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

Areas of Study • The Gurdwara • Worship

L.O To understand the meaning and

significance of birth and naming

ceremonies (Naam Karan) in Sikhism

Try to think of questions relating to this picture.

Sikh baby rites

Sikhs follow the instructions for all ceremonies (birth, naming and

marriage) as set out in the Sikh Rahit Maryada (Sikh code of

conduct) and by following the holy book the Guru Granth Sahib.

Prayer is the first action of Sikh women when they find out that

they are pregnant. When the baby is born, the words of the Mool

Mantar (a key prayer, composed by Guru Nanak) are whispered

into the ears of the child and a drop of honey is placed inside the

mouth.

It is also customary to visit the temple as soon as it is physically

possible after giving birth, this is usually within forty days of the

birth of the child.

Chapter XI (11) - Ceremonies pertaining to Social Occasions REHAT MARYADA

Article XVII (17) - Ceremonies pertaining to Birth and Naming of Child

a. In a Sikh’s household, as soon after the birth of a child as the mother becomes

capable of moving about and taking bath (irrespective of the number of days

which that takes), the family and relatives should go to a gurdwara with karah

prashad (sacred pudding) or get karah prashad made in the gurdwara and recite in

the holy presence of the Guru Granth Sahib such hymns as “parmeshar dita bana”

(Sorath M. 5 ,Guru Granth Sahib p. 628 ), “Satguru sache dia bhej” (Asa M. 5 , Guru

Granth Sahib p. 396 ) that are expressive of joy and thankfulness. Thereafter if a

reading of the holy Guru Granth Sahib had been taken up, that should be

concluded. Then the by the congregation, the name should be announced by him.

The holy Hukam (command) should be taken. A name starting with the first letter

of the hymn of the Hukam (command) should be proposed by the granthi (man in

attendance of the holy book) and, after its acceptance boy’s name must have the

suffix “Singh” and the girl’s, the suffix “Kaur”.

After that the Anand Sahib (short version comprising six stanzas) should be

recited and the Ardas in appropriate terms expressing joy over the naming

ceremony be offered and the karah prashad distributed.

b. The superstition as to the pollution of food and water in consequence of birth

must not be subscribed to [There is a wide-spread belief among certain sections

of Indian people that a birth in a household causes pollution (sutak) which is

removed by the thorough bathing of the mother, the baby and persons attending on

her as also by a thorough cleaning of the house, the utensils and the clothes, after

prescribed periods of ten, twenty one and forty days.], for the holy writ is:

“The birth and death are by His ordinance; coming and going is by His will. All food

and water are, in principle, clean, for these life-sustaining substances are provided

by Him.” - 13 -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ou-93cz7Lc

1. Choose three of the following and say what they mean:

Manpreet, Harchand, Aman, Pia, Ravinder, Ajmeet

2. Why do Sikhs choose their children’s names carefully?

3. Why are babies brought to the Gurdwara?

4. What is the divan hall?

5. What is on the altar (throne)? How is it treated?

6. What is Guru Granth Sahib?

7. What does the Granthi do?

8. When is the name given?

9. How did the Guru Granth Sahib help to name the baby?

10. List five or more things that happen during the ceremony.

11. What gifts are given and by whom?

12. What is the symbolism of Singh, Kaur, and in the karah prashad?

Draw a flow diagram showing what happens

during Naam Karan. Next to each word

write its meaning in English.

Hukamnama

Bhog

Shabads

Kirtan

Gurdwara

Ardas

Sahaj Path

Granthi

Saadh Sangat

Anand Sahib

Karah Parshad

Kaur / Singh

The words below are

in the WRONG order!

Explain the importance of birth and naming

ceremonies (Naam Karan) in Sikhism .

(8 marks)

Gurdwara

Saadh Sangat

Shabads

Kirtan

Sahaj Path

Bhog

Granthi

Hukamnama

Kaur / Singh

Anand Sahib

Ardas

Karah Parshad