Sikhism: Difference between revisions

|governance=[[Panj Takht]]|language=[[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]<br />[[Sant Bhasha]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mann |first1=Gurinder Singh |title=The Making of Sikh scripture |date=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=9780195130249 |page=5}}</ref><br />[[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] ([[Gurmukhi script]])<br />[[Khalsa bole]]<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |publisher=OUP Oxford |others=Pashaura Singh, Louis E. Fenech |year=2014 |isbn=9780191004117 |series=Oxford Handbooks |pages=380}}</ref>

'''Sikhism''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|Iiː|k|ɪ|z|əm}} {{respell|SIKSEEK|iz|əm}}),<ref>{{cite web |title=Sikhism, n. |url=https://www.oed.com/dictionary/sikhism_n |publisher=Oxford English Dictionary |access-date=7 July 2024}}</ref> also known as '''Sikhi''' ({{lang-pa|ਸਿੱਖੀ}} ''{{IAST|Sikkhī}}'', {{IPA-pa|ˈsɪk.kʰiː||Sikkhi.ogg}}, from {{lang-pa|ਸਿੱਖ|lit=disciple|translit=[[Sikh]]}}), is a [[Monotheism|monotheistic]] [[Indian religions|Indian religion]] and philosophy,<ref name=":2a">{{cite book |date=2014 |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |editor1-first=Pashaura |editor1-last=Singh |editor2-first=Louis E. |editor2-last=Fenech |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-969930-8 |pages=299–301}}</ref> in particular for the Sikh [[ethnoreligious group]], that originated in the [[Punjab]] region of [[Indian subcontinent|India]] around the end of the 15th century CE. Sikhism is classified as an [[Indian religion]] or [[Dharma|Dharmic]] religion along with [[Buddhism]], [[Hinduism]], and [[Jainism]].<ref name="Reichberg2014p672" group="lower-roman">"As an Indian religion, Sikhism affirms transmigration, the continued rebirth after death". {{cite book |last=Brekke |first=Torkel |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=t3CFAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA672 |via=Google Books |title=Religion, War, and Ethics: A Sourcebook of Textual Traditions |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |date=2014 |isbn=978-1-139-95204-0 |editor1-first=G. M. |editor1-last=Reichberg |editor2-first=H. |editor2-last=Syse |page=672}}</ref><ref group="lower-roman">"Sikhism, Indian religion founded in the Punjab in the late 15th century." (McLeod 2019/1998).</ref><ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/classification-of-religions "Classification of Religions"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707224218/https://www.britannica.com/topic/classification-of-religions |date=7 July 2015 }}, ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] Online''.</ref> It is one of the most recently founded [[major religious groups]] and among the largest in the world with about 25–30{{nbsp}}million adherents (known as [[Sikhs]]).

