Common views on meat eating: Difference between revisions
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First thing to be cleared that Guru Granth Sahib is not a Diet Chart. Whether or not to include meat, fish and eggs (or even milk and milk products) in the diet, has long been a controversial topic among the religious men of India. India's youngest religion Sikhi, begun by Guru Nanak Dev has today spread around the world, moving in shoulder to shoulder with people of the world's other religious traditions, but since the beginning of the Sikh religion, when Guru Nanak sat out on the first of his Udasis to spread the ideals of his teachings to other men, the argument of whether or not to limit ones diet to vegetables and grains, continues. Meat Eating was introduced by Vaishnav Saints. Early Yogis, and granths like Vedas are not aginst Meat Eating. Meat Eating is popular issue in Islam, Jainsism, Hinduism and other religions and Even among the Sikhs the debate on meat eating goes on to this day.
This has lead the majority of Sikh scholars to agree on the view that Sikhism does not require its followers to adhere to the long established Hindu dictum of eating vegetables and grains only. However the Guru Granth Sahib, the spiritual guide of every Sikh, makes one thing very clear in regard to a Sikh's diet. A Sikh should consume only healthy foods that are good for the body, foods that cause harm to the body . One should also limit the intake of foods that only please the palate and the senses, leading to gluttony and obesity. The wisdom of the Guru Granth Sahib's advice, has been proven by modern medical studies that show that a calorie restricted diet (portion control) is an important factor in living a longer, healthier life.
What good are fruits, what good is ghee, sweet jaggery, what good is flour, and what good is meat?
Neither Renowed Sikhs like Sant Singh Maskeen, Darshan Singh, Jagtar Singh Jachak etc. does not support this fact that Meat Eating is banned in Sikhism nor Five Takhats believe this as in SGPC maryada only Halal Meat is not allowed, even Nihung Sampardays who have saved old traditional dress and traditional culture also say that it is nothing wrong in eating food. Sant Singh Maskeen even said "All those Taksaals and saints which have impression of some other religions like Jainism, Hinduism etc speaks against meat".
Some comments by many Sikh Scholars on this issue, source the world wide web/Usernet:
Sikhs and Sikhism by I.J. Singh, Manohar, Delhi
- Throughout Sikh history, there have been movements or subsects of Sikhism which have espoused vegetarianism. I think there is no basis for such dogma or practice in Sikhism. Certainly Sikhs do not think that a vegetarian's achievements in spirituality are easier or higher. It is surprising to see that vegetarianism is such an important facet of Hindu practice in light of the fact that animal sacrifice was a significant and much valued Hindu Vedic ritual for ages. Guru Nanak in his writings clearly rejected both sides of the arguments - on the virtues of vegetarianism or meat eating - as banal and so much nonsense, nor did he accept the idea that a cow was somehow more sacred than a horse or a chicken. He also refused to be drawn into a contention on the differences between flesh and greens, for instance. History tells us that to impart this message, Nanak cooked meat at an important Hindu festival in Kurukshetra. Having cooked it he certainly did not waste it, but probably served it to his followers and ate himself. History is quite clear that Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh were accomplished and avid hunters. The game was cooked and put to good use, to throw it away would have been an awful waste.
A History of the Sikh People by Dr. Gopal Singh, World Sikh University Press, Delhi
- Commenting on meat being served in the langar during the time of Guru Angad. However, it is strange that now-a-days in the Community-Kitchen attached to the Sikh temples, and called the Guru's Kitchen (or, Guru-ka-langar) meat-dishes are not served at all. May be, it is on account of its being, perhaps, expensive, or not easy to keep for long. Or, perhaps the Vaishnava tradition is too strong to be shaken off.
Philosophy of Sikhism, by Gyani Sher Singh (Ph.D), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Amritsar
- As a true Vaisnavite Kabir remained a strict vegetarian. Kabir far from defying Brahmanical tradition as to the eating of meat, would not permit so much, as the plucking of a flower (G.G.S. pg 479), whereas Nanak deemed all such scruples to be superstitions, Kabir held the doctrine of Ahinsa or the non-destruction of life, which extended even to that of flowers. The Sikh Gurus, on the contrary, allowed and even encouraged, the use of animal flesh as food. Nanak has exposed this Ahinsa superstition in Asa Ki War (S.G.G.S. pg 472) and Malar Ke War (S.G.G.S. pg. 1288).
Sikhism, A Complete Introduction, by Dr. H.S. Singha and Satwant Kaur, Hem***** Press, Delhi
- In general Sikhism has adopted an ambivalent attitude towards meat eating as against vegetarianism. But if meat is to be taken at all, Guru Gobind Singh enjoined on the Khalsa Panth not to take kosher meat ie. Halal meat slaughtered
and prepared for eating according to the Islamic practice. In fact it is one of the kurahits for every amritdhari Sikh. One who infringes it becomes patit (apostate).
