Sikhism Flashcards
sikh means
disciple
Sikhism is derived
sanskrit
where did Sikhism originate
India
who ruled this region
Akbar, he became vegetarian to respect his hindu people, and brought people, and brought people/religion together
who is Nanak
Sikhism’s founder who was interested in going into the forest in Punjab and conversing with different spiritual beings like samnyasins from hinduism
what happens to Nanak when he was 30 years old
Nanak falls into a river and remains at the bottom
for 3 days having mystical experiences with the divine. He emerges a new man, gives away his possessions, and embarks on a spiritual quest to different spiritual sites.
where at the end did Nanak travel?
travels to Hindu and islamic sights like Mecca and the Kabbah.
guru
teacher
Nanaks death
On his death bed he has sikhs from hinduism, and sikhs from islam, so
they argue over burying him with his head facing Meca or cremating him. Nanak says they can both
plant flowers and whichever side’s flowers grow taller can decide what they want to do with his body.
They do so but when they return Nanak’s body is gone.
what religions did Nanak combine
islam and hinduism
islamic beliefs that Nanak incorporated
monotheism (Ik Onkar - symbol)
Rejection of icon
dietary laws
rejection of the Caste system
Hinduism beliefs that Nanak incorporated
Guru
Basic worldview (karma, samsara, reincarnation and moksha)
Who created the Adi Granth and what are they?
the 5th guru Arjan and they are to be sung like songs adn they are about monotheism, rejecting icons, worldviews and key points from hinduism and the Nanak is the author
what is the Adi Granth now called
gurgu granth sahib
how is the Guru Granth Sahib stored
the gurdwara (sikh place of worship)
How is the Guru Granth Sahib used in birth ceremonies (refer to hukam)?
They open the Granth to a random page and
name the child from the first word. This is called Hukam
Guru Granth Sahib
“Teacher, Text/Volume and LORD”
How is it used in wedding ceremonies?
ceremonies? Two families will get together and read through the entire text
together before the wedding. Nowadays they read one part but it still takes two days.
who was known for building the Golden Temple or Armandir Sahib in Amritsar?
Arjan
what is the golden temple
giant building or buildings with a pool in the middle and the gold
temple in the centre of the pool, surrounded by other buildings which are all part of the golden temple.
Inside the middle is the Adi Granth or Guru Granth Sahib
can anyone visit the Golden Temple?
Yes, just like the langar meal, they are quite welcoming to non-sikhs, but out of respect you cover your head and wash your feet
who was the 10th guru and what did he create
Gobind Singh, the khalsa which is the army/bodyguard to protect the Punjab region and Sikhism
what is the initiation for khalsa
He asks if they want to join and they say
yes, he asks if they want to die and they say yes, so he takes one into a tent and comes out with a
bloody sword and comes out for the next person. Some say he was just beheading a goat as a test of
who would still join. To join you take up the 5 K’s: but some just get a bracelet
the 5 K’s
Kesh - uncut hair
Kangha - comb physical/spiritual
Kara - braceletsymbolizes unitygod
Kirpan - sword/daggar
Kachera - undergarments
what names are given to Sikhs that join khalsa?
Males take the name Singh (lion), and female take the name kaur (princess)
who was the last Gurus?
Gobind Singh
