Why are we not allowed to cut hair when it's ok to cut nails, since both are created by God?

Bmandur · #**109** (**permalink**) 09-Jun-2011, 23:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanget

I used to keep my hair, I kept my hair for 5 years. Keeping my hair reli screwed my life, i got depression, i constantly got sick, my life suxed, and I was so frustrated. And the reason for keeping my hair? Just because guruji ask to.... What a stupid reason.. I just took a scissors and cut my hair. And now, I am living my life to fullesh, I am so happy now. I look better, more hygienic, 99X happier, dun need to suffer the pain of combing my hair and all the other crap. And now, I have 0 belief in Sikhism and I consider Sikhism as ********. Every sikh men who says they have no problem keeping their hair are liars. Pls cut off your hair if you're not happy with it, dun pretend. You are not doing any good to yourself or the world by keeping your hair, you're just troubling yourself.

Sangat Ji,

First I would like to request you read it very carefully than think what you have written based on your needs. You can not comment on Sikh Men
We are proud to be a Sikh
Now:

Emblem of Honor (Long Hair)

Hair is a gift from God, therefore why should anyone give it away by cutting it? Hair is one of the five articles of faith for Sikhs. Sikhs live the way God made humans and never cut their hair. For Sikhs hair is the symbol of love for God and the respect for everything He has given us. The way God made us is the most beautiful of all. To Christians, even the Bible says, “God loves us and cares so much about us that even all the hairs of our head has well counted” (Matt.10:30).

A turban and long hair with members of different communities in India was an emblem of honor and respect. With the Sikhs, it attained a status of the religious virtue - a must. Various prophets and Avatars (incarnations of gods. Many Hindus take them as God in the human form) supported long hair. In the Islam too, hair is respected (Quran Sharif - Sapara II). Jesus had long hair. The Hindu gods like Brahma, Vishnu and Shiv (Shiva), as well as Avatars like Sri Ram Chandar (Rama.“Sri” is for respect like “Sir”), Sri Krishna (Krishna), and some others are painted without their mustaches and beards. May be it was an imagination of the artists who, in an effort to enhance their handsomeness, painted them with clean (hairless) faces. It could be that the mythological figures had a specific form of their own, and the related philosophy developed accordingly. The Sikhs do not believe that God takes birth (the avatar philosophy).In the days gone by, Rishis (detached saints), saints, faquirs, scholars, and intelligentsia etc. did not cut their hair. Most of them covered their heads with turbans or caps. A Sikh is not allowed to wear a cap of any form or shape. He or she uses cloth to cover the hair. This is a dictate for the Sikhs. Cloth can be easily kept clean. With long hair, any other headgear may develop unwanted odors.

The word “Sikh” means a disciple, who believes in one God (Waheguru) and the teachings of the Ten Gurus (persons regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others) enshrined in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which is the Holy Scripture of the Sikhs. Sikhs do not believe in idol worship and pay their obeisance to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib,

The first and foremost importance is of Keshas (hair). This fact is fully borne out by Sikh tradition. Being nature's gift preservation of Keshas gives their wearer a look of sagacity, scholarship, bravery and meanliness. With Keshas, man looks like a lion and thunders like him. The custom of keeping long and unshorn hair is, therefore, among the most cherished and distinctive signs of an individual's membership of Khalsa brotherhood. At the time of baptism the Sikh is impressed upon to keep the hair unshorn.

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh faith, wore long hair. All his successors did likewise. When Bhai Nand Lal met Guru Hari Rai, the seventh Master, he is said to have declared: " border="0" alt="" />
Like his predecessors, the tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh kept long hair and beard. He was an undisputed spiritual guide and his dominating personality always signified his spirituality. In order to follow him in character and in sprit, his follows realized that it would be easier for them to emulate the qualities of the great Guru if they could begin by looking like their Guru. Being in the image of the Guru would certainly have its spiritual impact on them. Therefore, in making the wearing of long hair one of the conditions for those taking the baptismal initiation of Amrit, the Guru was cautual regeneration.

With the creation of Khalsa, the spiritual impact of long hair for Sikhs becomes so great that they began to prefer death to the sacrifice of their hair. Among those who sacrificed their lives for preserving their hair are Bhai Mani Singh, Bhai Taru Singh, Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Dayala. They are among the hundreds of devout Sikhs who laid down their lives to preserve the sanctity of their hair.

