1. Sikhism

2. The Origins of Sikhism: Intro
Where did Sikhism start?
Who was Guru Nanak?

3. Key Figures
Sikh tradition tells us that in Sikhism Gurus are not to be worshipped as they are not God but are teachers who show the way to God.
All together there are 11 gurus in Sikhism. Guru Nanak being the first guru and the Last being Guru Granth Sahib!

4. The Guru Granth Sahib
The last ten gurus were humans. This Guru is a sacred collection of texts. It is a preservation of the teachings of the ten previous Gurus.
The Guru Granth sahib is the holy scripture in Sikhism
Sikhs look to this book for guidance in their lives.
Sikhs believe it is a Divine Revelation

5. Treatment of the Sacred Text
The holy text is put to bed in it’s own room every night.
At the beginning of the day the Granthi (reader), and any other Sikhs present, form a procession to carry the Guru Granth Sahib to its position on the Manji in the Diwan hall (place of worship) of the Gurdwara.
It is never placed on the ground and Sikhs never turn their back on it.
Manji (cushions) – Where the text is placed.
Rumara – Cloths to cover.
Chauri (fan) – waved over the pages as they are read by the appointed scripture reader.
The Guru Granth Sahib is given the same respect that was shown to the human Gurus during their lifetimes.

6. Amrit Ceremony
Sikhs who have been through this ceremony become baptised, take new names and wear the 5 K’s.
The ceremony is the initiation rite introduced by Guru Gobind Singh when founding the Khalsa.
In the Gurdwara before the Granth Sahib and in presence of 5 initiated Sikhs, they represent the Panj Piyaras, first 5 initiated Sikhs
Hyms are recited from the scripture, prayers said and principles affirmed
Amrit is prepared, a mixture of sugar and water, with a double-edge sword
Initiation candidates drink the Amrit from the same bowl, it is then sprinkled on their eyes and hair
They each recite the Mool Mantra (Fundamentals of Sikhism) readings from the sacred text, explanation of rules in Sikhism
Finished with the eating of Karah Parshad, sweet tasting food, been blessed
The initiation can occur as soon as Sikhs are old enough to understand the full commitment they are making.

7. The Five K’s
Dated from the creation of Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh, 1699
They were introduced for a number of reasons …
The symbols help identify members of the Khalsa
Aiding strength as a community
Each K has a particular meaning and represents a particular symbol
Instruction from the Guru is enough of a reason for many Sikh’s to wear the 5 K’s
The symbols have been seen to increase in power throughout Sikh history
In adoption of the 5 K’s ritual Sikh’s are believed to remember that every warrior,
saint or martyr since 1699 and every member or Khalsa are united
0.20 – 2.10 …

8. Kesh – Uncut Hair
There are a number of reasons for Sikh’s keeping hair uncut …
Hair is considered a symbol of holiness and strength and has been throughout history
Part of God’s creation, a symbol of accepting God’s gift as he intended it
Adoption of a simple life, denial of pride in appearance
Moving beyond concerns of the body and attain maturity in Spirit
A Sikh is to bow his head to no other than the Guru including the barber
Also a visible symbol of membership to the community
Sikh women are also forbidden to cut hair and trim eyebrows
Sikh men are forbidden to trim their beards.

9. Kara – Steel Bracelet Symbolising that a Sikh is linked to the Guru
A reminder not to do anything the Guru wouldn’t approve
God has no beginning or end
Permanent bond to the community, a link in the chain of Khalsa Sikhs
Made of steel, not gold or silver, it’s not an ornament

10. Kanga – Wooden Comb
Representing a clean mind and body, keeping the hair neat
Symbolises the importance of caring for the body, something God has created.
Does not conflict with their aim to move beyond bodily concerns,
the body should be cared for appropriately.

