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There are a number of religious prohibitions in Sikhism and by the SGPC:
- Cutting Hair: Cutting hair is strictly forbidden in Sikhism. From your head down to your toes, no hair is to be plucked, cut, burnt or chemically/surgically removed. Kesh (hair) should not to be dyed by any method whatsoever.
- Intoxication: Consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and other intoxicants is not allowed. Intoxicants are strictly forbidden for a Sikh.
- Adultery: In Sikhism, the husband and wife must be physically faithful to one another. People who allow lust to overcome them and violate this rule will not escape the circle of life and death.[citation needed]
- Some spiritual behavior: Superstitions and rituals not meaningful to Sikhs should not be observed or followed, including pilgrimages, fasting and bathing in rivers; circumcision; worship of graves, idols or pictures; compulsory wearing of the veil for women; etc. Compare to the Five Ks of Sikhism.
- Material obsession ("Maya"): Accumulation of materials has no meaning in Sikhism. Wealth, gold, portfolios, stocks, commodities, and properties will all be left here on Earth when you depart. Do not become attached to them.
- Sacrifice of creatures: The practice of sati (widows throwing themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands), lamb and calf slaughter to celebrate holy occasions, etc. strictly are forbidden.
- Non-family-oriented living: A Sikh is encouraged not to live as a recluse, beggar, yogi, monk, nun or celibate. However, Shrichand, the son of Guru Nanak and the founder of the Udasi Sikh order, was a yogi and was recognized by the Gurus.
- Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip, lying, slander, "back-biting", etc. are not permitted. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib tells the Sikh, "Your mouth has not stopped slandering and gossiping about others. Your service is useless and fruitless."[1]
- Priestly class: Sikhs do not have to depend on a priest for any functions that need to be performed.
- Eating Halal meat. Sikhs are strictly prohibited from eating Halal meat, or any meat during the langar. In some Sikh groups, eating meat is believed to be forbidden, but this is not a universally held belief.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Srigranth.org - SGGS Page 1253
- ^ "Sikh Identity: An Exploration of Groups Among Sikhs" by Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, pg. 51, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd, 2005, ISBN 0754652025
