| rdfs:comment
| - Sikhism is against pilgrimages and fasts, whatever may be the socio- political, religious, traditional or cultural justifications which may be extended by anyone. The Sikh Gurus visited some of these places as historians and explorers to demonstrate the futility to such journeys and to show the devotees the true path to God. People who go on pilgrimage give various reasons, excuses and pretexts for their actions - some of these are :- All these notions have been certified as a complete wastage of time, resources , & propagation of Manmat. Nanak sums up all these in one Tuk...
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| abstract
| - Sikhism is against pilgrimages and fasts, whatever may be the socio- political, religious, traditional or cultural justifications which may be extended by anyone. The Sikh Gurus visited some of these places as historians and explorers to demonstrate the futility to such journeys and to show the devotees the true path to God. People who go on pilgrimage give various reasons, excuses and pretexts for their actions - some of these are :-
* A mere ritual, branded as religious formality by their spiritually blind leaders.
* To flex socio-political muscle & show off monetary strength to their adversaries.
* Social projection of one's false image of spirituality and person endowed with saintly qualities.
* Just for the Sake of some for fun, change and as a holidays and time to relax.
* False notion that it washes off their sins.
* There is nothing else to do.
* Promotion of sales of the products branded as holy & socio-commercially associating them with one or more of the mythological references; hictorical value and cultural normality. All these notions have been certified as a complete wastage of time, resources , & propagation of Manmat. Nanak sums up all these in one Tuk...
* Bhariyy mat papa ky sang oh Dhopyy navyy ky rang.....When the hands and the feet and the body are dirty, water can wash away the dirt.. Read on. All these mythological, ritualistic, irrational & subjective beliefs and actions are useless and in vain and will not remove the stain and pollution caused by a life-time of sins. This filth of the mind needs to be washed & flushed off through repeated spiritual bathing... (listening to, singing, learning & writing the quintessence of Gurbani in ones mind. One needs to focus and resolve to begin on a lifelong walk on this true path guided by the true Guru's word) - in the pure ocean of God's Language. The Guru's message tell us how to wash the filth of these sins exactly the way soap washes clothes which get soiled with dirt, mud, urine, etc. The Sikh Gurus provide clear and simple guidance for their Sikhs - They are asked to cleanse the mind by rising it with pure Gurbani; to cultivate a humble attitude and real love for all of humanity; to shirk away from useless rituals which only elevates ones ego. The following Gurbani tuks (lines) give a picture of the Guru's vision:
* "Neecha andar neech jaat neechee hu ati neech, Nanak tin ky sang Saath vadian so kia rees...."(this lowest of the low cast Nanak prefer to be with the Lowest of the low, humble, meekest of the meek & exploited masses....sweet nothing I care for the high & mighty).
* "Khalik Khlk, Khalk my Khalik....." ( "The Creation is in the Creator, and the Creator is in the Creation, totally pervading and permeating all places". ...God lives in the heart of every human being. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib warns us -
* "The more one wanders at sacred shrines of pilgrimage, the more one talks uselessly." (sggs page 467) - so, a Sikh must discard pilgrimages, and penance which are part of Manmat
* The Vedic culture of fasting for the well being of the husband is totally rejected by the Sikh Guru - "Kabeer, the woman who gives up meditation on the Lord, and observes the ritual fast of Ahoi, shall be reincarnated as a donkey, to carry heavy burdens. ((108))" (sggs page 1370)
* Sikhism outright rejects fasting . Gurbani debars all human beings from engaging in rituals of any sort whatsoever. "Fasting, daily rituals, and austere self-discipline - those who keep the practice of these, are rewarded with less than a shell." (sggs page 216). So a true Sikhs will never ever undertaken a fast of any kind.
* "No pilgrim-spot is equal to the Guru...The Guru is the river in whose water (Naam),the filth of sin and evil thoughts, are washed off." (sggs page 1329)
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