Sikhism and Circumcision: Difference between revisions

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{{p|File:Cut off what.jpg|You wanna cut off what?}}
{{Message of Gurbani}}
'''Circumcision''' means cutting some or all of the foreskin (prepuce) from the penis. Circumcision both for the male and female is strictly not permitted within [[Sikhism]]. Also, as a further extension of this same principle, other violations of the body – tattooing, body piercing, body mutilation, etc for the same reason are considered [[anti-Sikhi]]. For many peoples of various cultures and religions it was common practice to be subjected to this ritual during the time of the [[Sikh Gurus]] from 1469 to 1708AD.  However, the Sikh scripture, the [[Guru Granth Sahib]]  is clear on this subject.
'''Circumcision''' means cutting some or all of the foreskin (prepuce) from the penis. Circumcision both for the male and female is strictly not permitted within [[Sikhism]]. Also, as a further extension of this same principle, other violations of the body – tattooing, body piercing, body mutilation, etc for the same reason are considered [[anti-Sikhi]]. For many peoples of various cultures and religions it was common practice to be subjected to this ritual during the time of the [[Sikh Gurus]] from 1469 to 1708AD.  However, the Sikh scripture, the [[Guru Granth Sahib]]  is clear on this subject.


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This is what the holy text of the [[Sikh]]s say about this practice:
This is what the holy text of the [[Sikh]]s say about this practice:


{{Tuk|477|21608|ਸਕਤਿ ਸਨੇਹ੝ ਕਰਿ ਸ੝ੰਨਤਿ ਕਰੀਝ ਮੈ ਨ ਬਦਉਗਾ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਜਉ ਰੇ ਖ੝ਦਾਇ  ਮੋਹਿ ਤ੝ਰਕ੝  ਕਰੈਗਾ ਆਪਨ ਹੀ ਕਟਿ ਜਾਈ ॥੨॥
{{Tuk|477|21608|ਸਕਤਿ ਸਨੇਹੁ ਕਰਿ ਸੁੰਨਤਿ ਕਰੀਐ ਮੈ ਨ ਬਦਉਗਾ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਜਉ ਰੇ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਮੋਹਿ ਤੁਰਕੁ ਕਰੈਗਾ ਆਪਨ ਹੀ ਕਟਿ ਜਾਈ ॥੨॥  
|Sakaṯ sanėhu kar sunaṯ karī­ai mai na baḝ­ugĝ bẖĝ­ī. Ja­o rė kẖuḝĝ­ė mohi ṯurak karaigĝ ĝpan hī kat jĝ­ī. ॥2॥
|Sakaṯ sanehu kar sunaṯ karī▫ai mai na baḏ▫ugā bẖā▫ī. Ja▫o re kẖuḏā▫e mohi ṯurak karaigā āpan hī kat jā▫ī. ॥2॥
|Because of the love of woman, circumcision is done; '''I don't believe in it''', O Siblings of Destiny.<br>If God wished me to be a Muslim, it would be cut off by itself. ॥2॥}}
|Because of the love of woman, circumcision is done; '''I don't believe in it''', O Siblings of Destiny.<br>If God wished me to be a Muslim, it would be cut off by itself. ॥2॥}}


The [[Shabad]] continues:  
The [[Shabad]] continues:  


{{Tuk|477|21610|ਸ੝ੰਨਤਿ ਕੀਝ ਤ੝ਰਕ੝ ਜੇ ਹੋਇਗਾ ਅਉਰਤ ਕਾ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੀਝ ॥ ਅਰਧ ਸਰੀਰੀ ਨਾਰਿ ਨ ਛੋਡੈ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਹੀ ਰਹੀਝ ॥੩॥
{{Tuk|477|21610|ਸੁੰਨਤਿ ਕੀਏ ਤੁਰਕੁ ਜੇ ਹੋਇਗਾ ਅਉਰਤ ਕਾ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੀਐ ॥ ਅਰਧ ਸਰੀਰੀ ਨਾਰਿ ਨ ਛੋਡੈ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਹੀ ਰਹੀਐ ॥੩॥
|Sunaṯ kī­ė ṯurak jė ho­igĝ a­uraṯ kĝ ki­ĝ karī­ai. Araḝẖ sarīrī nĝr na cẖẖodai ṯĝ ṯė hinḝū hī rahī­ai.॥3॥
|Sunaṯ kī▫e ṯurak je ho▫igā a▫uraṯ kā ki▫ā karī▫ai. Araḏẖ sarīrī nār na cẖẖodai ṯā ṯe hinḏū hī rahī▫ai.॥3॥
|If circumcision makes one a Muslim, then what about a woman? <br>She is the other half of a man's body, and she does not leave him, so she remains a Hindu.॥3॥}}
|If circumcision makes one a Muslim, then what about a woman? <br>She is the other half of a man's body, and she does not leave him, so she remains a Hindu.॥3॥}}


