Sarbat Khalsa & Sikh Rehat Sarbat Khalsa & Sikh Rehat Maryada Maryada 08/11/1108/11/11

Sarbat KhalsaSarbat KhalsaBackground

Concept

Institution

Rehat Maryada

BackgroundBackground1853, 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

BackgroundBackgroundSikhi is at a Crossroads at this

point in history

Reform is needed

Who will make the change?

How will reform come about?

Sarbat Khalsa - ConceptSarbat Khalsa - ConceptSarbat, whole or entireKhalsa, Sangat serving Waheguru’s

will as deemed by Guru Gobind Singh

Every Sikh makes up the Sarbat Khalsa

Khalsa Akal Purakh ki Fauj, pragattiou khaalasaa pramaatham kee mauj

Sarbat Khalsa - ConceptSarbat Khalsa - ConceptAlong 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 - ConceptSarbat Khalsa - ConceptWe 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 - InstitutionSarbat Khalsa - InstitutionSupreme 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 - InstitutionSarbat Khalsa - Institution1723, 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

Rehat MaryadaRehat MaryadaOne to the defining achievements of

the Sarbat Khalsa

Approved in 1950 after over 20 years in deliberations

Not Unanimous approval

Sikh code of conduct

Rehat MaryadaRehat MaryadaDefinition of a Sikh

Living the life of a Sikh

Gurbani, Kirtan and religious conduct

Life Events – wedding, birth

Call of Sarbat KhalsaCall of Sarbat Khalsa

What are some of the issues today that might need the calling of a

Sarbat Khalsa?

Call of Sarbat KhalsaCall 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 ….

Call of Sarbat KhalsaCall of Sarbat Khalsa

Break out into groups to find solutions as a Sarbat Khalsa for top issues

Take awayTake 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