IMHO I think that both side of the war against terror are missing the point.
Since the enemy isn't eager to save their lives, IMHO the war on terror needs to be fought with less death as a result.
I'd be demanding that the US allow the Taleban to survive as captives and be treated with respect and dignity according to Geneva convention, especially when they might not give you the same respect IF you are captured and do not convert to Islam.
IMHO towards Muslims, I'd follow the path of Nanak. In front of Muslims he denied being Hindu; in front of Hindus he denied being Muslim. In the end, he died at peace. Yet the Muslims didn't get it, and they continued their forced conversion of India during Mughal rule, so that the Sikhs arose to defend their faith.
It was only in the face of oppression that the Sikhs became warriors, and forgot that Nanak had saved his life and countrymen by acting as he did.
It takes a wise person to understand this and realize that it isn't Islam that we are fighting but terrorists hiding behind religion who are nothing more than criminals.
In essence, we are fighting the terrorists to save them from their self oppression which leads to terrorism, oppression against women, and other evils.
Indeed, most people deluded by the glory of war ignore this truth: "A warrior may conquer 1000 foes, but one who conquers himself is the true warrior."
IMHO the war against terror arose because of apocalype propaganda both on the part of the Bush administration and on the part of the terrorists due to their obsession with religion, be it Christian or Islam.
Neither side sees the Dalai Lama or even peace activists as helpful because of the myopic beliefs held by Christians and Muslisms.
As well, both sides of this struggle hide behind God which prevents people from realizing that it is the West's dependence on oil and the West's aim to profit from Americanizing the Middle East that motivates the US.
IMHO ending this war will not stop the terrorists from trying to control the Middle East again.
Fanaticism excludes the ability to fight to save the other person's life, because at its root it is excluded by the obsession with forcing ultraconservative Salafi Islam as way of life on everyone else, due to the fanatic's belief that everyone else are unbelievers (kaf'r) and worthy only of death and not mercy.
For all terrorists who revere the Salafi way of life believe themselves to be the only True believers. Even the worst of Christian fundamentalism is not as criminal as the Salafi way is.
If I had to choose between Christianity and Islam, I'd choose Chassidic Judaism because of its emphasis of the joy of loving-kindness.
Only both Gnostic Christianity and Sufism are close to solving conflict.
However, my Buddhist heritage would promote moderation of monotheism, lest its excesses lead my astray from Life's true objective: peace of mind.
When I think about the typical Muslim terrorists, it reminds me more of a zombie Apocalypse especially when in Christian apocalyptic propaganda, the Christian dead are supposed to rise up out of their graves to fight in God's army against Satan and his minions, both demons and everyone living and dead who chose the left path over the right path of Jesus.
Indeed, the End of Days looks like a zombie Apocalypse.
Originally posted June 23, 2010 at 1:07 PM
Showing posts with label Guru Nanak. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guru Nanak. Show all posts
20121210
The Sword of Wisdom
This Apni is blessed by Baba Nanak!
I apologize to the source at Sikh Spectrum for copying it verbatim.
The Sword of Wisdom
- Harsimrat Kaur Khalsa
Shlok Seheskritee, First Mehl (Ung 1353)
You study the scriptures, say your prayers and argue;
you worship stones and sit like a crane, pretending to meditate.
You speak lies and well-ornamented falsehood,
and recite your daily prayers three times a day.
The mala is around your neck, and the sacred tilak mark is on your forehead.
You wear two loin cloths, and keep your head covered.
If you know God and the nature of karma,
you know that all these rituals and beliefs are useless.
Says Nanak, meditate on the Lord with faith.
Without the True Guru, no one finds the Way. ||1||
The mortal's life is fruitless, as long as he does not know God.
Only a few, by Guru's Grace, cross over the world-ocean.
The Creator, the Cause of causes, is All-powerful. Thus speaks Nanak, after deep deliberation.
The Creation is under the control of the Creator. By His Power, He sustains and supports it. ||2||
The Shabad is Yoga, the Shabad is spiritual wisdom; the Shabad is the Vedas for the Brahmin.
