In Sikhism, only vegetarian food is served in the Gurdwara, but Sikhs are not totally bound to be meat-free. The general consensus is that Sikhs are free to choose whether to adopt the vegetarian or meat diet[1], although once baptized by taking Amrit, some minority sects of Sikhs (Damdami Taksal, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Namdharis, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha and the 3HO), believe that a Sikh should be meat free[2], however this is not a Universally held belief amongst Sikhs. Orthodox Sikhs believe that once Amrit is taken, Sikh's are only prohibited from eating Kuttha or ritually slaughtered (Halal, Kosher) meat.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the holiest book talks about vegetarianism and spirituality in the following couplet:-First Mehl:
The fools argue about flesh and meat, but they know nothing about meditation and spiritual wisdom.
What is called meat, and what is called green vegetables? What leads to sin?
It was the habit of the gods to kill the rhinoceros, and make a feast of the burnt offering.
Those who renounce meat, and hold their noses when sitting near it, devour men at night.
They practice hypocrisy, and make a show before other people, but they do not understand anything about meditation or spiritual wisdom.
O Nanak, what can be said to the blind people? They cannot answer, or even understand what is said.
They alone are blind, who act blindly. They have no eyes in their hearts.
They are produced from the blood of their mothers and fathers, but they do not eat fish or meat.Page 1289 [3] Sri Guru Granth Sahib
On the views that eating meat would be eating flesh, first Sikh Guru Nanak states:AGGS, M 1, p 1290. [4]
-First Mehl:
ਪਾਂਡੇ ਤੂ ਜਾਣੈ ਹੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਿਥਹ੠ਮਾਸ੠ਉਪੰਨਾ ॥ ਤੋਇਅਹ੠ਅੰਨ੠ਕਮਾਦ੠ਕਪਾਹਾਂ ਤੋਇਅਹ੠ਤà©à¨°à¨¿à¨à¨µà¨£à© ਗੰਨਾ ॥O Pandit, you do not know where did flesh originate! It is water where life originated and it is water that sustains all life. It is water that produces grains, sugarcane, cotton and all forms of life.
Sikhism is a liberal, tolerant faith that acknowledges personal liberty and the crucial proponent of human nature, free will [5]. As such, Sikh philosophy and Scriptures are not didactic in nature, for Sikhism offers spiritual, ethical and moral guidance to a fulfilling way of life rather than a tightly-construed and strict religious discipline. As a result, it is the subject of much debate as to whether Sikhs are prohibited by the Sikh Code of Conduct, the Rehat Maryada, from eating meat. The consensus is however, Sikhs are bound to avoid meat that is killed in a ritualistic manner[6] e.g. Halal, Kosher etc.[7][8]
Within the Gurdwara, the Guru ka Langar (Guru's community kitchen) serves purely vegetarian food, freshly prepared from all natural ingredients for all people, at all times. The reason for serving vegetarian food is that the Langar is open to all. Since many faiths and people have varying taboos on what to eat and how meat should be prepared etc, and since Sikhs accept these restrictions and accommodate people no matter their faith or culture, the safest option thought by the Sikh Gurus was to adopt vegetarian food for Langar. The exception to vegetarian langar is when Nihangs, ( a minor but oldest Sikh sect in India) serve meat[9] on the occasion of Holla Mohalla, and call it MahaPrashad .
Sikhism argues that the soul can possibly undergo millions of transformations as various forms of life before ultimately becoming human. These life forms could be a rock, vegetation or animal. Sikhism does not see a difference between mineral, vegetation and animal. The only distinction made is that between these (mineral, vegetation and animal), and human. [10]
The first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev said it was a pointless argument to debate the merits of either not eating or eating meat in the context of religion, as maintaining a strict diet does not make one blessed or elevate one to a superior status, spiritually or otherwise, over another. Being a member of a religion incorporates not merely one's dietary customs but the entire way in which they govern their lifestyle. [11] He advocated a lifestyle consisting of honest, hard work and humility Kirat Karni, focus and remembrance of God Naam Japna and compassion for all of humanity and God's creation all around VaṇḠchakkÅ, with these 3 key principles taking far greater precedence over one's mere dietary habits.
