Gambling and Sikhi?

Dear SPN sangat,

I was wondering what Gurbani said on gambling and what your interpretation on it was?

Thanks in advance!
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ਬਾਰਿਕ ਵਾਂਗੀ ਹਉ ਸਭ ਕਿਛੁ ਮੰਗਾ ॥
ਦੇਦੇ ਤੋਟਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਰੰਗਾ ॥

singhisking101 ji

I think there is nothing specific or literally about gambling. But think of the emotional and mental dynamics of the gambler. Is gambling about attachment, obsessions, and greed? And curiously about a blind and superstitious trust in fate, luck, chance which is misplaced faith? Those are subjects about which gurbani speaks loud and clear. My thoughts only.

It is true there is nothing specific of this kind. You will have noticed Gurbani is not like other religion's scripts. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji never talks about homosexuality, sex before marriage or the like. Even things like stem cells and cloning.

Waheguru have given human being the highest of intelligence to like life to the fullest and live in His Will. So there is no need to discuss or tell the human all this things.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/31963-gambling-and-sikhi.html

Also as this world advances and news things are discovered and we progress.
Just like islam discribed the female reproduction organ (internals) which turns out to be wrong. Or just like the Christians discribed the earth being flat and they were wrong.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=31963

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the truly universal and is truly the one guidance meant for the modern world.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji speak of no superstiuous, no believe in caste, no believe in good days/months/year. No believe in Idols. I love it when Guru Nanak said why not give the milk to the poor who needs rather than to wash the temple or statue of a god.

Lovely. Maafi, i got carried away.

Sarbjit Singh

I think gambling falls into the category of intoxicants which are clearly banned. Gambling affects the brain in a similar way to other drugs-causing highs/lows and addiction. As with other intoxicants, once you start the line gets blurred and its hard to know how far you can go before you get sucked in so best to stay clear!

Findingmyway ji

You do have a point but I don't think we can put gambing in the list of intoxicants.For some reason almost all people are addicted to something,Like TV ,internet,Work,Career,Making more money etc And in almost all things the logic how far you can go is there.

Kanwardeep Singh Ji,
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=31963
You make an excellent point.
However, gambling has been shown scientifically to have a similar effect on the brain as cocaine:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/...4-gambling.htm
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ide...ing/?page=full
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=31963

All the other things you have mentioned can have a positive effect or be educational. The only function of gambling is to provide a short term "high". Gambling causes a number of social problems similar to those caused by drugs, eg. increase in crime, domestic violence and there are many societies around to tackle the problems. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/41277.php

I have never heard of a group called TV anonymous

So, to summarise, I equate gambling to drugs on a scientific basis and the fact it has absolutely no positive or educational function that will bring one closer to Waheguru

For your information & consideration:

Gurbani cautions against speculation or gambling for making money. It is best to evaluate the investment avenues based on merit. A speculator or gambler ultimately goes empty handed. Bhagat Kabir says:
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=31963

ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਕਿਛੁ ਗੁਨੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਚਲੇ ਜੁਆਰੀ ਦੁਇ ਹਥ ਝਾਰਿ ॥੪॥੨॥ ਕਬੀਰ ੧੧੫੮/੩
Always go by merit; the gambler leaves with both hands empty (Kabir, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p 1158 ).

I never thought anyone going to Gurbani to find out weather its endorses or rejects it. I guess I was wrong. Maybe soon some one will go through Bani to find out if the wife beating is OK or not

Thanks for finding that tuk, Soul_jyot ji!

And thanks to you because I was then able to find several other shabads about gambling. That was great!
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=31963

The tuk is not endorsing or rejecting gambling. Sant Kabir ji is teaching us how gambling can turn our priorities into actions that are damaging. And he is teaching in contrast alternatives that have more value in the end.

ਲੰਕਾ ਗਢੁ ਸੋਨੇ ਕਾ ਭਇਆ ॥
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=31963
lankaa gadt sonae kaa bhaeiaa ||
The fortress of Sri Lanka was made out of gold,


ਮੂਰਖੁ ਰਾਵਨੁ ਕਿਆ ਲੇ ਗਇਆ ॥੩॥
moorakh raavan kiaa lae gaeiaa ||3||
but what could the foolish Raawan take with him when he left? ||3||


ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਕਿਛੁ ਗੁਨੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥
kehi kabeer kishh gun beechaar ||
Says Kabeer, think of doing some good deeds.


ਚਲੇ ਜੁਆਰੀ ਦੁਇ ਹਥ ਝਾਰਿ ॥੪॥੨॥
chalae juaaree dhue hathh jhaar ||4||2||
In the end, the gambler shall depart empty-handed. ||4||2||