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Summary of Question:	ritualism
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Sunday, 2/06/2000 9:58 AM MST

I have a question about ritualism. We are told numerous times how the gurus denounced the ritualism surrounding them. Perhaps growing up in a society where daily prayers are not as intensive/repetitive as ours, I am curious as to why it is necessary to do severals prayers every day. I mean no disrespect, I am just finding an answer for a non-Sikh friend.

Also, could you please discuss why it seems that the way we treat our Guru Granth Sahib Ji seems a little ritualistic. Where does the line of respect end, and ritualism start?

Thank you very much.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa

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Reply
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You ate breakfast, why eat dinner? Because the food is gone and more is needed. The mind is constantly in motion and thought. It has to be kept under control with constant meditation on Naam. The banis are much more than prayers. Aside from their prayer like qualities, our Banis have a physical effect on the brain and nervous system. LIke any exercise, it gives best results with steady repetition.
Regarding the way we treat Siri Guru Granth Sahb, the ritual begins and ends in *your* mind, no one else's. If it is a ritual to you, then it's a ritual. If it is a conscious, meditative devotional experience to you, then that's what it is. It's called Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion. Since there is not a physical human to serve, we serve the Bir of the Guru's Bani. It only matters what you are experiencing, not what the outer form of the Guru looks like to someone else.

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!