Sikhism

==Prohibitions in Sikhism==
{{further|Prohibitions in Sikhism|Diet in Sikhism}}
These prohibitions are strictly followed by initiated [[Khalsa]] Sikhs who have undergone baptism. While the Sikh gurus did not enforce religion and did not believe in forcing people to follow any particular religion in general, the Sikh community does encourage all people to become better individuals by following the Guru's Way (Gur-mat), as opposed to living life without the Guru's code of disciple (Man-mat):{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

4 major transgressions:<ref>Sikh Rehat Maryada: [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_four.html Section Four, Chapter X, Article XVI, i.]; [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html Section Six, Chapter XIII, Article XXIV, p. 1.-4.]</ref>
* Hair removal – [[Hair]] [[cutting]], trimming, removing, [[shaving]], [[Plucking (hair removal)|plucking]], [[Threading (epilation)|threading]], [[Dyeing hair|dyeing]], or any other alteration from any body part is strictly forbidden.<ref>Sikh Rehat Maryada: [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_four.html Section Four, Chapter X, Article XVI, i.]; [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html Section Six, Chapter XIII, Article XXIV, p. 1. & q. 3.]</ref>
* Eating [[Kutha meat|Kutha]] meat.<ref>[https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html Sikh Rehat Maryada: Section Six, Chapter XIII, Article XXIV, p. 2.]</ref> This is the absolute minimum required by all [[Khalsa|initiated Sikhs]]. Many Sikhs refrain from eating [[non-vegetarian]] food, and believe all should follow this diet. This is due to various social, cultural, political, and familial aspects. As such, there has always been major disagreement among Sikhs over the issue of eating [[non-vegetarian]] food. Sikhs following the rahit (code of conduct) of the [[Damdami Taksal]] & [[Akhand Kirtani Jatha|AKJ]] also subscribe to this view. The [[Nihang|Akali Nihangs]] have traditionally eaten meat and are famous for performing [[Jhatka]].<ref>{{cite web |quote=A Nihang carries out 'Chatka' on a 'Chatanga' (a specially selected goat for sacrifice) |title=The Multifarious Faces of Sikhism throughout Sikh History |url=http://www.sarbloh.info/htmls/article_samparda_kartar17.html |website=sarbloh.info |access-date=18 August 2010 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718132057/http://www.sarbloh.info/htmls/article_samparda_kartar17.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Mahaprashad">''"The most special occasion of the Chhauni is the festival of Diwali which is celebrated for ten days. This is the only Sikh shrine at Amritsar where Maha Prasad (meat) is served on special occasions in Langar"'', The Sikh review, Volume 35, Issue 409 – Volume 36, Issue 420, Sikh Cultural Centre., 1988</ref><ref name="Sikh Goat Sacrifice">''"The tradition traces back to the time of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji who started the tradition of hunting for Sikhs ... The tradition of ritually sacrificing goats and consuming Mahaparshad remains alive not only with the Nihang Singh Dals, but also at Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib and Sachkhand Sri Patna Sahib (two of the Sikhs holiest shrines)."'' [http://www.nihangsingh.org/website/trad-jhatka.html Panth Akali Budha Dal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523054532/http://www.nihangsingh.org/website/trad-jhatka.html |date=23 May 2010 }}</ref><ref name="Sikh Goat Sacrifice2">''"Another noteworthy practice performed here is that a goat is sacrificed on Dussehra night every year. This ceremony was performed on Diwali day this year (Oct 28, 2008). The fresh blood of the sacrificed goat is used for tilak on the Guru's weapons."'', SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS OF THE SIKH COMMUNITY, Dr Madanjit Kaur, Institute of Sikh Studies [http://sikhinstitute.org/apr_2009/10-madakaur.html Institute of Sikh Studies, Madan Kaur] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612142006/http://sikhinstitute.org/apr_2009/10-madakaur.html |date=12 June 2010 }}</ref> Thus, there is a wide range of views that exist on the issue of a proper "Sikh diet" in the [[Panth]]. Nonetheless, all Sikhs agree with the minimum consensus that meat slaughtered via the Muslim ([[Halal]]) or Jewish ([[Shechita]]) methods is strictly against Sikh dogma and principles.