Amrit Sanskar
Amrit Sanskar ceremonyThe rite of initiation into the Khalsa (Sikhs who commit themselves to a daily discipline). is the initiationA rite of passage marking entrance or acceptance into a group or society. ceremony that Sikhs take part in when they make the decision to become fully committed to Sikhism. Once they have gone through this initiation ceremony, they commit themselves to the KhalsaThe Sikh community, literally 'the community of the pure'. Refers particularly to initiated Sikhs.. This means that they wear the five KsFive articles which identify a Sikh who has been initiated into the Khalsa., pay daswandh / dasvandhThe Sikh practice in the giving of money (a tenth of one's income) in the name of the Guru to help those who are poorer / less well off. and follow the Sikh code of conduct known as the Rahit MaryadaAlternate spelling: Rehat Maryada. The Sikh Code of Conduct..
Once a Sikh has gone through Amrit Sanskar, they are known as an Amritdhari SikhA Sikh who has been initiated into the Khalsa..
The ceremony
The Amrit Sanskar ceremony is an important event in a Sikh’s life as they have decided that they want to show commitment to the Khalsa.
The key features of the Amrit Sanskar ceremony are:
- They wear the five Ks.
- The ceremony is conducted by five Amritdhari Sikhs.
- The granthiReader of the Guru Granth Sahib, who officiates at ceremonies. This can be a man or a woman. , who is also present, reads from the Guru Granth SahibThe Guru Granth Sahib is the most important Sikh holy book. It is a collection of songs, prayers and hymns from the Sikh Gurus and other holy men, as well as teachings from other faiths. It is treated as a living Guru..
- The person is then asked whether they want to be initiated. They are reminded of the importance of the commitment to the Khalsa.
- The person recites the Mool Mantra(Mool Mantar or Mul Mantra) The basic statement of belief that appears at the beginning and throughout the Guru Granth Sahib. .
- The person is given the name SinghLion. Name adopted by Sikh males., meaning ‘Lion’, if they are male and the name KaurPrincess. Second name given to Sikh females., meaning ‘Princess’, if they are female.
Requirements for members of the Khalsa
Once a Sikh has been initiated into the Khalsa, they are expected to follow the strict rules of the Rahit Maryada.
The rules that must be followed are:
- Certain prayers must be recited or heard at least twice a day. These are the Japji Sahib, the Jap Sahib, the Ten Swayyas, the Sodar Rahiras and the Sohila.
- The five Ks must be worn. These are the keshUncut hair. Initiated Sikhs are forbidden to shorten, shave or remove their hair in any other way., which is uncut hair; the kangaA wooden comb worn in the hair, which is one of the Five Ks., a wooden comb; the karaSteel band worn on the right wrist. One of the Five Ks., a steel bracelet; kacchaBaggy cotton shorts worn by initiated Sikhs; one of the Five Ks., cotton underwear; and the kirpanSword. One of the five Ks., a small sword.
- They must not cut their hair. They must also keep it clean and wear a turban.
- They should not eat meat that has been ritually slaughtered (such as halal meatHalal means lawful. Halal meat is any meat that has been slaughtered according to Islamic law. ). However, most Amritdhari Sikhs are vegetarian.
- They must not cohabit (live together) with anyone who is not their husband or wife.
- They must not use tobacco.
- They must not drink alcohol.
- They must not gamble.
- They must not arrange a marriage for their children for financial gain.
- Women must not wear the veil as it is not considered proper for women to cover their face. This is something that was implemented by the third Guru, Guru Amar Das Ji.
