Transcript Beliefs

Sikhs call their pilgrimages to religious places
Yatra.
THE GOLDEN TEMPLE IN
AMRITSAR, INDIA
WHY DO SIKH
PILGRIMAGE TO THE
GOLDEN TEMPLE?
THE GOLDEN TEMPLE
IS ALSO KNOWN AS
HARMANDIR SAHIB
(GOD’S TEMPLE) WAS
COMPLETED IN 1604.
IT IS THE MOST
FAMOUS SIKH
TEMPLE IN THE
WORLD. THE TEMPLE
WAS FOUNDED BY
GURU RAMDAS, THE
FOURTH GURU OF
THE SIKH FAITH.
Sikhs visit the
temple to show their
respect and worship
for the Guru Granth
Sahib (Holy Book).
The water surrounding
the Golden Temple is
called the Amrit Saras
Kund (pool of
immortality) and is
believe to have
miraculous healing
powers.
On pilgrimage Sikhs
bathe in the water as
they believe they will
be healed.
When entering
the temple Sikhs
remove their
shoes and cover
their heads as a
mark of respect
to God.
EVERYONE SITS ON THE FLOOR TO SHOW THAT
WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN THE EYES OF GOD.
There are no religious pictures, statues or
candles. People imagine God. Any Sikh can hold a
service. There are no priests.
IT OFFERS FOOD AND SHELTER. IT HAS
A STRONG COMMUNITY SPIRIT.
THE LANGAR (A
MEAL) IS
AVAILABLE
INSIDE.
SWEETS
(PARSHAD) ARE
OFFERED AFTER
PRAYER.
The canopy is the focus of the temple and the Guru Granth
Sahib (holy book) is placed below it.
YATRA – THIS IS THE NAME GIVEN TO SIKH
PILGRIMAGE
SIKH – A SIKH IS SOMEONE WHO WORSHIPS
THE RELIGION SIKHISM
GURU GRANTH SAHIB – THE HOLY BOOK
LANGAR – MEAL OFFERED INSIDE THE TEMPLE
PARSHAD – SWEETS OFFERED AFTER PRAYER
HARMANDIR SAHIB – GOLDEN TEMPLE
AMRIT SARAS KUND - POOL OF IMMORTALITY
IMMORTALITY – THIS MEANS YOU WILL NEVER
DIE
MIRACULOUS – THIS MEANS AN EVENT HAPPENS
THAT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE POSSIBLE
GURU RAMDAS - THE FOURTH GURU OF THE SIKH
FAITH.
Word
Gurdwara
Langar
Pangat
Meaning
A Sikh temple
The Sikh free kitchen
Sitting in rows or lines in the
langar
Sewa
Selfless service
Sewadar
A voluntary helper in a
IMPORTANT VOCABULARY
Gurdwara
Vand Chakna
Sharing
Daan
Charity

What is essential to a holy building?

Signs and symbols

Images of God, gods, goddesses, saints

Holy book

Space for followers to pray

All Gurdwaras must have a kitchen or Langar. No
other religious building has to have a kitchen.
WHY DOES A GURDWARA NEED
A KITCHEN?
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE LANGAR?
Anyone can eat for free in the
langar
The langar must be:
1.
Simple vegetarian meals
2.
Prepared by devotees who recite Gurbani
while preparing the langar
3.
Served after performing Ardas (prayers)
4.
Food distributed in pangat
5.
All food must be fresh, clean and hygienically
prepared
RULES OF THE TRADITION OF
LANGAR
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/sikhbeliefs-and-worship/3777.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/sikhfood/490.html
WHAT VALUES DOES THE
LANGAR REPRESENT?
 The
langar or free kitchen was started by
Guru Nanak.
 It is designed to uphold the principle of
equality between all people of the world,
regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed,
age, gender or social status.
 The langar expresses the ethics of sharing,
community, inclusiveness and oneness of
all humankind.
“…the Light of God is in all hearts.”
Guru Granth Sahib 282
WHAT VALUES DOES THE
LANGAR REPRESENT?

Guru Nanak designed a way in which all people would sit on
the floor together, as equals, to eat the same simple food.
It
is here that all people, high or low, rich
or poor, male or female all sit in pangat
(row or line) to share and enjoy the food
together.
The
langar helps to ensure women and
children participate in service for
mankind. Women help to prepare the
food, and children serve the food to the
pangat.
WHAT VALUES DOES THE
LANGAR REPRESENT?

