CODE
OF CONDUCT
Sikh
Reht Maryada
Joining
the congregation for understanding of
and reflecting on Gurbaani
Gurdwara
| a. |
One is more easily and deeply affected
by Gurbaani (the holy Bani bequeathed
by the Gurus) participating in congregational
gatherings. For this reason, it
is necessary for a Sikh that he
visit the places where the Sikhs
congregate for worship and prayer
(the Gurdwaras), and joining the
congregation, partake of the benefits
that the study of the holy scriptures
bestows.
-- |
| b. |
The Guru Granth Sahib should be
ceremonially opened in the Gurdwara
every day without fail. Except for
special exigencies, when there is
need to keep the Guru Granth Sahib
open during the night, Guru Granth
Sahib should not be kept open during
the night. It should, generally,
be closed ceremonially after the
conclusion of the Rehras (evening
scripture recitation). Guru Granth
Sahib should remain open so long
as a granthi or attendant can remain
in attendance, persons seeking darshan
(seeking a view of or making obeisance
to it) keep coming, or there is
no risk of commission of irreverence
towards it. Thereafter, it is advisable
to close it ceremonially to avoid
any disrespect to it.
-- |
| c. |
The Guru Granth Sahib should be
opened, read and closed ceremonially
with reverence. The place where
it is installed should be absolutely
clean. An awning should be above.
The Guru Granth Sahib should be
placed on a cot measuring up to
its size and overlaid with absolutely
clean mattress and sheets. For proper
installation and opening the Guru
Granth Sahib, there should be cushions/pillows
appropriate kind etc. and, for covering
it, romalas (sheet covers of appropriate
size). When the Guru Granth Sahib
is not being read, it should remain
covered with a romal. A whisk too,
should be there.
-- |
| d. |
Anything except the afore-mentioned
reverential ceremonies, for instance,
such practices as the arti (Waving
of a platter with burning lamps
and incense set in it in vertical
circular motion) with burning incense
and lamps, offerings of eatables
to Guru Granth Sahib , burning of
lights, beating of gongs, etc.,
is contrary to gurmat (the Guru's
way). However, for the perfuming
of the place, the use of flowers,
incense and scent is not barred.
For light inside the room, oil or
butter-oil lamps, candles, electric
lamps, kerosene oil lamps, etc.,
may he lighted.
-- |
| e. |
No book should he installed like
and at par with the Guru Granth
Sahib . Worship of any idol or any
ritual or activity should not be
allowed to be conducted inside the
Gurdwaras. Nor should the festival
of any other faith he allowed to
be celebrated inside the Gurdwara.
However, it will not be improper
to use any occasion or gathering
for the propagation of the gurmat
(The Guru's way).
-- |
| f.
|
Pressing
the legs of the cot on which the
Guru Granth Sahib is installed,
rubbing nose against walls and on
platforms, held sacred, or massaging
these, placing water below the Guru
Granth Sahib's seat, making or installing
statues, or idols inside the Gurdwaras,
bowing before the picture of the
Sikh Gurus or elders - all these
are irreligious self-willed egotism,
contrary to gurmat (the Guru's way).
-- |
| g. |
When the Guru Granth Sahib has to
be taken from one place to another,
the Ardas should be performed. He/she
who carries the Guru Granth Sahib
on his/her head should walk barefoot;
but when the wearing of shoes is
a necessity, no superstitions need
be entertained.
-- |
| h.
|
The
Guru Granth Sahib should be ceremonially
opened after performing the Ardas.
After the ceremonial opening, a
hymn should be read from the Guru
Granth Sahib.
-- |
| i.
|
Whenever
the Guru Granth Sahib is brought,
irrespective of whether or not another
copy of the Guru Granth Sahib had
already been installed at the concerned
place, every Sikh should stand up
to show respect.
-- |
| j. |
While going into the Gurdwara, one
should take off the shoes and clean
oneself up. If the feet are dirty
or soiled, they should be washed
with water. One should circumambulate
with the Guru Granth Sahib or the
Gurdwara on one's right.
-- |
| k. |
No person, no matter which country,
religion or caste he/she belongs
to, is debarred from entering the
Gurdwara for darshan (seeing the
holy shrine). However, he/she should
not have on his/her person anything,
such as tobacco or other intoxicants,
which are tabooed by the Sikh religion.
-- |
| l.
|
The
first thing a Sikh should do on
entering the Gurdwara is to do obeisance
before the Guru Granth Sahib. He/she
should, thereafter, have a glimpse
of the congregation and bid in a
low, quiet voice, "Waheguru ji
ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh."
-- |
| m. |
In the congregation, there should
be no differentiation or discrimination
between Sikh and non-Sikh, persons
traditionally regarded as touchable
and untouchable, the so-called high
and low caste persons, the high
and the low.
-- |
| n. |
Sitting on a cushion, a distinctive
seat, a chair, a stool, a cot, etc.
or in any distinctive position in
the presence of the Guru Granth
Sahib or within the congregation
is contrary to Gurmat(Guru's way).
-- |
| o. |
No Sikh should sit bare-headed in
the presence of the Guru Granth
Sahib or in the congregation. For
Sikh women joining the congregation
with their persons uncomfortably
draped and with veils drawn over
their faces is contrary to gurmat
(Guru's way).
-- |
| p. |
There are five takhts (lit., thrones,
fig., seats of high authority) :
namely -
I. Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Amritsar,
II. Takht Sri, Patna Sahib,
III. Takht Sri, Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur,
IV. Takht Sri, Hazur Sahib, Nanded,
V. Takht Sri, Damdama Sahib, Talwandi
Sabo.
-- |
| q. |
Only an Amritdhari Sikh man or woman,
who faithfully observes the discipline
ordained for the Amritdhari Sikhs,
can enter the hallowed enclosures
of the Takhts (Ardas for and on
behalf of any Sikh or non-Sikh,
fallen or punished (tankhahia) Sikh,
can be offered at the takhts.
-- |
| r. |
At a high-level site in every Gurdwara
should be installed the nishan sahib
(Sikh flag). The cloth of the flag
should be either of xanthic or of
greyish blue colour and on top of
the flag post, there should either
he a spearhead or a Khanda (a straight
dagger with convex side edges leading
to slanting top edges ending in
a vertex).
-- |
| s.
|
There
should he a drum (nagara) in the
Gurdwara for beating on appropriate
occasions.
-- |
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