Image of the Khalsa fading?

[vic]

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh

I was having a conversation with one of my Dad's friends about how Gursikhs these days haven't lived up to the expectations of the Khalsa. He told me a story about how back in the day, Singhs were so respected in villages, in cities, that his grandparents had a Singh over one day from the Gurduwara and rather than let him sleep on the floor, they trusted in him so much because he was a Gursikh that they let him sleep on the same bed as their daughter. He asked me, what do you think people would say to this idea in villages/cities in India today?

It made me wonder and think how honourable, charismatic Singhs and Kaurs used to be during Guru Gobind Singh's time. Now, I am no Gursikh and I'm not perfect and I realize people make mistakes. I also agree that judging people before you know them is not right. But, somoene who has taken those vows in front of Guru Granth Sahib Ji and then to see this same person in our communties going wild getting totally wasted at parties, is totally unacceptable. It is unfortunate that I have seen this myself.

I think that if there were more respectable, honourable Singhs and Kaurs in our communtiies today, especially for youth, that would play a huge role in getting people more involved into Sikhi and away from violence. I think this would be the best way to create a stronger, united, more Sikh-value oriented community.

Which brings up the question, is it right for parents to "force" amrit on their children at a young age in our commnities without knowing how sacred and important it is? Shouldn't they wait for their kids to grow up, understand and then let them decide? Or is that just too risky these days in our community to wait and let them decide because of peer pressures, media, and other cultural influences, etc. ?

If you think it is wrong, do you think there should there be a minimum age limit before people take amrit? What do you think about these topics?

[beantk]

I took amrit when I was around 8-9 years old. I wasnt forced into it but my whole family took it together. And because I took it when I was that young I feel that it gave me a 'head start' and I had more knowledge than the other kids about sikhi. I knew nitnem and kirtan etc. And I knew the values and the morals of sikhi even though I didnt know know it very deep, I knew enough to know what was right and wrong.

I think it is not a bad idea for parents to get their kids to take amrit because they have a value system that they go out in society with from whcih they can base there decicions on. Even though many kids break there amrit in their teen years, it also makes the ones who stick to their amrit much stronger and makes them better individuals.

Also taking amrit at a younger age is much easier than if you take it at say... 18. Simply because you have been living the lifestyle for much longer, and its harder to adapt when you are much older.

[Mez]

Although I think forcing the kids to take Amrit is wrong, I think I would rather suggest that they encourage their kids to start adapting to that lifestyle for a while, like a trial period almost. After doing this for a few months, they can see how well their kids will adapt to it, and if the kids dont seem ready for it, then dont force them. I think parents who force their kids into taking Amrit, though they only want the best for their kids and they have good intentions, some of them could break it later on as BeantK stated, which I personally find to be very disrespectful, but that happens probably when the kids are forced into it at a young age.

[singh]

This is the true phase of punjab and sikhi where majority of the sikh population lives. I cant stress this any further but we need to change the way we are apporaching the new generation.

www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/news.nsf/NewsArchive/B4F85DF6F111E8818725720B00701CCB

[Pally]

I agree with both Beant ( and S.Bains on this.

I don't think Amrit should ever be forced on anyone, and that includes children. I agree with S.Bains that one should rather live the lifestyle of a Sikh first with their children so that they can start to adapt to it and gain a stronger understanding of Sikhism. By introducing the Sikh way of life at a young age, these children will become more accustomed to the practices and have time to understand them. When a child is just "thrown" (I know, bad word but don't know how else to explain. Forgive me) into Sikhism, they will probably go through some sort of shock and really question everything without really understanding it. Let me elaborate. A child who has no knowledge really of a Sikh way of life will probably question everything instead of actually seeing the meaning of it. They may regret this when they get older and that might cause them to want to "explore" the other world, outside of Sikhism. I've seen this many times, where children forced to take Amrit later on want to know what it would be like NOT to be a Gursikh. Instead, I suggest gradual adaptation to extreme change.

However, BeantK brings up a great point. Those children who have taken Amrit as children have an advantage in some ways. They're parents, wanting their children to grow within the religion, will help with developing basic understandings at a young age. The knowledge is then there for the child, and they are able to take that knowledge and broaden it at an older age. However, this COULD be done at a young age as well, without a child taking Amrit but instead, living that life.

I, personally, would have liked to be encouraged to step onto the Sikhi path at an earlier stage in life. Having lived in the "cultural" world for so long, its been harder for me (in my opinion) to "adjust". I also have had to kind of figure a lot on my own. I do not, in any way, blame my parents but I would have preferred to been a bit more encouraged. I think that varies with different families. But, having said that, I think making this decision on my own has made me appreciate everything more. A life without Sikhi, it's not as fulfilling (That is MY opinion, please don't take offence). I'm glad I have found a solid path and maybe living in both worlds allowed to me to see where it was I belonged more.

Thats my two cents. Ok, more like 20 bucks.

Pally

[Jaspreet]

As pally touched on the topic that the kids have to be conveyed and informed into Sikhi not just "thrown" into it so that they develop their own sense about it. There are many details that have to be looked at when learning about Sikhi, for example, some kids (who are new to Sikhi) do not know why we cover our heads when we enter the gurdwara or are in the presence of Gurbani and just saying "because you have to" doesn't explain a lot.

In my opinion, it has to start with the parents taking the initiative to learn about Sikhi and following it rather than just being hypocritical and just telling their kids to take Amrit.