Further, the holy text continues to highlight how one requires to make changes in their behaviour to attain any spiritual benefit. Rituals like circumcision or fasting do not have any value in the Lord's Court; one must become modest and improve one's conduct if one wants to be closer to God. The [[SGGS]] explains:
Further, the holy text continues to highlight how one requires to make changes in their behaviour to attain any spiritual benefit. Rituals like circumcision or fasting do not have any value in the Lord's Court; one must become modest and improve one's conduct if one wants to be closer to God. The [[SGGS]] explains:


{{Tuk|140|5763| ਸਰਮ ਸ੝ੰਨਤਿ ਸੀਲ੝ ਰੋਜਾ ਹੋਹ੝ ਮ੝ਸਲਮਾਣ੝ ॥
{{Tuk|140|5762| ਸਰਮ ਸੁੰਨਤਿ ਸੀਲੁ ਰੋਜਾ ਹੋਹੁ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ॥॥
|Saram sunaṯ sīl rojĝ hohu musalmĝṇ.
|Saram sunaṯ sīl rojā hohu musalmāṇ.
|Make modesty your circumcision, and good conduct your fast. In this way, you shall be a true Muslim.}}
|Make modesty your circumcision, and good conduct your fast. In this way, you shall be a true Muslim.}}


It is clear from the above quotes, that the [[Sikh Gurus]] were against this practice and considered it unnecessary for [[Muslim]]s and therefore forbidden for Sikhs. It is regarded as a "blind and empty ritual" from which no benefit can be obtained.


*see [[Talk:Sikhism and Circumcision|discussion tab]] for dialogue on this article.
It is clear from the above quotes, that the [[Sikh Gurus]] and Bhagats were not in favor of this practice practice and considered it unnecessary for [[Muslim]]s and therefore forbidden for Sikhs. It is regarded as a "blind and empty ritual".
 
In '''Dasam Granth''', [[Guru Gobind Singh]] has writrten that by mere circumcision one can not realize almighty. In first chapter of Bachitar Natak following are quotes regarding the same:
<center><big>
ਸਾਚੁ ਕਹੋਂ ਸੁਨ ਲੈ ਚਿਤ ਦੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਦੀਨ ਦਿਆਲ ਕੀ ਸਾਮ ਸਿਧਾਏ ॥<br>
साचु कहों सुन लै चित दै बिनु दीन दिआल की साम सिधाए ॥<br>
Listen attentively, I speak Turth, Thou shalt not achieve the target without going under the Refuge of the LORD, Who is ever Merciful to the lowly.<br>
 
ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਕਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਯਤ ਹੈ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲ ਨ ਭੀਜਤ ਲਾਂਡ ਕਟਾਏ ॥੧੦੦॥<br>
प्रीति करे प्रभु पायत है क्रिपाल न भीजत लांड कटाए ॥१००॥<br>
God can only be realized with LOVE, He is not pleased by circumcision.100.
</big></center>
==See Also/Resources==
*[http://knmg.artsennet.nl/Publicaties/KNMGpublicatie/Nontherapeutic-circumcision-of-male-minors-2010.htm The Royal Dutch Medical Association View]
*[http://www.noharmm.org/docswords.htm A Short History of Circumcision in North America: In the Physicians' Own Words]
*[http://www.stopthecut.org/history_of_circumcision.php Short Summary of the History of Circumcision]
*[http://www.courtchallenge.com/refs/history0.html Canadian History of Circumcision]
*[http://www.wholenetwork.org Whole Network]
*[http://www.Drmomma.org Dr. Momma]
*[http://www.savingsons.org Saving Sons]
*[http://www.cirp.org Circumcision Information Resource Page]
*[http://www.nocirc.org/ www.nocirc.org]
*[http://www.circinfo.org/ Circumcision Information Australia]
* [[Talk:Sikhism and Circumcision|discussion tab]] for dialogue on this article.
*[http://blog.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/2012/06/religion-is-no-excuse-for-mutilating-your-babys-penis/ Brian D. Earp (Research Associate for Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics) examines circumcision.][http://blog.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/2012/05/when-bad-science-kills-or-how-to-spread-aids/ On Aids]and[http://blog.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/2011/08/circumcision-is-immoral-should-be-banned immorality]
*http://www.notjustskin.org/
==== Videos ====
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW1a9VUu4i4 The Surgical Procedure being done.]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCpKDY77IKM&feature=youtu.be Intact vs Circumcised care]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD2yW7AaZFw Anatomy of the Penis and Foreskin Neurology]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bx89xECfHG4 Cutting through the myths of circumcision ]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=acc70D2ApFg Circumcision: Know the facts part 1]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPxjhLq3eUQ Circumcision: Know the facts part 2]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ceht-3xu84I Child Circumcision: An Elephant in the hospital by Dr. Ryan McAllister PhD]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Nk0zanvEbS0 Why Circumcision is unnecessary by Dr. John Travis MD]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeAXantm4tE Circumcision: The Whole Story. By Canadian Dr. Christopher Guest]


