Sikhism

Hannah, Miranda, Amy & Shannon.

Sikhism a short clip.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-beginnings-of-sikhism/4822.html

• Founded by Guru Nanak in the 16th century in the Punjab district of India.

• Sikh in Punjabi means ‘disciple’ or ‘learner’.• 20 million Sikhs in the world.• 5th largest religion in the world.• In 2001, recorded 336,000 Sikhs in the UK.

Origins of Sikhism

• Born: 1469 in India.

• Nanak came from a Hindu family.

• Conflicts between Muslims and Hindus at the time.

• ‘’There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim, so whose path should I follow? I shall follow the path of God.’’ G.Nanak.

Guru Nanak

• The Gurdwara is the Sikh place of worship.• It is known as the ‘Gateway to the Guru’ or ‘Residence of the Guru’.• It's a place to learn spiritual wisdom, for religious ceremonies, where children learn the Sikh faith, ethics, customs,

traditions and texts and it is also a community shelter offering food, shelter and companionship for those in need.• There are no idols, statues, religious pictures, bells, candles or other ritualistic devices in the Gurdwara, only the Guru

Granth Sahib, which is kept in a room on its own in the night, and is kept under a canopy on a raised platform in the day.• Everyone sits on the floor in the Gurdwara, without pillows or cushions, this it gives everyone a place of equal status to

sit.• Before entering the Gurdwara, shoes are taken off and Sikhs will cover their head. They then bow to the Guru Granth

Sahib, thouching their forehead to the floor.

The Gurdwara

• The holy book is kept on a raised platform under a canopy in the place of worship and is called the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’.

• Sikhs take off their shoes in the presence of holy scripture and never turns their back to them as they consider the book a living Guru itself.

• Guru Nanak spent his time travelling the world telling as many people he could about what he had learnt about God. When he got old he picked another Guru to carry on spreading God’s message. This passed down through 9 other Gurus after Guru Nanak. The tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, declared that there would be no other living Gurus but instead Sikhs could look to their holy scriptures for guidance, so the Guru Granth Sahib was created.

The Guru Granth Sahib

• Sikhism stresses the importance of the internal religious state of the individual.

• Carrying out good deals rather than rituals• Devotion, remembrance of god at all times,

truthful living and equality of mankind.• Don’t believe: lust, anger, greed, worldly

attachment, pride, fasting, superstitions and worshipping the dead.

Sikh Beliefs

THE 5 K’SThe Guru introduced these to identify members of the Khalsa and to show

that all members are strongly linked together.

• uncut hair = symbol of holiness and strength

KESH

• steel bracelet = symbol of god having no beginning or end.

KARA

• wooden comb = symbol of a clean mind and body.

KANGA

• special underwear = symbol of chastity

KACHHA

• ceremonial sword = symbolises spirituality, the struggle against injustice, defence of good and defence of the weak.

KIRPAN

• Vaisakhi day –14th April celebrates the founding of the sikh community

• Guru Nanak’s Birthday – 15th April• Guru Gobhind Singh’s Birthday – December

22nd

Sikh days of the year.