Everyone is welcome to the langar; no-one is turned away.
 The
food is usually served twice a day,
every day of the year.
 Each
week, a family or several families
volunteer to provide and prepare the
langar. This is very generous, as there may
be several hundred people to feed, and
caterers are not allowed. All the
preparation, cooking and washing-up is
done by volunteers or voluntary helpers
called Sewadars.
What advice would the Sikh faith give about the
sweets?
A Sikh lifestyle includes following Vand Chakna
which means sharing. Sikhs are asked to share their
wealth within the community and outside by
practising Daan (charity). Sikhism instructs followers
to “share and consume together.”
SIKH ADVICE
Sikh Beliefs
Who and What is
a Sikh?
The word ‘Sikh’ in the
Punjabi language
means ‘disciple’ Sikh’s
are the disciples of God
who follow the writings
and teachings of the Ten
Sikh Gurus. The wisdom
of these teachings in the
Sir Guru Granth Sahib
are practical and
universal in their appeal
to all mankind.
Sikhs – Sikhs are the followers of the religion of
Sikhism. The word “Sikh” comes from the
Punjabi language. It means “learner” or
“disciple”.
Gurus – Sikhs follow the teachings of the 10
leaders called “Gurus”. A guru is a special
religious teacher. God’s teachings were given
to human beings by these ten Gurus. The first
of the Guru’s was called Guru Nanak. The
Tenth Guru said there would be no more Gurus
to lead the people after him. Instead, their
teacher would be the book which contained
the teachings of the Gurus. The Sikh holy book
is called the Guru Granth Sahib.
“I observe neither Hindu fasting nor the ritual
of the Muslim Ramadan month; Him I serve
who at the last shall save. The Lord of
universe of Hindus, Gosain and Allah to me
are one; From Hindus and Muslims have I
broken free. I perform neither Kaaba
pilgrimage nor at bathing spots worship; One
sole Lord I serve, and on other. I perform
neither the Hindu worship nor the Muslim
prayer; To the Sole Formless Lord in my heart I
bow. We neither are Hindu not Muslims; Our
body and life belong to the One Supreme
Being who alone is both Ram and Allah for
us.” (Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Grath Sahib, Raga
Bhairon pf 1136)
“Any human being who faithfully believes in:
i) One Immortal Being
ii) Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to
Guru Gobind Singh
iii) The Guru Granth Sahib
iv) The utterances and teachings of the
ten Gurus and
v) The baptism bequeathed by the
tenth Guru, and who does not owe
allegiance to any other religion is a
Sikh.”
(Reht Maryada, Sikh Code of Conduct)
Sikh Philosophy and Beliefs
There is only One God. He is the same God for all
people of all religions.
The soul goes through cycles of birth and death
before it reaches the human form. The goal of out life
is to lead an exemplary existence for that one may
merge with God. Sikhs should remember God at all
times and practice living a virtuous and truthful life
while maintaining a balance between their spiritual
obligations and temporal obligations.
The true path to achieving salvation and, merging
with God does not require renunciation of the world.
Or celibacy, but living the life of a householder,
earning a honest living and avoiding worldly
temptations and sins.
What Sikhs Believe
Monotheistic – Sikhism attempts to reconcile
the differences between Hinduism and Islam.
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion. Sikhs believe
in one God who made the universe and
everything in it. They call God “Waheguru”,
which means “Wonderful Lord”. They believe
God is good and can forgive all sins.
Reincarnation – Sikhism teaches that the
ultimate purpose in life is to attain complete
union with God, and thus to escape the cycle
of death and rebirth called samsara. The
experiences of union with God is eternal bliss.
Sikhs say that the best way to worship God is by
living honestly and by caring about other
people as the Gurus did. The believe that one
cannot live God is one does not care about
others. Since God made and loves everyone,
everyone is treated equally.
When one member of the Khalsa meets
another, they are to use this greetings:
“Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa,
Waheguru Ji Ka Fateh”
Which means, “The Khalsa belongs to God;
victory belongs to God.”
Sikhism condemns blind rituals such as
fasting, visiting places of pilgrimage,
superstition, worship of the dead, idol
worship, etc.
Sikhism preaches that people of
different races, religions, or sex are all
equal in the eyes of God. It teaches
the full equality of men and women.
Women can participate in any religions
function or perform any Sikh ceremony
or lead the congregation in prayer.
Sikh Teachings
Sikhism strives to guide people in their daily lives. The
basic teachings of Sikhism is for humankind to exist
affably and one equal terms.
Some of the basic principles of Sikhism are:
1. One God who has no shape or forms – Sikhs believe
there is only one God, the Creator of this universal.
2. Equality for all humankind – Sikhs believe that
everyone is equal, regardless of their ethic, racial or
religious origins and beliefs.
3. Equality for Women – Sikhs believe that women and
men should have equal rights and privileges.
4. The three fundamental rules of Sikhism are:
Nam Japo – Meditation on God’s Name
Kirt Karo – Dignity through honest and hard work
Wand Chako – Sharing one’s earnings with the
needy
5. Acceptance of all religions – Sikhism is not opposed to
other faiths. The gurus never claimed Sikhism as the
only way to God and salvation
6. A strong Family Life – Sikhism asks its followers to lead
the life of a householder and a family person.
7. Sikhism prohibits smoking, alcohol, and the use of
intoxicating drugs, adultery, cutting of ones hair,
eating meat in the Gurdwaras, and superstitions and
ritual practices. There is no special injunction against
Life after death
God judges the soul
soul experiences pleasure or pain
God determines the next life form of the soul
Therefore, Sikhs are called to turn to God in two ways:
gurbani – listen to
hymns from Sikh
sacred scriptures
mukti – meditate
on the name of
God
Two swords =
kirpans
 Represents
service to God
by teaching
the truth and
fighting for
what is right.
Khanda
Doubleedged
sword
 A symbol
of the power
of God
Circle =
chakkar
 Stands for
God and the
unity of
people.
Why are turbans so important
to Sikhs?
Lesson Objectives:
By the end of the lesson you will:
• KNOW the history of Sikhs wearing the turban
• UNDERSTAND the different reasons why Sikhs wear
turban
• BE ABLE TO identify challenges a Sikh wearing a turban
might face and come up with possible solutions.
Make a mind map around the picture about the
following:
• Different reasons why a Sikh wears a turban?
• The different values or beliefs that a turban might
represent?
• How might a Sikh wearing a turban feel?
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