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Is Meat Eating By Sikhs Acceptable In Sikhism Or Not?
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<blockquote data-quote="Archived_Member16" data-source="post: 170957" data-attributes="member: 884"><p><strong>Re: Is meat eating by Sikhs is acceptable in Sikhism or not.</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Navy"><strong>Personally I DO NOT believe that meat was served in Guru Arjan Dev Ji langar!, regardless what any one says!</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">The Sikh Reht Maryada states: </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p> <span style="color: Navy">Chapert XIII - Sub Section (p): The undermentioned four transgressions (tabooed practices) must be avoided </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">1. Dishonouring the hair;</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"><strong>2. Eating the meat of an animal slaughtered the Muslim way; </strong></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">3. Cohabiting with a person other than one's spouse;</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">4. Using tobacco</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"><strong>source:</strong> <a href="http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html" target="_blank">http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html</a></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">So from where do the Panj Piaras get "their authority" to state Amrit Dharies will not eat meat? Unless of course the Amrit Sanchar is being done at some so called BABA'S DERA !</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Does Gurbani Prohibit Eating Meat?</strong> </span></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">Different people have different views on whether consumption of meat by a Sikh is allowed. Some feel it is prohibited while others feel there is no prohibition. Let us make an effort to understand what Gurbani says. Those who think meat is not to be taken by a Sikh quote the following:</span></p><p> <span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">ਜਉ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਹਤ ਹਉ ਤਉ ਕਿਉ ਮੁਰਗੀ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੧॥ ਕ ੧੩੫੦</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">When the One God resides in all why do you kill the birds (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 1350)?</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">The immediate reaction on reading the hymn will be that Bhagat Kabir Ji is dissuading people from eating meat. Firstly there is only mention of killing and not eating; Secondly he mentions God being present in all including the bird being killed so there must be a context to this Shabad. The context is clear when we read further:</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">ਪਕਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਆਨਿਆ ਦੇਹ ਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਮਾਟੀ ਕਉ ਬਿਸਮਿਲਿ ਕੀਆ ॥ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਅਨਾਹਤ ਲਾਗੀ ਕਹੁ ਹਲਾਲੁ ਕਿਆ ਕੀਆ ॥੨॥</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">You catch the living creature and kill the body as sacrifice to God; But God’s light in the creature is indestructible; so what do you sacrifice? </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">It is therefore clear that the context is sacrifice of creature to propitiate God or any other deity. Hence Kabir Ji is dissuading people from sacrifices. Bhagat Kabir also says in a Slok (Couplet):</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">ਕਬੀਰ ਭਾਂਗ ਮਾਛੁਲੀ ਸੁਰਾ ਪਾਨਿ ਜੋ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀ ਖਾਂਹਿ ॥ ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਕੀਏ ਤੇ ਸਭੈ ਰਸਾਤਲਿ ਜਾਂਹਿ ॥੨੩੩॥</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">Whosoever takes Marijuana, fish and alcoholic drinks; all his pilgrimages, fasts and performance of religious practices shall go waste (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 1377). </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">Here Kabir Ji is dissuading people from taking intoxicants and non-vegetarian food.</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">This is a stand alone Slok and its context needs to be found from what Kabir Ji says elsewhere. He says:</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">ਸੁਆਦ ਲੁਭਤ ਇੰਦ੍ਰੀ ਰਸ ਪ੍ਰੇਰਿਓ ਮਦ ਰਸ ਲੈਤ ਬਿਕਾਰਿਓ ਰੇ ॥ ਕਰਮ ਭਾਗ ਸੰਤਨ ਸੰਗਾਨੇ ਕਾਸਟ ਲੋਹ ਉਧਾਰਿਓ ਰੇ ॥੩॥ </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">Under the influence of taste and pleasures of sensory organs, one indulges in intoxicants and tasty food that take one to vices (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 335).</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">It is well known that indulgence in fish etc and intoxicants leads to vices like violence and lust satisfaction outside marriage or even overindulgence with the spouse. If we read this with the above Slok it appears that Kabir ji is asking people to understand that indulgence like this will negate all your religious practices.</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">Further we find that in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji there are specific instructions to avoid intoxicants. The third Guru says:</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">ਮਾਣਸੁ ਭਰਿਆ ਆਣਿਆ ਮਾਣਸੁ ਭਰਿਆ ਆਇ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਪੀਤੈ ਮਤਿ ਦੂਰਿ ਹੋਇ ਬਰਲੁ ਪਵੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਇ ॥ ਆਪਣਾ ਪਰਾਇਆ ਨ ਪਛਾਣਈ ਖਸਮਹੁ ਧਕੇ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਪੀਤੈ ਖਸਮੁ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਦਰਗਹ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਜਾਇ ॥ ਝੂਠਾ ਮਦੁ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਪੀਚਈ ਜੇ ਕਾ ਪਾਰਿ ਵਸਾਇ ॥ </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">One person (like the bartender) brings the intoxicant, another takes a cup from it; by drinking it he loses his power to think and acts as if mad; he is unable to distinguish the good from bad and is pushed away from the Master; by drinking it the Master is forgotten and one is punished in His court, Do not take such a drink if it is within your power. (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 554).</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">There is therefore specific injunction against intoxicants, but it is not so for non-vegetarian food. For example Guru Nanak says:</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">ਅਭਾਖਿਆ ਕਾ ਕੁਠਾ ਬਕਰਾ ਖਾਣਾ ॥ ਚਉਕੇ ਉਪਰਿ ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਜਾਣਾ ॥</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">You eat the meat of the goat killed the Muslim way but talk of piety (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 472).</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">Guru Sahib is pointing out the hypocrisy of the Hindu. If he wanted to prohibit non-vegetarian food, he could have just said meat or goat and not meat dressed the Muslim way, which is also an edict in the Sikh Reht Maryada. Such meat is taboo for the Sikh. </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">There is thus no injunction against eating meat but also no advice to eat it. According to Guru Nanak:</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">ਮਾਸੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਕਰਿ ਮੂਰਖੁ ਝਗੜੇ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਣੈ ॥</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">The ignorant persons, instead of acquiring knowledge or meditate, fight whether to eat meat or not (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 1289). </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">In other words the Guru asks the Sikhs not to make it an issue. It is to be kept in mind that we are not to take food or drink:</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">ਜਿਤੁ ਖਾਧੈ ਤਨੁ ਪੀੜੀਐ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">That is harmful for the body and causes vicious thoughts, Pause, (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 16).</span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"><strong>source:</strong> <a href="http://www.sadhsangat.com/8/" target="_blank">http://www.sadhsangat.com/8/</a></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></p><p> <span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Misconceptions About Eating Meat</strong></span></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">by Sandeep Singh Brar </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"> </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">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. </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"><span style="color: Red"><strong>Final Ruling from Akal Takht </strong></span></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">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. </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">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. </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">In Punjabi the word "Kuttha" specifically means meat prepared according to the Muslim ritual slaughter. </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">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." </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">Punjabi English Dictionary, Singh Bros., Amritsar "Kuttha: Tortured, killed according to Mohammedan law." </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">What is Jhatka Meat and Why? Jhatka meat is meat in which the animal has been killed quickly without suffering or religious ritual. </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"><strong>Sikhism, A Complete Introduction, Dr. H.S.Singha & Satwant Kaur, Hemkunt Press</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">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. </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"><strong>Sikhs and Sikhism, Dr. I.J.Singh, Manohar Publishers.</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">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. </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"><strong>Why is Meat not served in Langar? </strong></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy">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. </span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"></span></p><p><span style="color: Navy"><strong>source:</strong> <a href="http://www.sikhs.org/meat.htm" target="_blank">http://www.sikhs.org/meat.htm</a> </span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Archived_Member16, post: 170957, member: 884"] [b]Re: Is meat eating by Sikhs is acceptable in Sikhism or not.[/b] [COLOR="Navy"][B]Personally I DO NOT believe that meat was served in Guru Arjan Dev Ji langar!, regardless what any one says![/B] The Sikh Reht Maryada states: Chapert XIII - Sub Section (p): The undermentioned four transgressions (tabooed practices) must be avoided 1. Dishonouring the hair; [B]2. Eating the meat of an animal slaughtered the Muslim way; [/B] 3. Cohabiting with a person other than one's spouse; 4. Using tobacco [B]source:[/B] [url]http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html[/url] So from where do the Panj Piaras get "their authority" to state Amrit Dharies will not eat meat? Unless of course the Amrit Sanchar is being done at some so called BABA'S DERA ! [SIZE="3"][B]Does Gurbani Prohibit Eating Meat?