sikhism

gurdwara

definition: “gateway to guru”

importance: sikh place of worship housing guru granth (prayer,service, langar)

granthi

definition: gurdwar overseer who reads aloud from gurdwara

importance: leads prayer, maintains scriptures, guides community in worship

guru nanak

definition: founder of sikhism, 15th century

importance: taught equality, one god (monotheistic), service to humanity

guru gobind singh

definition: 10th guru 17th to 18th century

importance: founded khalsa and said that he’s the last living human guru (didnt pick a successor)

five beloveds

definition:  firsrt 5 men initiated in khalsa by guru singh 

importance: sacrificed themselves, thought they were going to be beheaded but came out fine, symbolized courage and dedication to sikh values 

adi granth

definition: :”first book” also known as guru granth containing hymns 

importance: first/primary sikh scripture & considered the eternal living guru 

amritdharis

definition: “amrit bearing” sikhs who have been initiated in khalsa

importance: committed members who follow sikh code of conduct

panth

definition: “path” sikh path and people who follow it

importance: represented unity and shared belief of spiritual and moral responsiblity

sansar

definition: cycle of life, death, and rebirth (same thing as samsara in hinduism)

importance: a problem of the world and sikhs seek liberation by devotion of god

mukti

definition: spiritual liberation from sansar

importance: ultimate goal of sikhism, union with god 

haumai

definition: egoism, self centeredness, pride

importance: main cause of spiritual ignorance and separation from god

haukam

definition: divine will/demand

importance: strive to accept and live in harmony with god’s will

ik oankar

definition: “one being is”

importance: core sikh belief/symbol that there’s only one god (monotheism)

sat nam

definition: “true name”, popular sikh name for divine 

importance: remind sikhs to live truthfully and remember god’s presence 

five k’s

definition: 5 symbols worn by  khalsa members: uncut hair, sword, undershorts, comb, steel bracelet 

importance: symbols of sikh identitty and reminds them

uncut hair: god’s perfect creation, sword: fight injustice undershorts: monogamy & modesty comb: cleanliness and order steel bracelet: unity and restraint

seva

definition: service, key practice of selfless action

importance: shows humility, compassion, and equality of helping others

langar

definition: community kitchen in gudwara & open to all meal

importance: commmunity service and equality

bhagat singh thind

definition: sikh immigrant who fought for u.s. citizenship in 20’s

importance: showed sikh resilience and struggle for equality in america because of racism 

kirtan

definition: singing of devotional hymns from guru granth

importance: promotes spirtual connection through unity of praise songs 

khalsa

definition: “order of the pure” community of baptized sikhs by guru singh 

importance: purtity, courage, and complete devotion to sikh principlels