PritamSingh
35 ●9 ●10 ●15

We are taught not to bow to anyone or anything other than the Guru Granth Sahib. I am in a bit of a dilemma when it comes to this. My parents have put me in mixed martial-arts (taekwondo) so I can learn how to fight. In taekwondo, you have to bow to your instructor, the assistant instructors, masters, senior belts, etc. We have to bow to them, otherwise, you get into deep trouble. I don't know what to do because we are not allowed to bow to anyone other than the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, but I have to bow to others in my taekwondo. Please help this worthless Sikh.

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answered 2013-10-21 02:05:26 -0500

Lo K. B.
329 ●7 ●13 ●21

Sat Nam,

The bowing tradition in martial arts is about deep respect for your instructor and your peers. That is quite different than what you do in front of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. You are acknowledging your instructor in martial arts, which is a part of your discipline. See it as an act of mutual respect, and leave it at that.

God bless you.

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answered 2013-10-20 05:27:44 -0500

Nihang Gavinpal Singh Khalsa

flag of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

1065 ●29 ●47 ●68

well i would say firstly that is isnt the same as matha tek when your whole head is infront of maharaj. this type of bowing in martial arts is a cultural respect in which your back goes from straight to 90 degrese if im correct you dont liturarly mathat tek to them.

so therefore you have no clear issue.

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To bow or not to bow

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