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Summary of Question:	Hindu Rituals
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Saturday, 1/11/2003 5:13 PM MST

Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa!!!!!

Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh!!!!!

Sikhnet moderators! WAHEGURU bless you for enlightening so many youngsters of today!

My question is just a general one. I am a Punjabi boy (Hindu by birth) trying to make myself worthy of the Guru's Amrit in the near future. I was just wondering as to what am I supposed to do when my family performs Hindu rituals. For example, I refused my sister from tying rakhri on my wrist in 2001, but let her do so in 2002. Also, my family sometimes has some customs as per which I have to put tilak on my forehead. As a slave of the True Guru, I do not want to indulge in these but I guess for my parents'/elder's respect I cannot refuse. Please tell me what I can do in these cases. Plain refusal to follow these would appear insensitive, fanatic, and disrespectful. On the other hand, if I do follow them, I would feel guilty for engaging myself in them.

awaiting your response

Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa!!!!!
Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh!!!!!

(REPLY) If your family is Hindu, then they would of course be practicing Hindu traditional rites. Have you spoken with them about your plan to become Amritdhari Sikh? Just as you want to, and should (!) respect their right to worship according to their beliefs and customs, then it seems they would show you the courtesy of respecting your right to worship as a Sikh! The main thing that a Sikh would not do is worship any idol, or bow to any person as "guru" As you know, we bow only to our Siri Guru Granth Sahib, the Shabd Guru. I don't think a tilak on your forehead goes against any tenets of Sikhism that I'm aware of, and the rakhi on your wrist is just a kindness shown to your sister. I have heard that historicallyin many Hindu families, one of the sons is raised as a Sikh, so this is not that unusal - but I don't know the details of how it is handled. May God and Guru bless you and guide you with wisdom and compassion to live in righteousness. SP