The Shabad is heroic bravery for the Khshaatriya; the Shabad is service to others for the Soodra.
The Shabad for all is the Shabad, the Word of the One God, for one who knows this secret.
Nanak is the slave of the Divine, Immaculate Lord. ||3||
The One Lord is the Divinity of all divinities. He is the Divinity of the soul.
Nanak is the slave of that one who knows the Secrets of the soul and the Supreme Lord God.
He is the Divine Immaculate Lord Himself. ||4||
“You study the scriptures, say your prayers and argue.”
Why do people study scriptures? What is prayer, and arguing? Who was Guru Nanak addressing in this Shabad? The language and literary style of this hymn is elite and classical grammar. The Guru blends this Seheskriti language combined with Sanskrit, Parkriti, Punjabi, Hindi, Farsi, and other languages. It appears as if Guru Nanak was addressing pakhandi (hypocritical) religious scholars of the time, in a region dominated by Brahmanism. Brahman pundits (priests) publicly argued about their knowledge of scriptures and spiritualism. Often they would exploit people with superstitious rituals that were contrary to the faith of the scriptures that they taught. If you study this shabad (hymn) more closely, you will see that Guru Nanak did not criticize the Brahmans directly. The Guru only uses corruption among the Brahmans as an example of human weakness. Our ego and the five vices confuse us, causing self-centeredness that makes us clever, greedy, and corrupt people constantly looking for opportunities to main gains at the expense of others.
“You worship stones and sit like a crane, pretending to meditate in a saintly fashion.”
Worship of a stone is foolish. Rocks have no biological function, they have no free will, and they are non-productive. The rock as it is, is the opposite of production and self-improvement. The rock is lifeless, passive, hard, and stable; and very little can affect it. Likewise, the crane first appears the same, standing one-legged in a humble, yoga position on the stone - a foundation for its deceitful hunting pose. The bird looks colorful like a flower, harmless and calm yet it is on lookout for an opportunity to strike. The fish are not aware that they are a quick prey. And when the crane quickly shovels the fish into its mouth, there is no escape. The path to the crane’s stomach is long and slow that prolongs the suffering. The fish slides tightly down the crane’s throat, as it cannot even wiggle or expand its gills to gasp for breath. Unfortunately, some Sikh leaders today are like the crane preying on the unsuspecting community.
“You speak lies and well-ornamented falsehood.”
The Guru explains how pundits go out of their way, misleading people of a simple faith away from reality and trick them into superstitious, meaningless rituals that guarantee no benefit. People are lured into wasting time and effort for the profit of the greedy. It is to the advantage of the crane that the fish remains ignorant of the danger. Alas, most people are easily enchanted with exquisite language full of false promises.
“and recite your daily prayers three times a day.”
Cranes swallow the fish and then fly away howling in pride and satisfaction. The prayers of the hypocritical religious leaders are nothing but expressions of their gratitude for the blind, innocent followers who allow these leaders to feast on them. If these blind followers had known any better, they would have avoided the pundit’s trap.
“The mala of sacred beads is around your neck, and the sacred tilak mark is on your forehead.”
Notice that the beads that hang over the heart is mentioned before the mark on the head. This shows how corrupt people are governed by emotions rather than intellect. Like the beauty of the colored religious beads that cover up the evil plot of these pundit’s, the crane has a destructive scheme hidden under its beauty - the beautiful beak and exotic, fluffy feathers covering its chest.
“You wear two loin cloths, and keep your head covered.”
One cloth isn’t enough, so two are worn to double fool those of blind faith. The loin cloths do not fit tightly around the body. Falsehood can be easily detected if one observes with careful eyes. Without the knowledge of Gurbani, one can easily get caught up in trusting the very people who have no care for your well-being.
“If you know God and the nature of karma,”
The only way to know God is by learning about His Hukam and living by it. All natural laws are God’s hukam. When we accepts this, we learn to live truthful. So how can one become truthful? And how can the false veil of illusion be torn away?
