component 3 a study of a world faith option 6:...
TRANSCRIPT
COMPONENT 3 A Study of a World Faith
Option 6: Sikhism
1 hour exam
25%
Reference to relevant sources of wisdom and authority are expected, including scripture and/or sacred texts.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of beliefs, teachings and practices within a world faith.
Areas of Study • Ceremonies • Festivals • The Sangat • Amritsar
Area of Study: God
Areas of Study • The Nature of God • God as Creator • God’s relationship with human
life
Area of Study: Central Concepts
Area of Study: Sikh Lifestyle
Area of Study: Central Practices
Areas of Study • The Oneness of Humanity • Gurmukh • The Afterlife • Sewa • The Sangat
Areas of Study • The Gurdwara • Worship
Describe the key features of a Gurdwara.
Explain how Sikhs show respect inside a Gurdwara
Gurdwaras in Wolverhampton
Sedgley Street
Upper
Villiers
Street
In Britain you can recognise a Gurdwara by the Nishan Sahib – the Sikh flag which always flies outside.
Kirpan
The Khanda represents
Justice
Chakkar Shows that God is one
This shows that Sikhs must be prepared to
fight for truth and defend
what is right.
Khanda
Fateh, used in the Sikh Greeting "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh", referring to victory.
What is a Gurdwara? Literally Guru's portal/ abode / House or Door
The word “Gurdwara” means
“Door to the Guru” or “House of
the Guru”.
The Guru in this case refers both
to God (referred to variously as
Satnam - “True Name”, Satguru –
“True Guru”, Waheguru –
“Wonderful Guru”),
and the Guru Granth Sahib, the
Sikh holy book.
Every Gurdwara will have at least
one copy of the Guru Granth
Sahib, in fact it cannot call itself a
Gurdwara if it does not.
GURDWARA
Stick this picture into your book.
Stick this picture into your book.
You are now going to find out about the Gurdwara.
After each slide you will need to write a sentence in
your book explaining what is happening.
When entering a Gurdwara, everyone must remove their
shoes and put them in the shoe rack.
I cover my head as a mark of respect
Men and women must also cover
their heads
Why do men and women cover their heads?
Who might they do this for?
Sikhs will bow
down infront of
the Guru Granth
Sahib and give
money. Why?
In a , everyone sits on the floor with men on one side and women on the other.
Sikhs sit in front of their holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib.
Why do you think this is?
Why do men and women sit separately inside a Gurdwara?
Why will they sit lower than the Guru Granth Sahib?
A Gurdwara is not just a place of
worship. It has study rooms,
sleeping areas and a kitchen called a
Langar The Langar provides
free food for everyone. It doesn’t matter what religion you are – everyone is
welcome!!
This food is offered free of charge
Why do you think this is?
What happens inside the Langar?
Why do you think the food is FREE?
In the main prayer hall there is a large carpeted area. There are no seats or chairs as the sangat (congregation) sit on the floor. Feet must not be pointed towards the Guru Granth Sahib. Men and women sit on different sides
Why do you think this is?
What significance does Sangat have
in Sikhi?
Sangat comes from 2 words
Sang = Gathering of people
Sangat = Is a gathering of Sikhs to attain
liberation – to become one with Waheguru (God)
Gat or Gati = Liberation (become One with God)
Why is the sangat important?
I was overflowing with the filthy sins of
countless past lives. But joining the
Sangat, God made me pure again. p1178
Liberation is attained in the Saadh Sangat,
the Company of the Holy, and the
darkness of ignorance is dispelled. p675
So vibrate continually in the Saadh Sangat,
the Company of the Holy, O Nanak, and
the sins you committed shall be erased.
p461
Why is the sangat important?
Physical: Tan Mental: Man Material: Dhan
Vand Chhakna (sharing)
Sewa (selfless service)
= Helping others
Guru Amar Das (3rd GURU)
taught the idea of daswandh.
This is giving a tenth of
surplus money to the
community. This money may
be used for building schools
or hospitals or to help those
who are poor or suffering.
What are the positive effects of the Sangat?
Motivates and inspires
us to be better people
Te
ac
he
s u
s
Helps you get closer to Waheguru
Positive
effects of the
sangat
De
fen
d th
e w
ea
k
& p
erfo
rm s
ew
a
Vichar
(gain
wisdom)
The Ragis or musicians also sit
on a platform. They perform
verses (Shabads) from the Guru Granth Sahib. This is called KIRTAN.
https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/holy-cribs-gurdwara
Watch this video … this will show you some of the
things that we have learnt about.
