Key Terms: Top Tip: Using key terms in work shows more
understanding and shows higher level learning
Sikhism - Religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab
region of India  the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs sit down in the
Gurdwara - The gateway to the guru, is the place of worship for
Sikhs
Guru Granth Sahib - Religious Holy scripture of Sikhism,  called the Langar. It is vegetarian food. This
Kirpan - A short sword or knife with a curved blade, worn
(sometimes in miniature form) by the Sikh Khalsa.
Guru -  "teacher" or "master", particularly in Indian religions
Khalsa - Sikhs which have undergone the sacred Amrit Ceremony
initiated by the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
Turban - Is a type of headwear based on cloth winding, usually by
men.
Granthi - Is a person, male or female, of the Sikh religion who is a
ceremonial reader of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Kesh - Is the practice of allowing one's hair to grow naturally as a
symbol of respect for the perfection of God's creation.
Nishan Shaib - Is a Sikh triangular flag made of cotton or silk cloth,
with a tassel at its end.  Nanak was born into a Hindu family on 15 April 1469 in a village where Muslims and Hindus lived together.
Amritsar - Holy city/place for Sikhs
Langar - A communal free kitchen for Sikhs
Vaisakhi - A Sikh festival held annually to commemorate the
founding of the khalsa by Gobind Singh in 1699.
The Khanda (Sikh symbol)
The Khanda is made up of a double
edged sword and a circle. The circle
represents belief in one God who is
without beginning or end. Two crossed
kirpans (swords) representing spiritual
authority and political power.
Gurdwara (The Sikh temple)
A Gurdwara is a Sikhs place of worship. It houses
prayer hall so they not above the Guru. They pray
together as a community. At the end of their
service they will have a meal together. This is
ensures that any visitor to the Gurdwara can eat in
the Langar
The Ek Onkar symbolises believing in
one God.
Sikhism
The Life of Guru Nanak (The founder of Sikhism)
When he was born he did not cry but smiled. The nurse also saw a dazzling light around his head. His
father was worried and asked the priest what it meant. The priest said it was a good sign and that he
would grow up to be a great king or guru (teacher).
As a child, Nanak would rather sit quietly and think about God. This meant that he did not attend school
for very long. Nanak was very inquisitive, always asking questions. He was not interested in reading his
school books.
As Nanak grew older his father wanted him to work for the family business. He was given money to buy
goods to sell. However, Nanak spent all of the money on feeding 20 poor holy men. Nanak’s father was
angry, but Nanak explained he had helped 20 starving people, what could be better work than that?
As an adult, Nanak disappeared while bathing at the river. His family feared he had drowned.
After 3 days he returned and said he had been with God who had told him there is no Hindu and no
Muslim and that he was now a Guru. After his religious experience, Guru Nanak left his family and
travelled around teaching people for 20 years.
Guru Nanak died in 1539.
 The 10 Human Gurus: The formation of the Khalsa:

• Guru Nanak (1469-1539)
• Guru Angad (1539-1552)
• Guru Amar Das (1552-1574)
• Guru Ram Das (1574-1581)
• Guru Arjan (1581-1606)
• Guru Hargobind (1606-1644)
• Guru Har Rai (1644-1661
• Guru Harkrishan (1656-1664)
• Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675)
• Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708)
Guru Gobind Singh was deeply moved by the martyrdom (sacrifice of life) of his father and two
sons who died fighting for the faith. Guru Gobind Singh challenged the Sikh community by
asking them who was willing to die for their faith and for their Guru. Five volunteers agreed to
sacrifice their own life. Guru Gobind Singh was testing them. They did not die but were awarded
with bravery. The reward was to be part of an elite community called the Khalsa. The Khalsa are
a unique and pure community of Sikhs. To enter yourself into the Khalsa you must be baptised.
Men take the name Singh (lion) and women take up the name Kaur (princess)
The 5 k’s:

Guru Gobind Singh introduced them for several

reasons:
Guru Granth Sahib (The Sikh Holy Book) • Adopting these common symbols would
identify members of the Khalsa
The last of these men, who died in 1708, was Guru • Because all members of the Khalsa wear the
Gobind Singh. He decided that rather than appoint a 5 Ks the members of the community are
human successor, he would leave the Sikh community more strongly bound together Vaisakhi, also spelled
to be guided by the writings and teachings of all the • Each K has a particular significance Baisakhi, is one of the most
Gurus in written form. The book is now treated in important dates in the Sikh
exactly the same way as a human leader would be. The five Ks are: calendar. It is the Sikh New
• Kesh (uncut hair) A gift from God symbolises Year festival and is
adoption of a simple life celebrated on April 13th or
How the Guru Granth Sahib is treated:
• Kara (a steel bracelet) Belief in a never ending 14th.
Carried on the head of a person to symbolise that it is above everything else. God, every time they look at it, it will remind
them to avoid sin. Vaisakhi is a long
Has its own bedroom that it stays in overnight
• Kanga (a wooden comb) Keeps the tangles established harvest festival
Sleeps in a bed with silk throws covering it out of their hair, gives them hope that God in the Punjab. It also
will take the tangles out of their lives. commemorates Guru
Fanned with something called a chauri when carried or read to keep it cool. • Kaccha - also spelt, Kachh, Kachera (cotton Gobind Singh electing the
underwear) A symbol of chastity first 5 members of the
Has its own car to transport it to someone's house if necessary
• Kirpan (steel sword) A reminder to protect Khalsa.
Has its own platform or throne which it is read from during Sikh services. the faith and the vulnerable.