O Nanak, it is written that you shall obey the Hukam of His Command, and walk in the Way of His Will” and “Merits and demerits are read out in the presence of Dharma (Righteous Judge”). “According to their own actions, some are drawn closer, and some are driven farther away.” (Jap Ji Sahib)
“You know that all these rituals and beliefs are useless.”
When one understands hukam and karma, it is easy to recognize falsehood, because trying to bribe God is a foolish insult. Even worse is to use religion to intentionally mislead others. Imagine a government official lying about what forms to fill out to receive benefits. The damage could be devastating.
“Says Nanak, meditate on the Lord with faith.”
Take the message of Gurbani and reflect on it, day and night. Faith is belief in something that is beyond your understanding. Giyan/Truth will always be beyond our comprehension. We only understand that Truth is stable, yet we will never know all the intricate details of the universe.
“Without the True Guru, no one finds the Way. ||1||”
If we do not follow the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, we will be lead astray by deceivers of truth, like the crane preying on the innocent fish. Sat Guru is exactly the concept of God teaching us truth with the nature that He created, because of His grace. Guru Nanak realized this truth, and blessed humanity with this revelation. Guru Nanak has taken the Giyan Shabad and expressed it in a more contemporary literary style for people to understand. Satgur is not the physical form of anyone or anything- it is the Giyan Shabad itself which is not limited to language, form, or time. For this reason, many hymns in Guru Granth Sahib are from different places, different times, different languages, and different classes of people. Our Guru Granth Ji Maniyo is the Giyan Shabad in the language of the mortal man. Gur giyan is so deep that language can only describe it in a limited way.
“The mortal's life is fruitless, as long as he does not know God.”
To believe in God means to know and accept God’s hukam, and Guru Nanak teaches us about hukam through the Guru Granth Sahib. Without the foundation of the knowledge of the world we live in, how can we survive? From infancy we learn about our environment, created and governed by God’s hukam.
“Only a few, by Guru's Grace, cross over the world-ocean.”
Knowledge of the Guru’s teaching is the only way to survive in this world of deception. Crossing over the sea is a figure of speech, meaning, ”deliverance from our sufferings”. “The faithful is carried across the sea of trouble, and also carries the Sikhs of the Guru across. ” (Jap Ji Sahib) So why are only a few rescued? It is because only a few of us are willing to take the challenge of looking beyond ourselves into truth.
“The Creator, the Cause of causes, is All-powerful. Says Nanak, after deep deliberation.”
Creation undergoes an eternal process of recycling. Molecular changes always happen within and without every object, interacting and reacting constantly with other things. “Some are givers, and some are beggars; God is above the heads of all.” “Oh Nanak, all are subject to birth and death. (Jap Ji Sahib)
“The Creation is under the control of the Creator. By His Power, He sustains and supports it. ||2||”
Although it seems out of control, everything is always in its correct place, because everything obeys hukam. All natural laws of the universe are eternally fully functional
“The Shabad is Yoga, the Shabad is spiritual wisdom; the Shabad is the Vedas for the Brahmin.”
Just as Yoga teaches about the body, so does Gurbani teach the secrets of life. Just as Vedas is valuable to the Brahmin, Gurbani is vital for mankind.
“The Shabad is heroic bravery for the Khshaatriya; the Shabad is service to others for the Shoodra.”
Shabad gives us the knowledge of how to battle our five vices. When we recognize hukam, we function better. We learn to make better decisions in life, and our behavior toward improves. Giyan shabad is our kiyatri weapon to defend ourselves against falsehood. It is bravery in the sense that truth need not prepare itself for battle against falsehood. Truth is always ready and always prevails. “He is from the beginning lover of truth and other virtues.” (Bhagat Jaidev, p. 526) Shoodr are the lowest castes of people who serve all the other castes above them. Shabad unlimitedly serves us. We learn that God’s Hukam of grace operates so intricately and constantly to sustain the universe in which we reside. God is as if our servant, yet we think that He needs our help.
