Sikhism Flashcards
(185 cards)
1
Q
Amrit Sanskar
A
Name given to the ceremony that initiates someone into the khalsa - the adult initiation or baptism where Sikhs promise to wear the five K’s and follow the Khalsa rules
2
Q
Gurdwara
A
Name given to the Sikh place of worship/temple - the ‘gateway to the ‘Guru’
3
Q
Gurpurbs
A
Celebration of the anniversaries of births/deaths of the Gurus - even the Guru Granth Sahib in 1604
4
Q
Mool Mantra
A
Basic teaching about the teachings about God. First statements in each section of the GGS
5
Q
Mukti
A
Spiritual liberation from the cycle of birth and death. ‘liberation’, ‘freedom’, ‘release’, and sometimes ‘salvation’. The final goal for Sikhs at which an individual soul rejoins God and becomes reunited with him
6
Q
Sangat
A
Holy congregation gathered in front of the GGS
7
Q
Sewa
A
Service to others - acts of kindness or charity
8
Q
Vaisakhi
A
Festival marking the day Guru Gobind Singh started the Khalsa in 1699
9
Q
Sikhs believe that God is beyond…
A
human description
10
Q
What do Sikhs believe about God’s gender?
A
God has no gender and so is not male or female
11
Q
What pronouns to Sikhs use when referring to god?
A
‘He’ and ‘him’, but only for convenience
12
Q
Sikhs believe what can describe the ‘greatness’ that is God?
A
No words
13
Q
How do Sikhs believe God can be experienced?
A
He reveals himself to individuals
14
Q
Give an example of a Sikh name for God
A
Satnam, Shabad, Guru and Waheguru
15
Q
Guru
A
One who teaches or enlightens
16
Q
What does Waheguru mean?
A
Wonderful Lord/Teacher
17
Q
What name for God is used in worship?
A
Waheguru
18
Q
Do Sikhs believe that God has limits?
A
No - they believe that God has no limits
19
Q
The GGS opens with the words of what?
A
The Mool Mantra
20
Q
What does the Mool Mantra mean?
A
‘main chant’
21
Q
The words of the Mooll Mantra was the first…
A
teaching of Guru Nanak after he became enlightened
22
Q
What is the most important part of the Guru Granth Sahib?
A
The Mool Mantra
23
Q
The Mool Mantra summarises the nature of who/what?
A
God
24
Q
Do Sikhs believe that God has always existed?
A
Yes, they believe God has always existed and is the creator of all things - the creator who sustains the universe
25
Do Sikhs worship an image of God?
No - they say the Mool Mantra daily in their prayers
26
What do Sikhs do instead of worshipping an image of God?
They say the Mool Mantra daily in their prayers
27
The Mool Mantra is recited in worship at the...
Gurdwara
28
When the Mool Mantra is written in Punjabi it is used as a symbol of...
the Sikh religion
29
True/False: Sikhs believe in the 'oneness of humanity'
True
30
True/False: Sikhs feel the need to convert others to Sikhism
False, they don't
31
Nanak taught 'God is neither Hindu nor Muslim and the path I follow is...
God's'
32
Sikhs believe that all creatures are created by who/what?
God
33
Sikhs believe that humans are unique - within them is a divine spark that is from who/what?
God
34
What led Guru Nanak to introduce the langar?
The belief in the 'equality of all'
35
Langar
A communal kitchen where a free meal is served to all
36
Who can go to the langar for a free meal?
Men and women, rich and poor, people of different faiths and none
37
True/False: Only men can take part in worship, reading the Guru Granth Sahib and playing music
False, men and women can
38
True/False: Only women can take part in cooking or serving in the langar
False, men and women can
39
Gurmurk
A God-centred person who has turned towards God and is becoming a perfect person
40
Sikhs aim to have their mind centred on what at all times?
