1. The Material Dimension
L/O: Should a religious believer be able to wear their symbol of faith?

2. What symbols show our identity?
Show identity clip

3. Ninian Smart states that it is the material dimension that sets the religious believer out from another, whether it is the symbol of wearing or the religious building or sacred place that the believer will go on pilgrimage.
If this is the outward sign of a religion why do you think that Ninian Smart kept the material dimension till the end?

4. Look at the Khalsa Cards. What does each thing symbolise?
Why do you think these are used by Sikhs?
Now try and match the pictures with the explanation cards

5. Sikhism and the 5 Khalsa’s
Sikhs are a prime example of having a material dimension.
Sikhs have something called the 5 K’s
They are 5 physical symbols worn by Sikhs who have been initiated into the khalsa.
The 5 K’s are:
Kesh (uncut hair)
Kara (a steel bracelet)
Kanga (a wooden comb)
Kaccha (cotton underwear)
Kirpan (steel sword)

6. Kesh (uncut hair)
Combed daily and kept under a turban as soon as a boy can tie a turban by himself.
Beliefs
Action
Staying the way God created you
Not cutting hair from birth onwards
Devotion to God and Sikhism
Part of the 5 Ks expected of Sikhs

7. Kangha (comb)
Wooden comb used to comb hair and then keep it in place under the turban.
Beliefs
Action
To be physically clean before God
Keeps long hair clean and tidy
Spiritually clean before God
Used daily as part of the 5 Ks

8. Kara (steel bracelet)
Steel bracelet given at the Sikh naming ceremony and worn at all times.
Beliefs
Action
The eternity and oneness of God
Worn round the right wrist from birth
Unity of all Sikhs
Shows you are a true Sikh keeping the 5 Ks

9. Kaccha (shorts)
Traditional white shorts used in battle during the time of Guru Gobind Singh.
Beliefs
Action
Readiness to defend your faith
Worn daily under trousers
Freedom as a member of the Khalsa
Reminder of faith as part of the 5 Ks

10. Kirpan (short sword)
Short sword or dagger. It is curved to show that it should only be used in defence.
Beliefs
Action
Worn under the shirt or tucked into shorts
Readiness to be a spiritual warrior
Reminder that by wearing the 5 Ks you belong to the khalsa
The power of the Sikh community

12. Do you think that religious followers should be able to show their material dimension wherever and whenever they want?