Sikhism and the Bahá'í Faith Study Set

Flashcards covering the origins, beliefs, practices, and texts of Sikhism and the Bahá'í Faith, based on lecture notes.

Guru Nanak

The founder of Sikhism, born in $1469$ in Talwandi (modern-day Pakistan), who received a revelation to spread the presence of God (Nam) and taught that God is one and present in all things.

Waheguru

The specific name for God in Sikhism, used to represent a monoteistic deity that encompasses both masculine and feminine aspects.

Seva

A central value in Sikhism meaning 'service,' which involves performing good deeds and helping others without expecting anything in return.

Naam Japna

One of the three pillars of Sikhism, referring to the practice of always keeping God in one's thoughts to grow closer to the Divine.

Kirat Karna

One of the three pillars of Sikhism, which means to perform honest work without exploiting others.

Vand ke chakna

One of the three pillars of Sikhism, which involves sharing with others and giving money or food to those in need.

Mukti

The ultimate goal in Sikhism, representing liberation from samsara (the cycle of rebirth) and a state of union with God.

The Five Evil Impulses

Forces that create bad karma and distance a soul from God: Lust (Kam), Anger (Krodh), Greed (Lobdh), Attachment (Moh), and Pride (Ahankar).

Khalsa

The community formed by Guru Gobind Singh in $1699$ to protect the weak, consisting of initiated Sikhs who have undergone the amrit ritual.

Five K-anes (The Five Ks)

Five physical symbols of faith worn by Khalsa Sikhs: Kesh (uncut hair), Khara (steel bracelet), Kachera (cotton underwear), Kirpan (knife), and Kanga (comb).

Guru Granth Sahib

The holiest scripture in Sikhism, containing $1430$ pages, which is treated as a living Guru and the final spiritual leader established in $1708$.

Gurdwara

The Sikh place of worship, meaning 'the Guru's house,' identifiable by the Nishan Sahib flag and characterized by having four entrances and a kitchen called a langar.

Nishan Sahib

The orange flag positioned outside a gurdwara to identify it as a place of worship.

Langar

A community kitchen in a gurdwara where free food is prepared and served to everyone, regardless of background, as a practical expression of seva.

Nitnem

The daily prayers in Sikhism, consisting of five prayers in the morning, one at sunset, and one before bedtime.

The Bab (Siyiid Ali Muhammad)

The figure who started Babism in $1844$, declaring himself a messenger of God and prophesying the arrival of a greater prophet.

Bahá'u'lláh (Mirza Husayn-Ali)

The founder of the Bahá'í Faith who stood forward in $1863$ as the prophet foretold by the Bab; his name means 'the Glory of God.'

Universal House of Justice

The administrative head of the Bahá'í religion, consisting of $9$ members elected every five years to promote peace, global cooperation, and education.

Progressive Revelation

The Bahá'í belief that all major religions come from the same God and that profits like Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad provided teachings suited for their specific time and culture.

Kitáb-i-Aqdas

The 'Most Holy Book' written by Bahá'u'lláh in $1873$, establishing the principles, organization, and calendar of the Bahá'í Faith.

Kitáb-i-Íqán

The 'Book of Certitude' written in $1863$ that explains the unity of God and addresses earlier prophecies regarding Jesus and the twelfth imam.

Mashriqu'l-Adhkár

A Bahá'í House of Worship, which is built with $9$ sides and a dome to symbolize perfection and unity.

Qiblih

The direction of prayer for Bahá'ís, which is toward the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh.

Badi Calendar

The Bahá'í calendar starting at the spring equinox, consisting of $19$ months of $19$ days each ($361$ days total plus intercalary days).

Nineteen-Day Fast

A period from March $1$ to $19$ where Bahá'ís abstain from food, drink, and sexual activity between sunrise and sunset to strengthen their spiritual life.

Nineteen-Day Feast

A community gathering held every $19$ days to promote unity through prayer, administrative news, and social interaction.