God
41
Manmukh
Man-centred - describes people who are centred on themselves and their own desires
42
Manmukh describes people who are...
attached to things that will not last and are not content with life - they always want more, are selfish and self-centred
43
Haumai
Only relying on oneself, not God
44
Guru Nanak taught that pride leads people to...
do their own thing and fail to rely on God
45
Guru Nanak taught that if people do not listen or obey God then they cannot achieve...
release from rebirth
46
What did Guru Nanak begin to establish on his travels?
Groups of disciples
47
Guru Nanak established groups of disciples on his travels who met to...
learn, recite his hymns and to eat together
48
Guru Nanak referred to the groups of disciples he established as...
the sangat
49
The Gurus believed that being involved in a community of believers would...
help people be closer to God
50
Sat Sangat
A community of believers that met to learn, recite Guru Nanak's hymns and eat together. They believed being involved would help people be closer to God
51
What does Sat Sangat mean?
'True Congregation' mean?
52
Today, the sangat refers to...
a gathering of Sikhs in the Gurdwara, or another place whenever the Guru Granth Sahib is present
53
Together, Sikhs mediate on the Name of God which would help them to be...
God-centred (gurmukh)
54
Give 2 things that the sangat may do
Any 2 from chant hymns, listen to musicians praising God, hear a Sikh give a religious talk or discuss local community issues, look after the shoes of the congregation, swing large fans to keep everyone cool and prepare or serve food
55
Give 3 roles of the Gurdwara
Any 3 from prayer hall, langar, washrooms, meeting/education rooms, committee/groups rooms, weddings, funerals, legal advice, clinics and accommodation
56
True/False: The Gurdwara can be used for weddings and funerals
True
57
True/False: The Gurdwara can be used for accommodation
True
58
Do Sikhs believe in reincarnation?
Yes
59
Reincarnation
The belief that when people die, their soul is reborn in another body
60
Sikhs believe that the cycle of reincarnation will keep repeating itself until...
the soul is liberated and joins God
61
Do Sikhs believe that all animals have souls?
Yes
62
Sikhs believe that at death the soul...
changes its form of life
63
The goal for Sikhs is to achieve __________ from rebirth
liberation
64
What does Karma refer to?
The sum total of a person's actions and words that affect what sort of future they will have when they are reborn
65
For Sikhs being born human means...
they must have been good in their previous lives
66
For Sikhs being born human gives them a chance at...
being liberated
67
How can Sikhs have a chance of being liberated?
By doing good and behaving well towards others and by receiving God's grace
68
What is the final goal for Sikhs?
Mukti
69
What happens at Mukti?
An individual soul rejoins God and becomes reunited with him
70
Mukti can not be described but is...
ultimate bliss, happiness, contentment and peace
71
Gurdwara refers to...
any place in which there is the Guru Granth Sahib - in a temple or home
72
Who is the Gurdwara open to?
All, whatever nationality, religion or class
73
From the outside, the Gurdwara building could have...
A dome and decorations and a yellow flag with the Khanda symbol in blue
74
What are the two areas inside the Gurdwara?
The prayer hall and the langar
75
Nishan Sahib
Yellow Sikh flag
76
Darbar Sahib
Sikh prayer hall inside the Gurdwara
77
What is the prayer hall inside the Gurdwara like?
A large space with a platform with a throne
78
What is the throne in the prayer hall in the Gurdwara called?
takht
79
What is placed on the takht?
The Guru Granth Sahib
80
The Guru Granth Sahib is treated as a...
'living Guru'
81
What is the takht covered with?
A fine cloth surrounded by flowers
82
Give an example of a Sikh symbol
Ik Onkar or Khanda
83
In the prayer hall there are places for what kind of offerings?
Money and food offerings and a bowl containing karah parshad
84
In the prayer hall there is a raised area for who, other than the Guru Granth Sahib?
Musicians
85
The walls of the Gurdwara may be covered with...
Pictures of the Gurus or verses from the scriptures
86
Takht
Raised platform/throne
87
Palki
Domed structure/canopy
88
Manji
Small bed where Guru Granth Sahib is placed during the day
89
Gurdwarar are places of...
worship, social and community
90
Sewa can be _________
practiced
91
Different Sikh groups worship in the same/different Gurdwaras
The same
92
Give an example of a Sikh group
Any from Ghatra, Jata and Ramgarhia
93
Worship is a way of...
life
94
Sikhs worship following what and keeping who/what in mind?