“The Shabad for all is the Shabad, the Word of the One God, for one who knows this secret.”
Shabad of truth is only one for all mankind. It does not know caste or status.
“Nanak is the slave of the Divine, Immaculate Lord. ||3||”
Guru Nanak has devoted his life towards making God’s shabad known to all.
“The One Lord is the Divinity of all divinities.”
There is only one God that exists and He has the power of all gods worshipped. He is self-sufficient and almighty.
“He is the Divinity of the soul, the Supreme Lord who knows the its Secrets.”
God has reserved space within Himself for all of us to exist. Only He knows Himself, which is infinitely beyond our capabilities to understand fully.
“Nanak is the slave of that. He is the Divine Immaculate Lord Himself. ||4||”
All creation testifies to God’s majestic hukam, we are all equally blessed with the essence of reality. This relish of Amrit is offered for everyone.
In conclusion, Guru Nanak uses the image of a crane (pakhandi Brahman pundits) only as an example to teach us that whatever religion anyone practices, he must accept God’s hukam and live truthful. All of us, at times, fall into this category of missing the whole point of living faithful and saintly. Among our own Sikh religious circles, we are blessed to have faithful raggies, preachers, and granthis. However, there are some wealthy granthis, preachers, and greedy raggies also.
The main criticism in Guru Nanak’s Seheskriti Shlok is against man in general. The Guru uses Pakandi Brahmins as an example of man’s tendencies to be suckered into his own ego trap, which ensnares him and others affected by his evil. The only way to protect ourselves from our own self destruction is to, first, understand and live the message of Guru Granth Sahib. Second, empower humanity with this divine knowledge, and finally to defend ourselves and the weak by using the sword as a first resort. I mean, the sword of wisdom of Guru Granth Sahib.
Copyright© Harsimrat Kaur Khalsa.
I apologize to the source at Sikh Spectrum for copying it verbatim.
The Sword of Wisdom
- Harsimrat Kaur Khalsa
Shlok Seheskritee, First Mehl (Ung 1353)
You study the scriptures, say your prayers and argue;
you worship stones and sit like a crane, pretending to meditate.
You speak lies and well-ornamented falsehood,
and recite your daily prayers three times a day.
The mala is around your neck, and the sacred tilak mark is on your forehead.
You wear two loin cloths, and keep your head covered.
If you know God and the nature of karma,
you know that all these rituals and beliefs are useless.
Says Nanak, meditate on the Lord with faith.
Without the True Guru, no one finds the Way. ||1||
The mortal's life is fruitless, as long as he does not know God.
Only a few, by Guru's Grace, cross over the world-ocean.
The Creator, the Cause of causes, is All-powerful. Thus speaks Nanak, after deep deliberation.
The Creation is under the control of the Creator. By His Power, He sustains and supports it. ||2||
The Shabad is Yoga, the Shabad is spiritual wisdom; the Shabad is the Vedas for the Brahmin.
The Shabad is heroic bravery for the Khshaatriya; the Shabad is service to others for the Soodra.
The Shabad for all is the Shabad, the Word of the One God, for one who knows this secret.
Nanak is the slave of the Divine, Immaculate Lord. ||3||
The One Lord is the Divinity of all divinities. He is the Divinity of the soul.
Nanak is the slave of that one who knows the Secrets of the soul and the Supreme Lord God.
He is the Divine Immaculate Lord Himself. ||4||
“You study the scriptures, say your prayers and argue.”
Why do people study scriptures? What is prayer, and arguing? Who was Guru Nanak addressing in this Shabad? The language and literary style of this hymn is elite and classical grammar. The Guru blends this Seheskriti language combined with Sanskrit, Parkriti, Punjabi, Hindi, Farsi, and other languages. It appears as if Guru Nanak was addressing pakhandi (hypocritical) religious scholars of the time, in a region dominated by Brahmanism. Brahman pundits (priests) publicly argued about their knowledge of scriptures and spiritualism. Often they would exploit people with superstitious rituals that were contrary to the faith of the scriptures that they taught. If you study this shabad (hymn) more closely, you will see that Guru Nanak did not criticize the Brahmans directly. The Guru only uses corruption among the Brahmans as an example of human weakness. Our ego and the five vices confuse us, causing self-centeredness that makes us clever, greedy, and corrupt people constantly looking for opportunities to main gains at the expense of others.
