COMPONENT 3 A Study of a World Faith

Option 6: Sikhism

1 hour exam

25%

Reference to relevant sources of wisdom and authority are expected, including scripture and/or sacred texts.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of beliefs, teachings and practices within a world faith.

Areas of Study • Ceremonies • Festivals • The Sangat • Amritsar

Area of Study: God

Areas of Study • The Nature of God • God as Creator • God’s relationship with human

life

Area of Study: Central Concepts

Area of Study: Sikh Lifestyle

Area of Study: Central Practices

Areas of Study • The Oneness of Humanity • Gurmukh • The Afterlife • Sewa • The Sangat

Areas of Study • The Gurdwara • Worship

Describe the key features of a Gurdwara.

Explain how Sikhs show respect inside a Gurdwara

Gurdwaras in Wolverhampton

Sedgley Street

Upper

Villiers

Street

In Britain you can recognise a Gurdwara by the Nishan Sahib – the Sikh flag which always flies outside.

Kirpan

The Khanda represents

Justice

Chakkar Shows that God is one

This shows that Sikhs must be prepared to

fight for truth and defend

what is right.

Khanda

Fateh, used in the Sikh Greeting "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh", referring to victory.

What is a Gurdwara? Literally Guru's portal/ abode / House or Door

The word “Gurdwara” means

“Door to the Guru” or “House of

the Guru”.

The Guru in this case refers both

to God (referred to variously as

Satnam - “True Name”, Satguru –

“True Guru”, Waheguru –

“Wonderful Guru”),

and the Guru Granth Sahib, the

Sikh holy book.

Every Gurdwara will have at least

one copy of the Guru Granth

Sahib, in fact it cannot call itself a

Gurdwara if it does not.

GURDWARA

Stick this picture into your book.

Stick this picture into your book.

You are now going to find out about the Gurdwara.

After each slide you will need to write a sentence in

your book explaining what is happening.

When entering a Gurdwara, everyone must remove their

shoes and put them in the shoe rack.

I cover my head as a mark of respect

Men and women must also cover

their heads

Why do men and women cover their heads?

Who might they do this for?

Sikhs will bow

down infront of

the Guru Granth

Sahib and give

money. Why?

In a , everyone sits on the floor with men on one side and women on the other.

Sikhs sit in front of their holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib.

Why do you think this is?

Why do men and women sit separately inside a Gurdwara?

Why will they sit lower than the Guru Granth Sahib?

A Gurdwara is not just a place of

worship. It has study rooms,

sleeping areas and a kitchen called a

Langar The Langar provides

free food for everyone. It doesn’t matter what religion you are – everyone is

welcome!!

This food is offered free of charge

Why do you think this is?

What happens inside the Langar?

Why do you think the food is FREE?

In the main prayer hall there is a large carpeted area. There are no seats or chairs as the sangat (congregation) sit on the floor. Feet must not be pointed towards the Guru Granth Sahib. Men and women sit on different sides

Why do you think this is?

What significance does Sangat have

in Sikhi?

Sangat comes from 2 words

Sang = Gathering of people

Sangat = Is a gathering of Sikhs to attain

liberation – to become one with Waheguru (God)

Gat or Gati = Liberation (become One with God)

Why is the sangat important?

I was overflowing with the filthy sins of

countless past lives. But joining the

Sangat, God made me pure again. p1178

Liberation is attained in the Saadh Sangat,

the Company of the Holy, and the

darkness of ignorance is dispelled. p675

So vibrate continually in the Saadh Sangat,

the Company of the Holy, O Nanak, and

the sins you committed shall be erased.

p461

Why is the sangat important?

Physical: Tan Mental: Man Material: Dhan

Vand Chhakna (sharing)

Sewa (selfless service)

= Helping others

Guru Amar Das (3rd GURU)

taught the idea of daswandh.

This is giving a tenth of

surplus money to the

community. This money may

be used for building schools

or hospitals or to help those

who are poor or suffering.

What are the positive effects of the Sangat?

Motivates and inspires

us to be better people

Te

ac

he

s u

s

Helps you get closer to Waheguru

Positive

effects of the

sangat

De

fen

d th

e w

ea

k

& p

erfo

rm s

ew

a

Vichar

(gain

wisdom)

The Ragis or musicians also sit

on a platform. They perform

verses (Shabads) from the Guru Granth Sahib. This is called KIRTAN.

https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/holy-cribs-gurdwara

Watch this video … this will show you some of the

things that we have learnt about.

