Sikhism Flashcards
According to our in-class discussion, in India, how is the name “Sikhism” pronounced; Sick-ism or Seek-ism?
Sickism
What does the term “Sikh” mean?
Disciple
Sikhs often refer to their faith as “Sikh Dharma,” which means what?
The Disciplined path
Where and when was Guru Nānak (the founder of Sikhism) born?
Pakistan, 1469
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?
All religions contribute to God’s plan.
According to our in-class discussion, what was it about Nānak and what he would teach that would somehow “save the world”?
He taught that fighting between religions hurts religion overall
In what way was Nānak different from other children when he was young?
He was very serious and religious even as a child
How long did Nānak’s formal education last, and why?
1 Day, he knew more than the teacher
Why did Nānak’s father say that he proved “worthless” at work?
He would go to work and talk about God and Religion instead of working
On one of his many trips to a local river, Nānak went down into the water and stayed submerged for how many days?
3 Days
During the time that Nānak’s body was submerged in the river, where did his spirit go?
He goes up into the presence of God
According to our in-class discussion, while in God’s presence, Nānak was given a commission to do what?
Rejoice in God’s name and spread the word
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?
- “There is neither Hindu nor Muslim”
- God is not a denominational being, it is all one God
According to our in-class discussion, which did Nānak think was most important—right belief or right practice?
Truth is good, but best is practice
Do Sikhs today proselytize? Why or why not?
No, Because they don’t say that other regions are wrong
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?
- He was 30
- Mardana - his friend and musical accompanist
- 24 years
Some scholars claim that Nānak borrowed many of Sikhism’s teachings and practices from what two religions?
Hinduism and Islam
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?
- Sits him on the throne
- Gives him the name “Angad”
- Puts in front of him a coconut and 5 pennies
What was the disagreement between Nānak’s disciples (when he was nearing death)?
To bury or cremate the body
What happened to Nānak’s body when he died?
It was covered with a sheet, and in the morning, it was gone
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?
Referring to God
In Punjabi, the term “Guru” means literally what?
Generally means “One who is a teacher”
Whom do Sikhs believe is the only “dispeller of darkness”?
The light, which is God
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.)?
- Is not anthropomorphic
- No gender
- No form
- Not visible
