Buddhism, Sikhism, Humanism and Ethics

Moral Dilemma

A situation with a difficult choice between two actions where both require disobeying a moral principle

The lotus flower symbolizes...

Purity, goodness & the passage into enlightenment

The World's largest free kitchen

Hari Mandir

Where did Buddhism originate?

North India

How many people served per day in the Hari Mandir?

100,000

The Problem of Evil

A philosophical argument disproving the existence of God

Truth

That which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.

Empathy

the ability to understand and share the feelings of someone else

Evidence

Facts and proof that something is true or false.

Respect

considering the thoughts, beliefs and feelings of others

Atheism

Belief that God does not exist.

Compassion

Sympathy and concern for the suffering of others

Agnosticism

Belief that proof for God cannot be proved either way.

Dignity

Being worthy of respect and compassion

Critical Thinking

Analysing something using evidence and reason

Responsibility

Obligation or need to do something

Materialism

Belief that nothing exists outside the material world

Altruism

A belief system which shows selfless concern for others

Reason

The power of the mind to think, understand and form judgements logically

Sentient Being

A thinking or feeling being (people, animals)

Proof

Evidence or argument establishing a fact or the truth of a statement.

The Golden Rule

Treat others how you want to be treated

1st guru

Guru Nanak: he had a religious experience when he was 30

2nd guru

Guru Angad: he invented the Gurmukhi Script

3rd Guru

Guru Amar Das: he abolished Sati amongst SIkhs

Sati

Hindu custom by a widow being burned with her husband on his funeral pyre

4th guru

Guru Ram Das: he founded Amritsar and started building the Golden Temple

5th guru

Guru Arjan: he compiled the Adi Granth and finished the Harmandir Sahib

Which Guru was burned alive by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir?

Guru Arjan

6th guru

Guru Hargobind: he was only 11 when he became guru

7th guru

Guru Har Rai: he had a big army but didn't use it

8th guru

Guru Har Krishan: he became guru at age five but died at 7 from smallpox

9th guru

Guru Tegh Bahadur: he was martyred

10th guru

Guru Gobind Singh: he founded the khalsa in 1699

Takht

'throne' a raised platform on which the guru granth sahib is placed.

Karah Parshad

Sweet food people are given when leaving the gurdwara

Nam Japna

Meditating on the name of God

Kirat Karna

Earning a living by honest means

Divali

Festival of Lights, remembering Guru Hargobind.

Harimandir Sahib

The Golden Temple.

Manmukh

Man-centred, being focused on oneself and material things.

Kara

One of the five Ks: Steel bracelet; symbolizes the oneness of God

Kirpan

One of the five Ks: A small sword, symbolizing the fight against injustice

Langar

Guru's kitchen or free kitchen, also the food that is served in the kitchen.

Guru Gobind Singh

The final human Guru who started the Khalsa.

Tan

Physical aspect of sewa for example cooking in the langar

Man

Mental aspect of sewa for example, teaching

Dhan

Material aspect of sewa for example donating money

Nishan Sahib

The flag always seen outside a Gurdwara.

Transcendent

God is separate from the universe, beyond human understanding.

Sargun

God is within everything in nature

Reincarnation

The process of birth, life, death and rebirth.

Rebirth

When a person's SOUL moves into a new body.

Mukti

Means freedom and liberation. When a soul can escape reincarnation and be one with God.

Maya

...

Gurmukh

God-centred; to be focused on God; to work for God; to be thinking about God

Panj Piare

The "beloved Five". 1st 5 members of the Khalsa

When was the Khalsa founded?

1699

Panj Piare translation

beloved Five

At what festival was the Khalsa formed?

Vaisakhi

Moh

One of the 5 vices meaning attachment

Lobh

One of the 5 vices meaning greed

Caste

A group that determines social standing and occupation. For Sikhs, caste has no religious or social significance.

Amritsar

Meaning 'pool of nectar'. City in Punjab, where the Harimandir Sahib is located.

Kirat Karna

earning an honest living

Vand Chakna

Sharing what you have with others.

3 pillars of Sikhism

Nam Japna, Kirat Karna, Vand Chakna

When was Guru Nanak born?

april 15 1469

Where was Guru Nanak born?

In Punjab, now called Lahore (Pakistan)

What was Nanak's job?

He worked for the government

Order of caste system

Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, Dalits (Untouchables)

Khalistan Movement

A sikh nationalist movement that wants to create an independent state for sikhs

hanker

one of the five vices meaning pride

kam

one of the five vices meaning lust or desire

Karodh

one of the 5 vices: anger

When was Operation Blue Star?

June 1984

Atheist

A person who does not believe in God

Theist

A person who believes in God

Agnostic

Someone who is unsure of God's existence

Polytheist

Believer in more than one God

Monotheist

A believer in One God

Ik Onkar

One. The opening word of the Mool Mantra (and therefore of the Guru Granth Sahib). The central Sikh notion of the oneness of God

Ineffable

God cannot be put into words

Omnipotent

All powerful

Omnibenevolent

All loving

Omniscient

All knowing

Khanda

The symbol of Sikhism made up of two double edged swords one sword in the middle and a circle

Sewa

Selfless service, work without reward, in recognition that a service done for a fellow human is a service done to God

Waheguru

The name Sikhs use to describe God: 'wonderful lord' There is only one God but this is the God of all religions

Guru

A spiritual teacher of wisdom. There are 10 in Sikh history. They are the messengers of Waheguru.

Sikh

A learner or disciple; believer in the religion Sikhism

Key Beliefs of Sikhism (No.)

...

Guru Granth Sahib

The the Sikh holy book, given Buddhahood by guru Gobind Singh; regarded as the ultimate authority

Mool Mantra

The main Chant. a statement of core beliefs at the beginning of the guru granth sahib

Gurdwara

Sikh place of worship, means 'the door of the guru'

Singh

meaning 'lion'. mandatory name for male members of the khalsa

Kaur

meaning 'princess'. mandatory name for male members of the khalsa

Karma

Destiny, consequences of one's actions. our actions create good or bad karma

Kachera

one of the 5 Ks, shorts, enabling swift action in war, symbolising chastity

Granthi

Person who cares for the Guru Granth and reads from it. Anyone can do this; people who cares for the Guru Granth and reads from it. Anyone can do this.