Religious Education

1. Sikhism – what is it?
Leanne, Samantha P-S, Samantha F and Kelly

2. What is Sikhism?
http://resources.woodlands-junior.
kent.sch.uk/homework
/religion/images/sikhism/gur
u.gif
• Sikhism was discovered in the 16th century.
• It was discovered by Guru Nanak
• Sikhism is about doing good actions, not just
carrying out rituals without a specific
purpose.
• Sikhs base their lives around God to being a
dedicated member in the Sikh
community.
• Sikhs also believe that humans are in a
cycle: birth, life, and rebirth. This belief is
not just current in Sikhism, it is within
Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism too.
• Sikhs believe that God can't be understood
as we’re human beings, but think he can
be experienced through worship.
• Sikhs believe God is inside everyone.
As fragrance abides in the
flower
As reflection is within the
mirror,
So does your Lord abide
within you,
Why search for him without ?
-Guru Nanak
••

3. Worship
 Gurdwara; the place of worship
for people who follow Sikhism
 Guru; religious teacher
 Guru Granth Sahib; is the holy
book that Sikhs use
 Granthi; the person who takes
care of the Guru Granth Shaib
and leads the worship in the
Gurdwara

4. The 5 K’s
 Kesh; long hair
 Kachera; shorts worn by
both females and males
 Kangha; wooden comb
 Kara; iron or steel bangle
 Kirpan; sword

5. Sikh Weddings
• The wedding process is known as Anand Karaj, this
translates as ‘blissful union’.
• Sikh weddings can be arranged and assisted by
• the bride and groom’s parents.
• Weddings tend to be very colourful and vibrant.
Before the wedding the bride and groom have
• During the service hymns are sung from the Guru
Granth Sahib.
•

6. Sikh weddings
• The groom wears a sash and to ‘give the girl
away’ the father of the bride places an end of
the sash into the girl’s hand.
• Then the couple walk around the Guru Granth
Sahib 4 times (one per stanza of the hymn).
• This is followed by ardass, this is a blessing which
concludes the ceremony.
• The bride then returns home to say goodbye to
her family, this is called doli.
•
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRx65h2yYUA
(1.10 -3.00)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFrUihbDoy8
(up to 1.26)
•

7. Food ਭੋਜਨ
A Langar is always attached to a Gurdwara. A Langar is a ‘free food
kitchen’ which only serves simple vegetarian meals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oCNXmUL4SU
Sikhs are not bound to being
vegetarians. They are just
forbidden to eat ritually-slaughtered
meat
In Sikhism intoxication of any
kind is prohibited. This
includes alcohol, tobacco
and drugs.

8. Thanks for listening!