Keshas are symbol of masculinity and strength. The tenth Master ordained his Sikhs to wear long hair and keep them till their death even if they had to make sacrifice for retaining them.

The turban is our Guru's gift to us. It is how we crown ourselves as the Singh’s and Kaurs who sit on the throne of commitment to our own higher consciousness. For men and women alike, this projective identity conveys royalty, grace, and uniqueness. It is a signal to others that we live in the image of Infinity and are dedicated to serving all. The turban doesn't represent anything except complete commitment. When you choose to stand out by tying your turban, you stand fearlessly as one single person standing out from six billion people. It is a most outstanding act.

Na kahon ab ki Na kahon tab.
Sunnat (Mulim way) hoti sab ki
Agar naa hotey Guru Gobind Singh

Bhul Chuk Maafgingerteakaur

findingmyway · #**110** (**permalink**) 10-Jun-2011, 00:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanget

I used to keep my hair, I kept my hair for 5 years. Keeping my hair reli screwed my life, i got depression, i constantly got sick, my life suxed, and I was so frustrated. And the reason for keeping my hair? Just because guruji ask to.... What a stupid reason.. I just took a scissors and cut my hair. And now, I am living my life to fullesh, I am so happy now. I look better, more hygienic, 99X happier, dun need to suffer the pain of combing my hair and all the other crap. And now, I have 0 belief in Sikhism and I consider Sikhism as ********. Every sikh men who says they have no problem keeping their hair are liars. Pls cut off your hair if you're not happy with it, dun pretend. You are not doing any good to yourself or the world by keeping your hair, you're just troubling yourself.

Are you sure you can be happy when you are so full of anger!!

Hygiene is not a relfection of more hair or less hair but a reflection of the effort made by the person the hair belongs to and how hygienic they are

arshi · #**111** (**permalink**) 10-Jun-2011, 03:59 AM

Sanget ji

Dalbirk ji has kindly shared, albeit briefly, his own experiences with Sikhi in his post above. There are many others like him, including me. I too had similar experiences myself. At 16 it is understandable the way you feel now about hair and Sikhi. You are not alone in this as many of our youngsters are growing up in the midst of so many distractions uncertainties. The way some older Sikhs are seen to be conducting themselves does not help. You need to look for good role models around you, although - in your present state of mind that may or may not help - only time will tell.

I have written several articles (including the five negative traits lust, anger, greed, attachment, egotism) for our young friends like you, many of them posted on SPN, but there is one in particular one which I did not post here, entitled “Why I am a Sikh” (www.arshiwaves.co.uk). In this I article I acknowledge how blessed and proud I am to be Sikh. This was not always the case. These articles are written no less to educate myself on the great tenets of Sikhi.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/32165-why-we-not-allowed-cut-hair.html

When I began researching into Sikhi and reading and interpreting Guru Granth Sahib Ji I started to realize how lucky and blessed I was to have been born into a Sikh family. I am fast approaching 70 and still learning and still counting my blessings. Please do not dismiss what I am saying by merely looking at my age as even today I work with youngsters in universities and other institutions. My students come from all ages and faiths. The respect and appreciation I have received as a Sikh has far exceeded my own expectations, and everyday I thank my Guru, like Dalbirk ji, for not letting me stray too far away from the path of Sikhi. I am still praying for the Guru to show me the way.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32165

I do wish you well in whatever you do but please do feel free to drop a line here or even on my site.

Remain in chardhi kala.

Rajinder Singh ‘Arshi’

drpranavsingh · #**112** (**permalink**) 10-Mar-2012, 09:19 AM

Aman Singh ji, don't you cut your nasal hair or do you tie it in a goot once they come out of your nose? What about pubic hair? Do you tie a knot down there?

Why everyone stops short of keeping hair as Guru's Hukam? Hukam also includes honest life, respect towards women, etc. How come one of the states with MOST hairy people like Punjab is also the most corrupt, has highest female foetecide, dowry and racism. Looks like Guru's hukam didn't filter out of the hairy Bush that you endorse.

Luckysingh · #**113** (**permalink**) 10-Mar-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drpranavsingh

Aman Singh ji, don't you cut your nasal hair or do you tie it in a goot once they come out of your nose? What about pubic hair? Do you tie a knot down there?

Why everyone stops short of keeping hair as Guru's Hukam? Hukam also includes honest life, respect towards women, etc. How come one of the states with MOST hairy people like Punjab is also the most corrupt, has highest female foetecide, dowry and racism. Looks like Guru's hukam didn't filter out of the hairy Bush that you endorse.

drpranavsingh ji
The hair in your nostrils,ears and pubic hair only grows to a specific maximum length depending on individuals.
If you wish you can tie it or make dreadlocks as you please, if you find it helps!!!!

A simple answer to the topic is that your nails are dead from beyond the digits on your hands and feet, therefore cutting from these points is eliminating dead cells.
Your skin also sheds dead skin cells continuosly.

The hair is living while it is intact in the hair follicle. Once out of the follicle, it is dead throughout.
When cut, whilst still attached to the follicle is actually cutting a living hair even though it has no sensory function.

To say hairy punjabis are corrupt compared to non hairy is just a ridiculous statement, to say the least.
Like saying that all doctors(dr) are just crazy compared to non-doctors.

drpranavsingh · #**114** (**permalink**) 10-Mar-2012, 12:16 PM

Lucky Singh ji,
Thanks for replying on behalf of Aman Singh ji. I am not interested in your reply as it doesn't make any sense to me. So try not to answer for others.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32165
Sincerely,
Pranav Singh

Luckysingh · #**115** (**permalink**) 10-Mar-2012, 12:36 PM

Sat sri akaal

This is a sikh forum, where we all share our opinions and views, not a one to one dialogue.
If you are only interested in a reply from a specific being, then you should contact them via message facility and not the main posts on the forum.

Your question is on the central forum and therefore addressed for attention of all, even if you do write someone's name at the beginning.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32165
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32165

Waheguru

prakash.s.bagga · #**116** (**permalink**) 10-Mar-2012, 12:45 PM

How sprituality is related to Kesh I am yet to know but one thing is sure the KESH give you a distict identity of being known SINGH. This is very important to understand.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32165
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32165
We should know a point that even before creation of Khalsaa by 10th GuRu Gobind Singh ji,
In India there were communities like RAJPPUT,JATS and THAKUR making use of the word SINGH with their first Name. So in this contxt the KESH as distinct identity
is prbably the best identity to know a person as belonging to Khalsaa as SINGH.
Prakash.S.Bagga

harry haller · #**117** (**permalink**) 10-Mar-2012, 21:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drpranavsingh

Aman Singh ji, don't you cut your nasal hair or do you tie it in a goot once they come out of your nose? What about pubic hair? Do you tie a knot down there?

Why everyone stops short of keeping hair as Guru's Hukam? Hukam also includes honest life, respect towards women, etc. How come one of the states with MOST hairy people like Punjab is also the most corrupt, has highest female foetecide, dowry and racism. Looks like Guru's hukam didn't filter out of the hairy Bush that you endorse.

Although I do cut my hair, and have done so for 15 odd years, I find your reasoning quite odd and childish. I have never cut my nasal or pubic hair, I have never had the need to, I suggest you contact the Guinness book of records and see if you can get an entry, certainly if you have enough to tie a knot down there.

As much as your argument is quite immature, 'why are the hairiest people also the most corrupt', unfortunately, it does carry some weight, the answers are known to us already, in a mire of confusion, and with little decent leadership, Sikhism is going through a change, the people you speak of certainly exist, but Sikhism is not limited only to the Punjab, what you are describing is Punjabi culture, not Sikh culture, your argument does not carry so much weight when directed at say 3HO converts in the west, or all those that seek harmony with Creator with the hair as a side effect, a sign, an outward facet that shows the world, I am a Sikh, I am in harmony with Creator.

Too many have the hair, but not the heart, it is tempting to persuade them to do away with the hair, sure, one less turbaned Sikh, but also one less bad ambassador for Sikhism so that people like yourself who only look at the bad, and laugh from the sidelines, can have one less excuse to be part of the problem rather than the solution.

However, this must never happen, We must forgive those that do not have the heart, We must encourage understanding, We must hope such people at some point educate themselves, at some point yearn for Khalsa, We must never stop working towards this rather than join the ranks of the those that would stand by and watch the fun.