Sikhs refer to the hymns of the gurus as ''[[Gurbani]]'' ({{Literal translation|Guru's word}}). [[Shabad (hymn)|Shabad]] [[Kirtan]] is the singing of Gurbani. The entire verses of [[Guru Granth Sahib]] are written in a form of poetry and rhyme to be recited in thirty-one Ragas of the Classical Indian Music as specified. However, the exponents of these are rarely to be found amongst the Sikhs who are conversant with all the Ragas in the Guru Granth Sahib. [[Guru Nanak]] started the Shabad Kirtan tradition and taught that listening to kirtan is a powerful way to achieve tranquility while meditating, and singing of the glories of the Supreme Timeless One (God) with devotion is the most effective way to come in communion with the Supreme Timeless One.<ref>{{cite book |last=Singh |first=Joginder |title=Celestial Gems |date=2004 |publisher=Hemkunt Press |isbn=978-81-7010-345-5 |page=67}}</ref> The three morning prayers for Sikhs consist of Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, and Tav-Prasad Savaiye.<ref name="diaspora">{{cite book |title=Sikhs in the Diaspora: A Modern Guide to the Practice of Sikh Faith |publisher=Sikh Publishing House |last=Bakhshi |first=Surinder Singh |chapter=Chapter 22 – Nitnem |date=2008 |page=133 |isbn=978-0-9560728-0-1}}</ref> [[Khalsa|Baptised Sikhs]] (Amritdharis) rise early and meditate, then recite all the [[Five Banis]] of Nitnem, before breakfast. [[Five Banis]] consists of [[Jap Ji Sahib]], [[Jaap Sahib]], [[Tav-Prasad Savaiye]], [[Chaupai Sahib]], [[Anand Sahib]] and recitation of the banis [[paath]] is followed by [[Ardās]] in which [[Sarbat da Bhala]] principle is taught by gurus which literally means blessings for everyone, blessings to humankind in good faith without discrimination.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Service in Sikhism takes three forms: ''Tan'' (physical service, i.e. labor), ''Man'' (mental service, such as dedicating your heart for service of others), and ''Dhan'' (material service, including financial support).<ref>{{cite book |last=Wood |first=Angela |title=Movement and Change |date=1997 |publisher=[[Nelson Thornes]] |location=Cheltenham, England |isbn=978-0-17-437067-3|page=46}}</ref> Sikhism stresses ''[[kirat karō]]'':, that is, "honest work". Sikh teachings also stress the concept of sharing, or ''[[vaṇḍ chakkō]]'', giving to the needy for the benefit of the community.<ref>{{cite book |first1=W. Owen |last1=Cole |first2=Piara Singh |last2=Sambhi |title=A Popular Dictionary of Sikhism: Sikh Religion and Philosophy |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vcSRAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA9 |date=2005 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=Abingdon-on-Thames, England |isbn=978-1-135-79760-7 |pages=31, 59}}</ref>

[[Guru Amar Das]]'s successor and son-in-law [[Guru Ram Das]] founded the city of [[Amritsar]], which is home of the [[Harimandir Sahib]] and regarded widely as the holiest city for all Sikhs. [[Guru Arjan]] was arrested by [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] authorities who were suspicious and hostile to the religious community he was developing.<ref>{{cite book |last=Parrinder |first=Geoffrey |author-link=Geoffrey Parrinder |date=1971 |title=World Religions: From Ancient History to the Present |publisher=[[Hamlyn (publisher)|Hamlyn]] |location=London |isbn=978-0-87196-129-7 |page=255}}</ref> His persecution and death inspired his successors to promote a military and political organization of Sikh communities to defend themselves against the attacks of Mughal forces.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

There is one primary scripture for the Sikhs: the ''[[Guru Granth Sahib|Gurū Granth Sāhib]]''. It is sometimes synonymously referred to as the ''Ādi Granth''.<ref name=shacklexvii/> Chronologically, however, the ''Ādi Granth'' – literally, 'First Volume' – refers to the version of the scripture created by [[Guru Arjan]] in 1604.<ref>Cole, William Owen; Sambhi, Piara Singh (1995), ''The Sikhs: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices'', Sussex Academic Press, {{ISBN|978-1-898723-13-4}}, pp. 45–46</ref> The ''GurūGuru Granth Sāhib''Sahib is the final expanded version of the scripture compiled by [[Guru Gobind Singh]].<ref name=shacklexvii/><ref>Cole, William Owen; Sambhi, Piara Singh (1995), ''The Sikhs: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices'', Sussex Academic Press, {{ISBN|978-1-898723-13-4}}, pp. 49–50</ref> While the ''Guru Granth Sahib'' is an unquestioned scripture in Sikhism, another important religious text, the ''[[Dasam Granth]]'', does not enjoy universal consensus, but is considered a secondary scripture by many Sikhs.<ref name=shacklexvii>Christopher Shackle and Arvind Mandair (2005), Teachings of the Sikh Gurus, Abingdon-on-Thames, England: Routledge, {{ISBN|978-0-415-26604-8}}, pp. xvii–xx</ref>

The Dasam Granth is a scripture of Sikhs which contains texts attributed to Guru Gobind Singh. Scholars, on the other hand, attribute the work to after the guru's death, being authored by an unknown poet. The ''Dasam Granth'' is important to a great number of Sikhs. However, it does not have the same authority as the ''Guru Granth Sahib''. Some compositions of the ''Dasam Granth'' like [[Jaap Sahib]], ([[Amrit Savaiye]]), and [[Chaupai (Sikhism)|Benti Chaupai]] are part of the daily prayers ([[Nitnem]]) for Sikhs.<ref>Robert Zaehner (1988), The Hutchinson Encyclopedia of Living Faiths, Hutchinson, {{ISBN|978-0-09-173576-0}}, pp. 426–427</ref> The first verse of the [[ardās]] prayer is from [[Chandi di Var]]. The ''Dasam Granth'' is largely versions of Hindu mythology from the [[Puranas]], secular stories from a variety of sources called ''Charitro Pakhyan'' – tales to protect careless men from perils of lust.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Christopher |last1=Shackle |first2=Arvind-Pal Singh |last2=Mandair |date=2005 |title=Teachings of the Sikh Gurus |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=Abingdon-on-Thames, England |isbn=978-0-415-26604-8 |page=xx}}</ref><ref>William McLeod (2009), The A to Z of Sikhism, Toronto: Rowman & Littlefield, {{ISBN|978-0-8108-6828-1}}, p. 151</ref>

Observant Sikhs adhere to long-standing practices and traditions to strengthen and express their faith. The daily recitation of the divine name of God, Waheguru, and from a memory of specific passages from the Guru Granth Sahib, like the ''Japu'' (or ''Japjī'', literally ''chant'') hymns is recommended immediately after rising and bathing. Baptised Sikhs recite the five-morning prayers, the evening and night prayer. Family customs include both reading passages from the scripture and attending the [[gurdwara]] (also ''gurduārā'', meaning ''the doorway to God''; sometimes transliterated as ''Gurudwara''). There are many gurdwaras prominently constructed and maintained across India, as well as in almost every country where Sikhs reside. Gurdwaras are open to all, regardless of religion, background, caste, or race.<ref name="brittanica-gurdwara">{{cite web |title=gurdwara |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/gurdwara |website=britannica.com |date=5 May 2024 |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. |access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref>

{{wide image|Yuba City Nagar Kirtan 2011.jpg|760px|[[Nagar Kirtan]] crowd listening to [[Kirtan]] at [[Yuba City, California]].}}

* [[Hola Mohalla]] is a tradition started by Guru Gobind Singh. It starts the day after Sikhs celebrate [[Holi]],<ref name="McLeod2009p95">{{cite book |first=W. H. |last=McLeod |title=The A to Z of Sikhism|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vgixwfeCyDAC&pg=PA95|date=2009|publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-6344-6|page=95}}</ref> sometimes referred to as ''Hola''.<ref name="Roy2005p192">{{cite book |first=Christian |last=Roy |title=Traditional Festivals: A Multicultural Encyclopedia |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=IKqOUfqt4cIC&pg=PA192 |date=2005 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-57607-089-5 |pages=192–193}}</ref> Guru Gobind Singh modified Holi with a three-day [[Hola Mohalla]] extension festival of martial arts. The extension started the day after the Holi festival in [[Anandpur Sahib]], where Sikh soldiers would train in mock battles, compete in horsemanship, athletics, archery and military exercises.<ref>{{cite book | first1=James K. Jr. |last1=Wellman |first2=Clark |last2=Lombardi |title=Religion and Human Security: A Global Perspective|url= https://archive.org/details/religionandh_xxxx_2012_000_10856028 |url-access=registration|date=2012|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-982775-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/religionandh_xxxx_2012_000_10856028/page/n125 112] note 18}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Nikky-Guninder |last=Kaur Singh |title=Sikhism: An Introduction|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=e0ZmAXw7ok8C&pg=PA93|date=2011 |publisher=[[I.B. Tauris]] |location=London / New York |isbn=978-1-84885-321-8|pages=93–94}}</ref>

