Comparing The Khalsa Rehat: Damdami, Nihang, Nanaksar, AKJ and Singh Sabha Traditions

Santokh Singh1989 · #10 (**permalink**) 22-Jul-2010, 07:45 AM

I'm planning on taking amrit soon, God Willing, and have been studying various rehits. I think the ones that I find the most interesting are the Damdami Taksal Rehit and the Nihang Rehit, which for the most part, I've noticed, are very similar. I have great respect for both of them but I feel for me they're almost too extreme in some ways and I would hate myself if I chose to follow their rehits took amrit and wasn't able to uphold and live by it every day. Where as the SGPC's SRM seems to be a little more... I don't know if laid back is the term I want to use but thats the term I'm going to use.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sanatan-sikhism/26893-comparing-khalsa-rehat-damdami-nihang-nanaksar.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26893

I think thats one thing that has been holding me back from taking amrit. Fear that I'll disgrace myself and mess up one way or another. As far as amrit ceremonies go, I don't really have too much of a choice. I live in PHX, AZ and there are only (as far as I know) 2 groups here. The Standard, I guess you could say, "Orthodox" Sikhs who take the Rehit of the SGPC and do the standard Amrit ceremony, and the 3HO who as far as I know follow the same Rehit but have a slightly different Amrit ceremony. SO I don't really have a the ability to take the Nihang Amrit or the Damdami Amrit unless I left Arizona, which is not an option due to my monetary issues. It can all be very confusing and upsetting for me at times.

And a question for the elders. I know this is an old thread and I don't know if Anyones goign to respond to this but. Is it essential that I be able to speak and completely understand Panjabi to take amrit.
Thank you all VJKK VJKF

Narayanjot Kaur · #11 (**permalink**) 22-Jul-2010, 07:52 AM

Or, santokh singh ji

You could wait until you are more certain of yourself. Until you are you will be wearing a "suit of clothes" that do not quite fit because they belong to someone else. And they won't be comfortable - too tight, too loose. By the time you are ready you may have the funds to go where you need to go to find the rehat that fits you.

Santokh Singh1989 · #12 (**permalink**) 22-Jul-2010, 12:20 PM

Kaur ji
I'm not afriad that the suit will not fit. I know and have faith that it will. I just don't know what color suit I want to wear. With that being said, me taking Amrit is not going to be something that happens tomarrow, or next tuesday, or next month, or probably even in the next 2 months. But it is indeed something thats going to happen because its what my heart and soul wants to happen, and its probably going to happen in the not too distant future because thats what I feel my soul desires. I've wanted to do it for a year and a half now, and have been slowly, step by step learning, reading, studying, comparing and practising little by little building myself up for that point, which I feel is drawing near. It's just a matter of what "color" suit I want to where. God willing when that time comes if I decide I need to go out of state or out of country to do what I need to do hopefully Akaal will provide the necessary tools get there. Anywyas as a side note, very nice article. It was very illuminating.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26893
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26893
Sat Naam ji

Randip Singh · #13 (**permalink**) 22-Jul-2010, 16:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Santokh Singh1989

I'm planning on taking amrit soon, God Willing, and have been studying various rehits. I think the ones that I find the most interesting are the Damdami Taksal Rehit and the Nihang Rehit, which for the most part, I've noticed, are very similar. I have great respect for both of them but I feel for me they're almost too extreme in some ways and I would hate myself if I chose to follow their rehits took amrit and wasn't able to uphold and live by it every day. Where as the SGPC's SRM seems to be a little more... I don't know if laid back is the term I want to use but thats the term I'm going to use.

I think thats one thing that has been holding me back from taking amrit. Fear that I'll disgrace myself and mess up one way or another. As far as amrit ceremonies go, I don't really have too much of a choice. I live in PHX, AZ and there are only (as far as I know) 2 groups here. The Standard, I guess you could say, "Orthodox" Sikhs who take the Rehit of the SGPC and do the standard Amrit ceremony, and the 3HO who as far as I know follow the same Rehit but have a slightly different Amrit ceremony. SO I don't really have a the ability to take the Nihang Amrit or the Damdami Amrit unless I left Arizona, which is not an option due to my monetary issues. It can all be very confusing and upsetting for me at times.

And a question for the elders. I know this is an old thread and I don't know if Anyones goign to respond to this but. Is it essential that I be able to speak and completely understand Panjabi to take amrit.
Thank you all VJKK VJKF

The entire SGPC Rehat is published in English:

Here is a synopsis:

In the Rehit Marayada (http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html), Section Six, it states:

The undermentioned four transgressions (tabooed practices) must be avoided
1. Dishonouring the hair;
2. Eating the meat of an animal slaughtered the Muslim way(Kutha);
3. Cohabiting with a person other than one's spouse
4. Using tobacco.
Sikh Rehit Maryada

Just click on the link above.

Narayanjot Kaur · #14 (**permalink**) 22-Jul-2010, 19:43 PM

santokh singh ji

It sounds to me as if you are very centered and will make the choice that "suits" your temperament. Randip Singh ji has posted the link to the SRM -- which it seems you have already considered. That would be my choice because it captured Guruji's message in a simple and pure way. Sometimes I believe it is the hardest of all the rehat's because it has so little in the way of do this and do that. We need to find ourselves. You will.

Santokh Singh1989 · #15 (**permalink**) 22-Jul-2010, 21:00 PM

Insha'allah as the muslims say

Narayanjot Kaur · #16 (**permalink**) 22-Jul-2010, 21:10 PM

Well watch it!!!!!!!!!!!

:clevermund a: LOL