Learning objectives To be able to understand the basic history of Sikhism To know what the five Ks are at the end of the lesson To understand what a Gurdwara is To understand the main Rites of passenger of Sikhs

Around 1500 CE Punjab area of South Asia (Now parts of India and Pakistan) Guru Nanak started teaching Sikhism At the time the area was distinctly Hindu and Islamic How did Sikhism begin?

There have been 10 human Gurus The Guru is seen as an enlightened teacher, not a God Each Guru would appoint his successor The last human Guru (Guru Gobind Singh) appointed the Sikh sacred texts as the final and enduring Guru (Referred to as Sri Guru Granth Sahib) What are the Gurus?

What are the 5 Ks? What do they Represent? This is called the Khanda. This Symbol represents some of the concepts of Sikhism. The Khanda is made up by some of the 5 Ks. So what are the 5 Ks?

What are the 5 Ks? The 5 Ks are objects that most Sikhs carry to represent different aspects of their religion. The reason they are called the 5 Ks is because the name of all 5 objects begin with a K. Sikhs who carry these 5 Ks are called Khalsa. Khalsa meaning pure. Both men and women can carry the 5 Ks. Each one of the 5 Ks has a different significance, but they all just as important as each other. The 5 Ks are………

Kesh Kesh means uncut hair. Uncut hair symbolizes holiness and strength. Hair is part of Gods creation, by having uncut hair it shows the acceptance of Gods gift. This applies for all body hair, women and men.

Kara The Kara is a steel bracelet. The Kara symbolizes eternity, showing God has no beginning or end. The Kara also represents restrained and not doing anything against the Gurus wishes. The Kara is worn on the right wrist.

Kachehra/Kaccha The Kachehra is a pair of underwear. The Kachehra symbolizes chastity. The Kachehra should not go below the knees. The Kachehra helps to stop one from making the wrong moves, and remind them of their duty.

Kanga The Kanga is a wooden comb. The Kanga symbolizes a clean body and a clean mind. The Kanga is used to brush the uncut hair, keeping it neat and tidy. It is important to look after Gods creation (our body).

Kirpan The Kirpan is a sword. The Kirpan represents courage and defence. The Kirpan symbolizes self- defense, defense of God and defense of the weak. The rule is never do injustice and never let anyone else do injustice

What is the place of worship? The Gurdwara is the Sikh place of worship. Gurdwara means gateway to the guru.

Services Services are based on the writings in the Guru Granth Sahib. A scripture of a collection of teachings. Together with chants and prayers from the gurus known as keertan.

Services The service ends with a shared meal known as langar. Langar is served to everyone who attends the Gurdwara. The food is shared out by the Granthi, which is the person who looks after the Gurdwara.

When both the mother and child are ready to move about, they are taken to the Gurdwara along with the rest of the family. They recite hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. Karah Prashad and Amrit are prepared. The new-born's name is chosen from the Hukam. The Granthi randomly opens a page from the Guru Granth and recites the hymn on that page. The name is chosen by the first letter of the first word on that hymn. What is a Nam Karan?

A Sikh marriage is called Anand Karaj. The Guru Granth Sahib is present during the wedding ceremony. While reciting the Lavan the couple must walk around the Guru Granth Sahib four times. Wedding ceremonies can be performed by any Sikhs who has gone through the Armit initiation. Sikhs believe in monogamy. Widows and widowers may remarry. Child marriage is forbidden. What is an Anand Karaj?

Death is considered a natural process. Public displays of grief at a funeral is discouraged and so is worshipping the dead with gravestones. Cremation is what Sikhs prefers. Before cremation the body is cleaned and clothed by a family member. Hymns are recited, while being cremated they recite a night time prayer and Ardas is performed. Non continuos reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib takes place and concludes on the 10 th day. Funeral Rites

How many human Gurus were there?

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What does Khalsa mean?

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What is a Gurdwara?

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What is Armit?

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