Real Sikhism by Surinder Singh Kohli, Harman Publishing, New Delhi
- A close study of the above-mentioned hymns of Guru Nanak Dev clarifies the Sikh standpoint regarding meat-eating. The Guru has not fallen into the controversy of eating or not eating animal food. He has ridiculed the religious priests for raising their voice in favour of vegetarianism. He called them hypocrites and totally blind to the realities of life. They are unwise and thoughtless persons, who do not go into the root of the matter. According to him, the water is the source of all life whether vegetable or animal.
- Guru Nanak Dev said, "None of the grain of corn is without life. In the first place, there is life in water, by which all are made green" (Var Asa M.1, p. 472).
- Thus there is life in vegetation and life in all types of creatures.
Introduction to Sikhism, by Dr. Gobind Singh Mansukhani, Hemkut Press, Delhi
- The Gurus neither advocate meat nor banned its use. They left it to the choice of the individual. There are passages against meat, in the Adi Granth. Guru Gobind Singh however prohibited for the Khalsa the use of Halal or Kutha meat prepared in the Muslim ritualistic way.
Introduction to Sikhism, by G.S. Sidhu, Shromini Sikh Sangat, Toronto
- There are no restrictions for the Sikhs regarding food, except that the Sikhs are forbidden to eat meat prepared as a ritual slaughter. The Sikhs are asked to abstain from intoxicants.
The Sikh Faith by Gurbakhsh Singh, Canadian Sikh Study and Teaching Society, Vancouver
- According to the Maryada booklet 'Kutha', the meat prepared by the Muslim ritual, is prohibited for a Sikh. Regarding eating other meat, it is silent. From the prohibition of the Kutha meat, it is rightly presumed that non-Kutha meat is not prohibited for the Sikhs. Beef is prohibited to the Hindus and pork to the Muslims. Jews and Christians have their own taboos. They do not eat certain kinds of meat on certain days. Sikhs have no such instructions. If one thinks he needs to eat meat, it does not matter which meat it is, beef, poultry, fish, etc., or which day it is. One should, however, be careful not to eat any meat harmful for his health. Gurbani's instructions on this topic are very clear.
"Only fools argue whether to eat meat or not. Who can define what is meat and what is not meat? Who knows where the sin lies, being a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian?" (1289)
Scientific Interpretation of Gurbani, Paper by Dr. Devinder Singh Chahal
- The above discussion leads us to the conclusion that the Sikh Gurus made people aware of the fact that it is very difficult to distinguish between a plant and an animal, therefore, it is difficult to distinguish between a vegetarian and a non-vegetarian diets and there is no sin of eating food originating from plants or animals.
Mini Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, by H.S. Singha, Hemkut Press, Delhi.
- The practice of the Gurus is uncertain. Guru Nanak seems to have eaten venison or goat, depending upon different janamsakhi versions of a meal which he cooked at Kurukshetra which evoked the criticism of Brahmins. Guru Amardas ate only rice and lentils but this abstention cannot be regarded as evidence of vegetarianism, only of simple living. Guru Gobind Singh also permitted the eating of meat but he prescribed that it should be jhatka meat and not Halal meat that is jagged in the Muslim fashion.
- Professor Darshan Singh Khalsa, Ex Jathedar and his other supporters also consume meat.
In Sikh Rehat Maryada, only Halal meat is banned. The Maryada is authentic by Akal Takhat. Though saints have their own Maryada's, some even said there is no problem in consuming wine too if in control.
So Gurmat concludes:
O Baba, the pleasures of other foods are false.
ਜਿਤ ਖਾਧੈ ਤਨ ਪੀੜੀਝ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Giani Sant Singh Maskeen - Meat Eating is not Against Gurmat
Professor Darshan Singh Khalsa - Meat Eating is not Against Gurmat
Vegetable Foods also Contain Souls and so Non Veg Food
As many as are the grains, none is without life.
His Light fills all those born of eggs, born from the womb, born of sweat and born of the earth, each and every heart.
there is only the One, the Giver of all souls. May I never forget Him! ||6||
Scholarly View is clear that Eating is person's own requirement, and it have no relation with Spirit.
See
Check Vegetarianism for One sided View.
Referecnes
- Katha Sant Singh maskeen
- Sikh Rehat Maryada
- Guru Granth Sahib
- Dasam Granth
- Panth Parkash
- Suraj Bilas Granth
