Prohibitions in Sikhism

There are a number of religious prohibitions in Sikhism

#Cutting Hair: Cutting hair is strictly forbidden in Sikhism. Sikhs are required to keep unshorn hair.
#Intoxication: Consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and other intoxicants is not allowed. Intoxicants are strictly forbidden for a Sikh. [http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_four.html Sikh Reht Maryada, The Definition of Sikh, Sikh Conduct & Conventions, Sikh Religion Living, India ] ] [http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html Sikh Reht Maryada, The Definition of Sikh, Sikh Conduct & Conventions, Sikh Religion Living, India ] ] [http://www.satnamnetwork.com/Vaisakhi/sikh_code_of_conduct.htm Sikh Code Of Conduct ] ]
#Adultery: In Sikhism, the spouses must be physically faithful to one another. [ [http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=Search&Param=english Sri Granth: Search Results ] ]
#Blind spirituality Superstitions and rituals should not be observed or followed, including pilgrimages, fasting and ritual purification; circumcision; idols, grave worship; compulsory wearing of the veil for women; etc.
#Material obsession : Accumulation of material wealth is not encouraged in Sikhism.
#Sacrifice of creatures: The practice of sati (widows throwing themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands), ritual animal sacrifice to celebrate holy occasions, etc. are forbidden.
#Non-family-oriented living: A Sikh is encouraged not to live as a recluse, beggar, yogi, monastic (monk/nun) or celibate.
#Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip, lying, slander, "back-stabbing", etc. are not permitted. The Guru Granth Sahib tells the Sikh, "Your mouth has not stopped slandering and gossiping about others. Your service is useless and fruitless." [ [http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=Page&Param=1253&english=t&id=53906 Srigranth.org - Guru Granth Sahib Page 1253] ]
#No Priestly class: Sikhism does not have priests, that were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh "(the 10th Guru of Sikhism)". [http://www.sikhs.org/summary.htm The Sikhism Home Page: Introduction to Sikhism ] ] The only position he left was a Granthi to look after the Guru Granth Sahib, any Sikh is free to become Granthi or read from the Guru Granth Sahib.
#Eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner: Sikhs are strictly prohibited from eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (such as halal or kosher meat), or any meat within premises of langar. ["Sikhism, A Complete Introduction" by Dr. H.S. Singha & Satwant Kaur Hemkunt, Hemkunt Press, New Delhi, 1994, ISBN 81-7010-245-6] In some Sikh groups, ie Akhand Kirtani Jatha eating any meat is believed to be forbidden, but this is not a universally held belief. ["Sikh Identity: An Exploration of Groups Among Sikhs" by Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, pg. 51, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd, 2005, ISBN 0754652025]
#Having premarital or extramarital sexual relations [ [http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/sikh-rehat-maryada/the-sikh-rehat-maryada-section-four.html#art16 The Sikh Rehat Maryada :Section Four | Gateway to Sikhism-Gateway to Sikhism ] ] [Doris R. Jakobsh. Relocating Gender In Sikh History: Transformation, Meaning and Identity. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2003, pp.39-40]

Violation of prohibitions

Not all people calling themselves Sikh subscribe to these prohibitions. Some young Sikhs are now cutting their hair to the dismay of spiritual leaders. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/29/world/asia/29turban.html Young Sikh Men Get Haircuts, Annoying Their Elders] . New York Times. March 29, 2007.] According to the Sikh clergy, "the fad among youth to shed the pagri" is being observed more commonly among the Sikh youth in Punjab than Sikhs in other Indian states. [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Pagri_not_very_attractive_out_of_tune_with_times/articleshow/msid-223157,curpg-1.cms 'Pagri not very attractive, out of tune with times'] ]

Nihang Sikhs of Punjab, who are defenders of historic Sikh shrines are an exception and consume an intoxicant called "bhang" (cannabis) to help in meditation [cite book
last = Richard Beck
first = David Worden
authorlink =
title = Gcse Religious Studies for Aqa
publisher =
series =
year =
doi =
pages= 64
isbn = 0435306928] [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/40701351.cms Hola Mohalla: United colours of celebrations] ] [ [http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040103/asp/opinion/story_2735311.asp Mad About Words] ] , saying that it's "puratan maryada" (Punjabi for "old tradition"). Bhang is common in India; according to a legend, even the Hindu God Shiva was fond of bhang (cannabis) and it became his favourite food. [cite book
last = Richard Beck
first = David Worden
authorlink =
title = Gcse Religious Studies for Aqa
publisher =
series =
year =
doi =
pages= 63
isbn = 0435306928] In 2001, Baba Santa Singh, the Jathedar of Budha Dal, along with 20 chiefs of Nihang sects refused to accept the ban on consumption of "bhang" by the apex Sikh clergy. [ [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010326/punjab1.htm#3 Nihangs ‘not to accept’ ban on bhang] . The Tribune. March 26, 2001.] Baba Santa Singh was excommunicated and replaced with Baba Balbir Singh, who agreed to shun the consumption of "bhang". [ [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010310/main7.htm#2 No ‘bhang’ at Hola Mohalla] . The Tribune. March 10, 2001.]

The Udasis, who consider themselves as denomination of Sikhism, lay emphasis on being ascetic, thus violating the "Non-family-oriented living" principle. Shrichand, the ascetic son of Guru Nanak, was the founder of the Udasi Sikh order, and is respected among Sikhs.

References