Can you be a Sikh without joining the Khalsa?

Answer 1

A Sikh is defined as "any human being who faithfully believes in One Immortal Being; ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Sri Guru Gobind Singh; the Sri Guru Granth Sahib; the utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru; and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion".

Sikhs are usually of four types, please note that however their differences are not about their beliefs or spirituality but rather the differences are in their life style and how each Sikh is dedicated to his/her Guru's teaching.

Amrit Dhari Sikhs are those who have been baptized, where Amrit means nectar and dhari means adopted. They live their lives following the 5 K's. Please refer to the following link for 5 K's. Amrit Dhari Sikhs follow a vegetarian diet unless circumstances arises and don't intoxicate them with alcohol or any drugs.

Kesh Dhari Sikhs are the ones who keep their hairs but have not taken Amrit.They follow any kind of diet and drinks. The only thing is that they keep their hairs.

Sahaj Dhari Sikhs are the ones who cut their hairs and shave them too, any kind of diet and drinks can be followed.

Nihang Sikhs are the one who maintained the lifestyle as was during the Sikh Gurus.

Once again please note that though Sikhs have different lifestyle depending on their devotion and dedication to their Guru's teachings, there is no difference regarding the teachings or ideas presented by the Sikh Gurus about God and Life. Just one's way of living one's life.

Regarding Khalsa in its truest sense is the state of mind, rather than external manifestation of certain dress code or practice. Only when there is true follwing of Guru teachings along with proper implementation in one's life that one can be called Khalsa,, which inturn comes from Persain word meaning Pure.

Once the teaching are followed in right way inwardly, it automatically projects itself outwardly. Just as reflection can occur only when there is something real present. In the same way only when one has followed the Guru's teachings with devotion and dedication inwardly that it reflected automatically externally. Therefore, to think one can become or call himself/herself Khalsa just by Amrit or thinking would be very unwise. As Guru has instructed the step of Amrit Dhari also comes but it comes from within which reflect itself on the outside.

So any Sikh can be Khalsa but it is not mere words but the implementation of Guru's teaching in one's Life.