Sikhs call their pilgrimages to religious places Yatra.

THE GOLDEN TEMPLE IN AMRITSAR, INDIA

WHY DO SIKH PILGRIMAGE TO THE GOLDEN TEMPLE? THE GOLDEN TEMPLE IS ALSO KNOWN AS HARMANDIR SAHIB (GOD’S TEMPLE) WAS COMPLETED IN IT IS THE MOST FAMOUS SIKH TEMPLE IN THE WORLD. THE TEMPLE WAS FOUNDED BY GURU RAMDAS, THE FOURTH GURU OF THE SIKH FAITH.

Sikhs visit the temple to show their respect and worship for the Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Book).

The water surrounding the Golden Temple is called the Amrit Saras Kund (pool of immortality) and is believe to have miraculous healing powers. On pilgrimage Sikhs bathe in the water as they believe they will be healed.

When entering the temple Sikhs remove their shoes and cover their heads as a mark of respect to God.

EVERYONE SITS ON THE FLOOR TO SHOW THAT WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN THE EYES OF GOD.

There are no religious pictures, statues or candles. People imagine God. Any Sikh can hold a service. There are no priests.

IT OFFERS FOOD AND SHELTER. IT HAS A STRONG COMMUNITY SPIRIT.

THE LANGAR (A MEAL) IS AVAILABLE INSIDE. SWEETS (PARSHAD) ARE OFFERED AFTER PRAYER.

The canopy is the focus of the temple and the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book) is placed below it.

GLOSSARY YATRA – THIS IS THE NAME GIVEN TO SIKH PILGRIMAGE SIKH – A SIKH IS SOMEONE WHO WORSHIPS THE RELIGION SIKHISM GURU GRANTH SAHIB – THE HOLY BOOK LANGAR – MEAL OFFERED INSIDE THE TEMPLE PARSHAD – SWEETS OFFERED AFTER PRAYER HARMANDIR SAHIB – GOLDEN TEMPLE AMRIT SARAS KUND - POOL OF IMMORTALITY IMMORTALITY – THIS MEANS YOU WILL NEVER DIE MIRACULOUS – THIS MEANS AN EVENT HAPPENS THAT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE POSSIBLE GURU RAMDAS - THE FOURTH GURU OF THE SIKH FAITH.

IMPORTANT VOCABULARY WordMeaning GurdwaraA Sikh temple LangarThe Sikh free kitchen PangatSitting in rows or lines in the langar SewaSelfless service SewadarA voluntary helper in a Gurdwara Vand ChaknaSharing DaanCharity

WHY DOES A GURDWARA NEED A KITCHEN?  What is essential to a holy building?  Signs and symbols  Images of God, gods, goddesses, saints  Holy book  Space for followers to pray  All Gurdwaras must have a kitchen or Langar. No other religious building has to have a kitchen.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE LANGAR? Anyone can eat for free in the langar

RULES OF THE TRADITION OF LANGAR The langar must be: 1. Simple vegetarian meals 2. Prepared by devotees who recite Gurbani while preparing the langar 3. Served after performing Ardas (prayers) 4. Food distributed in pangat 5. All food must be fresh, clean and hygienically prepared

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WHAT VALUES DOES THE LANGAR REPRESENT?  The langar or free kitchen was started by Guru Nanak.  It is designed to uphold the principle of equality between all people of the world, regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status.  The langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of all humankind. “…the Light of God is in all hearts.” Guru Granth Sahib 282

WHAT VALUES DOES THE LANGAR REPRESENT?  Guru Nanak designed a way in which all people would sit on the floor together, as equals, to eat the same simple food.  It is here that all people, high or low, rich or poor, male or female all sit in pangat (row or line) to share and enjoy the food together.  The langar helps to ensure women and children participate in service for mankind. Women help to prepare the food, and children serve the food to the pangat.

WHAT VALUES DOES THE LANGAR REPRESENT?  Everyone is welcome to the langar; no-one is turned away.  The food is usually served twice a day, every day of the year.  Each week, a family or several families volunteer to provide and prepare the langar. This is very generous, as there may be several hundred people to feed, and caterers are not allowed. All the preparation, cooking and washing-up is done by volunteers or voluntary helpers called Sewadars.

SIKH ADVICE What advice would the Sikh faith give about the sweets? A Sikh lifestyle includes following Vand Chakna which means sharing. Sikhs are asked to share their wealth within the community and outside by practising Daan (charity). Sikhism instructs followers to “share and consume together.”

Sikh Beliefs

Who and What is a Sikh? The word ‘Sikh’ in the Punjabi language means ‘disciple’ Sikh’s are the disciples of God who follow the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. The wisdom of these teachings in the Sir Guru Granth Sahib are practical and universal in their appeal to all mankind.

