Vegetarianism

Vegetaranism is a difficult subject in Sikhism. Some Sikhs choose to eat meat, some dont. In the Rehat Maryada, it states that a sikh should not eat 'halal meat' (meat slaughtered according to islamic laws). Some sikhs see this a prohibition on all meat, however this can be argued, as the statement just says 'halal' meat, not meat in general. The Sikh Guru's were never really clear on whether it was right or wrong to eat meat. On many occassions, some Guru's did eat meat. In the Janam Sahkis, it is said that Guru Nanak once ate Montian Goat. Guru Nanak also stated that only fools quwarreled over flesh and that Vegetaranism was a blind ritual. He said that Vegetaranism had no spiritual benifit. People spent too much time thinking about that, when their minds should be concentrating on Vaiguru (God). However, the Guru Granth Sahib does state that people should never harm another living creature. But Guru Gobind Singh stated that if one was to eat meat, the animal should come to no harm, and should be slit at the throat instantly.

As, you can see, this is pretty vague, and it is hard to tell whether a sikh should eat meat or not, and this is why it is still debated up to this day.