sign in sign up
<<
Home , History of Sikhism, Langar (Sikhism)

YEAR 8 & ETHICS- SIKH WAY OF LIFE E FESTIVAL:

Vaisakhi, also spelled Baisakhi, is one of the most important dates in the B SEWA Sikh calendar. In 1699 the tenth , , chose Vaisakhi What is the as the occasion to transform the into a family of soldier saints, known 1 festival? A GENERAL KEY TERMS Is selfless service. Sikhs are encouraged to become better people by helping others as the Panth. Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa in front of 1 Sewa and promoting equality. These acts must be done regularly to become closer to the thousands at and show their faith (gurmukh). The worship room and where the Guru Diwan Hall 1 Granth Sahib is kept. This involves physical work and tasks to show selfless service. For example, this could When is the It is the Sikh New Year festival and is celebrated on April 13 or 14. It also Tan (physical) 2 be cooking or serving in the , cleaning the or helping with gardening. 2 festival? commemorates 1699, the year was born as a collective faith.

2 Gurdwara A place of worship for Sikhs. This involves a Sikh using their mental skills and talents. For example, this could be teaching people how to read or understand the , teaching people Vaisakhi is celebrated in much the same way as . Gudwaras are Man (mental) 3 how to play the musical instruments used during worship or teaching people about the How is it decorated and visited. Parades, dancing and singing happen throughout the . 3 celebrated? day. Many Sikhs choose to be baptised into the Khalsa brotherhood on this 3 Guru Spiritual teacher. day This involves Sikhs selflessly helping others by sharing their material wealth. This Dhan could be donating one tenth of their income to the or to charities, which is The festival is marked with nagar processions: processions through 4 (material) known as daswandh. It could also involve helping others in times of financial difficulty Guru Granth The eternal living Guru through the the streets (nagar means "town") which form an important part of Sikh or giving money to the poor. culture and religious celebrations. Kirtan is a term meaning the singing of 4 Sahib form of sacred text. hymns from the Guru Grath Sahib, the Sikh holy book. Celebrations always Nagar Kirtan 4 include music, singing and chanting scriptures and hymns. The family of initiated Sikh’s. Sikhs do ROLE OF THE GURDWARA The processions are led by traditionally dressed Panj Piaras (members of this by taking part in the C Khalsa the Khalsa). The Guru Granth Sahib will be carried in the procession in a 5 ceremony and becoming an Amritdhari place of honour. The (an orange flag) with the Sikh symbol The in the middle Sikh. Outside the 1 Gurdwara which notifies people of the Gurdwara’s presence F FESTIVAL: DIWALI The kitchen where (the langar) The holy book (Guru Granth Sahib) sits in the Diwan hall. It is kept on The Takht (a The Holy Book 6 Langar Hall vegetarian food is prepared and 2 throne) underneath The Palki (a canopy) and treated like royalty. served. Diwali is known as the Festival of Light, It's a festival that Sikhs, and Jains celebrate. Diwali for Sikhs: The festival is The first thing Sikhs do is remove their shoes to avoid bringing in dirt and What is the particularly important for Sikh’s because it celebrates the release from Before worship then they wash their hands. Regardless of your faith (or non-faith) you will 1 festival? Means wonderful teacher in Punjabi 3 prison of the sixth guru, , and 52 other princes with him, in Waheguru be asked to cover your head once inside the 7 and is used to refer to God. 1619. Sikh’s gather in the Langar Hall. This is a kitchen where volunteers cook and serve 4 After worship vegetarian food (Langar). Anyone can eat here; it symbolises the belief that everyone is When is the Meaning to worship only one God. equal The Festival comes at the end of October or early November. 2 festival? 8 Sikhism is a monotheists faith as they only worship the Waheguru. D THE 5 K’S The name of the festival comes from the word dipavali, meaning The founder of Sikhism. He row of lights. Diwali is known as the 'festival of lights' because houses, Kanga The comb is used to keep the uncut hair tidy. It represents cleaning one’s heart. disappeared for three days while 1 How is it shops and public places are decorated with small earthenware oil lamps washing at the river Bain. God 3 celebrated? called Diyas. These lamps, which are traditionally fueled by mustard oil, are 9 This means ‘sword of compassion’. It remind Sikhs to choose between right and placed in rows in windows, doors and outside buildings to decorate them. revealed himself to Nanak and he then rejected his Hindu traditions and led a 2 wrong and defend those in need of it. life practising equality. The steel bangle represents a strong bond with God, he has no beginning The day is seen as a triumph of right over wrong and a tribute to the Guru 3 who saved the lives of the 52 men without violence. and no end Other Guru Gobind Singh was the last of the It is also a time when Sikhs may choose to make a pilgrimage to the Golden 4 information Guru Gobind ten , the one who transformed 4 The uncut hair, a gift from God. Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib) which is the most important pilgrimage site in 10 Singh the Sikh faith. He created the Khalsa the religion. community. 5 Kachera A pair of shorts worn to protect modesty.