==References==
==References==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision What is Circumcision?]
* See all the occurrences of the word "circumcision" within the Sikh holy text of [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]]: [http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=Search&Param=english&Tier=1&SearchData=circumcision Search at Srigranth.org]
* See all the occurrences of the word "circumcision" within the Sikh holy text of [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]]: [http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=Search&Param=english&Tier=1&SearchData=circumcision Search at Srigranth.org]


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[[Category:Sikh practice]]
[[Category:Sikh practice]]
[[Category:Bani]]
[[Category:Bani]]
<br />
[[User:JDP]]<br />

Latest revision as of 10:36, 3 October 2013

You wanna cut off what?

This article is part of the series on the "Message of Gurbani"

Circumcision means cutting some or all of the foreskin (prepuce) from the penis. Circumcision both for the male and female is strictly not permitted within Sikhism. Also, as a further extension of this same principle, other violations of the body – tattooing, body piercing, body mutilation, etc for the same reason are considered anti-Sikhi. For many peoples of various cultures and religions it was common practice to be subjected to this ritual during the time of the Sikh Gurus from 1469 to 1708AD. However, the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib is clear on this subject.

This was and is a common practice among Muslims who believe that by performing circumcision, the person becomes a "true" Muslim. The Sikh Gurus have questioned this and highlighted the gender inequality in this practise.

This is what the holy text of the Sikhs say about this practice:

ਸਕਤਿ ਸਨੇਹੁ ਕਰਿ ਸੁੰਨਤਿ ਕਰੀਐ ਮੈ ਨ ਬਦਉਗਾ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਜਉ ਰੇ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਮੋਹਿ ਤੁਰਕੁ ਕਰੈਗਾ ਆਪਨ ਹੀ ਕਟਿ ਜਾਈ ॥੨॥
Sakaṯ sanehu kar sunaṯ karī▫ai mai na baḏ▫ugā bẖā▫ī. Ja▫o re kẖuḏā▫e mohi ṯurak karaigā āpan hī kat jā▫ī. ॥2॥
Because of the love of woman, circumcision is done; I don't believe in it, O Siblings of Destiny.
If God wished me to be a Muslim, it would be cut off by itself. ॥2॥


The Shabad continues:

ਸੁੰਨਤਿ ਕੀਏ ਤੁਰਕੁ ਜੇ ਹੋਇਗਾ ਅਉਰਤ ਕਾ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੀਐ ॥ ਅਰਧ ਸਰੀਰੀ ਨਾਰਿ ਨ ਛੋਡੈ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਹੀ ਰਹੀਐ ॥੩॥
Sunaṯ kī▫e ṯurak je ho▫igā a▫uraṯ kā ki▫ā karī▫ai. Araḏẖ sarīrī nār na cẖẖodai ṯā ṯe hinḏū hī rahī▫ai.॥3॥
If circumcision makes one a Muslim, then what about a woman?
She is the other half of a man's body, and she does not leave him, so she remains a Hindu.॥3॥

Further, the holy text continues to highlight how one requires to make changes in their behaviour to attain any spiritual benefit. Rituals like circumcision or fasting do not have any value in the Lord's Court; one must become modest and improve one's conduct if one wants to be closer to God. The SGGS explains:

ਸਰਮ ਸੁੰਨਤਿ ਸੀਲੁ ਰੋਜਾ ਹੋਹੁ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ॥॥
Saram sunaṯ sīl rojā hohu musalmāṇ.
Make modesty your circumcision, and good conduct your fast. In this way, you shall be a true Muslim.


It is clear from the above quotes, that the Sikh Gurus and Bhagats were not in favor of this practice practice and considered it unnecessary for Muslims and therefore forbidden for Sikhs. It is regarded as a "blind and empty ritual".

In Dasam Granth, Guru Gobind Singh has writrten that by mere circumcision one can not realize almighty. In first chapter of Bachitar Natak following are quotes regarding the same:

ਸਾਚੁ ਕਹੋਂ ਸੁਨ ਲੈ ਚਿਤ ਦੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਦੀਨ ਦਿਆਲ ਕੀ ਸਾਮ ਸਿਧਾਏ ॥
साचु कहों सुन लै चित दै बिनु दीन दिआल की साम सिधाए ॥
Listen attentively, I speak Turth, Thou shalt not achieve the target without going under the Refuge of the LORD, Who is ever Merciful to the lowly.

ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਕਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਯਤ ਹੈ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲ ਨ ਭੀਜਤ ਲਾਂਡ ਕਟਾਏ ॥੧੦੦॥
प्रीति करे प्रभु पायत है क्रिपाल न भीजत लांड कटाए ॥१००॥
God can only be realized with LOVE, He is not pleased by circumcision.100.

See Also/Resources

Videos

References


User:JDP

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