Sikhism
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bulletChapter 9 PowerPoint
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bullet Dressing a Sikh Flash Game
bulletSikh Wedding Rituals

 

Sikhs

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The Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide.

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A spiritual leader named Guru (Teacher) Nanak founded Sikhism.

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Guru Nanak was born in Northern India in 1469.

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Sikh means disciple, therefore a Sikh is a disciple who follows the teachings of the 10 Gurus and their Holy Book.

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 Nanak was influenced by both Hinduism and Islam.

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Nanak was the first of 10 Sikh gurus, or spiritual teachers, who led the religion until 1708.

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Instead of designating a successor, the Sikhs began to depend on the religious holy book as their primary teacher.

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Khalsa (Brotherhood of Sikhs)

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Men and Women who are initiated into the Khalsa, wear 5 physical signs of their faith.

 

Kesh

Uncut hair

Represents holiness

Kanga

Comb holding the topknot of twisted hair.  The comb is used to comb the hair at least twice a day.

Symbolizes Order

Kara

Steel wristband

Symbolizes the unity of the Sikh brotherhood.

Kirpan

Sword

Symbolizes the warrior aspect of the Sikh in defense of truth.

Kaccha

Short gathered underpants

Symbolizes self control and chastity

Turbans

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Many Sikh men wear turbans and all Sikhs cover their heads in the presence of the scripture.

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The turban is a symbol of royalty and dignity

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It was initially a cultural symbol in Middle Eastern culture but Guru Gobind Singh transformed it into a religious symbol.

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The turban cannot be covered by any other head gear or replaced by a cap or hat. The turban is mandatory for Sikh men and optional for Sikh women.

What do Sikhs believe? 

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Hindu/Muslim rituals and scriptures.

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Discrimination based on sex and caste.

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Visiting holy sites and going on pilgrimages

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Worshiping many deities.

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Samsara (A name for the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth)

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Karma

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Dharma

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Moksha.

Gurdwara – Sikh place of worship

History/Rituals - Completed Due Date: ____________________

290-1.  What does "guru" mean? How were Sikh gurus different from Hindu gurus?

 

290-2.  Name at least three implications for the Sikh religion that resulted from the move of the practice of replacing human gurus with the word of God enshrined in a sacred book of writings.

 

290-3.  Brainstorm reasons why the tenth guru may have decided that there would be no more human gurus. Which reason(s) do you think are the most plausible?

 

292-1.  Define Nam and Waheguru. Describe a typical Sikh meditation.

 

292-2.  Explain the importance of the langar to Sikhs.

 

292-4.  Compare and contrast how Sikhism, a religion without a leader, is different from Catholicism.

 

295-1.  Create a labelled diagram of the khanda with a brief description of the four elements.

 

295-2.  Create a symbol for Christianity that blends three or four different symbols. Explain what the symbol represents.

 

295-1.  How would you describe the 5 Ks to someone who was unfamiliar with Sikhism?

 

295-2.  Use a chart to show how the Sikh day is similar to and different from a typical Catholic's day.

 

295-3.  In small groups, debate whether Sikhs should be able to wear turbans instead of the required helmets when they are playing hockey or baseball, riding motorcycles, or working in construction, the armed forces, or other jobs requiring protective headwear.

 

295-4.  If you had to wear a visible symbol of the Catholic faith at all times, what would it be? Explain.

 

298-1.  List festivals that Sikhs worldwide take part in and describe one important feature of each.

 

Community/Central Beliefs/Morality - Completed Due Date: ____________________

 

299-1.  Describe some of the community functions of the gurdwara.

 

299-2.  Explain the three main divisions within Sikhism.

 

304-1.  In your own words, list some of the main teachings of the Sikh moral code.

 

304-2.  Summarize the Sikh view of the status of women.