1. Sarbat Khalsa & Sikh Rehat Maryada 08/11/11

2. Sarbat Khalsa
Background
Concept
Institution
Rehat Maryada

3. Background 1853, 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

4. Background Sikhi is at a Crossroads at this point in history
Reform is needed
Who will make the change?
How will reform come about?

5. Sarbat Khalsa - Concept
Sarbat, whole or entire
Khalsa, Sangat serving Waheguru’s will as deemed by Guru Gobind Singh
Every Sikh makes up the Sarbat Khalsa
Khalsa is the army of the Akal Purakh, Khalsa is born of the wish of the Supreme Spirit.
Khalsa Akal Purakh ki Fauj, pragattiou khaalasaa pramaatham kee mauj

6. Sarbat Khalsa - Concept
Along 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

7. Sarbat Khalsa - Concept
We 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

8. Sarbat Khalsa - Institution
Supreme 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

9. Sarbat Khalsa - Institution
1723, 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
Tat Khalsa was the pure Khalsa, Bandais were followers of Bhanda Singh Bahadur. They were in disagreement over among other things, using Waheguru ji ka khalsa vs ‘Fateh Darshan’, also Bhanda singh did not wear the regular Sikh blue uniform, also allowed his followers to worship him like a guru, the Bandais laid claim to funds from gurudwaras.

10. Rehat Maryada One to the defining achievements of the Sarbat Khalsa
Approved in 1950 after over 20 years in deliberations
Not Unanimous approval
Sikh code of conduct
There were a number of traditions leading up to this such as one must take a cold shower, a certain way to do path or certain lines. Sikhs wanted to streamline how a Sikh must live in a day to day in the early 1900’s and thus came about the Sikh Rehat Maryada.

11. Rehat Maryada Definition of a Sikh Living the life of a Sikh
Gurbani, Kirtan and religious conduct
Life Events – wedding, birth
Any human being who faithfully believes in
One Immortal Being
Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib
The Guru Granth Sahib
The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus
The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion
is a Sikh.

12. Call of Sarbat Khalsa
What are some of the issues today that might need the calling of a Sarbat Khalsa?
If they come up with any good ones, use those if not then:

13. Call 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 ….
If they come up with any good ones, use those if not then:

14. Call of Sarbat Khalsa
Break out into groups to find solutions as a Sarbat Khalsa for top issues
If they come up with any good ones, use those if not then:

15. Take 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
If they come up with any good ones, use those if not then: