Amrit - Is it for everyone?

Originally posted by : drkhalsa
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In recent years young Sikhs are been told by certain individuals at universities, colleges and sikh camps that taking Amrit (Khande-di-Pahul) is not necessary for all Sikhs. Some people who preach this nonsense there go as far as to say that those who have taken Amrit are full of ego, continue to practice falsehood and are stuck in a ‘boring’ way of life. However, are these people preaching the message of Guru Ji, or are they preaching whatever their mind think is correct (i.e. manmat)?
According to the Panthic Sikh Rehat Maryada, (Section I, Chapter I, Article I) a Sikh is defined as:

Any human being who faithfully believes in:
i. One Immortal Being,
ii. Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib,
iii. The Guru Granth Sahib,
iv. The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and v. the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh.

Through the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, ‘Khande Pahul da Amrit’ a Sikh person becomes initiated and makes a commitment of mind, body, wealth, life and allegiance only to Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Guru Granth Sahib Ji and to no one else. Taking Amrit and living the disciplined Sikh life is an act of love and dedication, which every Sikh should strive for if they consider the Ten Guru Sahibaans and Guru Granth Sahib as their Guru. On a practical level Guru Gobind Singh Ji ensured that no one is left deluded to think that Amrit is not for everyone. Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself requested the Panj Piaare to bestow upon him the gift of Amrit.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5232


"To drink the Ambrosial Nectar of the Khanda (Amrit) is the primary instruction for the Sikh. He who abandons all other initiations is truly a great Sikh."
(Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh)


"The angelic beings and the silent sages search for Amrit, the Ambrosial Nectar; this Amrit is obtained from the Guru. This Amrit is obtained, when the Guru grants His Grace. He enshrines the True Lord within the mind. All living beings and creatures were created by You. Only some come to see the Guru and seek His blessing. Their greed, avarice and egotism are dispelled and the True Guru seems sweet. Says Nanak, those with whom Vaheguru is pleased, obtain the Amrit, through the Guru. ||13||" (Ang 918, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)


"I surrender my mind. I surrender my whole body. I surrender all my lands. I surrender my head to that beloved friend who brings me news of Waheguru. I have offered my head to the Guru, the most exalted. He has shown me that Waheguru is with me. In an instant, all suffering is removed. I have obtained all my mind's desires. Day and night, the soul-bride makes merry and all her anxieties are erased. Prays Nanak, I have met the Husband Lord of my longing. ||3||" (Ang 247. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
A Sikh is he or she who has a ‘nischaa’ or firm faith and belief in the ‘khande di pahul’or the baptism bequeathed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Therefore, a Sikh does not necessarily have to be Amritdhari, however, a Sikh is he or she who ‘faithfully believes’ in Amrit. As a result every Sikh should be committed to the aim of taking Amrit in their lifetime and becoming a fully fledged member of the Guru’s family known as the ‘Khalsa’. According to the Panthic Rehat Maryada, the Guru Khalsa Panth has clarified that you cannot claim to be a Sikh and (i)not faithfully believe in Amrit, (ii) consider Amrit as optional requirement of a Sikh, and (iii) not ever aim or work towards the goal of taking Amrit.

Gurmukh Singh can be reached at gurmukh.singh@panthic.org

 
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ok you have a strong arguments but we have to look at the Sikh Rehat Maryada. Is it not Man-made? From what I have read, a group of Sikh Scholars met (either in the early 18th or 19th century) to outline the Sikh Rehat Maryada. Is a code written by the Guru himself?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5232

Furthermore, Guru Nank Dev Ji and every other Guru did not baptise themselves according to the way Guru Gobind Singh Ji described but I am pretty sure they achieved enlightenment too! So is it really fair to say that not choosing to take amrit is alright. I mean salvation is still attainable.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5232

I am not supporting to the scholars who say it is wrong but I am just questioning the fact that 'moksha' or englightenment >>> is it still attainable without taking amrit?

Dear Singh ji

Welcome to this forum

wel dear singh ji before guru Gobind Singh ji This cceremonay used to be there and at that time it was Charan Pahul ( disciples were initiated with amrit prepared from touch of guru ji s feet)
Please dont be carried away withall this misbelief that there was no amrit sanchar before Guru Gobind singh ji
Now about enlightment or mukti dera singh ji what I have learned in sikhi with akal purakh 's Kirpa is that In sikhism the goal of a seeker are much much higher even beyond mukti beyond enlightment , in sikhism when you attain this so called mukti then your real work start , then only you start doing real seva of akal purakh by serving his creation and for this very reason akal purakh created this Khalsa

Now it would be rudiculous to say that enlightment could not be attained with out Choosing to take amrit offcourse it is possible and many might have done that but if you want to take this as a excuse for not taking amrit then yo are missing the point , this is like I will take my mba degree from oxford but still i wont join oxford

wel any body who sincerely take up the sharan of guruji ( SHRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB) guruji shows him the path and my present understanding tell me that it involves Amrit ceremonay at some stage it may not be starting point but may come later on

Bul chuk maf karna ji

Akal Sahai
Jatinder Singh

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji KI Fateh.

