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Summary of Question:	Prayers After Periods?, Amrit And Eggs
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 4/01/2003 3:26 PM MDT

Hi,

I'm a 13 year old kid and have not done amritdari yet. i am planning to. the thing is I'm scared. i know it mite sound stupid but i am. i'm scared that i'll forget to pray and accidently eat something with egg init. most ckes have egg inside , so cant i eat cake wen i get my amrit done.

I also wanted to know wen women finish there periods do we pray. coz most relgions do lyk hindu's and muslim's.

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REPLY
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Sat Siri Akaal. When one takes Amrit, it doesn't mean that one is perfected in their amritdhari discipline already. It means that one has made a promise to do one's VERY BEST to observe Amrit discipline. Accidental mistakes, such as eating something with egg in it, are not considered kurehit. A kurehit happens when one takes Amrit and then INTENTIONALLY decides to go have sex with the kid next door, or drink wine with dinner.

Amrit is about growing in one's CONSCIOUSNESS, it is not about being fanatic. Discipline and fanaticism are two different things. Consciousness and fanaticism are two different things; fanaticism leaves no room for error OR for forgiveness. God and Guru are compassionate and merciful, and forgiveness of one's human errors is an essential teaching in Sikhi. The discipline of Amrit develops your spiritual consciousness. No one is perfect. And it is very hard to know every little thing that is in our food UNLESS we make it ourselves. In UK and USA, many products have ingredient lists, and in restaurants and eateries, ASK the vendor if something has egg or meat or meat broth in it. Stop worrying, dear, and promise Guru you will make every intentional effort to observe your AMrit.

As for periods, thank GOD Sikhi does not teach that women are unclean if they are bleeding! NO NO NO we do not have observances or prayers women are required to say during or after a menstrual period. Since Guru Nanak, the teachings have been that women are equal to men in all things Sikh. The idea that a woman is less than a man or has to 'cleanse' herself spiritually because she has been bleeding does not conform at ALL to Gurus' teachings. (Mind you, it is still an important aspect of feminine hygiene to bathe regularly and thoroughly during a period!)

And BTW, Hinduism and Islam are not 'most religions.' Christianity doesn't require special period-related observances, nor does reform Judaism. Buddhism doesn't either, and that's just talking major religions. Guru ang sang,
-DKK