In 1581, [[Guru Arjan]], the youngest son of [[Guru Ram Das]], became the fifth guru of the Sikhs. The choice of successor, as throughout most of the history of Sikh guru successions, led to disputes and internal divisions among the Sikhs.<ref name="ShackleMandair2013xv">{{cite book |last1=Shackle |first1=Christopher |last2=Mandair |first2=Arvind-Pal Singh |title=Teachings of the Sikh Gurus: Selections from the Sikh Scriptures |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VvoJV8mw0LwC |date=2013 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=Abingdon-on-Thames, England |isbn=978-1-136-45101-0 |pages=xv–xvi |access-date=16 May 2016 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308155950/https://books.google.com/books?id=VvoJV8mw0LwC |url-status=live }}</ref> The elder son of Guru Ram Das named [[Prithi Chand]] is remembered in the Sikh tradition as vehemently opposing Guru Arjan, creating a faction Sikh community which the Sikhs following Guru Arjan called as ''Minaas'' (literally, "scoundrels").<ref name=fenech39>{{cite book |first1=Louis E. |last1=Fenech |first2=W. H. |last2=McLeod |title=Historical Dictionary of Sikhism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ |date=2014 |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] |location=Lanham, Maryland |isbn=978-1-4422-3601-1 |page=39 |access-date=16 May 2016 |archive-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817161136/https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="McLeod2009p20">{{cite book |first=W. H. |last=McLeod |title=The A to Z of Sikhism|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vgixwfeCyDAC&pg=PA86 |date=2009|publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-6344-6|page=20}}</ref>

Mehdiana 5.jpg|Sculpture at [[Mehdiana Sahib]] of the execution of [[Banda Singh Bahadur]] in 1716 by the Mughals.

Bodyguard of Ranjit Singh.jpg|Some bodyguards of [[Ranjit Singh|Maharaja Ranjit Singh]] at the Sikh capital, Lahore, Punjab.

The Singh Sabha movement, a movement to revitalize Sikhism, also saw the resurgence of the [[Khalsa]] after their defeat in wars with the British<ref>{{cite book |first1=Pashaura |last1=Singh |first2=Louis E. |last2=Fenech |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8I0NAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA28|date=2014|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-969930-8|page=28}}</ref> -– latterly in the [[Second Anglo-Sikh War]] -– and the subsequent decline and corruption of Sikh institutions during colonial rule, and the proselytization of other faith groups in the Punjab.<ref name=barrierssm>{{cite book |last1=Barrier |first1=N. Gerald |last2=Singh |first2=Nazer |editor1-last=Singh |editor1-first=Harbans |title=Singh Sabha Movement |date=1998 |publisher=Punjab University, Patiala, 2002 |location=Patiala, Punjab, India |isbn=978-81-7380-349-9 |pages=44, 50, 110, 121, 126, 212, 349 |edition=4th |url= https://archive.org/details/TheEncyclopediaOfSikhism-VolumeIA-d/page/n3 |access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica Online">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Singh-Sabha |title=Singh Sabha (Sikhism) |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] Online |year=2010 |access-date=25 October 2017 |archive-date=26 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226073623/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Singh-Sabha |url-status=live }}</ref> It was started in the 1870s, and after a period of interfactional rivalry, united under the Tat Khalsa to reinvigorate Sikh practice and institutions.<ref name="perplexed84">{{cite book |first=Arvind-Pal Singh |last=Mandair |title=Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vdhLAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA85 |date=2013 |publisher=Bloomsburg Academic |isbn=978-1-4411-0231-7 |page=84}}</ref>

The spiritual successors of the Singh Sabha include the [[Akali movement]] of the 1920s, as well as the modern-day [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]] ([[SGPC]]), a gurdwara administration body, and the [[Akali Dal]] political party.<ref name="SinghFenech2014p30">{{cite book |first1=Pashaura |last1=Singh |first2=Louis E. |last2=Fenech |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8I0NAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA28 |date=2014 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-969930-8 |page=30}}</ref>

[[File:Sikh Light Infantry.jpg|thumb|[[Sikh Light Infantry]] personnel march past during the [[Delhi Republic Day parade|Republic day parade]] in New Delhi, India.]]

