Key Terms Top Tip Using key terms in

Key Terms: Top Tip: Using key terms in work shows more understanding and shows higher level learning Sikhism - Religion founded during the 15 th century in the Punjab region of India Gurdwara - The gateway to the guru, is the place of worship for Sikhs Guru Granth Sahib - Religious Holy scripture of Sikhism, Kirpan - A short sword or knife with a curved blade, worn (sometimes in miniature form) by the Sikh Khalsa. Guru - "teacher" or "master", particularly in Indian religions Khalsa - Sikhs which have undergone the sacred Amrit Ceremony initiated by the 10 th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Turban - Is a type of headwear based on cloth winding, usually by men. Granthi - Is a person, male or female, of the Sikh religion who is a ceremonial reader of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Kesh - Is the practice of allowing one's hair to grow naturally as a symbol of respect for the perfection of God's creation. Nishan Shaib - Is a Sikh triangular flag made of cotton or silk cloth, with a tassel at its end. Amritsar - Holy city/place for Sikhs Langar - A communal free kitchen for Sikhs Vaisakhi - A Sikh festival held annually to commemorate the founding of the khalsa by Gobind Singh in 1699. The Khanda (Sikh symbol) The Khanda is made up of a double edged sword and a circle. The circle represents belief in one God who is without beginning or end. Two crossed kirpans (swords) representing spiritual authority and political power. Gurdwara (The Sikh temple) A Gurdwara is a Sikhs place of worship. It houses the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs sit down in the prayer hall so they not above the Guru. They pray together as a community. At the end of their service they will have a meal together. This is called the Langar. It is vegetarian food. This ensures that any visitor to the Gurdwara can eat in the Langar The Ek Onkar symbolises believing in one God. Sikhism The Life of Guru Nanak (The founder of Sikhism) Nanak was born into a Hindu family on 15 April 1469 in a village where Muslims and Hindus lived together. When he was born he did not cry but smiled. The nurse also saw a dazzling light around his head. His father was worried and asked the priest what it meant. The priest said it was a good sign and that he would grow up to be a great king or guru (teacher). As a child, Nanak would rather sit quietly and think about God. This meant that he did not attend school for very long. Nanak was very inquisitive, always asking questions. He was not interested in reading his school books. As Nanak grew older his father wanted him to work for the family business. He was given money to buy goods to sell. However, Nanak spent all of the money on feeding 20 poor holy men. Nanak’s father was angry, but Nanak explained he had helped 20 starving people, what could be better work than that? As an adult, Nanak disappeared while bathing at the river. His family feared he had drowned. After 3 days he returned and said he had been with God who had told him there is no Hindu and no Muslim and that he was now a Guru. After his religious experience, Guru Nanak left his family and travelled around teaching people for 20 years. Guru Nanak died in 1539.

• • • The 10 Human Gurus: The formation of the Khalsa: Guru Nanak (1469 -1539) Guru Angad (1539 -1552) Guru Amar Das (1552 -1574) Guru Ram Das (1574 -1581) Guru Arjan (1581 -1606) Guru Hargobind (1606 -1644) Guru Har Rai (1644 -1661 Guru Harkrishan (1656 -1664) Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621 -1675) Guru Gobind Singh (1666 -1708) Guru Gobind Singh was deeply moved by the martyrdom (sacrifice of life) of his father and two sons who died fighting for the faith. Guru Gobind Singh challenged the Sikh community by asking them who was willing to die for their faith and for their Guru. Five volunteers agreed to sacrifice their own life. Guru Gobind Singh was testing them. They did not die but were awarded with bravery. The reward was to be part of an elite community called the Khalsa. The Khalsa are a unique and pure community of Sikhs. To enter yourself into the Khalsa you must be baptised. Guru Granth Sahib (The Sikh Holy Book) The last of these men, who died in 1708, was Guru Gobind Singh. He decided that rather than appoint a human successor, he would leave the Sikh community to be guided by the writings and teachings of all the Gurus in written form. The book is now treated in exactly the same way as a human leader would be. How the Guru Granth Sahib is treated: Carried on the head of a person to symbolise that it is above everything else. Has its own bedroom that it stays in overnight Sleeps in a bed with silk throws covering it Fanned with something called a chauri when carried or read to keep it cool. Has its own car to transport it to someone's house if necessary Has its own platform or throne which it is read from during Sikh services. Men take the name Singh (lion) and women take up the name Kaur (princess) The 5 k’s: Guru Gobind Singh introduced them for several reasons: • Adopting these common symbols would identify members of the Khalsa • Because all members of the Khalsa wear the 5 Ks the members of the community are more strongly bound together • Each K has a particular significance The five Ks are: • Kesh (uncut hair) A gift from God symbolises adoption of a simple life • Kara (a steel bracelet) Belief in a never ending God, every time they look at it, it will remind them to avoid sin. • Kanga (a wooden comb) Keeps the tangles out of their hair, gives them hope that God will take the tangles out of their lives. • Kaccha - also spelt, Kachh, Kachera (cotton underwear) A symbol of chastity • Kirpan (steel sword) A reminder to protect the faith and the vulnerable. Vaisakhi, also spelled Baisakhi, is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar. It is the Sikh New Year festival and is celebrated on April 13 th or 14 th. Vaisakhi is a long established harvest festival in the Punjab. It also commemorates Guru Gobind Singh electing the first 5 members of the Khalsa.