Sikhism Fundamentals Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the key terms, symbols, and concepts of Sikhism as presented in the lecture notes.

Monotheist

A person who believes in one God.

Guru Nanak

The founder of Sikhism who lived from 1469-1539CE.

Guru

A religious teacher who leads a follower from spiritual ignorance to spiritual enlightenment.

Waheguru

The most common name used by Sikhs to describe God, meaning ‘wonderful Lord/Guru’.

Naam japna

The act of reciting the name of God over and over as an act of meditation and worship.

Ik Onkar

The belief that there is only one God.

Khalsa

The community or brotherhood of Sikhs founded by Guru Gobind Singh.

Amrit ceremony

The ceremony performed to become part of the Sikh Khalsa.

Kaur

‘Princess’ — the title given to a female Khalsa Sikh.

Singh

‘Lion’ — the title given to a male Khalsa Sikh.

Reincarnation

The belief that when a human being dies, their soul is reborn into another body in a cycle that repeats until united with God.

Karma

The total of a person’s actions and words, which affects their future and the kind of existence they have in their next life.

Mukti

Meaning ‘liberation’, ‘freedom’, or ‘release’ from reincarnation, where the soul rejoins and becomes reunited with God.

Mool Mantra

A prayer that tells Sikhs about the qualities of Waheguru, such as being the creator and being without hate or fear.

5 Ks

The five articles of faith worn by the Khalsa: Kesh, Kara, Kanga, Kaccha, and Kirpan.

Kesh

One of the 5 Ks; uncut hair, which signifies accepting what God has made you.

Kara

One of the 5 Ks; a steel bracelet that serves as a reminder that God is infinite.

Kanga

One of the 5 Ks; a wooden comb representing order and discipline.

Kaccha

One of the 5 Ks; cotton underwear representing sexual morality.

Kirpan

One of the 5 Ks; a steel sword or knife used to defend the faith and the weak.

Guru Granth Sahib

The holy scripture of Sikhism, consisting of a collection of writings by Sikh Gurus and other saints, considered the eternal guru.

Gurdwara

Literally ‘Doorway to the Guru’; the Sikh place of worship and community center.

Takht

The raised platform in a Gurdwara where the Guru Granth Sahib is kept.

Nishan Sahib

The Sikh flag hoisted on a tall flagpole outside the Gurdwara.

Langar

A free community kitchen in every Gurdwara that serves vegetarian meals to everyone regardless of caste or religion.

Sewa (Seva)

The concept of selfless service to the community as a way of serving God.

Tan

A type of sewa referring to physical service, such as using one's body to help others or clean.

Man

A type of sewa referring to mental or emotional service, such as providing support or praying for others.

Dan

A type of sewa referring to giving, such as donating time, money, or resources to help others.