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REL 351 > Sikhism > Flashcards

Sikhism Flashcards

1
Q

According to our in-class discussion, in India, how is the name “Sikhism” pronounced; Sick-ism or Seek-ism?

A

Sickism

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2
Q

What does the term “Sikh” mean?

A

Disciple

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3
Q

Sikhs often refer to their faith as “Sikh Dharma,” which means what?

A

The Disciplined path

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4
Q

Where and when was Guru Nānak (the founder of Sikhism) born?

A

Pakistan, 1469

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5
Q

It is said that, at Nānak’s birth, “Heavenly music sounded, and a host of deities announced that ‘God had saved the word.’” Why is the reference to a “host of deities” curious?

A

All religions contribute to God’s plan.

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6
Q

According to our in-class discussion, what was it about Nānak and what he would teach that would somehow “save the world”?

A

He taught that fighting between religions hurts religion overall

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7
Q

In what way was Nānak different from other children when he was young?

A

He was very serious and religious even as a child

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8
Q

How long did Nānak’s formal education last, and why?

A

1 Day, he knew more than the teacher

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9
Q

Why did Nānak’s father say that he proved “worthless” at work?

A

He would go to work and talk about God and Religion instead of working

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10
Q

On one of his many trips to a local river, Nānak went down into the water and stayed submerged for how many days?

A

3 Days

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11
Q

During the time that Nānak’s body was submerged in the river, where did his spirit go?

A

He goes up into the presence of God

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12
Q

According to our in-class discussion, while in God’s presence, Nānak was given a commission to do what?

A

Rejoice in God’s name and spread the word

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13
Q

When Nānak finally emerged from the river, he didn’t speak for a whole day. When he finally did speak, what were his first words? What was implied by those words?

A
  • “There is neither Hindu nor Muslim”
  • God is not a denominational being, it is all one God
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14
Q

According to our in-class discussion, which did Nānak think was most important—right belief or right practice?

A

Truth is good, but best is practice

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15
Q

Do Sikhs today proselytize? Why or why not?

A

No, Because they don’t say that other regions are wrong

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16
Q

How old was Nānak when he left his wife and children to start teaching Sikhism? Who did he take with him? How long was he gone?

A
  • He was 30
  • Mardana - his friend and musical accompanist
  • 24 years
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17
Q

Some scholars claim that Nānak borrowed many of Sikhism’s teachings and practices from what two religions?

A

Hinduism and Islam

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18
Q

According to our in-class discussion, when Nānak transitioned the guruship to his successor (Lahina), he established a pattern for the ordination of all future gurus. How was this ordination performed?

A
  • Sits him on the throne
  • Gives him the name “Angad”
  • Puts in front of him a coconut and 5 pennies
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19
Q

What was the disagreement between Nānak’s disciples (when he was nearing death)?

A

To bury or cremate the body

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20
Q

What happened to Nānak’s body when he died?

A

It was covered with a sheet, and in the morning, it was gone

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21
Q

When Sikhs use the term “guru,” it can have reference to a number of persons or beings. But, when they use it (today) without a proper name (e.g., “Guru Nānak”) attached, they are traditionally referring to Whom?

A

Referring to God

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22
Q

In Punjabi, the term “Guru” means literally what?

A

Generally means “One who is a teacher”

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23
Q

Whom do Sikhs believe is the only “dispeller of darkness”?

A

The light, which is God

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24
Q

What do Sikhs believe about God’s nature (e.g., is God anthropomorphic, does God have gender, does God have form, is God visible, etc.)?

A
  • Is not anthropomorphic
  • No gender
  • No form
  • Not visible
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25
Q

Sikhism believes God exists for what purpose?

A

To love and help his creations (us)

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26
Q

What are the various Sikh names for God that we discussed in class?

A
  • One true name
  • True name
  • Guru
  • Great teacher
  • Hari
  • Ik Onkar
  • All Steel
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27
Q

According to our in-class discussion, what is the meaning of the Sikh term “Ek-On-Kar”?

A

“One God” or “God is one”

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28
Q

What did we say (in class) that the word “Hari” means?

A

“Kindly” Because God is kindly

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29
Q

According to our in-class discussion, why did Nānak prefer generic names for God?

A

So there is not the accompanied baggage with using other religion’s names for God

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30
Q

What, according to our in-class discussion, is the two-fold purpose of life in Sikhism?