Sikhs – Sikhs are the followers of the religion of Sikhism. The word “Sikh” comes from the Punjabi language. It means “learner” or “disciple”. Gurus – Sikhs follow the teachings of the 10 leaders called “Gurus”. A guru is a special religious teacher. God’s teachings were given to human beings by these ten Gurus. The first of the Guru’s was called Guru Nanak. The Tenth Guru said there would be no more Gurus to lead the people after him. Instead, their teacher would be the book which contained the teachings of the Gurus. The Sikh holy book is called the Guru Granth Sahib.

“I observe neither Hindu fasting nor the ritual of the Muslim Ramadan month; Him I serve who at the last shall save. The Lord of universe of Hindus, Gosain and Allah to me are one; From Hindus and Muslims have I broken free. I perform neither Kaaba pilgrimage nor at bathing spots worship; One sole Lord I serve, and on other. I perform neither the Hindu worship nor the Muslim prayer; To the Sole Formless Lord in my heart I bow. We neither are Hindu not Muslims; Our body and life belong to the One Supreme Being who alone is both Ram and Allah for us.” (Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Grath Sahib, Raga Bhairon pf 1136)

“Any human being who faithfully believes in: i) One Immortal Being ii) Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh iii) The Guru Granth Sahib iv) The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and v) The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion is a Sikh.” (Reht Maryada, Sikh Code of Conduct)

Sikh Philosophy and Beliefs There is only One God. He is the same God for all people of all religions. The soul goes through cycles of birth and death before it reaches the human form. The goal of out life is to lead an exemplary existence for that one may merge with God. Sikhs should remember God at all times and practice living a virtuous and truthful life while maintaining a balance between their spiritual obligations and temporal obligations. The true path to achieving salvation and, merging with God does not require renunciation of the world. Or celibacy, but living the life of a householder, earning a honest living and avoiding worldly temptations and sins.

What Sikhs Believe Monotheistic – Sikhism attempts to reconcile the differences between Hinduism and Islam. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion. Sikhs believe in one God who made the universe and everything in it. They call God “Waheguru”, which means “Wonderful Lord”. They believe God is good and can forgive all sins. Reincarnation – Sikhism teaches that the ultimate purpose in life is to attain complete union with God, and thus to escape the cycle of death and rebirth called samsara. The experiences of union with God is eternal bliss.

Sikhs say that the best way to worship God is by living honestly and by caring about other people as the Gurus did. The believe that one cannot live God is one does not care about others. Since God made and loves everyone, everyone is treated equally. When one member of the Khalsa meets another, they are to use this greetings: “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ka Fateh” Which means, “The Khalsa belongs to God; victory belongs to God.”

Sikhism condemns blind rituals such as fasting, visiting places of pilgrimage, superstition, worship of the dead, idol worship, etc. Sikhism preaches that people of different races, religions, or sex are all equal in the eyes of God. It teaches the full equality of men and women. Women can participate in any religions function or perform any Sikh ceremony or lead the congregation in prayer.

Sikh Teachings Sikhism strives to guide people in their daily lives. The basic teachings of Sikhism is for humankind to exist affably and one equal terms. Some of the basic principles of Sikhism are: 1.One God who has no shape or forms – Sikhs believe there is only one God, the Creator of this universal. 2.Equality for all humankind – Sikhs believe that everyone is equal, regardless of their ethic, racial or religious origins and beliefs. 3.Equality for Women – Sikhs believe that women and men should have equal rights and privileges.

4. The three fundamental rules of Sikhism are: Nam Japo – Meditation on God’s Name Kirt Karo – Dignity through honest and hard work Wand Chako – Sharing one’s earnings with the needy 5.Acceptance of all religions – Sikhism is not opposed to other faiths. The gurus never claimed Sikhism as the only way to God and salvation 6.A strong Family Life – Sikhism asks its followers to lead the life of a householder and a family person. 7.Sikhism prohibits smoking, alcohol, and the use of intoxicating drugs, adultery, cutting of ones hair, eating meat in the Gurdwaras, and superstitions and ritual practices. There is no special injunction against beef or pork.

Life after death God judges the soul soul experiences pleasure or pain God determines the next life form of the soul Therefore, Sikhs are called to turn to God in two ways: gurbani – listen to hymns from Sikh sacred scriptures mukti – meditate on the name of God

Khanda Two swords = kirpans  Represents service to God by teaching the truth and fighting for what is right. Double- edged sword  A symbol of the power of God Circle = chakkar  Stands for God and the unity of people.

Why are turbans so important to Sikhs? Lesson Objectives: By the end of the lesson you will: KNOW the history of Sikhs wearing the turban UNDERSTAND the different reasons why Sikhs wear turban BE ABLE TO identify challenges a Sikh wearing a turban might face and come up with possible solutions.

Make a mind map around the picture about the following: Different reasons why a Sikh wears a turban? The different values or beliefs that a turban might represent? How might a Sikh wearing a turban feel?