I can describe and explain the social and religious roles of the Gurdwara.

The Gurdwara is more than a building

In small groups try and write down as many religious / social

functions that take place in a Gurdwara. (use the code R =

Religious and S= Social)

This Gurdwara is definitely a hub for Sikhi. It caters for all Sikhi needs and interests. The management committee deserves thanks for offering all these programmes and fulfilling its duties and obligations to the Panth and Sangat.

The Gurdwara is more than a building

In small groups try and write down as many religious / social

functions that take place in a Gurdwara. (use the code R =

Religious and S= Social)

RELIGIOUS:

Read the GGS Ji ~ encourages Sikh beliefs and values /

moral behaviour.

Listen to Kirtan and Katha ~ hymns and sermons written

by the Gurus about God.

Religious ceremonies~ naming ceremonies, Amrit

sanskar, Marriages Anand Karaj.

Punjabi school ~ teaching the Sikh faith, ethics, customs,

stories.

Gatka ~ ancient marshal art. Saint / soldier.

Performing Sewa ~ selfless service.

The Gurdwara is more than a building

In small groups try and write down as many religious / social

functions that take place in a Gurdwara. (use the code R =

Religious and S= Social)

SOCIAL:

Celebrate festivals ~ Diwali, Baisakhi, Gurpurbs (celebrations of

Guru’s birth / death)

Community centre / day centre for elderly offering

companionship.

Refuge ~ offers shelter / accommodation for travellers.

Offers food in the Langar.

Social side of Gurdwara important OUTSIDE the PUNJAB in the

DIASPORA community ~ 2nd and 3rd generation Sikhs. To help

maintain their cultural identity ~ language, clothes, food, music,

festivals.

The Gurdwara is more than a building

These are the 5 things that constitute a

Gurdwara according to Bhai Kahn Singh

Nabha in the Mahan Kosh:

1) Spiritual Hub - Religious & Spiritual Training

2) Free Kitchen - for poor

3) Rest house - for pilgrims/homeless without any demand or expectation

4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible for Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his son Shah Jahan was given medicine for his son (Dara Sikhon) by Guru Harrai Sahib Jee from the Gurdwara Hospital/ Dispensary

5) Fort - protection of Gurbani, values & beliefs - physical training is provided eg Guru Angad Dev Jee started Wrestling Akharae

These are the 5 things that constitute a Gurdwara according to Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha in the Mahan Kosh:

1) Spiritual Hub - Religious & Spiritual Training

2) Free Kitchen - for poor

3) Rest house - for pilgrims/homeless without any demand or expectation

4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible for Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his son Shah Jahan was given medicine for his son (Dara Sikhon) by Guru Harrai Sahib Jee from the Gurdwara Hospital/ Dispensary

5) Fort - protection of Gurbani, values & beliefs - physical training is provided eg Guru Angad Dev Jee started Wrestling Akharae

What is a Bhatra and Ramgarhia Gurdwara? What is their importance and role?

The 10 Sikh Gurus rejected the doctrine of caste

segregation yet many Sikhs continue to practise the caste

system. An example of this is arranged marriages, Jat

Sikhs marrying Jat Sikhs and Ramgarhia Sikhs marrying

Ramgarhia Sikhs.

In Wolverhampton we have caste Gurdwaras i.e.

Ramgarhia Sikh Gurdwara, Bhatra Sikh Sangat Gurdwara

and Ravidas Bhawan/Gurdwara.

The founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699

rejects the notion of caste while promoting the concept of

a casteless Sikh brotherhood.

So why do caste Gurdwaras exist? The real answer lies in

the fact that when Sikhs came to this country they found it

easier to mix and worship with similar people. Many Sikhs

still look to their Punjabi roots … were my family Jats?

Were my family Ramgarhia?

Does this mean that only Ramgarhia Sikhs can worship in a

Ramgarhia Gurdwara? No! The key difference is that the

Gurdwara committee can only be made up of Ramgarhia

Sikhs.

This shows that the decision-making mechanism of caste-

based Gurdwaras is totally under the control of respective

caste groups and participation in the caste-based

Gurdwaras naturally promotes caste loyalty and the caste

consciousness which apparently contradicts the teachings

of the Gurus!