“You worship stones and sit like a crane, pretending to meditate in a saintly fashion.”
Worship of a stone is foolish. Rocks have no biological function, they have no free will, and they are non-productive. The rock as it is, is the opposite of production and self-improvement. The rock is lifeless, passive, hard, and stable; and very little can affect it. Likewise, the crane first appears the same, standing one-legged in a humble, yoga position on the stone - a foundation for its deceitful hunting pose. The bird looks colorful like a flower, harmless and calm yet it is on lookout for an opportunity to strike. The fish are not aware that they are a quick prey. And when the crane quickly shovels the fish into its mouth, there is no escape. The path to the crane’s stomach is long and slow that prolongs the suffering. The fish slides tightly down the crane’s throat, as it cannot even wiggle or expand its gills to gasp for breath. Unfortunately, some Sikh leaders today are like the crane preying on the unsuspecting community.
“You speak lies and well-ornamented falsehood.”
The Guru explains how pundits go out of their way, misleading people of a simple faith away from reality and trick them into superstitious, meaningless rituals that guarantee no benefit. People are lured into wasting time and effort for the profit of the greedy. It is to the advantage of the crane that the fish remains ignorant of the danger. Alas, most people are easily enchanted with exquisite language full of false promises.
“and recite your daily prayers three times a day.”
Cranes swallow the fish and then fly away howling in pride and satisfaction. The prayers of the hypocritical religious leaders are nothing but expressions of their gratitude for the blind, innocent followers who allow these leaders to feast on them. If these blind followers had known any better, they would have avoided the pundit’s trap.
“The mala of sacred beads is around your neck, and the sacred tilak mark is on your forehead.”
Notice that the beads that hang over the heart is mentioned before the mark on the head. This shows how corrupt people are governed by emotions rather than intellect. Like the beauty of the colored religious beads that cover up the evil plot of these pundit’s, the crane has a destructive scheme hidden under its beauty - the beautiful beak and exotic, fluffy feathers covering its chest.
“You wear two loin cloths, and keep your head covered.”
One cloth isn’t enough, so two are worn to double fool those of blind faith. The loin cloths do not fit tightly around the body. Falsehood can be easily detected if one observes with careful eyes. Without the knowledge of Gurbani, one can easily get caught up in trusting the very people who have no care for your well-being.
“If you know God and the nature of karma,”
The only way to know God is by learning about His Hukam and living by it. All natural laws are God’s hukam. When we accepts this, we learn to live truthful. So how can one become truthful? And how can the false veil of illusion be torn away?
O Nanak, it is written that you shall obey the Hukam of His Command, and walk in the Way of His Will” and “Merits and demerits are read out in the presence of Dharma (Righteous Judge”). “According to their own actions, some are drawn closer, and some are driven farther away.” (Jap Ji Sahib)
“You know that all these rituals and beliefs are useless.”
When one understands hukam and karma, it is easy to recognize falsehood, because trying to bribe God is a foolish insult. Even worse is to use religion to intentionally mislead others. Imagine a government official lying about what forms to fill out to receive benefits. The damage could be devastating.
“Says Nanak, meditate on the Lord with faith.”
Take the message of Gurbani and reflect on it, day and night. Faith is belief in something that is beyond your understanding. Giyan/Truth will always be beyond our comprehension. We only understand that Truth is stable, yet we will never know all the intricate details of the universe.
