I am Confused Whether Allowed to Eat Non-Veg

mukul singh · #1 (**permalink**) 17-Mar-2010, 18:19 PM

Satshri Akal Sat Sangat Ji,

I might be stupid to ask this but kindly guide me on this.

Its been long i am under a confusion whether to eat non veg or not.Firstly a great confusion

Sikhs- No fish no sea food no smoke as mention in guru Granth Sahib Ji else do most often eat chicken & drink

Hindus-No cow no Buffallo no else people take their own choice

Muslims- No pig no drink but else do

Why our religion is different, i am from a hindu-sikh family, dont know what to do what not to.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-youth/29560-i-am-confused-whether-allowed-eat.html
But i some times leave non veg for months & feel frustated,then again starts.

I feel guilty sometimes & again leave it.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29560

I am physically very weak & underweight doctor suggest to have eggs & non veg once a week if possible.

What to Do?

kds1980 · #2 (**permalink**) 17-Mar-2010, 19:06 PM

Quote:

Sikhs- No fish no sea food no smoke as mention in guru Granth Sahib Ji else do most often eat chicken & drink

Mukul singh ji

Guru Granth Sahib Ji is silent on this issue. Sikhs were also known as non veg community infact it is Hindu's that are vegetarians

Please read the following threads and then make up your mind

http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-s...ver-flesh.html

http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-s...33-jhatka.html

Soul_jyot · #3 (**permalink**) 17-Mar-2010, 21:48 PM

source: http://www.sikhs.org/meat.htm

Misconceptions About Eating Meat
by Sandeep Singh Brar

The view of Sikhism is that eating meat or abstaining from it is the individuals choice. A Sikh is considered no lesser or greater a Sikh if they eat meat or are a vegetarian.

Final Ruling from Akal Takht
The Akal Takht represents the final authority on controversial issues concerning the Sikh Panth, in this regard the issue of meat eating has been settled. Hukamnama issued by Akal Takht Jathedar Sandhu Singh Bhaura dated February 15th 1980 that Amritdhari Sikhs can eat meat as long as it is jhatka meat and that eating meat does not go against the code of conduct, Kurehit, of the Sikhs. Thus a Sikh cannot be excommunicated for eating meat.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29560

The Sikh Reht Maryada (The Official Code of Conduct) An Amritdhari Khalsa Sikh is not allowed to eat the meat of an animal slaughtered the Muslim way.
In Punjabi the word "Kuttha" specifically means meat prepared according to the Muslim ritual slaughter.

Punjabi-English Dictionary, Punjabi University, Dept. of Punjabi Lexicography, Published Dec. 1994. "Kuttha: meat of animal or fowl slaughtered slowly as prescribed by Islamic law."
Punjabi English Dictionary, Singh Bros., Amritsar "Kuttha: Tortured, killed according to Mohammedan law."

What is Jhatka Meat and Why? Jhatka meat is meat in which the animal has been killed quickly without suffering or religious ritual.

Sikhism, A Complete Introduction, Dr. H.S.Singha & Satwant Kaur, Hemkunt Press
We must give the rationale behind prescribing jhatka meat as the approved food for the Sikhs. According to the ancient Aryan Hindu tradition, only such meat as is obtained from an animal which is killed with one stroke of the weapon causing instantaneous death is fit for human consumption.

However, with the coming of Islam into India and the Muslim political hegemony, it became a state policy not to permit slaughter of animals for food, in any other manner, except as laid down in the Quran - the kosher meat prepared by slowly severing the main blood artery of the throat of the animal while reciting verses from the Quran. It is done to make slaughter a sacrifice to God and to expiate the sins of the slaughter. Guru Gobind Singh took a rather serious view of this aspect of the whole matter. He, therefore, while permitting flesh to be taken as food repudiated the whole theory of this expiatory sacrifice and the right of ruling Muslims to impose iton the non-Muslims. Accordingly, he made jhatka meat obligatory for those Sikhs who may be interested in taking meat as a part of their food.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29560

Sikhs and Sikhism, Dr. I.J.Singh, Manohar Publishers.
And one semitic practice clearly rejected in the Sikh code of conduct is eating flesh of an animal cooked in ritualistic manner; this would mean kosher and halal meat. The reason again does not lie in religious tenet but in the view that killing an animal with a prayer is not going to enoble the flesh. No ritual, whoever conducts it, is going to do any good either to the animal or to the diner. Let man do what he must to assuage his hunger. If what he gets, he puts to good use and shares with the needy, then it is well used and well spent, otherwise not.

Why is Meat not served in Langar?
The reason why meat is not served at langar in the Gurdwaras is because langar is supposed to be a symbol of equality of mankind where all people no matter what race, religion or caste can eat toghether in the atmosphere of brotherhood. Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, it does not matter who they are. Different religions have different dietary restrictions. Hindus cannot eat cow, muslims cannot eat pork and will only eat halal meat. Jews will only eat kosher meat, others cannot eat fish or eggs. But in a gurdwara langar, it does not matter what their dietary taboos or religious beliefs are, the food is designed so that all can eat together and no one will be offended or not be able to partake of the meal.