Between March and August 1947, a series of riots, arson, plunder of Sikh and property, assassination of Sikh leaders, and killings in Jhelum districts, Rawalpindi, Attock and other places led to Tara Singh calling the situation in Punjab a "civil war", while [[Lord Mountbatten]] stated "civil war preparations were going on."<ref name="Abid2014">{{cite web |last1=Abid |first1=Abdul Majeed |title=The forgotten massacre |url=https://nation.com.pk/29-Dec-2014/the-forgotten-massacre |website=The Nation |date=29 December 2014 |quote=On the same dates, Muslim League-led mobs fell with determination and full preparations on the helpless Hindus and Sikhs scattered in the villages of Multan, Rawalpindi, Campbellpur, Jhelum and Sargodha. The murderous mobs were well supplied with arms, such as daggers, swords, spears and fire-arms. (A former civil servant mentioned in his autobiography that weapon supplies had been sent from NWFP and money was supplied by Delhi-based politicians.) They had bands of stabbers and their auxiliaries, who covered the assailant, ambushed the victim and if necessary disposed of his body. These bands were subsidized monetarily by the Muslim League, and cash payments were made to individual assassins based on the numbers of Hindus and Sikhs killed. There were also regular patrolling parties in jeeps which went about sniping and picking off any stray Hindu or Sikh. ... Thousands of non-combatants including women and children were killed or injured by mobs, supported by the All India Muslim League. |access-date=7 December 2020 |archive-date=2 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202231234/https://nation.com.pk/29-Dec-2014/the-forgotten-massacre |url-status=live }}</ref> The riots had triggered the early waves of migration in April, with some 20,000 people leaving northwest Punjab and moving to Patiala.{{sfn|Banga|2017|pp=104–105}}<ref name="Shani2007p86" /> In Rawalpindi, 40,000 people became homeless. The Sikh leaders made desperate petitions, but all religious communities were suffering in the political turmoil. Sikhs constituted only 4 &nbsp;million out of a total of 28&nbsp;million in Punjab, and 6&nbsp;million out of nearly 400&nbsp;million in India; they did not constitute the majority, not even in a single district.{{sfn|Banga|2017|pp=104–105}}<ref name="Wolpert2010p9">{{cite book |first=Stanley |last=Wolpert |title=India and Pakistan: Continued Conflict or Cooperation?|url= https://archive.org/details/indiapakistancon0000wolp |url-access=registration|date=2010|publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-94800-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/indiapakistancon0000wolp/page/n10 9]–12, 16–23}}</ref>

Estimates {{As of|2019|lc=y}} state that Sikhism has some 25–30&nbsp;million followers worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-50374567|title = Sikhs in Wolverhampton celebrate 550 years of Guru Nanak|work = BBC News|date = 12 November 2019|access-date = 21 January 2021|archive-date = 27 January 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210127230917/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-50374567|url-status = live}}</ref> According to [[Pew Research Center|Pew Research]], a think tank and research group based in Washington, DC, over 9-in-10 Sikhs are in [[Sikhism in India|India]], but there are also sizable Sikh communities in the [[Sikhism in the United States|United States]], the [[Sikhism in the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]], and [[Sikhism in Canada|Canada]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-12-18 |title=Other Religions |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-other/ |access-date= |website=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project |language=en-US |archive-date=1 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901021622/https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-other/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Within India, the Sikh population is found in every [[States and union territories of India|state and union territory]], but it is predominantly found in the northwestern and northern states. Only in the state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] do Sikhs constitute a majority (58% of the total, per [[2011 Census of India|2011 census]]).<ref name=census2011sikhs/> In addition to Punjab, the states and union territories of India where Sikhs constitute more than 1.5% of its population are [[Chandigarh]], [[Haryana]], [[Delhi]], [[Uttarakhand]], and [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], all of which are in the northern half of India.<ref name=census2011sikhs>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/Religion_PCA.html Religion demographics: 2011 Census] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815045141/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/Religion_PCA.html |date=15 August 2018 }}, Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India</ref>