“Without the True Guru, no one finds the Way. ||1||”
If we do not follow the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, we will be lead astray by deceivers of truth, like the crane preying on the innocent fish. Sat Guru is exactly the concept of God teaching us truth with the nature that He created, because of His grace. Guru Nanak realized this truth, and blessed humanity with this revelation. Guru Nanak has taken the Giyan Shabad and expressed it in a more contemporary literary style for people to understand. Satgur is not the physical form of anyone or anything- it is the Giyan Shabad itself which is not limited to language, form, or time. For this reason, many hymns in Guru Granth Sahib are from different places, different times, different languages, and different classes of people. Our Guru Granth Ji Maniyo is the Giyan Shabad in the language of the mortal man. Gur giyan is so deep that language can only describe it in a limited way.
“The mortal's life is fruitless, as long as he does not know God.”
To believe in God means to know and accept God’s hukam, and Guru Nanak teaches us about hukam through the Guru Granth Sahib. Without the foundation of the knowledge of the world we live in, how can we survive? From infancy we learn about our environment, created and governed by God’s hukam.
“Only a few, by Guru's Grace, cross over the world-ocean.”
Knowledge of the Guru’s teaching is the only way to survive in this world of deception. Crossing over the sea is a figure of speech, meaning, ”deliverance from our sufferings”. “The faithful is carried across the sea of trouble, and also carries the Sikhs of the Guru across. ” (Jap Ji Sahib) So why are only a few rescued? It is because only a few of us are willing to take the challenge of looking beyond ourselves into truth.
“The Creator, the Cause of causes, is All-powerful. Says Nanak, after deep deliberation.”
Creation undergoes an eternal process of recycling. Molecular changes always happen within and without every object, interacting and reacting constantly with other things. “Some are givers, and some are beggars; God is above the heads of all.” “Oh Nanak, all are subject to birth and death. (Jap Ji Sahib)
“The Creation is under the control of the Creator. By His Power, He sustains and supports it. ||2||”
Although it seems out of control, everything is always in its correct place, because everything obeys hukam. All natural laws of the universe are eternally fully functional
“The Shabad is Yoga, the Shabad is spiritual wisdom; the Shabad is the Vedas for the Brahmin.”
Just as Yoga teaches about the body, so does Gurbani teach the secrets of life. Just as Vedas is valuable to the Brahmin, Gurbani is vital for mankind.
“The Shabad is heroic bravery for the Khshaatriya; the Shabad is service to others for the Shoodra.”
Shabad gives us the knowledge of how to battle our five vices. When we recognize hukam, we function better. We learn to make better decisions in life, and our behavior toward improves. Giyan shabad is our kiyatri weapon to defend ourselves against falsehood. It is bravery in the sense that truth need not prepare itself for battle against falsehood. Truth is always ready and always prevails. “He is from the beginning lover of truth and other virtues.” (Bhagat Jaidev, p. 526) Shoodr are the lowest castes of people who serve all the other castes above them. Shabad unlimitedly serves us. We learn that God’s Hukam of grace operates so intricately and constantly to sustain the universe in which we reside. God is as if our servant, yet we think that He needs our help.
“The Shabad for all is the Shabad, the Word of the One God, for one who knows this secret.”
Shabad of truth is only one for all mankind. It does not know caste or status.
“Nanak is the slave of the Divine, Immaculate Lord. ||3||”
Guru Nanak has devoted his life towards making God’s shabad known to all.
“The One Lord is the Divinity of all divinities.”
There is only one God that exists and He has the power of all gods worshipped. He is self-sufficient and almighty.
“He is the Divinity of the soul, the Supreme Lord who knows the its Secrets.”
God has reserved space within Himself for all of us to exist. Only He knows Himself, which is infinitely beyond our capabilities to understand fully.
“Nanak is the slave of that. He is the Divine Immaculate Lord Himself. ||4||”
All creation testifies to God’s majestic hukam, we are all equally blessed with the essence of reality. This relish of Amrit is offered for everyone.
In conclusion, Guru Nanak uses the image of a crane (pakhandi Brahman pundits) only as an example to teach us that whatever religion anyone practices, he must accept God’s hukam and live truthful. All of us, at times, fall into this category of missing the whole point of living faithful and saintly. Among our own Sikh religious circles, we are blessed to have faithful raggies, preachers, and granthis. However, there are some wealthy granthis, preachers, and greedy raggies also.