Tejwant Singh · #4 (**permalink**) 17-Mar-2010, 21:55 PM

I feel like eating medium rare 16 oz. nice and juicy Kobe steak which is not that expensive in Las Vegas.

Narayanjot Kaur · #5 (**permalink**) 17-Mar-2010, 22:13 PM

I feel like eating tender malai kofta in a perfectly seasoned tomato cream sauce with bhindi masala on the side, extra hot. But the latter is always a risk because not many make it that well. That is the perfect meal, IMHO, with onion stuffed kulcha. LOL
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29560

After that the food of southern India makes me very content.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29560

Having said that -- why do we fret on this point? This is a serious question on my part. The subject of "meat" consumes more emotion than most other topics in Sikhism.

Randip Singh · #6 (**permalink**) 18-Mar-2010, 02:34 AM

Mukul ji,

As a Sikh and Amritdhari you can eat whatever you like so long as it is not "Kuttha" (Kosher or Halal meat).

I eat whatever I like, and on purpose, I try and control the stuff i like the taste of the most. In my case Channay!

When it comes to your health, do not injure that. I have met too many ill Sikh people who have been advised by idiotic, Sants and Baba's not to eat eggs meat (when doctors have told them), and they have got very ill.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29560

Eat with a clear conscience my friend, the Guru's did. Some were meat eaters and some were vegetarian. It was not an issue for them and it should not be an issue for you.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29560

Here you will find meat eating Sikhs and vegetarian Sikhs and some vegetarian Sikhs who will eat eggs, some who will eat only fish etc etc.

Rupinder.Singh · #7 (**permalink**) 18-Mar-2010, 11:01 AM

Thank you all, this was one of the first question by me on joiining SPN, which fell to deaf ears...

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29560
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29560
but i am very content on the answers provided here. Very well explained and without any offense.

My only concern was a line by Kanwardeep Singh ji "Guru Granth Sahib Ji is silent on this issue.".

Rest all well said.

Thanks jeeo

Mai Harinder Kaur · #8 (**permalink**) 18-Mar-2010, 11:21 AM

I will answer a bit more. Take care of your body, ji.

Actually, I wrote this elsewhere on SPN, but perhaps it bears repeating (Or maybe not):

I am a lifelong vegetarian (except for a short period of time when I was unable to prepare my own food and had to eat what was offered or starve.) I grew up thinking this was just the way it was for Sikhs. Certainly meat was eaten in my French Canadian mother's family's home, but I was always able to find something to eat when I was there. For a long time, I believed that only a lactovegetarian (or vegan) could be a good Sikh. For those who may not know, lactovegetarians do not eat meat or eggs, but do eat dairy, while vegans do not eat any animal products, including dairy and honey.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29560
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29560

Something bothered me, though. If meat were totally forbidden, why did the SRM make a point of the taboo on Khalsa eating "meat killed in the Muslim way." If all meat was forbidden, wouldn't it just say that?

I am still a lactovegetarian for some very good reasons involving health of my body and the ecological balance of the earth. If one were to make an argument of Sikhi as a vegetarian religion, I think that would be the place to start, the care of our bodies, and the respectful and careful use of our natural resources on the planet, with the raising of animals for food being wasteful. This would also, of course, include dairy animals. So then would we also eschew paneer and gulab jaman, not to mention anything containing butter ghee, such as parshad? Perhaps we have reached a stage where we wish to avoid meat, rather than killing an innocent animal for our sensuous pleasure. This would be a good thing, I think, but not a part of Sikhi. On a personal level, the idea of consuming a corpse nauseates me.

As an adult, I have known several omnivorous Amritdhari Sikhs whom I highly admire. Far be it from me to criticise these Khalsa who are much farther on this journey than am I.

As for langar, that really should remain vegetarian for several reasons. The langar should be inclusive. Anybody should be welcome and able to eat there. Many Sikhs are vegetarian and we most certainly should be able to eat without violating our own principles.

I believe the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji advises us that we have more important things to concern ourselves with than eating meat or not. (Someone more knowledgeable than I can provide the reverence.) I believe this whole issue is a diversion from the really important principles of the Sikh way of life. Much more dangerous than chomping on a Big Mac is the possibility of Sikhi degenerating into a legalistic religion. YECH!! We are facing serious divisions in the Panth about really important matters that threaten a schism in the Panth. Our time and energy would be better spent uniting us as one people than arguing about diet.

:happykaur:

kds1980 · #9 (**permalink**) 18-Mar-2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

My only concern was a line by Kanwardeep Singh ji "Guru Granth Sahib Ji is silent on this issue.".

What I am trying to say is Guru granth sahib neither oppose meat eating,neither promote it.