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Summary of Question:	Salvation If Not Baptized?
Category:	General Q's from Non-Sikhs
Date Posted:	Thursday, 7/22/2004 3:36 PM MDT

"i was born and raised as a sikh, but i'm not amritdhari yet. it's been a goal of mine for the past few years to take amrit, but one thing or another has stopped me. at the present moment, i have scrupulosity (religious Obessive Compulsive Disorder) through which fear death, compulsively pray, doubt my faith, and at times i have blasphemous thoughts. if i do take amrit it will only escalate my anxiety becasue i'll have more responsibility. right now, i do pray three times a day, have kept my hair, am a vegetarian, and go to the gurdwara weekly. so my question is if a person (who prays, keeps their hair, and is an overall good person) can attain salvation without being baptized?"

My friend, it's obvious that you have a great deal of faith in the Guru and that you are a very religious person. A lot of people do worry about whether or not they will be able to "keep" Amrit. Actually, Amrit keeps you. Have faith. And besides that, we're all human. If you miss some of your banis one day, you can make them up. Judging by your description you are quite capable of maintaining the maryada. It sounds like you're already doing a lot of it right now. Don't waste your life preparing for Amrit without getting Amrit chuk. You may miss the golden opportunity.


"How can one acquire divine knowledge
without being initiated into mystical experiences.
How can one achieve perfect contemplation
Without seeing His Light.
Without reverence all talk of religion is evil
These, O Nanak, are reflections on the
Door to His Presence."( Guru Arjan, Bhairon p 1140)

I had the same questions as you when I first started out. I did a lot of research and found this crystal clear conclusion. Without Amrit one cannot become one with God (the goal of Sikhe). Without Amrit one does not yet have a Guru. By the way, I'm not saying this to sound mean, I'm just trying to tell you the truth. I also am not Amrit chuk yet but will be soon. It's imperative for us to follow the Guru's hukam.

"koorr nivaarae guramath saarae jooai janam n haarae ||
She who drives out her falsehood, and acts according to the Guru's Teachings, does not lose her life in the gamble." (Guru Amar Daas Ji Raag Gauree 244)

DKK, I feel that you are misleading this person. Giving an uninformed opinion on such a life changing decision is irresponsible. Please tell the truth about this subject, it is not a matter of opinion but a matter of the Guru's Hukum (Will). The need for Amrit initiation is made crystal clear in Bhai Gurdass Ji's Vaars. I'm sorry I didn't provide the qoutes, but I could not find it. These Vaars are also Gurbani according to the Guru's hukum.

Good Luck!
-Sundeep Singh

*******

Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh.

We all have our different experiences and perspectives on what these teachings mean. We are grateful for the moderators that take the time to answer and also grateful to those of you who would like to share a different view. So thank you for taking the time to write this.

Blessings.

GPK