Sikh Rehat Maryada

The Sikh Rehat Maryada[1][2][3] (Punjabi (Gurmukhi): ਸਿੱਖ ਰਹਿਤ ਮਰਯਾਦਾ, Sikkh Rahit Maryādā) (alternate transcription Sikh Reht Maryada[4]) is a code of conduct and conventions for Sikhism, approved by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar in 1945.[5]

Although Sikhs have a primary scripture (the Guru Granth Sahib), it does not provide a practical structure for the arrangement of the community. Consequently, the Rehat Maryada was created to standardise Sikh Gurdwaras[6] and religious practices to foster cohesion throughout the community.[7]

History

Before Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Sikh Guru) died in 1708, he transferred his authority to the scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, and the body of initiated Sikhs, called the Khalsa Panth. However between 1708 and 1925 the Sikh community experienced sectarianism and no centralized authority apart from that arranged under British rule from 1849.[8] A range of other codes and collections of tradition existed, but none represented the entire community (Panth).

In 1925, the Punjab Sikh Gurdwara Act (the Act) was introduced and legislated the establishment of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) (an elected body of Sikhs) for the purpose of administering Gurdwaras.

Timeline of drafting and approval

March 1927
A general meeting of the SGPC was held on 15 March 1927, to establish a subcommittee with the task of producing a draft Code of Conduct. The subcommittee at the time consisted of 29 high-profile Sikhs,[9] listed by name in the Introduction to the Sikh Rehat Maryada.
October 1931 – January 1932
A preliminary draft was circulated to Sikhs in April 1931, for comment. The subcommittee met on 4 and 5 October 1931, 3 January 1932, and 31 January 1932, at the Akal Takht, Amritsar. During this time the number of subcommittee members present at meetings reduced, and other people were listed as present.[10]
March 1932
On 1 March 1932, four members were exited from the subcommittee, and eight more were appointed. Of the four who were exited, one had died and another was excommunicated.[11]
May and October 1932
The subcommittee met again to deliberate and consider the draft on 8 May 1932 and 26 September 1932. On 1 October 1932, the sub-committee submitted its report to the Secretary, SGPC, recommending a special session of the SGPC be convened to consider the final draft and approve it for acceptance.[10]
December 1933
The SGPC arranged a conclave of Sikhs on 30 December 1933, where 170 individuals attended and debated the draft. Only nine attendees where members of the original sub-committee, and the conclave ultimately failed to reach an agreement.[12]
The SGPC then received comments on the draft from a subcommittee of 50 individuals and 21 Panthic Associations (including international organisations), all of whom are listed in the Introduction to the Sikh Rehat Maryada.[10]
August and October 1936
After nearly three years, on 1 August 1936, the broader subcommittee approved the draft, and the general body of the SGPC ratified it on 12 October 1936.[13][14] Thereafter the Rehat was implemented.
January and February 1945
At their meeting on 7 January 1945 the SPGC's Advisory Committee on Religious Matters recommended some changes to be made to the Code. The Advisory Committee consisted of eight individuals as listed in the Preface to the Sikh Rehat Maryada. The SGPC accepted the recommendations at their meeting on 3 February 1945.[15]

Since then, several minor updates have been made to clarify content, but no significant review has been undertaken.

Principal points

The Sikh Rehat Maryada addresses key issues such as the definition of a Sikh, personal and communal obligations such as meditation and volunteer service, rules for gurdwara services to include appropriate music and festivals, and the conduct of assorted Sikh ceremonies.[16]

Definition of Sikh

A Sikh is defined as any person, male or female, who faithfully:

Sikh living

There are two aspects to a Sikh living. One is the adherence to a personal discipline and the development of a strong family life. The other is the involvement in communal life and to ensure community well-being and infra-structure for support of the weak within the community local and globally. This is the practical aspect of the three pillars of Sikhism promoted by Guru Nanak called Wand kay Shako (share and consume).

Personal life

Communal life

The Sikh has a duty to actively contribute to the community outside the family unit. Time needs to be given to the greater Sikh community and the even wider world community. It is the duty of the Sikh to hold a continuous dialogue with all members of the larger community, to treat them as equals, and respect their religions and their customs.

Meditating and scriptures

Sikhs engage in personal and communal meditation, Kirtan and the study of the holy Scriptures. Meditating and understanding of the Guru Granth Sahib is important to the development of a Sikh. One should not only study Gurmukhi and be able to read Gurbani but also understand the meaning of the text. Translations and other material may be used to assist the Sikh. The Sikh should revert to the Guru Granth Sahib for the all spiritual guidance in one's life.

Congregation and scripture

It is believed that a Sikh is more easily and deeply affected by Gurbani when engaged in congregational gatherings. For this reason, it is necessary for a Sikh to visit Gurdwaras, the places where the Sikhs congregate for worship and prayer. On joining the holy congregation, Sikhs should take part and obtain benefit from the joint study of the holy scriptures.

No one is to be barred from entering a Gurdwara, no matter in which country, religion or caste he/she belongs to. The Gurdwara is open to all for the Guru's darshan (seeing the holy Guru) and Langar. However the person must not have on his/her person anything, such as tobacco or other intoxicants, which are tabooed by the Sikh religion. Shoes must be removed, one's head must be covered, and respectful clothing is a must.