11. Kacha – Special Underwear
These must not come below the knee
Thought to be a useful garment for Sikh warriors of 18th & 19th centuries
especially for warfare on horses
Also a symbol of chastity

12. Kirpan – Ceremonial Sword
This can be anything from 3 inches to 5 foot long, kept in a sheath
Can be worn over and under clothing
It is considered to symbolise …
Defence of good
Defence of the weak
Struggles against injustice
Spirituality
Soldier saints
Metaphor for God

13. Worship Sikhs believe in one God so only worship one God
To many Sikhs God is abstract
Cant be physically described
Self exists in everyone’s souls
Is only ‘seen’ by those God has blessed
This abstraction means most Sikhs worship God without the use of images or statues
Instead Sikhs look upon their holy text, the Guru Granth Sahib for guidance.
The Guru Granth Sahib is highly respected.
When not in use it is covered by a piece of silk called a Romalla.
Sikh worship can be public or private:
Private worship can be at any day, any time, anywhere
Sikhs aim to pray at least 3 times a day, morning, evening and before going to sleep
It is important to allow no distractions so that prayer is effective
Prayer is spending time with God who, although abstract, is seen as a caring friend
Public congregational worship is special to Sikhs
Public worship takes place in a Gurdwara and can be led by any Sikh, male or female

14. The Three Duties
Most Sikh’s believe that these must be carried out in a lifetime, essentially, Pray, Work and Give.
Nam japna –
Always keeping God in the mind
Kirt Karna –
An honest living and seeking to live honestly, not just to avoid crime as all should vow to do but avoid temptation to gamble, beg or work in the alcohol or tobacco industries.
Vand Chhakna –
Sharing one’s earnings with others, including giving to charity and also through care and affection for those around you.

15. To overcome the vices aids the road to liberation
The Five Vices
Where possible, these are avoided by the five vices that are believed to make people self-centred, building barriers against God in their lives.
Lust
Greed
Attachment to things of this world
Anger
Pride
To overcome the vices aids the road to liberation

16. The Gurdwara The Gurdwara means- the Gateway to the Guru A flag called the Nishan Sahib is flown at every Gurdwara Any place where the Guru Grant Sahib (holy book) is, is a Sikh place of worship. Sikhs take their shoes off when entering and bow to the Guru GrantH Sahib when worshipping Services are generally held on Sundays and are based on the verses from this holy text During worship Sikhs believe it is respectful for someone to sit behind the Guru Granth Sahib holding a chauri Sikhs chant and pray together which is known as Keertan Every service ends with a shared meal which is known as Langa

17. Vaisakhi
Vaisakhi is the Sikh new year, where Sikhs celebrate the founding of the Sikh community in 1699 = this is called Khalsa
It is usually on the 13th or 14th of April
This is the most important festival in Sikhism
It was originally the harvest festival in Punjab
The story behind Vaisakhi:
In 1699 Guru Gobind Singh came out of a tent carrying a sword requesting for anyone who is prepared to give their life for their religion
A young Sikh volunteered & went into the tent, the Guru then came out with blood on the sword
He asked for another volunteer and then this was repeated another 4times until a total of 5 Sikhs went in to the tent
The 5 Sikhs then appeared alive out of the tent with turbans on
These 5 were known as the Panj Piare ‘beloved five’
They became the first 5 members of the Khalsa (Sikh community)

18. Sikh baby Rites
In all ceremonies Sikhs follow instruction as set out in the Sikh Rahit Maryada, the code of conduct
When a Sikh woman discovers their pregnancy their first action is to pray
On the birth of the baby, the words of the Mool Mantar are whispered into the ears of the new born and honey is placed inside the mouth
As soon as it is possible, it’s customary to visit the temple, usually expected within 40 days of the birth
A passage is read aloud on this day, the family then choose a name using the first letter of the hymn on which the page was opened.
The baby’s name is announced to comgregation, the Granthi would usually add Singh (lion) as a surname if the baby is a boy, and Kaur (princess) if it’s a girl
In celebration at this ceremony Karah Parshad is distributed.