[/B] [/SIZE] Different people have different views on whether consumption of meat by a Sikh is allowed. Some feel it is prohibited while others feel there is no prohibition. Let us make an effort to understand what Gurbani says. Those who think meat is not to be taken by a Sikh quote the following: ਜਉ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਹਤ ਹਉ ਤਉ ਕਿਉ ਮੁਰਗੀ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੧॥ ਕ ੧੩੫੦ When the One God resides in all why do you kill the birds (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 1350)? The immediate reaction on reading the hymn will be that Bhagat Kabir Ji is dissuading people from eating meat. Firstly there is only mention of killing and not eating; Secondly he mentions God being present in all including the bird being killed so there must be a context to this Shabad. The context is clear when we read further: ਪਕਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਆਨਿਆ ਦੇਹ ਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਮਾਟੀ ਕਉ ਬਿਸਮਿਲਿ ਕੀਆ ॥ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਅਨਾਹਤ ਲਾਗੀ ਕਹੁ ਹਲਾਲੁ ਕਿਆ ਕੀਆ ॥੨॥ You catch the living creature and kill the body as sacrifice to God; But God’s light in the creature is indestructible; so what do you sacrifice? It is therefore clear that the context is sacrifice of creature to propitiate God or any other deity. Hence Kabir Ji is dissuading people from sacrifices. Bhagat Kabir also says in a Slok (Couplet): ਕਬੀਰ ਭਾਂਗ ਮਾਛੁਲੀ ਸੁਰਾ ਪਾਨਿ ਜੋ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀ ਖਾਂਹਿ ॥ ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਕੀਏ ਤੇ ਸਭੈ ਰਸਾਤਲਿ ਜਾਂਹਿ ॥੨੩੩॥ Whosoever takes Marijuana, fish and alcoholic drinks; all his pilgrimages, fasts and performance of religious practices shall go waste (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 1377). Here Kabir Ji is dissuading people from taking intoxicants and non-vegetarian food. This is a stand alone Slok and its context needs to be found from what Kabir Ji says elsewhere. He says: ਸੁਆਦ ਲੁਭਤ ਇੰਦ੍ਰੀ ਰਸ ਪ੍ਰੇਰਿਓ ਮਦ ਰਸ ਲੈਤ ਬਿਕਾਰਿਓ ਰੇ ॥ ਕਰਮ ਭਾਗ ਸੰਤਨ ਸੰਗਾਨੇ ਕਾਸਟ ਲੋਹ ਉਧਾਰਿਓ ਰੇ ॥੩॥ Under the influence of taste and pleasures of sensory organs, one indulges in intoxicants and tasty food that take one to vices (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 335). It is well known that indulgence in fish etc and intoxicants leads to vices like violence and lust satisfaction outside marriage or even overindulgence with the spouse. If we read this with the above Slok it appears that Kabir ji is asking people to understand that indulgence like this will negate all your religious practices. Further we find that in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji there are specific instructions to avoid intoxicants. The third Guru says: ਮਾਣਸੁ ਭਰਿਆ ਆਣਿਆ ਮਾਣਸੁ ਭਰਿਆ ਆਇ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਪੀਤੈ ਮਤਿ ਦੂਰਿ ਹੋਇ ਬਰਲੁ ਪਵੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਇ ॥ ਆਪਣਾ ਪਰਾਇਆ ਨ ਪਛਾਣਈ ਖਸਮਹੁ ਧਕੇ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਪੀਤੈ ਖਸਮੁ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਦਰਗਹ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਜਾਇ ॥ ਝੂਠਾ ਮਦੁ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਪੀਚਈ ਜੇ ਕਾ ਪਾਰਿ ਵਸਾਇ ॥ One person (like the bartender) brings the intoxicant, another takes a cup from it; by drinking it he loses his power to think and acts as if mad; he is unable to distinguish the good from bad and is pushed away from the Master; by drinking it the Master is forgotten and one is punished in His court, Do not take such a drink if it is within your power. (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 554). There is therefore specific injunction against intoxicants, but it is not so for non-vegetarian food. For example Guru Nanak says: ਅਭਾਖਿਆ ਕਾ ਕੁਠਾ ਬਕਰਾ ਖਾਣਾ ॥ ਚਉਕੇ ਉਪਰਿ ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਜਾਣਾ ॥ You eat the meat of the goat killed the Muslim way but talk of piety (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 472). Guru Sahib is pointing out the hypocrisy of the Hindu. If he wanted to prohibit non-vegetarian food, he could have just said meat or goat and not meat dressed the Muslim way, which is also an edict in the Sikh Reht Maryada. Such meat is taboo for the Sikh. There is thus no injunction against eating meat but also no advice to eat it. According to Guru Nanak: ਮਾਸੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਕਰਿ ਮੂਰਖੁ ਝਗੜੇ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਣੈ ॥ The ignorant persons, instead of acquiring knowledge or meditate, fight whether to eat meat or not (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 1289). In other words the Guru asks the Sikhs not to make it an issue. It is to be kept in mind that we are not to take food or drink: ਜਿਤੁ ਖਾਧੈ ਤਨੁ ਪੀੜੀਐ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ That is harmful for the body and causes vicious thoughts, Pause, (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p 16). [B]source:[/B] [url]http://www.sadhsangat.com/8/[/url] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [SIZE="3"][B]Misconceptions About Eating Meat[/B][/SIZE] 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. [COLOR="Red"][B]Final Ruling from Akal Takht [/B][/COLOR] 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. 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. [B]Sikhism, A Complete Introduction, Dr. H.S.Singha & Satwant Kaur, Hemkunt Press[/B] 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. [B]Sikhs and Sikhism, Dr. I.J.Singh, Manohar Publishers.[/B] 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. [B]Why is Meat not served in Langar? [/B] 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. [B]source:[/B] [url]http://www.sikhs.org/meat.htm[/url] [/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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Is Meat Eating By Sikhs Acceptable In Sikhism Or Not?
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