PINGLE RE – YEAR 8 SIKHISM (SUMMER) D THE GOLDEN TEMPLE SEWA B The Golden This Gurudwara stands as the holiest pilgrimage site of Sikhism. A KEY TERMS 1 Temple Is selfless service. Sikhs are encouraged to become better The worship room and where the Guru people by helping others and promoting equality. These acts Harimandir Known as the Golden Temple because it was covered by sheets of 1 Diwan Hall 1 Sewa Granth Sahib is mainly kept. must be done regularly to become closer to the Waheguru 2 Sahib gold. and show their faith (gurmukh). Amritsar Means ‘pool of nectar’. Its is in the Punjab in India. A place of worship for Sikhs. Gurdwara 3 2 Gurdwara This involves physical work and tasks to show selfless means ‘the door to the Guru’. 2 Tan service. For example, this could be cooking or serving in the (physical) langar, cleaning the gurdwara or helping with gardening. E THE 5 K’S The comb is used to keep the uncut hair tidy. It represents cleaning Kangha 3 Guru Spiritual teacher. This involves a Sikh using their mental skills and talents. For 1 one’s heart. example, this could be teaching people how to read or Man This means ‘sword of compassion’. It remind Sikhs to choose 3 understand the Guru Granth Sahib, teaching people how to 2 Kirpan Guru Granth The eternal living Guru through the (intellectual) between right and wrong and defend those in need of it. 4 play the musical instruments used during worship or being a Sahib form of sacred text. member of the gurdwara committee. The steel bangle represents a strong bond with God, he has no beginning Kara 3 and no end (eternal). The family of initiated Sikh’s. Sikhs do This involves Sikhs selflessly helping others by sharing their this by taking part in the Amrit Sanskar material wealth. This could be donating one tenth of their 4 Kesh The uncut hair, a gift from God. 5 Khalsa ceremony and becoming an amrit-dhari Dhan income to the Sikh community / gurdwara or to charities, 4 A pair of loose shorts to remind Sikhs of their duty to others. They Sikh. (material) which is known as daswandh. It could also involve helping Kachera others in times of financial difficulty or giving money to the 5 are also a reminder of the need for self control in all that they do. poor. The kitchen where (the langar) 6 Langar Hall vegetarian food is prepared and served. F FESTIVAL: VAISAKHI When is Vaisakhi, also spelled Baisakhi, is one of the most important dates in the Means ‘Wonderful Lord’ in Punjabi and C ROLE OF THE GURDWARA 1 the Sikh calendar. It is the Sikh New Year festival and is celebrated on April 7 Waheguru is used to refer to God. festival? 13 or 14. The Nishan Sahib (an orange flag) with the Sikh symbol the Outside the In 1699 the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, chose Vaisakhi as the 1 Khanda (double-edged sword) in the middle which notifies Why is Meaning to worship only one God. Gurdwara occasion to transform the Sikhs into a family of soldier saints, known as people of the Gurdwara’s presence the festival 8 Monotheism Sikhism is a monotheist faith as they 2 the Khalsa Panth. Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa in front of Important? only worship the Waheguru. In the diwan hall the focus of attention is at the front. There is thousands at Anandpur Sahib, India. a palki (raised platform) in which the Guru Granth Sahib is The Holy placed to show respect. When the Guru Granth Sahib is not On Vaisakhi, Gurdwaras are decorated and visited. Parades, gatka The founder of Sikhism. He How is it 2 Book open to be read it is covered by a romala (cloth). There is a (Indian martial art) and singing of hymns happen throughout the day. disappeared for three days while 3 celebrated washing at the river Bain. God revealed canopy, called chandni, above it. The area where the Guru Many Sikhs choose to be initiated into the Khalsa brotherhood on this 9 Guru Nanak today? himself to Nanak and he then rejected Granth Sahib rests is known as the takht, the throne. day. his Hindu traditions and led a life The first thing Sikhs do is remove their shoes to avoid bringing in dirt The festival is marked with nagar kirtan processions: processions practising equality. Before and then they wash their hands. Regardless of your faith (or non- through the streets (nagar means "town") which form an important part 3 worship faith) you will be asked to cover your head once inside the Gurdwara. These actions show respect. of Sikh culture and religious celebrations. Kirtan is a term meaning the Guru Gobind Singh was the last of the Nagar singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. Celebrations always Guru Gobind ten Gurus, the one who transformed the 4 10 At the end of the worship Karah Prashad (holy sweet food) is Kirtan include music, singing and chanting scriptures and hymns. Singh Sikh faith. He created the Khalsa (pure) After shared with the sangat ((congregation). This symbolises The processions are led by traditionally dressed Panj Pyares (five community. 4 worship equality. Sikh’s and visitors can have a vegetarian meal in the beloved ones). The Guru Granth Sahib will be carried in the procession Langar Hall. in a place of honour.