Sikhism³ ‘The good, the bad and the ugly …’

Icebreaking activity Individual scribble exercise Brief history of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Group task, followed by group discussion ( Q & A’s) Overview of 5 Evils with quotes of Gurbani (some random videos) Team quiz Analysis of Mool Mantar

Beliefs

 Founder of the Sikh religion  Born 15 April 1649  From a very young age was absorbed in religion  27 years of travelling Guru Nanak Dev Ji

‘There is no Hindu, There is no Muslim’

 No need for rituals, superstitions and pilgrimages  Equality

One God

Naam Japna: Remembrance of God’s name at all times Kirat Karni: Earning an honest living Wand Kay Shako : sharing a portion of ones earning with the less fortunate 3 pillars of Sikhi

Naam Japna  Rememberence of God by repeating and focussing the mind on Naam  Naam Simran used to conquer ego, greed, attatchment, anger and lust (Five Evils) bringing peace to ones mind.  Meditation, vocal singing of Shabads, listening of sacred texts/words  very important activity in the day of a life of a Sikh

Naam Simran – quiet individual recitation of Naam in ones own mind Naam Jaap – loud and communal recitation of Naam Naam Japo – meditation, vocal singing of Shabads from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or the chanting of the word of Waheguru – Wonderful Lord. Kirtan – singing of hymns with musical accompaniment

‘With my feet, I walk on the Path of my Lord and Master. ((1)) It is a good time, when I remember Him in meditation. Meditating on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, I cross over the terrifying world-ocean.’ ((1)(SGGS,189)

Kirat karna  To earn an honest living  Carrying out good deeds  by exercising our God given Skills, abilities, talents and hard labour for the benefit and improvement of our family, community and society  WITHOUT personal gain becoming your motivation

‘ One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has - O Nanak, he knows the Path.’ (SGGS, 1245) ‘Those who have meditated on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, and departed after having worked by the sweat of their brows - O Nanak, their faces are radiant in the Court of the Lord, and many are saved along with them!’ ||1|| (SGGS, 8)

Wand Kay Shako  sharing ones own wealth with others in the community, to give to charity, to distribute in langar and help others in the community who need help.  Without any discrimination based on religion, colour or creed  Dasvandh- contribute at least 10% wealth/income to a worthy cause/those in need  Everything we have or posses is provided to us- Whaeguru is the real provider

‘The twelfth day of the lunar cycle: Dedicate yourself to giving charity, chanting the Naam and purification. Worship the Lord with devotion, and get rid of your pride. Drink in the Ambrosial Nectar of the Lord's Name, in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy.’ (SGGS, 718)

Bhai Lalo Earned his living by honest work ‘This meal tastes like nectar. What has been put in it ?’ asked Bhai Mardana. Guru Nanak Dev Ji replied ‘that was the taste of truthfulness and honesty that you tasted. This taste is above the taste of worldly delicacies’

Guru Ji took Bhai Lalo’s dry chapati in his right hand and Malik Bhago’s fried sweet pancake in his left hand. When squeezed from the right hand people saw drops of milk dripping from it From the left hand blood trickled down

“Look Malik Bhago, wealth gathered by cruelty and corruption towards the poor is like sucking their blood which you have done. You had invited me to partake of blood, leaving food pure as milk. How could I accept it?”  Bhai Lalo is a symbol of honesty, hard work and humility  Humble to earn little money with honesty then to gain wealth by devious and crooked means.

In your groups discuss and note down: How can we as Sikhs put these principles into practise in our everyday lives (or how do we already put these into practise) that is both inside and outside of the Gudwara ?

Kaam Lust/deep desire Sexual pleasure – outside of marriage or against the will of the partner Destructive evil making us weak- willed Impulse that needs to be kept under check ‘ O Kam, thou landest people in hell and makest them wander through many births, enticest all minds, swayest all the three worlds and undoest one's meditation, austerities and restraint. The pleasure is ephemeral and thou afflictest high and low alike (SGGS, 1358).

2 ways to channel and control 1.married life is the ideal 2. spiritual discipline- love of God absorption in His Name

Krodh wrath/rage Emotion arising from our impulses, desires and striving Several forms of expression from silence to hysterical tantrums and violence Kam krodh "Do not go near those who are possessed by wrath uncontrollable" (SGGS, 40). Krodh is to be vanquished and eradicated. This is done through humility and firm faith in the Divine.

Lobh greed Desire to gain wealth and possesions especially when there is no need Desire to own material items that belong to others Selfish and self-centered No longer focused on God and moving further from Mukti With greed within them, their minds are filthy, and they spread filth around. They do filthy deeds, and suffer in pain. ( SGGS, 1062)

Moh attachment to worldly possessions and relationships Stops the soul searching for its ultimate goal Related to Kam (desire and love) and lobh (possessiveness and being greedy) also to ahankar (sense of I, my and mine) Non-attachment Lotus flower

Ahankar ego, excessive pride Due to individuals possessions, material wealth, intelligence, power status One feels superior to others and therefore they are at a lower level than him/her Jealousy, agitation, hate Worst of the five evils People forget that God is responsible for their success, qualities, wealth and talents, leads them away from reunion Unequal and bad treatment leading to injustice

Ahankar ego, excessive pride In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, redeem your mind, and adore the Lord, twenty-four hours a day. Sexual desire, anger and egotism will be dispelled, and all troubles shall end (SGGS, 501) Sewa Serves society and community with Nirmrata (humility) Pride leads to Haumai leading to self- centeredness