Sikh Intellectual Views on Diet and SikhismMany articles have been written by Sikh intellectuals on this issue. A summary of their views is cited below .Dr I. J Singh states that throughout Sikh history, there have been many subsects of Sikhism that have espoused vegetarianism however, this was rejected by the Sikh Guru's. [12]. The Sikh thinking being that vegetarianism and meat eating was unimportant in the realm of spirituality. Surinder Singh Kohli links vegetarianism to Vashnavite behaviour [13]. Dr Gopal Singh commenting on meat being served in the langar during the time of Guru Angad [14] Dr Gyani Sher Singh who was the head Priest at the Golden temple comments that Ahimsa does not fit in with Sikh doctrine [15]. W. Owen Cole and Piara Singh Sambhi [16] comment that if the Sikh Guru's had made an issue on vegetarianism, it would have distracted from the main emphasis of Sikh spirituality. Dr H S Singha and Satwant Kaur [17] comment on how ritually slaughtered meat is considered a sin for initiated Sikhs. Dr Surinder Singh Kohli comments on the "Fools Wrangle Over Flesh" [18] quotation from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by how Guru Nanak mocked hypocritical vegetarian priests. Dr Gobind Mansukhi states how vegetarianism and meat eating has been left to the Sikh individual [19] G S Sidhu comments again on how ritually slaughtered meat is taboo for a Sikh [20] Dr Gurbakh Singh comments on how non-Kutha [21] meat is acceptable for the Sikhs. Dr Devinder Singh Chahal [22] comments on the difficulties of distinguishing between plant and animalin Sikh philosophy.Dr H S Singha comments in his book how the Sikh Guru's ate meat [23]
The Sikh Code of ConductLeading Sikh intellectuals ruled on this issue in the 1920s (as some Sikh Sects confused the issue by trying to get all Sikhs to be vegetarian) and came up with the following rule or Code of Conduct for baptised Sikhs with regards to meat and Vegetarianism:Sikh Rehat Maryada- In the Rehat Maryada(http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.HTML), Section Six, it states:
The undermentioned four transgressions (tabooed practices) must be avoided
1. Dishonouring the hair;
2. Eating the meat of an animal slaughtered the Muslim way(Kutha);
3. Cohabiting with a person other than one's spouse
4. Using tobacco.
There are groups such as the Akhand Kirtani Jatha that dispute the meaning of the word Kuttha, and say it means all meat, however, in mainstream Sikhism this word has been accepted to mean, as that which is sacrificed for example Halal or Kosher.
Historical dietary behaviour of SikhsThere are a number of eyewitness accounts from European travellers as to the eating habits of Sikhs.[24] Although there is no prohibition on Sikhs for eating beef, it is clear that Sikhs as a mark of respect for their Hindu neighbours did not partake in eating beef.[25],[26] To initiate Mohammedans into their mysteries, one traveller said the Sikhs would prepare a Dish of Hogs legs.[27]According to Dabistan e Mazhib (a contemporary Persian chronology of the Sikh Guru's) Guru Nanak (this differs from Dr I J Singh's research that states that Guru Nanak ate meat on the way to Kurukshetra [28]) did not eat meat, and Guru Arjan, one of successors, thought that meat eating was not in accordance with Nanak's wishes. However, his son, Hargobind, ate meat and hunted, and his practice was adopted by most Sikhs.[29]
Bhai Gurdas who was a contemporary of the Sixth Sikh Guru, wrote Vaars (Poems/Couplets), to describe the behaviour of Sikhs at that time. In one of his Vaars actually praises the merits of goat meat [30]
See alsoSikhs DO EAT Meat
In Sikhism, only vegetarian food is served in the Gurdwara, but Sikhs are not totally bound to be meat-free. The general consensus is that Sikhs are free to choose whether to adopt the vegetarian or meat diet[1], although once baptized by taking Amrit, some minority sects of Sikhs (Damdami Taksal, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Namdharis, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha and the 3HO), believe that a Sikh should be meat free[2], however this is not a Universally held belief amongst Sikhs. Orthodox Sikhs believe that once Amrit is taken, Sikh's are only prohibited from eating Kuttha or ritually slaughtered (Halal, Kosher) meat.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the holiest book talks about vegetarianism and spirituality in the following couplet: - First Mehl:
The fools argue about flesh and meat, but they know nothing about meditation and spiritual wisdom.
What is called meat, and what is called green vegetables? What leads to sin?
It was the habit of the gods to kill the rhinoceros, and make a feast of the burnt offering.
Those who renounce meat, and hold their noses when sitting near it, devour men at night.