I can describe and explain the social and religious roles of the Gurdwara.
The Gurdwara is more than a building
In small groups try and write down as many religious / social
functions that take place in a Gurdwara. (use the code R =
Religious and S= Social)
This Gurdwara is definitely a hub for Sikhi. It caters for all Sikhi needs and interests. The management committee deserves thanks for offering all these programmes and fulfilling its duties and obligations to the Panth and Sangat.
The Gurdwara is more than a building
In small groups try and write down as many religious / social
functions that take place in a Gurdwara. (use the code R =
Religious and S= Social)
RELIGIOUS:
Read the GGS Ji ~ encourages Sikh beliefs and values /
moral behaviour.
Listen to Kirtan and Katha ~ hymns and sermons written
by the Gurus about God.
Religious ceremonies~ naming ceremonies, Amrit
sanskar, Marriages Anand Karaj.
Punjabi school ~ teaching the Sikh faith, ethics, customs,
stories.
Gatka ~ ancient marshal art. Saint / soldier.
Performing Sewa ~ selfless service.
The Gurdwara is more than a building
In small groups try and write down as many religious / social
functions that take place in a Gurdwara. (use the code R =
Religious and S= Social)
SOCIAL:
Celebrate festivals ~ Diwali, Baisakhi, Gurpurbs (celebrations of
Guru’s birth / death)
Community centre / day centre for elderly offering
companionship.
Refuge ~ offers shelter / accommodation for travellers.
Offers food in the Langar.
Social side of Gurdwara important OUTSIDE the PUNJAB in the
DIASPORA community ~ 2nd and 3rd generation Sikhs. To help
maintain their cultural identity ~ language, clothes, food, music,
festivals.
The Gurdwara is more than a building
These are the 5 things that constitute a
Gurdwara according to Bhai Kahn Singh
Nabha in the Mahan Kosh:
1) Spiritual Hub - Religious & Spiritual Training
2) Free Kitchen - for poor
3) Rest house - for pilgrims/homeless without any demand or expectation
4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible for Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his son Shah Jahan was given medicine for his son (Dara Sikhon) by Guru Harrai Sahib Jee from the Gurdwara Hospital/ Dispensary
5) Fort - protection of Gurbani, values & beliefs - physical training is provided eg Guru Angad Dev Jee started Wrestling Akharae
These are the 5 things that constitute a Gurdwara according to Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha in the Mahan Kosh:
1) Spiritual Hub - Religious & Spiritual Training
2) Free Kitchen - for poor
3) Rest house - for pilgrims/homeless without any demand or expectation
4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible for Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his son Shah Jahan was given medicine for his son (Dara Sikhon) by Guru Harrai Sahib Jee from the Gurdwara Hospital/ Dispensary
5) Fort - protection of Gurbani, values & beliefs - physical training is provided eg Guru Angad Dev Jee started Wrestling Akharae
What is a Bhatra and Ramgarhia Gurdwara? What is their importance and role?
The 10 Sikh Gurus rejected the doctrine of caste
segregation yet many Sikhs continue to practise the caste
system. An example of this is arranged marriages, Jat
Sikhs marrying Jat Sikhs and Ramgarhia Sikhs marrying
Ramgarhia Sikhs.
In Wolverhampton we have caste Gurdwaras i.e.
Ramgarhia Sikh Gurdwara, Bhatra Sikh Sangat Gurdwara
and Ravidas Bhawan/Gurdwara.
The founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699
rejects the notion of caste while promoting the concept of
a casteless Sikh brotherhood.
So why do caste Gurdwaras exist? The real answer lies in
the fact that when Sikhs came to this country they found it
easier to mix and worship with similar people. Many Sikhs
still look to their Punjabi roots … were my family Jats?
Were my family Ramgarhia?
Does this mean that only Ramgarhia Sikhs can worship in a
Ramgarhia Gurdwara? No! The key difference is that the
Gurdwara committee can only be made up of Ramgarhia
Sikhs.
This shows that the decision-making mechanism of caste-
based Gurdwaras is totally under the control of respective
caste groups and participation in the caste-based
Gurdwaras naturally promotes caste loyalty and the caste
consciousness which apparently contradicts the teachings
of the Gurus!