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Summary of Question:	Nihang Singhs Don't Practice Sikh Teachings
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 7/09/2002 6:37 AM MDT

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, WAHEGURU JI KI FETHE.

I belive strongly that sikhs should not eat meat,and take other intoxins,and iv read that while browsing sikhnet.com. I have a good friend though who at one time was a SINGH i looked up too,he would wake up at 3 and do all his prayer,PANJ BANIA DA PATH,in the mornin,RERHAS and KIRTAN SUHELA in the evning and at night,(plz correct me if iv spelt the prayers wrong)and i learnt a lot from him.but now recently,he has changed, he eats meat,drinks and even smokes weed...When i ask him wots happned, he says he is a NAHANG SINGH he prays to WAHEGURU.he tells me dat u can be a proper SINGH and go to SACH KHAND(plz correct my spelling)by smoking and drinking....I was told that during SIRI GURU GOBIND SINGHS time the NAHANG WORRIORS would smoke baange(weed)after wars to num there pains and eat meat to give them strenth....and even now in India alot of these so called NAHANG SINGH can be seen smokin and eating meat....i personly belive that if im in pain,and need energy,the word WAHEGURU will heal me and give me the strentgh to fight on.I just wanna know how i can put that into his head and also is it true about the NAHANG SINGHS during SIRI GURU GOBIND SINGHS time.

I hope u dont think im just wasting your time.

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, WAHEGURU JI KI FETHE.

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REPLY
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Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Dear One--
You cannot force anyone to change what they do or become. The best you can do for your friend is (1) pray for him that he act and live his highest truth as a Gursikh, and (2) set an example by your own practice of the Naam and your clean living. Don't try to force anything on him. If you find yourself uncomfortable around him, especially when he is high on weed, then leave. And if he visits your space/home, ask him to come ONLY when he is sober/not high. My own experience of the vibration of people who are high on intoxicants is that it is polluting and it is very hard to relate to them unless you are also high. Remember too that smoking is an addiction, so it's going to be much harder for him to stop since he sounds like he is addicted.

I am sad to say that most Nihangs give Sikhi a bad name and set a bad example. The Gurus were all very clear to their devotees that any kind of intoxicant including ganga (marijuana) or betelnut prevented one from having the experience of the Naam because it clouds perception (and can cause damage to the brain). The Gurus ate meat only when there was no other option or if they were being polite in the company of non-Sikhs; that is discussed elsewhere on this forum. So are Nihangs, search it with that spelling. Your friend has been misguided by Nihangs. I am not going to tell you that your friend will never go to SachKhand, but I am telling you he is not living rehit or Sikhi. I mean, since when did Guru give Nihangs an exemption from the Rehit? He didn't, period. I should add that some Nihangs do practice the Rehit, so don't assume that every Nihang is the same as the ones your friend has taken up with.

Keep up living the teachings as you do, and may Waheguru guide and bless you both! Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
-DKK