Sikhism Terms

Question 1

Sikh

Answer 1

Student

Question 2

Guru Nanak

Answer 2

1st guru and founder of Sikhism. He was Hindu and lived in Punjab. When he was 30 he left his family to live in a river for 3 days and learnt about the truth of the universe from God himself.

Question 3

Waheguru

Answer 3

There is only one God and he is without hate and beyond the cycle of life

Question 4

Udasis

Answer 4

Guru Nanak went on journey across India, Afghanistan, and Persia to spread the word of God

Question 5

Manjis

Answer 5

Small groups of Sikhs in the regions Guru Nanak ventured to in his travels.

Question 6

2nd Guru

Answer 6

Guru Lehna was a former Hindu who converted to Sikhism after meeting Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak instructed him to eat what looked like a cloth-covered corpse. Trusting his mentor, he agreed but when Nanak removed the cloth it was just some food proving his compassion and faith

Question 7

5th Guru

Answer 7

Guru Arjan wrote the Adi Granth and finished an important holy site called “The Golden Temple”. During his time, India was predominantly Muslim so they forced him to renounce his faith. He refused so they tortured and murdered him

Question 8

Adi Granth

Answer 8

Compiled teachings of previous 5 Gurus into the Sikh holy book

Question 9

6th Guru

Answer 9

Guru Hargabind was the son of Guru Arjan and saw his father die at just 11 years old. Seeing how his father was persecuted for his faith, he believed that Sikhs needed to protect themselves and any other oppressed group from persecution by training armies.

Question 10

9th Guru

Answer 10

Guru Bahadur was asked by Hindu leaders to intervene with the forceful conversion to Islam by the Mughal Empire. The Mughal Empire tried to convert him but he refused, martyring for freedom for all religions.

Question 11

10th Guru

Answer 11

Guru Gobind Singh was the son of Guru Bahadur and was inspired by his father’s death to ensure Sikhs could be easily identified so people know who to go when in need and thus create the Khalsa. Guru Singh was sick of Gurus getting killed so he declared himself to be the last human Guru.

Question 12

Guru Granth Sahib

Answer 12

The eternal Guru, an updated version of the Adi Granth into a new collection of the past 10 Gurus’ wisdom, songs, and poems

Question 13

Miri

Answer 13

Miri: World, political power
Piri: Spiritual power
Represented by the Sikh Symbol called Khanda.

Question 14

Khalsa

Answer 14

Community of initiated Sikhs who must take up a shared last name (Singh for men and Kaur for Women) to become one family under God. They cannot indulge in tobacco, alcohol, and adultery and must carry out the 5Ks.

Question 15

Kesh

Answer 15

Uncut hair which symbolizes connection to God for Khalsa members

Question 16

Kara:

Answer 16

Bracelet which is a reminder of God for Khalsa members

Question 17

Kachera

Answer 17

Baggy Underwear to keep sexual restraint for Khalsa members

Question 18

Kanga

Answer 18

Keeps the long hair (kesh) clean

Question 19

Martyr

Answer 19

Someone who refuses to give up what they consider to be sacred

Question 20

Ik Onkar

Answer 20

The caste system horrified Sikhs so they declared all people to be equal under one God

Question 21

5 thieves

Answer 21

(1)Ego(2)Anger(3)Greed(4)Attachment(5)Lust

Question 22

How Do Sikhs escape Samsara

Answer 22

They believe that the grace of God is the ultimate form of salvation by avoiding the 5 thieves, doing service, building a strong community, and being a devote Sikh

Question 23

How to be a devout Sikh according to Guru Nanak

Answer 23

1) Focus and meditate on God every day
2)Earn an honest living through hard work
3)Shar and selflessly serve others

Question 24

Gutka

Answer 24

A household Sikh prayer book

Question 25

Nitnem

Answer 25

3 prayers in the morning

Question 26

Seva

Answer 26

"Labor of love" that should be performed without expectation of anything in return.

Question 27

Gurudwara

Answer 27

Sikh place of worship. Typically visited on Sundays. The Guru Granth Sahib is kept in the Gurudwara and read during worship but before approaching one must remove shoes, wash hands, and cover hair.

Question 28

Langar

Answer 28

After worship, Sikhs are invited to attend a vegetarian feast to unite the community. It is vegetarian so that anyone can eat it though Sikhs aren't forced to be vegetarian.

Question 29

Four Sanskars

Answer 29

Ceremonies of Life

Question 30

Naam Karan

Answer 30

Naming of a child in a Gurudwara when both the child and mother are safe. Name is given by opening a random page in the Guru Granth Sahib and picking the first letter of the first word. baby is given amrit and offering and prayers are made to Guru Granth Sahib

Question 31

Amrit Sanskar

Answer 31

Khalsa initiation ritual often in the teen years. Six already initiated Sikhs must be present with one to read the scripture and 5 to represent the pyare. Ends by drinking amrit

Question 32

Pyare

Answer 32

The first 5 initiated members of the Khalsa

Question 33

Anand Karaj

Answer 33

Wedding ceremony that forges a lifetime bond between two Sikhs and their families.

Question 34

4 rounds

Answer 34

During the Sikh wedding ceremony, the couple circles the guru Granth Sahib to remind themselves that God is at the centre of their lives

Question 35

Antam Sanskar

Answer 35

Funeral ceremony. Death is considered a natural part of Samsara. The Psalm of Peace is read at the death bed and Waheguru is said 3 times at death. To prepare for funeral the body is washed in yogurt and water and dressed in nice clothes. People sing their final speeches, prayers and hymns.

Question 36

Sikh Cremation

Answer 36

Close relatives (usually eldest son) light the fire and ashes are spread in a river. Mourning process is 10 days