Amrit..and all its components have been described in GURBANI..and from the Guru sahibaans as well as the Bhagats who came earlier than even Guru nanak Ji Sahib.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji "conceptualised" the Ceremony..Khande Batte da Amrit by Panj Piayars as He intended to Install Guru Garnth ji as the Final Guru and end the line of Human Gurus...But ALL the ssential Components of Amrti are already in the GURU GRANTH SAHIB JEE. It couldnt be farther from the truth to say that Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the one who "began this Amrit" ceremony and before this there was no such Amrit.

In a worldy sort of simplixtic example it could be said that...Guru nank jI Sahib started the SIKH SCHOOL....and each succeedign GURU Sahib added to an improved the Educational/Practical matter/subjects, curriculkum etc...and GURU GOBIND SINGH JI completed the UNIVERSITY of SIKHISM and showed us how to "matriculate". It is perfectly understandable if a few students NEVER even enter the School even at Kindergarten level, some drop out at various classes, some REACH UNIVERSITY but attend a year or two and drop out..Some reach Final Year BUT FAIL..etc etc...BUT that doesnt mean that the FEW "KHALSAS" who do graduate with First Class Honours shoudlnt be called Graduates !!
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5232

I am a teacher and so used this example. It is true in every sense. IF anyone does enter the Sikhi School, its EDUCATIONAL SYLLABUS is the GURBANI..and Once the Student has FULLY IMBIBED the GURBANI in hsi/her daily LIFE...He is then Competent to Take the AMRIT EXAM..and pass out with Full honours...BUT remeber LEARNING..SIKHI sia life long process and just passing out is still NOT the End all and BE all of Sikhi... the REHIT has to be kept every moment till death.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5232

Jarnail Singh Gayni

Thank you Jatinder Singh Ji for that knowledgable reply.

But I am unsure about the way you said that the real work starts after u achieve Mukti. I mean wouldn't doing seva and all sorts of things LEAD to mukti. Instead of the other way around. The way I see it , you achieve Mukti in the end...after you die. And if you dont achieve mukti after u die then you are re-born. I mean is Mukti really possible while you are alive ?

Dear Ji,

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji KI fateh.

MUKTI ... after death ... is NOT GURMATT's Ideal. Who knowes what happens after death ?? No one has EVER COME BACK...to tell who is mukt or who is not.

GURBANI shows us the way to be JEEWAN MUKT....muktee while in this WORLD where everyone can see. The First Fear is to Conquer DEATH ... AMRIT teaches one that ... because it gives one a NEW LIFE/Rebirth while still being here ... Baba deep Singh Ji Shaheed PROMISED to "LIVE" until his promise to liberate Darbar Sahib was realised ... and HE did live even when his head was severed ... notice that many thousands have "PROMISED" to DIE ... IF their demands are not met ... SUICIDE PACTS between Lovers, SUICIDE BOMBERS ... and all are these category ... BUT GURSIKHS like baba deep Singh Ji, Bhai Taru Singh Ji, Bhai mati dass Ji, thousands and thousands ... PROMISED TO LIVE ... until their "demands" were met ... demand to RETAIN OUR RELIGION and NOT CONVERT under pain of DEATH.
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Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5232

This JEEWAN MUKT is the real force of Amrit ... and it is for everyone who desires it.

jarnail Singh gayni

and Once the Student has FULLY IMBIBED the GURBANI in his/her daily LIFE ... He is then Competent to Take the AMRIT EXAM.

Please expand on this level of Competency. I encountered Sikhi eight months ago, and it has changed my life. I wear the 5 Karkars and a turban, and do Sadhana and aspire Simran, however I have not perfected the Gurbani in my daily life, (Desire of men and endulgence of chocolate and bread, is strong.) I would like to take Amrit this summer at Khalsa Camp for I am on this path for the rest of this life. I feel called to become a Sikh, however I do not want to disrespect the priviledge.

Maybe this is a question only 'my' Self can answer ... Still, I ask, how can someone self assesses weather or not they are competent at the level for Amrit? Maybe some of the blocks could be erased through Amrit, most humbly thankfull ... Liv kaur
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(It took many months before accepting Kaur, Liv is my Norwegian birth name, howerver I AM longing to belong to God) ...