The main criticism in Guru Nanak’s Seheskriti Shlok is against man in general. The Guru uses Pakandi Brahmins as an example of man’s tendencies to be suckered into his own ego trap, which ensnares him and others affected by his evil. The only way to protect ourselves from our own self destruction is to, first, understand and live the message of Guru Granth Sahib. Second, empower humanity with this divine knowledge, and finally to defend ourselves and the weak by using the sword as a first resort. I mean, the sword of wisdom of Guru Granth Sahib.
Copyright© Harsimrat Kaur Khalsa.
20121209
"All Sikhs are Khalsa"
From my research of Sikhs and their practice, the current Sikh Rehat Maryada is inspired by the Guru_Granth_Sahib.
However, it is a recent document approved by the Panth in 1950 when mainstream Sikhism predominated the Sikh religion.
Much of what is supposedly traditional Sikh in culture is actually influenced strongly by Hindu culture.
Overall though, all Sikhs are Khalsa. No edicts by a high priest are binding, because the last Guru Gobind Singh left no such instructions.
Regarding the Five K's, the only thing Gobind asked was for all Sikh males to wear five kinds of spiritual weapons.
Instead, only the Guru's Word is binding, not what one Sikh priest says. This Guru is the Sikh holy book, the Adi Granth
For all Sikhs are worthy of forgiveness if the act of meditation on, singing and chanting God's name causes them to forsake violence for peace.
At least, this is the impression I get from the Sikh concept of Nam Simran.
This is all that Guru Gobind Singh asks of all Sikhs:
He who meditates on the Supreme Light, night and day, and believes not in another, has perfect love in the heart and puts not his faith in fasting, tombs, graveyards and convents, and for whom the pilgrimages consist in being compassionate, charitable, chaste and self-disciplined and who recognises in all no one but the One alone, and whose heart is illumined with the Divine Light is a Khalsa, purest of the pure. (Guru Gobind Singh, 33 Swaiyyas).
References:
Sikh: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh
Khalsa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalsa
Sikh Rehat Maryada: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehat_Maryada
Guru Granth Sahib: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Granth_Sahib
The Five K's: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh#Five_Ks
Nam Simran: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naam_Simran
Guru Gobind Singh: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobind_Singh
All that Guru Gobind Singh asks of all Sikhs: http://www.sehajdhari.co.uk/code.htm
However, it is a recent document approved by the Panth in 1950 when mainstream Sikhism predominated the Sikh religion.
Much of what is supposedly traditional Sikh in culture is actually influenced strongly by Hindu culture.
Overall though, all Sikhs are Khalsa. No edicts by a high priest are binding, because the last Guru Gobind Singh left no such instructions.
Regarding the Five K's, the only thing Gobind asked was for all Sikh males to wear five kinds of spiritual weapons.
Instead, only the Guru's Word is binding, not what one Sikh priest says. This Guru is the Sikh holy book, the Adi Granth
For all Sikhs are worthy of forgiveness if the act of meditation on, singing and chanting God's name causes them to forsake violence for peace.
At least, this is the impression I get from the Sikh concept of Nam Simran.
This is all that Guru Gobind Singh asks of all Sikhs:
He who meditates on the Supreme Light, night and day, and believes not in another, has perfect love in the heart and puts not his faith in fasting, tombs, graveyards and convents, and for whom the pilgrimages consist in being compassionate, charitable, chaste and self-disciplined and who recognises in all no one but the One alone, and whose heart is illumined with the Divine Light is a Khalsa, purest of the pure. (Guru Gobind Singh, 33 Swaiyyas).
References:
Sikh: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh
Khalsa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalsa
Sikh Rehat Maryada: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehat_Maryada
Guru Granth Sahib: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Granth_Sahib
The Five K's: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh#Five_Ks
Nam Simran: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naam_Simran
Guru Gobind Singh: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobind_Singh
All that Guru Gobind Singh asks of all Sikhs: http://www.sehajdhari.co.uk/code.htm
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