The Guru Granth Sahib and God
95
Give an example of something that worshipping for Sikhs can include
Any from listening and meditating, singing and reciting, working and serving people
96
How long does worship take in the Gurdwara?
Up to 5 hours
97
When people enter the Gurdwara, they must remove their _____
shoes
98
When people enter the Gurdwara, which part of their body do they cover?
Their heads
99
Which Sikh holy building do people wash in when they enter?
The Gurdwara
100
When people enter the Gurdwara, they bow their head to...
The Guru Granth Sahib
101
When people enter the Gurdwara, they touch the...
floor
102
When people enter the Gurdwara they make offerings of...
money/food
103
In the Gurdwara, at what level to people sit?
Below the book
104
In the Gurdwara, men and women sit together/seperate
separate
105
Granthi
A ceremonial reader of the Guru Granth Sahib
106
True/False: Granthi can be male or female
True
107
Readings of the Guru Granth Sahib start and end with what?
Ardas prayer
108
What food is commonly shared in the Gurdwara?
Karah parshad
109
The langar is a free kitchen for who?
all
110
Who was the langar started by and why did they start it?
Guru Nanak - to break down the caste system
111
When Guru Gobind Singh was dying, he asked to keep what open?
The langar
112
At home, Sikhs are expected to remember what/who at all times?
God
113
At home, Sikhs recite prayers how often?
Daily
114
True/False: Some Sikhs may have a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib kept in its own room
True
115
Gurkha
A prayer book wrapped in special cloth
116
What must you do before picking up a Gurkha?
Wash
117
Japji
A prayer given by Guru Nanak
118
In Sikhism, as soon as possible after a baby is born, someone repeats...
the Mool Mantra - the most important Sikh belief
119
How do parents celebrate someone repeating the Mool Mantra after a baby is born?
By giving sweets and presents
120
When a baby is born and someone repeats the Mool Mantra, relations visit and...
give presents for hte baby
121
About two weeks after someone has repeated the Mool Mantra after a baby is born, the baby is taken to...
The Gurdwara
122
In Sikhism, where does the naming ceremony take place?
In the Gurdwara - often during a normal servide
123
In Sikhism, who is invited to the naming ceremony of a baby?
Friends and family
124
During a Sikh naming ceremony, everyone bows before...
the Guru Granth Sahib
125
During a Sikh naming ceremony, everyone bows before the Guru Granth Sahib and...
makes offerings for money or food
126
During a Sikh naming ceremony, the parents take what food or a donation to pay for it?
Karah parshad
127
During a Sikh naming ceremony, what is said?
The Mool Mantra
128
During a Sikh naming ceremony, what are sung?
Hymns
129
During a Sikh naming ceremony, amrit may be given to the baby - what happens to the rest?
The mother drinks it
130
Amrit
Sugar and water
131
During a Sikh naming ceremony, the granthi opens the Guru Granth Sahib at...
random
132
During a Sikh naming ceremony, the Guru Granth Sahib is opened at random and which section will be read?
The section on the left
133
During a Sikh naming ceremony, the first letter of the first hymn will be the first letter of...
the babies name
134
During a Sikh naming ceremony, prayers will be said for the child, followed by what?
Ardas prayer and the karah parshad
135
Do Sikh naming ceremonies have to happen at the Gurdwara?
No, they can be done at home with the gutka instead
136
As well as Sikhs first names being chosen, what can be added?
Kaur or Singh
137
What do Sikhs promise during Amrit Sanskar?
To wear the five K's and follow the Khalsa rules
138
What happens during Amrit Sanskar?
They bathe, wash and cover their hair, wear clean clothes and the 5 K's. Prayers are said
139
What is used to stir the Amrit solution in a steel bowl during Amrit Sanskar?
Khanda
140
During Amrit Sanskar, the Guru Granth Sahib is opened at random and a hymn is read, followed by...