A
  • Experience Mukdi, experience release from the wheel
  • Achieve union with the divine
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31
Q

Sikhs don’t typically think of heaven so much as a location. Instead, they tend to perceive it as more of what?

A

A state of mind, or a state of heart

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32
Q

Nānak perceived material things as a what?

A

A thing to overcome

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33
Q

Nānak taught the “way of the 3-Ss.” What are the “3-Ss”?

A
  1. Simran (Meditation)
    * Repeating mantras over and over
    * “Wahi Guru, Wahi Guru, Wahi Guru” repeat over and over (Praise God)
  2. Seva (Service)
    * Service overcomes pride and ego
    * Also includes Tithing
  3. Sangat (Guided by teachers)
    * Following the guidance of advanced teachers
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34
Q

According to our in-class discussion, what does “Waheguru” mean?

A

Praise God

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35
Q

According to our in-class discussion, what are some circumstances that Sikhs would chant the “Guru Mantra”?

A

Meditation

36
Q

According to our in-class discussion, the “Guru Mantra” has the power to do what?

A

Remit Karma

37
Q

Sikhs generally see trials as having what purpose?

A

Become more humble

38
Q

What is the most important of the “3-Ss”?

A

Sangat, Follow the guidance of people who are wiser than you

39
Q

As important as the “3-Ss” are, Sikhism teaches that we will all still need what (in addition to practicing the “3-Ss”) in order to get off the wheel of reincarnation?

A

We all need the Grace of God, we simply cannot be saved without it

40
Q

The Sikh scriptural canon is largely made up of what?

A

Hymns

41
Q

What, according to our in-class discussion, does the term “Guru Granth” mean?

A

“The master book”

42
Q

Why is the Guru Grath treated like a human?

A

Believed to have the souls of the original Gurus

43
Q

Why are the Sikh scriptures kept on an elevated platform, and why do Sikhs try to avoid turning their back on their scriptures?

A

Shows disrespect

44
Q

When you enter a Sikh temple (or Gurdwara), what should you do first?

A

Wash feet and hands, and cover head

45
Q

What, according to our in-class discussion, is the “daily duty of every practicing Sikh”?

A

Read scriptures daily

46
Q

When scriptures are read (in Sikhism)—whether at home or at the temple—they are always read how? Why are they read this way?

A
  • They open them at random
  • This is so that they can have individual revelation
47
Q

According to our in-class discussion, how did Guru Nānak feel about rites, ordinances, and pilgrimages?

A
  • Not very good, not best way to connect with God
  • Need to actually think about stuff, rather than rotely going through the movements
48
Q

According to our in-class discussion, what does the Sikh “Naming Ceremony” look like?

A
  • Hymns are sung
  • Open “Guru Granth” and chose first letter to name child
49
Q

According to our in-class discussion, does Sikhism (like Hinduism) formally teach that marriages should be arranged?

A

If it works then yes, but don’t force

50
Q

What did we say is implied by the Sikh phrase, “Marriage is the carriage to God”?

A

It is an opportunity to love and serve someone not yourself

51
Q

At what time of day do many Sikhs choose to get married and why?

A

Anytime is fine. But at dawn, the Guru Granth is installed, adding extra meaning

52
Q

According to our in-class discussion, why do Sikh couples bow to the Guru Grath while the Sikh wedding hymn is being sung?

A

To represent that they will submit their lives to God and his council

53
Q

Other than the couple and the person performing the wedding ceremony, what is the one thing that needs to be present at a Sikh wedding?

A

The “Guru Granth”

54
Q

According to our in-class discussion, how long does the Sikh mourning period last? And what did Nānak forbid from happening during that period?

A
  • 10 Days
  • Forbad extreme actions during the morning period like ritual mourning or ostentatious displays of grief
55
Q

In India, on what day do practitioners go to the Gurdwara?

A

No official day in India, is 24/7. In US, it is usually Sunday

56
Q

What is the Sikh “Langar” and what does it symbolize?

A
  • It is a meal that all share, Communal Meal
  • It breaks down the barriers between classes and castes
57
Q

What are the “5 Marks” or “5 Ks,” and who is obligated to don (or wear) them?

A
  • Kirpan - Dagger against aggression and temptation
  • Kesh - Not cutting hair
  • Kara - Wedding ring to God
  • Kachera - Underwear - Chastity
  • Kanga - Comb - Controlling the mind and body
  • The Khalsa (military class) is required to wear
58
Q

Why do about 1/3rd of all Sikh males wear turbans?