<ref>"Sikhism, A Complete Introduction" by H.S. Singha & Satwant Kaur Hemkunt, Hemkunt Press, New Delhi, 1994, {{ISBN|81-7010-245-6}}</ref><ref>"Sikh Identity: An Exploration of Groups Among Sikhs" by Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, pg. 51, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd, 2005, {{ISBN|0-7546-5202-5}}</ref> The [[Akal Takht]] represents the final authority on controversial issues concerning the Sikh [[Panth]] (community or collective). The [[Hukamnama]] (edict or clarification), issued by [[Akal Takht]] [[Jathedar]] [[Jathedar Sadhu Singh Bhaura|Sadhu Singh Bhaura]] dated 15 February 1980, states that eating meat does not go against the code of conduct of the Sikhs. [[Khalsa|Amritdhari]] Sikhs can eat meat as long as it is [[Jhatka]] meat.<ref name="Singh 2001 89">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Dharam|title=Perspectives on Sikhism: Papers Presented at the International Seminar on Sikhism: a Religion for the Third Millennium Held at Punjabi University, Patiala on 27–29 March 2000|year=2001|publisher=Publication Bureau, Punjabi University|isbn=9788173807367|page=89}}</ref>
* [[Adultery]]: Cohabiting with a person other than one's spouse (sexual relations with anyone who you are not married to).<ref>{{cite book |last=Jakobsh |first=Doris R. |title=Relocating Gender in Sikh History: Transformation, Meaning and Identity |location=New Delhi |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |date=2003 |pages=39–40}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=McLeod |first=W. H. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vgixwfeCyDAC&pg=PA119 |title=The A to Z of Sikhism |date=24 July 2009 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-6344-6 |pages=119 |language=en |author-link=W. H. McLeod}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Fenech |first1=Louis E. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA214 |title=Historical Dictionary of Sikhism |last2=McLeod |first2=W. H. |date=11 June 2014 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4422-3601-1 |pages=214 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Grewal |first=J. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YDLNDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT95 |title=Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708): Master of the White Hawk |date=25 July 2019 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-099038-1 |pages=95 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Beckerlegge |first=Gwilym |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pgmNpPoYabwC&pg=PA456 |title=World Religions Reader |date=2001 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-24748-1 |pages=456 |language=en}}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|reason=Not an [[WP:EXTRAORDINARY]] claim, no need to [[WP:REFBOMB]]|date=May 2023}}
* [[Intoxications|Intoxication]] – Consumption of [[tobacco]] and [[intoxicants]] ([[hemp]], [[opium]], [[liquor]], [[narcotic]]s, [[cocaine]], etc.) is not allowed.<ref>Sikh Rehat Maryada: [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_four.html Section Four, Chapter X, Article XVI, j.]</ref><ref>Sikh Rehat Maryada: [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html Section Six, Chapter XIII, Article XXIV, p. 4. & q. 1., q. 5.]</ref>{{sfn|Macauliffe|1909|p=[[s:Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 1.djvu/27|xxi]]}} [[Cannabis and Sikhism|Cannabis is generally prohibited]], but ritually consumed in edible form by some Sikhs.<ref name="SinghFenech2014">{{cite book |first1=Pashaura |last1=Singh |first2=Louis E. |last2=Fenech |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8I0NAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA378 |date=March 2014 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-969930-8|pages=378–}}</ref><ref name="SinghHawley2012">{{cite book |first1=Pashaura |last1=Singh |first2=Michael |last2=Hawley |title=Re-imagining South Asian Religions: Essays in Honour of Professors Harold G. Coward and Ronald W. Neufeldt |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=4SLhLakpsNsC&pg=PA34 |date=7 December 2012 |publisher=Brill Academic |isbn=978-90-04-24236-4|pages=34–}}</ref> Some Sikh groups, like the [[Damdami Taksal]], are even opposed to drinking [[caffeine]] in [[Tea|Indian tea]]. Indian tea is almost always served in Sikh [[Gurdwara|Gurudwaras]] around the world. Some [[Nihang|Akali Nihang]] groups consume [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis-containing]] shaheedi degh ({{lang|pa|ਭੰਗ}}), purportedly to help in [[meditation]].<ref>{{cite book
  | last = Richard Beck
  | first =  David Worden
  | title = Gcse Religious Studies for Aqa
  | year = 2002
  |page= 64
  | publisher = Heinemann