Sat Naam WaheGuru

Dear Liv kaur Ji,
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5232
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji KI Fateh.

I am very happy for you...Guru Ji has placed His Benevolent Hand upon your head...

Since you are wearing the Panj kakaars, and also self-assessing your readiness for AMRIT..you have passed the first stages of the Competency Test for this Great and lovely moment in your life when you will join the Brotherhood of Waheguru Ji Ki Fauj.

The Panj will tell you to do NITNEM of Panj banis...that you can do in English or in Gurmukhi as you see fit. Gurbani in Gurmukhi is "Amrit" on its own..... Slowly as you begin to "see" what Guru Ji is trying to tell you in the Gurbani...you will try to live by those ideals...

The Panj Will also tell you to STAY AWAY from the Four Bajjar Kurehits..the committing of which will necessitate appearing before the Panj once again. These Four are..Cutting/removing/dishonouring the Hair on our body in any way, Smoking of Tobacco , Cohabiting with someone who is not married to you and eating of Hallal Meat (sacrificial meat). Doing any of these is a KUREHIT.

The Panj will also tell you to NAAM JAPP WAHEGURU, Naam Simran, and some advise on how to live a Sikh way of Life.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5232

I am very very happy for you and hope you have the Best in Life. Feel free to ask any questions on any aspect of Sikhe, Gurmatt, naam simran, Gurmantar, rehit etc on this Forum...there are many of us who are always ready to assist to the best of our ability. Once again a warm welcome.

Warmest regards,

Jarnal Singh gyani

Dear Mistikalbo1 ji

Gyani ji has explained in really excellent fashion how mukti works in sikhism
As per understanding given to me By Akal Purakh Sikhism is really like a big university and there is potential of earning such degrees that were not possible before that .in many religions mukti is end point of your life and your syllabus finishes but i am amazed to read about Gursikhs like Baba Deep Singh , , Baba Fateh Singh ji i baba Jorawar Singh ji and many many more .. all these singhs are known for there actions done after this so called state of mukti and not achieve mukti , so what i mean to say that mukti relatively small thing if you r try to see what actually one can achieve in sikhi And for sure mukti in sikhi while living is possible and Gursikhs have proved this many many times and as very well described by Gyani ji that no body can fool you by promising mukti after death or heaven after death and make you loose your precious life in vain .

Now why I said that Seva in real sense starts after mukti
it is practically it is extremely difficult to do Seva in a way our Guru Ji has Taught us to do it is selfless service ( SEWA) but in life of a ordinary man he hardly do any thing in selfless state when ever we do any thing our self comes in between and it tells us that we are doing this and increase our sense of ego even when when we do sewa in Gurdwara we do it for our self so that we can achieve muki so still our mind is looking for something in return so state of selfless is really difficult and ofcourse when yo start your lessons in Guru ji University ( GURU GRANTH SAHIB ) there comes moment in you r life when doing sewa you become selfless and so you progress on you r way and ultimately you reach state of complete selfless when what ever you do is selfless and that is when even in doing Seva you are not expecting any thing in return. And this concept of selfless Seva is very very unique to sikhi. In sikhi your targets are beyond these things like mukti and salvation as this big university here you can get degree well beyond mukti

Here is quote from Gurbani written by Guru Arjan Dev ji

Ang 534
Page 534

dyvgMDwrI 5 ]

dh

AMimRqw ipRA bcn quhwry ]

anmr

Aiq suMdr mnmohn ipAwry sBhU miD inrwry ]1] rhwau ]

ath s

rwju n cwhau mukiq n cwhau min pRIiq crn kmlwry ]

r

bRhm mhys isD muin ieMdRw moih Twkur hI drswry ]1]

brehum meh

dInu duAwrY AwieE Twkur srin pirE sMq hwry ]

dh

khu nwnk pRB imly mnohr mnu sIql ibgswry ]2]3]29]

kuh

Akal Sahai

Jatinder Singh

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji KI fateh.

A truly beautiful explanation of Selfless SEWA by Veer jatinder Singh ji.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5232
Is it only me ?? OR does any one else feel this way... TO me "GURBANI" in its Original Gurmukhi Script looks so Divine...beautiful beyond comparison...a sight for sore eyes. Just looking at the Gurbani posted makes my heart flutter..I never tire of looking at Gurbani all day long...What a real blessing Guru Ji has bestowed on Humanity...by Bringing this Gift from Sach Khand to thsi Earth... Dhan Dhan guru Ji.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=5232

Thanks to all.

Love to all..

Jarnail Singh gyani