They practice hypocrisy, and make a show before other people, but they do not understand anything about meditation or spiritual wisdom.
O Nanak, what can be said to the blind people? They cannot answer, or even understand what is said.
They alone are blind, who act blindly. They have no eyes in their hearts.
They are produced from the blood of their mothers and fathers, but they do not eat fish or meat.Page 1289 [3] Sri Guru Granth Sahib
On the views that eating meat would be eating flesh, first Sikh Guru Nanak states: AGGS, M 1, p 1290. [4]
- First Mehl:
ਪਾਂਡੇ ਤੂ ਜਾਣੈ ਹੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਿਥਹੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਉਪੰਨਾ ॥ ਤੋਇਅਹੁ ਅੰਨੁ ਕਮਾਦੁ ਕਪਾਹਾਂ ਤੋਇਅਹੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣੁ ਗੰਨਾ ॥ O Pandit, you do not know where did flesh originate! It is water where life originated and it is water that sustains all life. It is water that produces grains, sugarcane, cotton and all forms of life.
Sikhism is a liberal, tolerant faith that acknowledges personal liberty and the crucial proponent of human nature, free will [5]. As such, Sikh philosophy and Scriptures are not didactic in nature, for Sikhism offers spiritual, ethical and moral guidance to a fulfilling way of life rather than a tightly-construed and strict religious discipline. As a result, it is the subject of much debate as to whether Sikhs are prohibited by the Sikh Code of Conduct, the Rehat Maryada, from eating meat. The consensus is however, Sikhs are bound to avoid meat that is killed in a ritualistic manner[6] e.g. Halal, Kosher etc.[7][8]
Within the Gurdwara, the Guru ka Langar (Guru's community kitchen) serves purely vegetarian food, freshly prepared from all natural ingredients for all people, at all times. The reason for serving vegetarian food is that the Langar is open to all. Since many faiths and people have varying taboos on what to eat and how meat should be prepared etc, and since Sikhs accept these restrictions and accommodate people no matter their faith or culture, the safest option thought by the Sikh Gurus was to adopt vegetarian food for Langar. The exception to vegetarian langar is when Nihangs, ( a minor but oldest Sikh sect in India) serve meat[9] on the occasion of Holla Mohalla, and call it MahaPrashad .
Sikhism argues that the soul can possibly undergo millions of transformations as various forms of life before ultimately becoming human. These life forms could be a rock, vegetation or animal. Sikhism does not see a difference between mineral, vegetation and animal. The only distinction made is that between these (mineral, vegetation and animal), and human. [10]
The first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev said it was a pointless argument to debate the merits of either not eating or eating meat in the context of religion, as maintaining a strict diet does not make one blessed or elevate one to a superior status, spiritually or otherwise, over another. Being a member of a religion incorporates not merely one's dietary customs but the entire way in which they govern their lifestyle. [11] He advocated a lifestyle consisting of honest, hard work and humility Kirat Karni, focus and remembrance of God Naam Japna and compassion for all of humanity and God's creation all around Vaṇḍ chakkō, with these 3 key principles taking far greater precedence over one's mere dietary habits.
Sikh Intellectual Views on Diet and SikhismMany articles have been written by Sikh intellectuals on this issue. A summary of their views is cited below .Dr I. J Singh states that throughout Sikh history, there have been many subsects of Sikhism that have espoused vegetarianism however, this was rejected by the Sikh Guru's. [12]. The Sikh thinking being that vegetarianism and meat eating was unimportant in the realm of spirituality. Surinder Singh Kohli links vegetarianism to Vashnavite behaviour [13]. Dr Gopal Singh commenting on meat being served in the langar during the time of Guru Angad [14] Dr Gyani Sher Singh who was the head Priest at the Golden temple comments that Ahimsa does not fit in with Sikh doctrine [15]. W. Owen Cole and Piara Singh Sambhi [16] comment that if the Sikh Guru's had made an issue on vegetarianism, it would have distracted from the main emphasis of Sikh spirituality. Dr H S Singha and Satwant Kaur [17] comment on how ritually slaughtered meat is considered a sin for initiated Sikhs. Dr Surinder Singh Kohli comments on the "Fools Wrangle Over Flesh" [18] quotation from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by how Guru Nanak mocked hypocritical vegetarian priests. Dr Gobind Mansukhi states how vegetarianism and meat eating has been left to the Sikh individual [19] G S Sidhu comments again on how ritually slaughtered meat is taboo for a Sikh [20] Dr Gurbakh Singh comments on how non-Kutha [21] meat is acceptable for the Sikhs. Dr Devinder Singh Chahal [22] comments on the difficulties of distinguishing between plant and animalin Sikh philosophy.Dr H S Singha comments in his book how the Sikh Guru's ate meat [23]
The Sikh Code of ConductLeading Sikh intellectuals ruled on this issue in the 1920s (as some Sikh Sects confused the issue by trying to get all Sikhs to be vegetarian) and came up with the following rule or Code of Conduct for baptised Sikhs with regards to meat and Vegetarianism: Sikh Rehat Maryada- In the Rehat Maryada(http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.HTML), Section Six, it states:
The undermentioned four transgressions (tabooed practices) must be avoided
1. Dishonouring the hair;
2. Eating the meat of an animal slaughtered the Muslim way(Kutha);
3. Cohabiting with a person other than one's spouse
4. Using tobacco.
There are groups such as the Akhand Kirtani Jatha that dispute the meaning of the word Kuttha, and say it means all meat, however, in mainstream Sikhism this word has been accepted to mean, as that which is sacrificed for example Halal or Kosher.
Historical dietary behaviour of SikhsThere are a number of eyewitness accounts from European travellers as to the eating habits of Sikhs.[24] Although there is no prohibition on Sikhs for eating beef, it is clear that Sikhs as a mark of respect for their Hindu neighbours did not partake in eating beef.[25],[26] To initiate Mohammedans into their mysteries, one traveller said the Sikhs would prepare a Dish of Hogs legs.[27]According to Dabistan e Mazhib (a contemporary Persian chronology of the Sikh Guru's) Guru Nanak (this differs from Dr I J Singh's research that states that Guru Nanak ate meat on the way to Kurukshetra [28]) did not eat meat, and Guru Arjan, one of successors, thought that meat eating was not in accordance with Nanak's wishes. However, his son, Hargobind, ate meat and hunted, and his practice was adopted by most Sikhs.[29]
Bhai Gurdas who was a contemporary of the Sixth Sikh Guru, wrote Vaars (Poems/Couplets), to describe the behaviour of Sikhs at that time. In one of his Vaars actually praises the merits of goat meat [30]
See alsoSikhs do eat meat and are not forbidden by their religion to do so. There are some Sikhs who are vegetarian however, but like Christianity, it is a personal choice.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_sikhis_alloud_to_eat_ritually_slaughtered_meat"
Sikhs can eat rice and wheat products. They also eat milk products but some Sikhs do not eat meat
Baptised (Amritdhari) Sikhs are not allowed to consume meat/liquor/or any intoxicating substance. Sikhs who are not baptised may or may not eat meat according to their personal preference.
Sikhs that are "full Sikh's" (Baptist Sikh) can not eat any kind of meat nor eggs. Sikhs that are normal can eat meat and eggs but they can not eat halal nor beef.
In a Sikh Gudwara they do not serve meat in their Langar as they feel it will not be fair to those who don't eat meat e.g. because of their religion. Instead they serve non-meat substances like vegetables, fruit ,ect. Sikhs don't have to not eat meat. They can eat anything really but if they are a very strict Sikh they might not eat meat because of their own interpretation of their religion. Sikhs can choose what they want to eat.
No Sikhs are not vegetarian although many choose to be. One a Sikh has taken the Amrit ceremony (a form of Sikh baptism) they are not allowed to eat Kutha meat (meat which is ritually prepared like Halal or Kosher).
Sikh's can generally eat anything and do not have any dietary taboo's. Baptised Sikhs are not allowed to eat "Kutha" meat, or meat that has been ritually slaughtered. Those Baptised Sikh's that eat meat only eat Jhatka meat or meat that has been killed quickly. Some Sikh's that follow religious sects like Akhand Kirtani Jatha, GNNSJ, Raronwale are lacto-vegetarians.
i think you mean Sikhs and no they're not allowed
most hippies are vegitarian ( dont eat meat), or vegans (dont eat meat or drink milk).
Sikhs do not believe in ritual killing and are told to refrain from eating meat killed by such rites as halal and kosher. Most Sikhs are vegetarian
They don't eat meat which makes them vegetarian.
people celebrating Maghi do not eat meat or fish for this holiday.
now adays it doesnt really matter because no one really is a true Sikh. but Sikhs are suppose to vegetarian. no meat.