SIkhism Vocab

Adi Granth

Sikhism’s most important sacred text and, since the death of Guru Gobind Singh in 1708, Sikhism’s primary earthly authority; traditionally known as Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Amrit

special drink made from water and sugar crystals, used in the Khalsa initiation ceremony

Gurdwara

“doorway of the Guru”, building for Sikh worship that houses a copy of the Adi Granth; the central structure of any Sikh community

Guru

spiritual teacher and revealer of truth, common to Hinduism, Sikhism, and some forms of Buddhism. When the word is capitalized, it refers to the ten historical leaders of Sikhism, to the sacred text (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, or Adi Granth), and to God

Haumai

In Sikhism, the human inclination toward being self- centered rather than God-centered, which increases the distance between the individual and God

Hukam

in Sikhism, the divine order of the universe

Khalsa

An order within Sikhism to which the majority of Sikhs belong, founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699

Langar

gurdwara’s community kitchen that is used for the preparation of meals for anyone who visits, regardless of religious or caste identity

Mukti

in Sikhism, spiritual liberation bringing on the eternal and infinitely blissful state of being in the presence of God; sometimes the Sanskrit term moksha is used instead.

Mul Mantra

the summary of Sikh doctrine that comprises the opening lines of the Japji, Guru Nanak’s composition that in turn comprises the opening section of the Adi Granth.

Panth

The Sikh community. In lower case, panth (“path”) is a term applied to any number of Indian (primarily Hindu) religious traditions

Rahit

The rahit-nama, a collection of scripture that specifies ideals of belief and conduct for members of the Khalsa and, by extension, for Sikhism generally