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Summary of Question:	Sikhs Conversion To Khalsa(In Appearance) Quite Ironical
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Saturday, 8/03/2002 8:50 AM MDT

waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh

I am proud to be a sikh.I think sikhism is amongst the most commendable religions of the world.A few days ago a friend of mine asked me few questions which left me speechless I pondered over them a lot but in vain.I hope I can get this help from you.
1.He asked me that the evolution of khalsa panth was from sikkhism, lead by
guru nanak,who professed his ideas of simple living (saadgi) but don't you think
that the sikh transformation to khalsa has defeated the very reason of the same as every sikh in the world needs to spend a lot of time in dressing up,wearing
his turban nicely,combing his hairs,setting his beard etc. don't you think that
this is quite ironical.

ANSWER: I think your friend is right in one thing the use of the word evolution... Sikhism is not and cannot be taken in parts... so Guru Nanak starts by expounding on truth and truthful living ( this can be interpreted as simple living) and Guru Ram Das in Giving and Guru Angad on Selflessness and so on... until Guru Gobind Singh on being a "Saint-soldier" (please note the term used is derived from sant-spayi and not the other way around). The tenets are all there and so are all the 5 vices... focusing on the tenets will help you understand the values do exist in behavior. Now for the looking good part in as much as good grooming is an indicator of a well kept mind/body... there is nothing wrong there as long as it is not the total focus of the person.


2.He asked me that guru nanak was the founder of sikhism but he belonged to a hindu family and not just he but our first nine gurus were all from the hindu families .Though their pictorials resembles to the people of khalsa panth(i.e. with turban and beard) but don't you think that they were clean shaven.So what
is the problem is a person from your sect gets clean shaved,after all he remains a sikh if not a khalsa.


ANSWER: What is important is listening to the whole instruction... let me give you a simple example... when you bake a cake there is a recipe... and at the end there is a very simple and yet important instruction... let the cake cool before you take it out of the tin otherwise it will break...hence no CAKE! similarly with Sikhs... the 10th Guru's instructions cannot be excluded because a Sikh is not whole without Turbans, hair... Khalsa is the final and next level... the icing on the cake so to speak. So the roots of our cultural faith happen to be in Hindism and Islam so what...We look to where we are going.

I get the sense that your friend is messing with your head because of his insecurities.. focus on yourself and do what is right...We have all had such friends and thoughts you are not alone... We are here for you...we will always support you in your faith.



3.when guru nanak started professing his ideas many people became his disciples
and during the course till guru teg bahadur many people had started following sikhism for example sindhi's and pandits.It would have grown further but just due to its evolution to khalsa panth, which was just like closing the doors for the outside people by making their special identity as a khalsa.Since then there has not been much growth in numbers of sikhs and it is known as a minority religion now ,which could have been a major religion at this time by the virtueof the ideas it professes.Isn't is ironical too.


ANSWER: (Actually, the Sikh religion is NOT a minority religion. On the contrary, it is one of the five largest in the world! And, it is growing rapidly particularly in the Western Hemisphere, where people are eager to experience the truth of the teachings of our Gurus. SP)
Let us not forget the cultural context and the times... they were very brutal times from Guru Nanak's time onwards...and the sacrifices made by all the Gurus created a more stable land...Please understand unlike many other faiths we do not convert forcefully or otherwise...if people come to the Guru that is great and you can see that visibly here in the western world... KHALSA is not exclusionary but sort of the next evolution... Yes for that there is discipline and rules...and by many standards not different from any baptism in any faith...It is the affirmation and total acceptance of being a devout sikh.
So, many people can be sikhs but to become a Khalsa is a commitment that requires serious thought.
(I have some questions: Why is your "friend" trying to undermine your faith"? Does he or she ever read from Siri Guru Granth Sahib? EAch person should be concerned only with his or her own spiritual connection with God and Guru, and not be trying to intellectualize reasons for this and that. Sikhism is a religion of experience, so I strongly recommend that you, at least, focus on developing a strong and conscious bond with your Guru by reading your banis daily (in English if you don't read or understand Gurmukhi) and read in Akhand Paths as often as possible. Siri Guru Granth Sahib is the precious, priceless gift that is the culmination of all the efforts of the Gurus starting with Guru Nanak, and as Sikhs we have been given the privilege of experiencing the Word of God through the Shabd Guru. Take advantage of the opportunity you have in this lifetime as a Sikh! -- BTW - I don't know who wrote the bulk of this reply, but it was all still posted, so I added my thoughts. Blessings to you! SP)

I hope this helps

with gurus grace.

SSM