Kurehat
From SikhiWiki
(Redirected from Kurehta)
Jump to navigationJump to search
Kurehta is a Punjabi word which has two roots - Ku meaning opposite or negation and rehta which mean 'code of conduct'. So the word Kurehta means conduct from which to refrain or keep away from.
It is said that when Guru Gobind Singh first initialled the five Sikhs (Khalsa) in 1699 he mentioned the four Kurehta (the four prohibitions) to them after they had taken Amrit (baptism ceremony with water) at Vaisakhi 1699. The Guru asked the five Panj Piare (beloved of the Guru) to refrain from the four Kurehtas; namely,
- 1. Cutting or trimming of hair or Kesh,
- 2. Fornication or adultery,
- 3. KUTHA(ritually slaughtered)/Halal meat or flesh of animal slaughtered in a slow and painful manner, (some sects(lacto vegetarians) along with the Damdami Taksal say all meat is banned - But the Gurus have used the word - "Kuthha"
- 4. Use of tobacco, alcohol, and all kinds intoxication drug. Cannabis is generally prohibited, but ritually consumed in edible form by some Sikhs(mostly Akali Nihangs). Some Akali Nihang groups consume cannabis-containing shaheedi degh (ਭੰਗ), purportedly to help in meditation and is meant to help Nihang Singhs become highly present in the moment. It can never smoked, as this practice is strictly forbidden in Sikhi. Some Sikh groups, like the Damdami Taksal, are even opposed to drinking caffeine in Indian tea.
Other mentioned practices to be avoided, as per the Sikh Rehat Maryada:
- Piercing of the nose or ears for wearing ornaments is forbidden for Sikh men and women.
- Female infanticide: A Sikh should not kill his daughter; nor should he maintain any relationship with a killer of daughter.
- A Sikh shall not steal, form dubious associations or engage in gambling.
- It is not proper for a Sikh woman to wear a veil that covers the face or have the face hidden.
- Sikhs cannot wear any token of other faiths. *Sikhs must not have their head bare or wear caps. They also cannot wear any ornaments piercing through any part of the body.
- Hereditary priestly class – Sikhism does not have priests, as they were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Guru of Sikhism). The only position he left was a Granthi to look after the Guru Granth Sahib; any Sikh is free to become Granthi or read from the Guru Granth Sahib.
- Blind spirituality: Idolatry, superstitions, and rituals(Havan, Aarti) should not be observed or followed, including pilgrimages, fasting, and ritual purification; circumcision; ancestor worship; grave worship; and compulsory wearing of the veil for women. Observation of the five Ks, however, is not considered blind superstition, as they are intended to help Sikhs in their everyday life.
- Material obsession: Obsession with material wealth is not encouraged in Sikhism.
- Sacrifice of creatures: Animal sacrifice to celebrate holy occasions are forbidden.
- Non-family-oriented living: Sikhs are discouraged from living as a recluse, beggar, yogi/yogini, monastic (monk/nun), or celibate.
- Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip, lying, slander, "backstabbing," et cetera, are not permitted. The Guru Granth Sahib tells the Sikh, "your mouth has not stopped slandering and gossiping about others. Your service is useless and fruitless."
