Thoughts On The Sikh Rehat Maryada

Thoughts on the Sikh Rehat Maryada

By Tejwant Singh

It is interesting to notice that Guru Nanak founded our Sikhi way of life to get rid of the shackles of dogmas and lead a pragmatic life. Our honchos of Sikhi, who are sitting crosslegged on their high chairs at the Takhats, are only involved in nothing but. They ban books, ban people from speaking in the Gurdwaras which has 4 doors to welcome all mankind from all walks of life, irrespective of one's hue,creed or faith. Banning people to speak about Gurmat in Gurdwaras is like Saudi Arabia banning all other places of worship but the mosque. They argue about having langar on the floor rather than on tables and chairs no matter if old people can or can not sit on the floor. They do not care about that. Still today, there are no means for the handicapped to visit Harmandir Sahib or any other Gurdwara because they are too involved in banning gay marriage in Canada. It seems like a joke. Doesn't it?

Sikhi was founded on Shabad Vichar, not on having personal ego trips.

The biggest flaw of the writers of the SRM is that it was created by making Sikhi one more dogmatic religion rather than a very unique way of life which is absent of any man made Truth-Subjective reality. They fail to realise that through the SRM they have put padlocks on the 3 remaining doors.

The SRM is only valid if it is based on Gurmat, not on man invented DO's and DON'Ts.

Sikhi is NOT based on what I can or can not do, but what I will or will not do. Until we come to grips with that, we will be leading a manmat path rather than that of Gurmat.

Sikhi demands a lot more from us than just gold leafing the domes.

I understand that the current maryada is not perfect but keep in mind that it was a step towards unity. Sikhs struggled and worked hard to come up with a draft that could be agreed upon by almost everyone and every jathebandi. It has shortcomings but nothing that cannot be resolved. For me it is a minimum requirement.

Banning People - Perhaps you could explain who was banned unjustly. Gurdwaras are open to everyone to come and seek guidance but it doesn't mean they also have the right to do kirtan and become granthis. Openness has its limits.

Langar - Tables and chairs are not allowed in langar halls, however, disabled people can be provided with some accomadations. I have seen people sit on the floor for 2 hours and then make excuses in the langar hall. So it must be made sure that old people don't just make excuses to abuse the exceptions allowed.

Gay Marriage - The decision was asked from Akal Takhat Sahib and the correct decision was given.

Instead of just pointing out the flaws, suggest methods of improvements and solutions. This would be progressive.

Gurmukh piayare Tejwant ji,
waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh.

1. I agree the SRM has flaws...it is a time based document and needs to evolve with the times. At its creation it was a POSITIVE move FORWARD...one united document rather than a few HUNDRED Varied maryadas..many self contradictory rehitnamas and stuff. Unfortunately MANY of those "varied maryada followers" decided to continue along their OWN way....Main Na Mannus all the way...and today they are the ones causing most of the controversies about MEAT....Raagmala, Bhagat bani, Dasm granth, aartees, picture worship, fasting and pilgrimages, sants and holy men etc etc.rituals and frauds...

2. Secondly the flaws pointed out on the Tkahat thekedaars, their so called Hukmnamas etc are the fault of the MEN occupying those posts..not the SRM per se. IF we put a monkey on the Chair of the Judge..we will get "monkey judgements"....the problem is not with the "Judge chair" ..but the MONKEY sitting on it.

Gyani jarnail Singh

Langar was started by Guru Sahibs not by "Our honchos of Sikhi, who are sitting crosslegged on their high chairs at the Takhats". Everyone has to sit on floor irrespective of their caste or status. Exceptions are there due to medical conditions but it does not mean you blow it out of proportion on a public forum.

Sikh Rehat Maryada has been successful to unite Sikhs in general so far. However, Sikhism has now become a global religion we have to have some inclusions and deletions to give it a wider global perspective. For this purpose a Scholars's Committee who really represent Sikh value system and are well versed with Gurbani and Sikh literature must be formed. Earlier some steps were taken by Gyani Harpreet Singh then Officiating Jathedar Akal Takhat but it has not yet materialized.