue in the 1920s (as some Sikh Sects confused the issue by trying to get all Sikhs to be vegetarian) and came up with the following rule or Code of Conduct for baptised Sikhs with regards to meat and Vegetarianism:
Historical Records and Behaviour of Sikhs and Diet
There are a number of eyewitness accounts from European travellers as to the eating habits of Sikhs. Although there is no prohibition on Sikhs for eating beef, it is clear that Sikhs as a mark of respect for their Hindu neighbours did not partake in eating beef:
The following is an Extract from an officer in the Bengal Army and is taken from the Asiatic Annual Register 1809:
The following extract from Dabistan e Mazhib
See also
References
- http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html Only Meat killed by Ritual is banned for a Sikh
- "Sikh Identity: An Exploration of Groups Among Sikhs" by Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, pg. 51, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd, 2005, ISBN 0754652025
- http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=Page&Param=787&english=t&id=33605#l33605 Page 787 Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji
- "Sikhism, A Complete Introduction" by Dr. H.S. Singha & Satwant Kaur Hemkunt, Hemkunt Press, New Delhi, 1994, ISBN 81-7010-245-6
- http://www.sikhs.org/meat_au.htm Misconceptions About Eating Meat - Comments of Sikh Scholars by Sandeep Singh Brar]
- Faithandfood Fact Files - Sikhism
- www.singhsabha.com/holla_mohalla.htm
- Page 176 Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji
- Page 1289 Sri GuruGranth Sahib Ji
- Siques, Tigers or Thieves Parmajit Singh Madra Singh ISBN 13: 978140396201
- Sikh History from Persian Sources: Translations of Major Texts (Paperback) by J.S. Grewal (Author, Editor), Irfan Habib (Editor) ISBN-13: 978-8185229171