[[Nihang]]s -– the Sikh [[Panth|Panth's]] warriors or armed troops.<ref name=":5" /> There are two main groups within this order: Buddha Dal, or the army of veterans, and Tarna Dal, or the army of youth. There are other smaller sub-orders connected to these two.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Akalis/Nihangs |url=http://www.philtar.ac.uk/encyclopedia/sikhism/akalis.html |access-date=22 February 2023 |website=philtar.ac.uk}}</ref> The president of Buddha Dal, previously always served as the president of the [[Akal Takht|Akaal Takht]], which has jurisdiction over all things pertaining to the [[Nihang|Akaali Nihang]] order.<ref name=":2a" /> Theoretically, the religion is the property of [[Fateh Singh (Sikhism)|Baba Fateh Singh]], Sahibzada (son) of the tenth guru.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

[[File:Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa, a white convert to Sikhism, who authored the most widely used translation of the primary Sikh Scripture.jpg|thumb|Sant Singh Khalsa, a white convert to Sikhism, authored the most widely used translation of the Guru Granth Sahib.]]

4Four major transgressions:<ref>Sikh Rehat Maryada: [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_four.html Section Four, Chapter X, Article XVI, i.]; [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html Section Six, Chapter XIII, Article XXIV, p. 1.-4.]</ref>

* Eating [[Kutha meat|Kutha]] meat.<ref>[https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_six.html Sikh Rehat Maryada: Section Six, Chapter XIII, Article XXIV, p. 2.]</ref> This is the absolute minimum required by all [[Khalsa|initiated Sikhs]]. Many Sikhs refrain from eating [[non-vegetarian]] food, and believe all should follow this diet. This is due to various social, cultural, political, and familial aspects. As such, there has always been major disagreement among Sikhs over the issue of eating [[non-vegetarian]] food. Sikhs following the rahit (code of conduct) of the [[Damdami Taksal]] &and [[Akhand Kirtani Jatha|AKJ]] also subscribe to this view. The [[Nihang|Akali Nihangs]] have traditionally eaten meat and are famous for performing [[Jhatka]].<ref>{{cite web |quote=A Nihang carries out 'Chatka' on a 'Chatanga' (a specially selected goat for sacrifice) |title=The Multifarious Faces of Sikhism throughout Sikh History |url=http://www.sarbloh.info/htmls/article_samparda_kartar17.html |website=sarbloh.info |access-date=18 August 2010 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718132057/http://www.sarbloh.info/htmls/article_samparda_kartar17.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Mahaprashad">''"The most special occasion of the Chhauni is the festival of Diwali which is celebrated for ten days. This is the only Sikh shrine at Amritsar where Maha Prasad (meat) is served on special occasions in Langar"'', The Sikh review, Volume 35, Issue 409 – Volume 36, Issue 420, Sikh Cultural Centre., 1988</ref><ref name="Sikh Goat Sacrifice">''"The tradition traces back to the time of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji who started the tradition of hunting for Sikhs ... The tradition of ritually sacrificing goats and consuming Mahaparshad remains alive not only with the Nihang Singh Dals, but also at Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib and Sachkhand Sri Patna Sahib (two of the Sikhs holiest shrines)."'' [http://www.nihangsingh.org/website/trad-jhatka.html Panth Akali Budha Dal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523054532/http://www.nihangsingh.org/website/trad-jhatka.html |date=23 May 2010 }}</ref><ref name="Sikh Goat Sacrifice2">''"Another noteworthy practice performed here is that a goat is sacrificed on Dussehra night every year. This ceremony was performed on Diwali day this year (Oct 28, 2008). The fresh blood of the sacrificed goat is used for tilak on the Guru's weapons."'', SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS OF THE SIKH COMMUNITY, Dr Madanjit Kaur, Institute of Sikh Studies [http://sikhinstitute.org/apr_2009/10-madakaur.html Institute of Sikh Studies, Madan Kaur] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612142006/http://sikhinstitute.org/apr_2009/10-madakaur.html |date=12 June 2010 }}</ref> Thus, there is a wide range of views that exist on the issue of a proper "Sikh diet" in the [[Panth]]. Nonetheless, all Sikhs agree with the minimum consensus that meat slaughtered via the Muslim ([[Halal]]) or Jewish ([[Shechita]]) methods is strictly against Sikh dogma and principles.<ref>"Sikhism, A Complete Introduction" by H.S. Singha & Satwant Kaur Hemkunt, Hemkunt Press, New Delhi, 1994, {{ISBN|81-7010-245-6}}</ref><ref>"Sikh Identity: An Exploration of Groups Among Sikhs" by Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, pg. 51, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd, 2005, {{ISBN|0-7546-5202-5}}</ref> The [[Akal Takht]] represents the final authority on controversial issues concerning the Sikh [[Panth]] (community or collective). The [[Hukamnama]] (edict or clarification), issued by [[Akal Takht]] [[Jathedar]] [[Jathedar Sadhu Singh Bhaura|Sadhu Singh Bhaura]] dated 15 February 1980, states that eating meat does not go against the code of conduct of the Sikhs. [[Khalsa|Amritdhari]] Sikhs can eat meat as long as it is [[Jhatka]] meat.<ref name="Singh 2001 89">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Dharam|title=Perspectives on Sikhism: Papers Presented at the International Seminar on Sikhism: a Religion for the Third Millennium Held at Punjabi University, Patiala on 27–29 March 2000|year=2001|publisher=Publication Bureau, Punjabi University|isbn=9788173807367|page=89}}</ref>

