As we move through time, no doubt that as individual we must move with the times, and as religions go, so must sikhism. I have to admit that sikhism is well placed for the present & future , but this does mean we need to retain cultural and religious values as idividuals , this means certain small sacrifices, depending on the way you look at life.
Firstly, the cutting of hair: I am against sikhs cutting their hair, it really does hurt, considering that modern sikh lads are cutting their hair for vanity or as they say "an easier life" . Have they forgotten the huge sacrificies our sikh Gurus's and warriors have made in the past. Even sikhs fighting in two world wars have maintained their long uncut hair, and here we are in the 21st century, saying we do not have time to tie a dastar, yet we can go to clubs and have a good night out.WE need emotional content in our lives and remember what hardship the khalsa went through to preserve their indentity. I find this almost a betrayal to our history and feel quite strongly about this.
Secondly we have the western atitude of the modern sikh youth. Girls/Boys believe in getting drunk and having one night stands. The term "having a night out" has taken a different meaning in with the youth of today. The marriage with different races, girls knocking back the drinks. Where is it all leading to.? If you speak to our youth, the common reply is they want to enjoy life before they settle down. How can a society of drinking & sex possibly be enjoyment and set you up for a life that can sometimes be harsh and may offer bad experiences to come. Is it any wonder that they are quick to shout "divorce" so quickly. It because their expectation are too high, and when life gets serious, they can't keep up. And its at this time you need the teachings of sikhi, and your cultural strength to see you through. Even women in the 40-50 with married adults still believe in a good time, what example does this attitude to life show to our up and coming future sikhi race? We are becoming real coconuts in some respects and forgeting that we are Sikhs, and lets not forget it.
Thirdly there is the naiming of children, why, oh why do we need english or hindu names. Arent the sikhs names enough, or is it just to be "different". Lets face it .Your name, the way you look, makes you and idividual amongst millions.Sikhs are recognised by name, and appreance so easy and is prevelant only in the sikhi religion. For example . you can spot a sikhs amongst millions with his /her identity , just has Guru Gobind Singh Ji said when he created the khalsa. And here we are throwing it all away in the name of???
Last but not least , there are certain hindu rituals that sikhs practice , why? There is rakhi for example, which is debateable, then there is not eating on certain days, also Karva Chaud, when the wives fast for their husbands! And finally, amazing there are so many young sikhs who thought Diwali was our new year, they had no idea that we celebrate Diwali because Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhorh Divas to mark the return of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to release 52 Hindu Kings (political prisoners) at the same time from the famous fort of Gwalior by Emperor Jahangir in October, 1619. It amazing how little our youngs sikhs now about their own history, its very sad.
There are ways to enjoy yourself, but everything should done within reason and we should not loose ourselves in the to the excesses of life. I am not saying go and be an amritari sikh, but use your common sense, have philosophical look your self and approach life logically, but above all never forget the 100000's of sikhs who martyred them selves so we could still exist at this time, now.
Firstly, the cutting of hair: I am against sikhs cutting their hair, it really does hurt, considering that modern sikh lads are cutting their hair for vanity or as they say "an easier life" . Have they forgotten the huge sacrificies our sikh Gurus's and warriors have made in the past. Even sikhs fighting in two world wars have maintained their long uncut hair, and here we are in the 21st century, saying we do not have time to tie a dastar, yet we can go to clubs and have a good night out.WE need emotional content in our lives and remember what hardship the khalsa went through to preserve their indentity. I find this almost a betrayal to our history and feel quite strongly about this.
Secondly we have the western atitude of the modern sikh youth. Girls/Boys believe in getting drunk and having one night stands. The term "having a night out" has taken a different meaning in with the youth of today. The marriage with different races, girls knocking back the drinks. Where is it all leading to.? If you speak to our youth, the common reply is they want to enjoy life before they settle down. How can a society of drinking & sex possibly be enjoyment and set you up for a life that can sometimes be harsh and may offer bad experiences to come. Is it any wonder that they are quick to shout "divorce" so quickly. It because their expectation are too high, and when life gets serious, they can't keep up. And its at this time you need the teachings of sikhi, and your cultural strength to see you through. Even women in the 40-50 with married adults still believe in a good time, what example does this attitude to life show to our up and coming future sikhi race? We are becoming real coconuts in some respects and forgeting that we are Sikhs, and lets not forget it.
Thirdly there is the naiming of children, why, oh why do we need english or hindu names. Arent the sikhs names enough, or is it just to be "different". Lets face it .Your name, the way you look, makes you and idividual amongst millions.Sikhs are recognised by name, and appreance so easy and is prevelant only in the sikhi religion. For example . you can spot a sikhs amongst millions with his /her identity , just has Guru Gobind Singh Ji said when he created the khalsa. And here we are throwing it all away in the name of???
Last but not least , there are certain hindu rituals that sikhs practice , why? There is rakhi for example, which is debateable, then there is not eating on certain days, also Karva Chaud, when the wives fast for their husbands! And finally, amazing there are so many young sikhs who thought Diwali was our new year, they had no idea that we celebrate Diwali because Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhorh Divas to mark the return of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to release 52 Hindu Kings (political prisoners) at the same time from the famous fort of Gwalior by Emperor Jahangir in October, 1619. It amazing how little our youngs sikhs now about their own history, its very sad.
There are ways to enjoy yourself, but everything should done within reason and we should not loose ourselves in the to the excesses of life. I am not saying go and be an amritari sikh, but use your common sense, have philosophical look your self and approach life logically, but above all never forget the 100000's of sikhs who martyred them selves so we could still exist at this time, now.
: Somehow from reading your questions it seemed that my interpretation of WaheGuru's remarks are different from yours. My understanding was that he was concerned about the importance of caste among Sikhs attending his gurdwara.
