The Definition of Sikh : Any human being who faithfully believes in
I. One Immortal Being,
II. Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib,
III. The Guru Granth Sahib,
IV. The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and
V. the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh.
Sikhí as a dharm rather than a religion has not got too many doctrines but the Rehat Maryada does define who or what a Sikh is. This definition is not perfect, but it has helpful aspects.
To my thinking the definition should be around the Guru Granth and the Guru Panth, but this second part of Guru Gobind Singh’s directive, issued before he passed away, is completely missing.
Sikhs believe in One God, in One Immortal Being, there can be no doubt about that. Believing in the Ten Gurus always strikes me as a little odd, but I think what is meant is that we believe in their teachings, which are to be found in the Guru Granth. What is meant under IV is not really clear.
Any utterances and teachings that are recorded outside the Guru Granth Sahib are acceptable only if these agree with the teachings of the Guru Granth. Teachings and utterances found in Sakis, the Dasam Granth or Sarbloh Granth that do not agree with the Guru Granth Sahib are not acceptable.
I know the above is seen as controversial, although all I do is adhere to Guru Gobind Singh’s ‘Guru Granth – Guru Panth’ directive.
Long discussions have been held about the meaning of the sentence ‘who faithfully believes in the baptism bequeathed by tenth Guru’. Is it good enough to believe in, but not take Amrit ? Does it mean that you should be moving towards taking Amrit ? Or are you only a Sikh after taking Amrit ?
Note that the word Khalsa is not used. Nowhere have I found that you can be a one-fifth, two-fifth, three-fifth, four fifth Sikh or Khalsa by wearing 0ne, two, three or four Ks. Keshdhari Sikhs, Sehajdari Sikhs do not exist.
The definition of a Sikh (and a Khalsa) should be changed, simplified, and there should be a recognition that there are many people who are listening to our eternal Guru and are on the path towards being a full Sikh or Khalsa. It should also be made clear that just wearing 5 Ks and reciting the prescribed sabads does not make you a Sikh if there is no Sikh behaviour.
Dear Jio,
I think your comments are very wise and you have given much thought to this matter. I know many wonderful ‘Sikhs’ who do not maintain 5K, but their heart and soul is with Guru Nanak ji, 100%, do Seva, Japji Sahib, sing Kirtan, etc. If they are not Sikh, then what are they? There is no Hindu, There is no Muslim.. perhaps there is no Sikh as well. Only people who love God. I accept them 100% as my brothers and sister.