| isbn = 0-435-30692-8}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110811031946/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-03-19/chandigarh/27281595_1_bhang-united-colours-procession Hola Mohalla: United colours of celebrations],</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040103/asp/opinion/story_2735311.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040112104613/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040103/asp/opinion/story_2735311.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 January 2004 |title=Mad About Words |work=The Telegraph (India) |date=3 January 2004 |access-date=4 January 2014}}</ref> ''Sūkha parshaad'' ({{lang|pa|ਸੁੱਖਾ ਪ੍ਰਰਸਾਦ}}), "Dry-sweet", is the term [[Nihang|Akali Nihangs]] use to refer to it. It was traditionally crushed and consumed as a liquid, especially during festivals like [[Hola Mohalla]]. It is never smoked, as this practice is forbidden in Sikhism.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/sikhism/akalis.html |title=UCSM.ac.uk |publisher=Philtar.ucsm.ac.uk |access-date=4 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016012718/http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/sikhism/akalis.html |archive-date=16 October 2010 }}</ref> In 2001, [[Jathedar Santa Singh]], the leader of [[Budha Dal]], along with 20 chiefs of [[Nihang]] sects, refused to accept the ban on consumption of'' shaheedi degh'' by the apex Sikh clergy of [[Akal Takht]] – in order to preserve their traditional practices.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010326/punjab1.htm#3 Nihangs 'not to accept' ban on shaheedi degh]. [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]. 26 March 2001.</ref> According to a recent BBC article, "Traditionally they also drank shaheedi degh, an infusion of cannabis, to become closer with God".<ref>{{cite web|last=Hegarty |first=Stephanie |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15480741 |title=The only living master of a dying martial art |publisher=BBC |date=29 October 2011 |access-date=4 January 2014}}</ref> Baba Santa Singh was excommunicated and replaced with Baba Balbir Singh, who agreed to shun the consumption of ''bhang''.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010310/main7.htm#2 No 'bhang' at Hola Mohalla]. [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]. 10 March 2001.</ref>

* Hereditary priest – Sikhism does not have priests, as they were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Guru of Sikhism).<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web |url= http://www.sikhs.org/summary.htm |title=Sikhism Religion of the Sikh People |publisher=sikhs.org}}</ref> The only position he left was a [[Granthi]] to look after the Guru Granth Sahib; any Sikh is free to become Granthi or read from the Guru Granth Sahib.<ref name=autogenerated2 />