Previous

Next

Ask a Question

Summary of Question:	Keeping Sikh Practice But Drinks Alcohol...?
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Sunday, 12/01/2002 6:30 AM MST

my grandfather is 72 years of age and he practises sikhism everyday. what i mean by that is he wakes up early, prays and then gets ready for the day and then at night he does his prayers again. the thing that bugs me is he claims that he is a good sikh, but he drinks alchol and eats meat. he has been drinking for his whole life now, and i know that i cant stop him. he doesn't drink everday, he drinks on the weekend and on special occasions like a birthday, or get togehter when a couple of our family friends have a get together for dinner. When he knows that he is going to drink he goes and does his prayers before he drinks. if by accident he does drink before he does his prayers at night, he won't go and pray that night.is he a good sikh because he practises the sikh routine? please let me know what you think.

thanks for your help
v
australia

**************
REPLY
**************
Sat Siri Akaal. Your grandfather seems to think he is a good Sikh. Neither you nor I can know what is in his heart or whether he thinks by saying his prayers he is compensating for drinking and eating meat. While he is obviously not a completely OBSERVANT Sikh in terms of Guru's teachings about meat and alcohol, neither you nor I nor anyone else should say he isn't a "good Sikh" because of this. Leave THAT judgement to Waheguru. If you do not feel comfortable asking him why he drinks since he's Sikh, then leave it alone, and keep him in your prayers. Remember too, that just because he does his Sikh routine and drinks and eats meat is no reason for you to follow his example. You have to decide for yourself your own level of commitment and discipline to Sikhi. Your grandfather has clearly made up his mind.
Guru ang sang,
-DKK