 | isbn = 0-435-30692-8}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110811031946/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-03-19/chandigarh/27281595_1_bhang-united-colours-procession Hola Mohalla: United colours of celebrations],</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040103/asp/opinion/story_2735311.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040112104613/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040103/asp/opinion/story_2735311.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 January 2004 |title=Mad About Words |work=The Telegraph (India) |date=3 January 2004 |access-date=4 January 2014}}</ref> ''Sūkha parshaad'' ({{lang|pa|ਸੁੱਖਾ ਪ੍ਰਰਸਾਦ}}), "Dry-sweet", is the term [[Nihang|Akali Nihangs]] use to refer to it. It was traditionally crushed and consumed as a liquid, especially during festivals like [[Hola Mohalla]]. It is never smoked, as this practice is forbidden in Sikhism.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/sikhism/akalis.html |title=UCSM.ac.uk |publisher=Philtar.ucsm.ac.uk |access-date=4 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016012718/http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/sikhism/akalis.html |archive-date=16 October 2010 }}</ref> In 2001, [[Jathedar Santa Singh]], the leader of [[Budha Dal]], along with 20 chiefs of [[Nihang]] sects, refused to accept the ban on consumption of'' shaheedi degh'' by the apex Sikh clergy of [[Akal Takht]] – in order to preserve their traditional practices.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010326/punjab1.htm#3 Nihangs 'not to accept' ban on shaheedi degh]. [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]. 26 March 2001.</ref> According to a recent BBC article, "Traditionally they also drank shaheedi degh, an infusion of cannabis, to become closer with God".<ref>{{cite web|last=Hegarty |first=Stephanie |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15480741 |title=The only living master of a dying martial art |publisher=BBC |date=29 October 2011 |access-date=4 January 2014}}</ref> Baba Santa Singh was excommunicated and replaced with Baba Balbir Singh, who agreed to shun the consumption of ''bhang''.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010310/main7.htm#2 No 'bhang' at Hola Mohalla]. [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]. 10 March 2001.</ref>

Other mentioned practices to be avoided, as per the Sikh Rehat Maryada:
* Piercing of the nose or ears for wearing ornaments is forbidden for Sikh men and women.<ref>Sikh Rehat Maryada: [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_four.html Section Four, Chapter X, Article XVI, k.]</ref> However, this is a point of contention as it was common for Sikh men and women to wear during the [[Sikh Misl]] period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Today, the idea of religious Sikh men wearing earrings would be ridiculous – and in many puritan circles, the idea of any form of piercing for all Sikhs, including women and their jewelry, would be off-limits. Yet the historical record tells us a different story... |url=https://twitter.com/YungBhujang/status/1276634524340776961 |via=Twitter}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=September 2023}}
* Female infanticide: A Sikh should not kill their daughter; nor should they maintain any relationship with a killer of daughter.<ref>Sikh Rehat Maryada: [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_four.html Section Four, Chapter X, Article XVI, l.]</ref>
* A Sikh shall not [[Theft|steal]], form dubious associations or engage in [[gambling]].<ref>Sikh Rehat Maryada: [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_four.html Section Four, Chapter X, Article XVI, o.]</ref>
* It is not proper for a Sikh woman to wear a [[veil]], or keep her face hidden.<ref>Sikh Rehat Maryada: [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_four.html Section Four, Chapter X, Article XVI, s.]</ref>
* Sikhs cannot wear any token of any other faith, nor participate in idol worship (Idolatry) according to the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs must not have their head bare or wear [[cap]]s. They also cannot wear any [[Ornament (art)|ornament]]s piercing through any part of the body.<ref>Sikh Rehat Maryada: [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_four.html Section Four, Chapter X, Article XVI, i.]; [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html Section Six, Chapter XIII, Article XXIV, d.]</ref>
* Hereditary priest – Sikhism does not have priests, as they were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Guru of Sikhism).<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web |url= http://www.sikhs.org/summary.htm |title=Sikhism Religion of the Sikh People |publisher=sikhs.org}}</ref> The only position he left was a [[Granthi]] to look after the Guru Granth Sahib; any Sikh is free to become Granthi or read from the Guru Granth Sahib.<ref name=autogenerated2 />