Ardas prayer
141
During Armit Sanskar, the person drinks from the bowl how many times?
5
142
During Amrit Sanskar, the person drinks from the bowl 5 times saying what?
'The Khalsa bbelongs to God'
143
During Amrit Sanskar, Amrit is sprinkled where?
On hair and in eyes
144
True/False: The Mool Mantra is said at Amrit Sanskar
True
145
True/False: There is Karah parshad at Amrit Sanskar
True
146
Pilgrimage to the Pubjab usually involves...
A visit to the Golden Temple
147
What is the most famous place of worship for Sikhs?
The Golden Temple
148
What is the Golden Temple's real name?
Harimandir Sahib
149
What does Harimandir Sahib mean?
'the temple of God'
150
What do the four entrances of the Golden Temple represent?
The four corners of the world (equality)
151
The original what is at the Golden Temple?
Adi Granth by Guru Arjan
152
When is the Guru Granth Sahib read at the Golden Temple?
Every day in 3 hour shifts
153
Where is the Guru Granth Sahib kept in the Golden Temple?
The Akal Takht which faces the causeway
154
Give examples of 2 things that pilgrims do at the Golden Temple
Any 2 from bathe in waters, say prayers, listen to readings and reflect on the name of God
155
How many people each day can visit the langar in the Golden Temple?
80,000
156
What can pilgrimage help do?
Deepen faith and understanding
157
Gurdwaras are visited to remember...
the Gurus
158
Before each gurpurb, how do Sikhs prepare themselves?
By reading the Guru Granth Sahib
159
During Gurpurbs, in the community celebrations include...
a procession where the Guru Granth Sahib is carried on a float with Khalsa members protecting it
160
During Gurpurbs, what do local bands perform?
Kirtan
161
During Gurpurbs there are offerings of...
Food or refreshments
162
Celebrations of Gurpurbs in the Gurdwara start with...
Akhand path
163
Akhand path
Continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib
164
When does Akhand path begin at the time of gurpurbs?
48 hours before gurpurb finishing on the drawn of the anniversary
165
Which Guru's birthday is the most important?
Guru Nanak
166
What may happen on Guru Nanak's birthday?
A procession - candles are lit and fireworks
167
What happens in Punjab on Guru Nanak's birthday?
New clothes are given and a day of school
168
How are gurpurbs celebrated in India?
Fully and on the right days
169
How are gurpurbs celebrated in Britain?
At the weekend in a quieter way centred on the gurdwara
170
True/False: Cards can be sent at gurpurbs
True
171
Why are gurpurbs important?
They help to strengthen faith, teach about the Gurus, practise sewa and puts God at the centre of their lives
172
What is the most important Sikh festival?
Melas Vaisakhi
173
What is Melas Vaisakhi a festival of?
Originally an ancient harvest festival but now celebrated because it is when Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa
174
Give 2 examples of how Melas Vaisakhi is celebrated
Any 2 from gurdwara readings, prayer service, langar, processions, cards and new clothes
175
Many choose the time of Melas Vaisakhi to...
become an amritdhari Sikh
176
What happens to the Sikh flag during Melas Vaisakhi?
It is replaced and the pole is cleaned with yoghurt and milk, then water
177
Fairs, political rallies and sports events also happen at which Sikh festival?
Melas Vaisakhi
178
What is another name for Melas Vaisakhi
Baisakhi
179
What is Divali a celebration of?
Freedom
180
How did Divali start?
In 1619 Hargobind was arrested with 52 princes - he was released also saving the lives of the others
181
Give 3 examples of how Divali is celebrated
Any 3 from Akhand path, processions, rows of lights, cleaning, new clothes, presents, fireworks, bonfires and langars
182
What do Gurpurbs help do?
Strengthen the faith of Sikhs
183
At Gurpurbs, Sikhs come together to...
Celebrate and worship God
184
At Gurpurbs, children get to learn about...
The Gurus and how to be a good Sikh
185
Gurpurbs are an opportunity to...
mix in with the community and do good things to help others (sewa)