Service in gurdwaras

During a service in a Gurdwara and while congregational sessions are in session, only one activity should be done at a time in one hall in the presence of the Guru – performing of kirtan, delivering of discourse, interpretative elaboration of the scriptures or the reading of the scriptures.

Kirtan

Only Sikhs are allowed to perform Kirtan (Spiritual hymn singing) in a congregation and only hymns (Shabads) from the holy scriptural compositions in traditional musical measures should be sung. Only Shabads from Gurbani (Guru Granth's hymns) and the compositions of Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Nand Lal, may be performed. It is improper to sing Kirtan to rhythmic folk tunes or popular film tunes.

Ardas and Guru's Hukam

Before taking a Hukam from the Guru, an Ardas must be done where all the congregation would stand for the Ardas and then sit down and carefully listen to the Hukam of the Guru.

Akhand Paath and Sadharan Paath

Akhand Paath: Is the non-stop reading of the Guru Granth Sahib carried on during difficult times or during occasions of joy and celebration. The reading takes approximately forty eight hours of continuous and uninterrupted reading by a relay of skilled Gurbani readers. The reading must be done in a clear voice and with correct and full pronunciation. Reading the Gurbani too fast, so that the person listening in cannot follow the contents, is discouraged and is considered as disrespect for the Scriptures and the congregation (Sangat).

Sadharan Paath: This is a non-continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib and one can take from seven days to many months to complete the full reading of the 1430 Anga of the text.

Festivals

The important Sikh festivals that are celebrated are:

Living according to the Guru's Way

To live and promote the tenets stipulated by the Gurus.

Sikh ceremonies

Voluntary service (Seva)

Seva (voluntary service) is an important prominent part of the Sikh religion and all Sikhs must get involved in this communal service whenever an opportunity arises. This in its simple forms can be: sweeping and washing the floors of the Gurdwara, serving water and food (Langar) to or fanning the congregation, offering provisions or preparing food and doing other 'house keeping' duties.

Guru ka Langar (Guru's free food) is a very important part of Sikhism. The main philosophy behind the langar is two-fold : to provide training to engage in seva and an opportunity to serve people from all walks of life and to help banish all distinctions between high and low castes.

Communal life

Sikhism offers strong support for a healthy communal life and a Sikh must undertake to support all worthy projects which would benefit the community and promote Gurmat principles. Importance is given to inter-faith dialogue, support for the poor and weak, better community understanding and co-operation.

Other codes

Sikh Rehat Maryada is based on earlier codes (Rehat nama), including:

References

  1. ↑ Haynes, Jeffrey (30 Jun 2008). "19". Routledge handbook of religion and politics (1 ed.). Routledge;. p. 316. ISBN 0-415-41455-5. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  2. ↑ Singh, Nirmal (2008). "10". Searches In Sikhism: thought, understanding, observance. New Dehli: Hemkunt Publishers. pp. 184 onwards. ISBN 978-81-7010-367-7. OCLC 320246878. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  3. ↑ Kapoor, Sukhbir Singh; Mohinder Kaur Kapoor (2008). "Introduction". The Making of the Sikh Rehatnamas. New Delhi, India: Hemkunt Publishers. p. 9. ISBN 978-81-7010-370-7. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  4. ↑ "Preface to the English Version of Reht Maryada". Secretary, Dharam Parchar Committee (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar). Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  5. ↑ Singh, I. J. (Jul 22, 2005). "A History of the Sikh Code of Conduct: A review of Darpan Sikh Rehat Maryada (Punjabi) by Gurbaksh Singh Gulshan". The Sikh Times. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  6. ↑ Singh, Sd. Teja. "Report of S.G.P.C.'s Code of Conduct and Conventions Sub-Committee." Letter to The Secretary, S.G.P.Committee, Amritsar. 1 Oct. 1932. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, n.d. Web. 17 July 2015. <http://old.sgpc.net/sikhism/introduction.asp>
  7. ↑ "Preface to the English Version of Reht Maryada", Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee
  8. ↑ Kalsi, Dr. Sewa Singh. "Problems of Defining Authority in Sikhism." DISKUS 3.2 (1995): 43-58. http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/threads/defining-authority-in-sikhism.39662/#post-177565
  9. ↑ Singh. "A History of the Sikh Code of Conduct: A review of Darpan Sikh Rehat Maryada (Punjabi) by Gurbaksh Singh Gulshan".
  10. 1 2 3 Singh, "Report of SGPC's Code of Conduct and Conventions Sub-Committee."
  11. ↑ Singh. "A History of the Sikh Code of Conduct: A review of Darpan Sikh Rehat Maryada (Punjabi) by Gurbaksh Singh Gulshan".
  12. ↑ Singh. "A History of the Sikh Code of Conduct: A review of Darpan Sikh Rehat Maryada (Punjabi) by Gurbaksh Singh Gulshan".
  13. ↑ Singh. "A History of the Sikh Code of Conduct: A review of Darpan Sikh Rehat Maryada (Punjabi) by Gurbaksh Singh Gulshan".
  14. ↑ "Preface to the English Version of Reht Maryada", Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee
  15. ↑ "Preface to the English Version of Reht Maryada", Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee
  16. ↑ http://www.sgpc.net/sikhism/sikh-dharma-manual.html
  17. ↑ http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_one.html
  18. ↑ http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html
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