Sarbat Khalsa & Sikh Rehat Maryada 08/11/11

Sarbat Khalsa Background Concept Institution Rehat Maryada

Background 1853, Maharaja Duleep Singh coverts to Christianity 1867 to 1890s, Christian Missions are opened all across Punjab Idol (image) worship was rampant Sikhs denied Karahparsad due to caste

Background Sikhi is at a Crossroads at this point in history Reform is needed Who will make the change? How will reform come about?

Sarbat Khalsa - Concept Sarbat, whole or entire Khalsa, Sangat serving Waheguru’s will as deemed by Guru Gobind Singh Every Sikh makes up the Sarbat Khalsa Khalsa is the army of the Akal Purakh, Khalsa is born of the wish of the Supreme Spirit. Khalsa Akal Purakh ki Fauj, pragattiou khaalasaa pramaatham kee mauj

Sarbat Khalsa - Concept Along with the Guru Granth Sahib, Sarbat Khalsa as the Guru Panth, spiritual successor of the Gurus Guru Panth, Guru Gobind Singh ji takes Amrit from the Panj Payare empowering them to be the Sarbat Khalsa Prathmae sarbatt Khaalsaa jee kee Ardaas haae jee, sarbatt Khaalsaa jee ko Veheguroo, Vaheguroo, Vaheguroo, chitt aavae

Sarbat Khalsa - Concept We are empowered by the Guru to drive reform Every Sikh that makes up the Sarbat Khalsa can drive change Not like any other religion in the world We do not need a Pope or Priests to make change

Sarbat Khalsa - Institution Supreme Sovereign body organized to direct change More powerful than any one Sikh, leader or individual The voice of the whole Khalsa and yet the thoughts of each Sikh

Sarbat Khalsa - Institution 1723, very first Sarbat Khalsa called under the direction of Bhai Mani Singh, addressing the issue between the Tat Khalsa and the Bandais 1748, creation of all the Misls In recent years, no meeting of the Sarbat Khalsa have taken place despite attempts to do so Decision of Sarbat Khalsa is known as Gurmatta Tat Khalsa was the pure Khalsa, Bandais were followers of Bhanda Singh Bahadur. They were in disagreement over among other things, using Waheguru ji ka khalsa vs ‘Fateh Darshan’, also Bhanda singh did not wear the regular Sikh blue uniform, also allowed his followers to worship him like a guru, the Bandais laid claim to funds from gurudwaras.

Rehat Maryada One to the defining achievements of the Sarbat Khalsa Approved in 1950 after over 20 years in deliberations Not Unanimous approval Sikh code of conduct There were a number of traditions leading up to this such as one must take a cold shower, a certain way to do path or certain lines. Sikhs wanted to streamline how a Sikh must live in a day to day in the early 1900’s and thus came about the Sikh Rehat Maryada.

Rehat Maryada Definition of a Sikh Living the life of a Sikh Gurbani, Kirtan and religious conduct Life Events – wedding, birth Any human being who faithfully believes in One Immortal Being Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib The Guru Granth Sahib The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion is a Sikh.

Call of Sarbat Khalsa What are some of the issues today that might need the calling of a Sarbat Khalsa? If they come up with any good ones, use those if not then:

Call of Sarbat Khalsa Potential Issues: France, no education for Sikhs After 9/11, Sikhs are wrongly the victims of hate Streamlining Gurdwara etiquette (tables and chairs, paper plates, etc.) Doing Kirtan in Raag vs …. If they come up with any good ones, use those if not then:

Call of Sarbat Khalsa Break out into groups to find solutions as a Sarbat Khalsa for top issues If they come up with any good ones, use those if not then:

Take away You have the power as the Sarbat Khalsa to make change. Each Sikh is sovereign in their thoughts and is sovereign to make change as needed as part of the Sarbat Khalsa. The voice of the whole Khalsa and yet the thoughts of each Sikh If they come up with any good ones, use those if not then: