Vegetarian Discussion

[Bharatvarsh2]

[quote name='Bodhi' date='27 May 2007 - 01:32 PM' timestamp='1180290282' post='69414']

<b>Questions to Bajwa ji</b>. What is the precise scriptural position on meat-eating in Sri Guru Granth? (I am not asking about common understanding or practice, but actual scriptural reference.) You had mentioned in another thread (DSS) that Langars used to serve meat at one time? Is that backed up by any historic documentation? Also what is it about Jhatka killing being sanctioned? Also any records about the eating preferances of the 10 Gurus?[/quote]

Bodhi I came across this post of yours while searching for something.



This is the Sanatan Sikh position:

Background:

In this instance, a goat is being decapitated - the meat served is known as 'Mahaparshad' (great blessed food). The meat was served at the 'Langar' (public kitchen) during the festivities celebrating the 400th anniversary of the 'Aad Guru Durbar' (the first of three sacred scripture of the Sikhs). The practice of Chatka is also seen as a sacrfice to appease the 'Bir Ras' (warrior spirit) and 'Chandi' (the warrior goddess often seen in Indian mythological imagery as riding a tiger/leopard/lion).



Many modern/orthodox/reformist Sikhs believe eating meat/eggs/fish is considered to be a punishable "sin" and find the practice of 'Chatka' as being 'anti-Sikh'. However, amongst 'Sanatan' (traditional) Sikhs, diet is a concept that is dependent upon one's personality, character, spiritual path, goals and duties. For example, Akali Nihang Singhs, being warriors with dynamic lifestyles, eat meat - while 'Udasis' (traditional pacifist missionaries) abstain from harming animals in any way, and are strict lacto-vegans.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/chitrakari/336456760/

'Chatka' is essential, if one is to survive the horrors of the battlefield.On the field of battle,the foremost Sikh historian of the 'Missal' (confederacy) period (1735-1770's), Shaheed Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu, states that there is NO place for vegetarianism:

'How can vegetarianism work where there is constant war? How can a Vegetarian Panth survive there? How can vegetarians survive there, where there is daily war, daily bloodshed? There you might have to survive by drinking the enemy's blood. There are such difficult circumstances. In Banda Bahadur Bairagi's Panth were Sadhus. How could they know of this?'

('Pracheen Panth Prakash - Stik', Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu, Translated by Akali Nihang Baba Santa Singh, Pa. 377-378)

Chatka is an ancient 'Kyshatriya' term known even to other Indian martial races aside from the Akali Nihang Singhs, such as the Rajputs, Nagas, Sanyasis, Gurkhas, etc.

In the Sanatan world, however, only the non-martial Udasi, Nirmala and Seva Panthi Sikhs are vegetarians, not the warrior Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa Sikhs. To learn more about these and other religious orders, please visit www.sarbloh.info.

This tradition of 'Chatka' has carried on throughout Indian culture and is practiced widely throughout India by both warriors and non-warriors.



http://www.shastarvidiya.org/chatka7.jsp

One may ask the question: ‘What if the British Raj did not establish itself in India?’



What would the present day, original Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa Sikhism be like? The answer to this is that it would be very like the Sikhism found in modern day Sach Khand Hazoor Sahib (in Nanded, Maharastra). Here, a Sikhism unaffected by the Tat Khalsa Singh Sabhias, or S.G.P.C. Gurdwara reform movement flourishes. Like the Akali Nihang Dals, the traditions of Sach Khand Hazoor Sahib remain, as far as possible today, in their pristine state. It is the Sikhs of Hazoor Sahib who are known as ‘Hazoori Sikhs’...



Modern day Tat Khalsa mentality Sikhs have great problems accepting the traditions of Sach Khand Hazoor Sahib. It smacks in the face of mainstream modern Sikhism of S.G.P.C., Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Baba Kartar Singh Samparda (popularly known as 'Dam Dami Taksal’), self-made ‘Sants’ etc.



They would dearly love to have it under their control. Hazoori Sikhs such as Bhai Madan Singh, Bhai Bhupinder Singh, Nihang Dilbagh Singh, etc., spoke of how many ‘Sants’ and S.G.P.C. preachers have come from Punjab trying to preach to the Hazoori Sikhs. Nihang Dilbagh Singh spoke of one such Sant:



‘It was time for ‘Chatka’ at the Takht. The Singhs had all gathered to watch. Then just as the final portion of scripture was being read and the Singh settling the goat was about to decapitate it. A so-called ‘Sant’ began howling “Why kill this innocent in the house of God why do this sin here if you must kill me kill me instead”. He came rushing towards the goat unsettling it. The congregation told him to be silent Tried to explain to him it is our ancient Khalsa tradition. Again he unsettled the goat, as the Khalsa was about to despatch it. Shouting “Kill me kill me!” instead. Suddenly a young man from behind smacked him hard with a stick between the shoulder blades. Another smack and the idiot was running. The man who had said “Kill me”, was now running away screaming after just a stick blow. He then brought the local police claiming he had been assaulted. The police stood outside the temple and wanted the young man who attacked the Punjabi. The people gathered and explained to them he was interfering in our religion. He got what he deserved. Police left the fool went away moaning back to the Punjab.’

Nihang Dilbagh Singh, transcript of interview on 17-03-01



Hazoori Khalsa, insist that the Punjabis, who have forsaken their Khalsa traditions, will never be allowed to corrupt their pure Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa faith.



http://www.sarbloh.info/htmls/article_sa...zoori.html

Sant Baba Jaginder Singh, the Jathedar of the Takht Sach Khand Hazoor Sahib, comments as follows with regards to the Budha Dal being considered the ‘Panjvah Takht’ and the tradition of Chatka at the Takhts:



‘A doubting person [asks] – Here goats are slaughtered and with their blood weapons anointed what tradition is this? Brother doubter, I cannot say about this personally, but author of ‘Dharm Shashtar’ writes that before Shiromani Committee, the traditions of the four Takhts were one. Then Shiromani Committee took charge of Golden Temple and Akal Takht. At that time, Shiromani Committee, lacking in knowledge of Dasam Granth, they stopped many old traditions - that is why at present the traditions of four Takhts are not the same. This difference is the doing of Shiromani Committee.’

‘Siri Hazoori Maryada Prabodh’, Sant Baba Jaginder Singh, Pa.248-249



http://www.sarbloh.info/htmls/article_sa...sgpc3.html

You can find more info at:



http://www.nihangsingh.org/website/trad-jhatka.html



http://www.sarbloh.info/htmls/article_sa...halsa.html



http://www.sarbloh.info/htmls/article_sa...natan.html