A
  • Kesh - They don’t cut hair, so need to do something with it
  • Only about ⅓ of Sikhs are baptized members of the Khalsa
59
Q

According to our in-class discussion, what does not cutting your hair symbolize for Sikhs?

A

Kesh - Hair is an Umbilical cord to God/Naturalness before God

60
Q

What does wearing a comb in your hair mean for members of the Sikh “military”?

A

Kanga - Mental order, controlling the mind and body

61
Q

What do the special underpants that some Sikhs wear symbolize?

A
  • Kachh/Kachera: Underpants
  • Chastity & controlled moral behavior
62
Q

What does the steel bracelet worn by many Sikhs (on their right wrist) symbolize?

A
  • Kind of a wedding ring with God
  • Oneness with God’s will
63
Q

We mentioned several connected symbols associated with the small dagger carried by some Sikhs. What were the reasons (given in class) as to why they carry one of these?

A
  • Kirpan - Dagger
    • Standing against aggression or temptation
    • Self-defense & just use of power
    • Combination of religious & political authority
    • God’s laws are higher that man’s laws
64
Q

What is the symbolism behind the two crossed swords sometimes worn by Sikhs?

A
  • They represent the combination of religious and local authority
  • God’s laws are higher than man’s laws
65
Q

What does the term “Gurdwara” mean?

A

Gate to the Guru

66
Q

Where is the most important Sikh Temple/Gurdwara located?

A
  • Sits in the middle of the pool of immortality
  • The Golden temple
  • It is in West India
67
Q

What is special about the waters that surround the Sikh “Golden Temple”?

A

Healing if you immerse yourself

68
Q

How many times a day do observant Sikhs pray?

A

5 Times a day

69
Q

What is a “mala” and what do Sikhs use it for?

A
  • A strand of 108 beads
  • To keep track of prayers and hymns and mantras and such
70
Q

Based on our in-class discussion, what are the top three Sikh symbols (in order of importance from most important to least important)?

A
  • Guru Granth
  • 5 K’s
  • The Khanda (The Symbol)
71
Q

Who were the 10 mortal gurus, and what were the most important things each was known for?

A

Technically 12. They can remit Karma like Jesus remitting sin. Nanak, founder of the faith.

72
Q

Which Sikh gurus were largely pacifistic?

A

The first 4

73
Q

What consumables do Sikhs not partake of?

A
  • No alcohol
  • No tobacco
  • No recreational drugs
74
Q

What was Nānak’s attitude toward women?

A

Actually really good, believe and practice that women are equals

75
Q

According to our in-class discussion, the Sikh view of the soul is comparable to the “soul” in what other religious tradition?

A

More Buddhist, Have a temporary soul

76
Q

According to our in-class discussion, how many denominations of Sikhism are there?

A

Technically none, but kind of two groups
* Singhs - about ⅓
* All members of the Khalsa
* Nanak-Panthis - other 2/3
* Everyone else

77
Q

According to our in-class discussion, what is the primary difference between “Singhs” and “Nānak-panthis”?

A
  • Singhs: Members of the Khalsa (Military Group)
  • Nānak-panthis: Normal people
78
Q

What, according to our in-class discussion, are the three stages of development of Sikhism?

A
  • Founding of the Faith
  • Period of Persecution
  • The founding of the Khalsa
79
Q

What provoked the founding of the Khalsa?

A
  • They were facing a large army
  • Guru Gobensingh established
80
Q

Patterned after the very first quorum of the Khalsa, how many people make up each quorum of the Khalsa today?

A

5 individuals

81
Q

What is the meaning of the word “Khalsa”?

A

“Pure ones”

82
Q

What does the word “Singh” mean?

A

“Lions”

83
Q

What does the word “Kaur” mean?

A

“Princess”

84
Q

According to our in-class discussion, why do initiates into the Khalsa drink some “sacred nectar”?

A

Same as Nanak because God gave him nectar when he got called

85
Q

Based on our in-class discussion, if a member of the Khalsa breaks any of the rules of that organization, they must do three things. What were those three things?

A
  • Pay a fine to the guduarah
  • Commit to not sin again
  • Be rebaptized
86
Q

According to our in-class discussion, the founder of Sikhism emphasized a number of principles. What were those principles (as emphasized in class)?

A

Peace between religions

87
Q
A

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