Previous

Next

Ask a Question

Summary of Question:	Am I Considered "Sikh" Or Not?
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Saturday, 4/07/2007 5:09 PM MDT

Hello,

I have a simple question. Am I a "Sikh" in the terms of the Guru Granth Sahib or not? I cut my hair and I am also non-vegetarian but I do not drink alcohol or smoke. I go to Gurudwara and pray only when my heart tells me to. I do not believe in going to the Gurudwara to show other people that I am very religious. I can speak, read and write Punjabi and can read the Guru Granth Sahib.
Therefore, am I a Sikh or not? If I am not a Sikh then what am I? Is it true that to become a sikh I have to follow the five K's and follow the rehat maryada or do I just have to believe in One God and the Mol Mantar?

(REPLY) Sat Nam. Well, you're obviously not Khalsa, but only you can decide if you are a Sikh or not. What is a Sikh? A student of Truth, living righteously according to the teachings that we were originally given by Guru Nanak, and expanded upon by his successors. Belief in one God is fine. Jews believe in one God also, Are they Sikhs? Most uniquely,Sikhs worship only the Siri Guru Granth Sahib as our living Guru. Do you know what is in the hearts and minds of all the people who go to Gurdwara? You seem a bit judgemental. A true Sikh goes to Gurdwara to be in the vibrations of the Shabd Guru, and to be in the Sadh Sangat -- which is advised in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. In the Sadh Sangat something special takes place that is beyond the realm of personality of the individuals there. When you bow to the Guru, ideally you realize you are offering your head. If you truly understand the Mool Mantra, and you UNDERSTAND what you "believe" about it, then you have understood that you are to LIVE the qualities that Guru Nanak describes so that you BECOME ONE with the One. God lives and breathes in you. What kind of a dwelling are you providing for that Divine inhabitant? Polluting it with animal flesh (which isn't healthy) doesn't seem very respectful to me. Cutting your hair is also rather an insult to the God who keeps making it grow back. Every breath reaffirms God's presence in you. You are the only person who has the right and the ability to judge and decide if you are a true Sikh of the Guru or not. SP