1. SIKHISM We will look at the following:
TYPES OF WORSHIP CHARITY SACH KHAND GURDWARA SERVICES -PRAYERS WORSHIP IN THE HOME AND ARTEFACTS

2. TYPES OF WORSHIP
Listening to recitals from the Guru Granth Sahib. This is called KIRTAN
Repeating selected verses repeatedly is called SIMRAN; this is like a form of meditation
NAAM JAPNA (one of the 3 principles of Sikhism), saying ‘Waheguru repeatedly when undertaking any sewa in the Gurdwara
Joining in with SHABADS (hymns that can be sung musically). SHABADS are led by the RAGI (musicians)
SEWA itself is a form of worship – whether that is helping with Langar in the Gurdwara or working with a Charity

3. CHARITY = SEWA = WORSHIP
Vand Chakna is one of the 3 principles
The teaching states we should share our knowledge/skills/resources with others
There are many Sikh UK charities:-
Khalsa Aid
Sikh Relief
Sikh Aid international
United Sikhs …..
Khalsa aid works in the UK and across the world, providing relief to areas affected by war or natural disasters, race, ethnicity or religion is no barrier to who they help.
Video on Khalsa Aid

4. Special act of worship – SACH KHAND
The GGS is regarded as a ‘living Guru’
It is treated with the utmost respect (romallas, bowing etc)
At the end of each day it is effectively ‘put to bed’
This ritual is carried out with great ceremony.
A selection of special prayers are read
The GGS is then placed on the head of a Granthi (priest) and taken to a special room called the SACH KHAND, the GGS is then put onto a ‘bed’ called the Manji Sahib.
This takes place every evening, anyone can attend this ceremony.
The service is complete when a Granthi says loudly ‘Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal’ meaning “whoever utters triumphantly; praised be the Lord”
Video Sach Khand service:

5. Sach Khand room (most Gurdwaras have several copies of the GGS A similar service in the morning places the GGS back in the worship hall – the Diwan)

6. Slide 6 to end
A guide to: ….
Special services
Worship at home

7. Special services at the Gurdwara
Rites of passage and other special occasions are celebrated using a selection of services.
The choice as to which one to use is up to the family requesting a service or the Granthi’s
There are services that last several minutes, to services that can go on for a whole week!
TASK: Make a quick list of the sorts of things one would/could celebrate, or wish to remember, or occasions to mark.

8. Popular occasions Birth Engagement Marriage Birthday
Passing exams/graduating
Anniversaries (wedding, death)
Funeral
Just thanking God
Wishing for good health/wellbeing
Special Festivals ie Vaisakhi
Guru’s birthdays/death …………….

9. A family can choose which set of prayers they want for the occasion they wish to mark
The most popular prayers are:-
Ardas– this is the easiest – all the Granthi has to do is say a few words to mark your request as he closes a religious service. It only takes a few minutes. For example if you wish to remember a loved one.
Sukhmani Sahib – these set of prayers last about 2 hours. People who are busy may choose this service. After the service a simple Ardas also takes place

10. Contd:/
Akand Part – this is a 3 day event – all day and night. Your family take it in turns to listen to the whole GGS being read cover to cover, day and night, in shifts by the Granthi’s. Usually starts on a Friday morning and concludes on a Sunday afternoon with an Ardas. Fri-Sun works best due to peoples work commitments in the UK.
Sehaj Part – is also the reading of the GGS cover to cover, but only in 2 hour shifts during the day, by the Granthi’s. This process can take up to a week. Concludes with an Ardas.

11. Which service you choose depends on:-
Which prayers you feel are spiritually appropriate
Your other commitments in life
The importance you attach to the event
How much time/money you have (as a contribution has to be made to the Gurdwara for the Granthi’s services)
Some examples:-
You might choose an Akand Part just before a wedding as a blessing
You might choose a Sukhmani Sahib for a birthday
You might choose a Sehaj Part for a funeral
You might choose an Ardas to mark an anniversary
It your personal choice as most prayers are suitable for most occasions!

12. General order of all services in a Gurdwara
Step 1: Book the service for the occasion you wish to mark
Step 2: Attend the service (prayers, kirtan, shabads)
Step 3: Listen/join in with the final prayer – the ARDAS
Step 4: Listen to the Hukum, also called Vaak (‘Gods will’), this is a last random reading from the GGS
Step 5: Receive the Karah Prashad
Step 6: Eat Langar
TASK: COME UP WITH AN ACRONYM FOR THE 6 STEPS FOR ALL GURDWARA SERVICES
Remember: Sewa is important throughout too

13. Worship in the home and religious artefacts

14. How do Sikhs worship in the home?
Many Amritdhari/Khalsa Sikhs worship at least 2 or 3 times a day – Morning and Evening and just before bedtime.
They may have a small booklet of selected verses from the GGS, called a GUTKA, they will read from it (Punjabi/English versions available!)
They may recite verses as it plays on a CD player/mobile phone app
Some very devout Sikhs might even have a dedicated room that houses the GGS in their house so they will read/pray in there.

15. TASK:
Think of 5 reasons why Sikhs might prefer to worship at home.

16. Some Answers Private/personal space
Timing is easier – ie. Prayers fit in with lifestyle
Unable to get to a Gurdwara – travel/distance
Can pray for a personal reason in private
Illness/disability prevents distance to Gurdwara
Work/family commitments prevent regular visit to a Gurdwara
No need to worry about clothes/dressing up
Makes no difference where you worship – GOD IS EVERYWHERE

17. Prayers The morning prayer is called JAPJI SAHIB
It is usually recited at dawn, although many Sikhs will ensure it is completed before noon
It takes about 50 minutes to recite
The evening prayer is called REHRAS SAHIB
It should be recited at dusk
It takes 20 minutes
Many will also say a Night Prayer just before bedtime
This is called the Sohila
It takes about 7 minutes to recite.[2]

18. THINK
Sikhs do not have strict rules about when prayers are said i.e the Rehras can take place at any time in the evening …etc
What are the advantages and disadvantages of not being so prescriptive?

19. SPECIAL OCCASIONS TO WORSHIP AT HOME
There are times when many Sikhs (devout and not so devout) will have special services in their home.
For example:-
Blessing a new home
Celebrating a birthday with close family/friends
Praying for someone who is ill
We will look at how one of these is carried out.

20. TASK
Using the book ‘Sikhism: A new approach’ by P. Draycott, go to page 36/37, and list all the activities involved in blessing a new home.

21. ARTEFACTS
There are not many artefacts that are used for worship in Sikhism.
A baptised (KHALSA) Sikh will adorn the 5k’s anyway.
The focus should be on the hymns, and the GGS, if one is present. There should no other distractions
It is acceptable to use a Gutka – small collection of hymns from the GGS, or a mobile phone app to help you recite
Some Sikhs might use is a MALA. A Mala is a prayer rope made up of any number of knots or beads divisible by 9, which are passed through the fingers as believer repeats ‘Waheguru’. (no real reason for the number of beads) many Sikhs prefer beads on a Kara
DRAW A MALA INTO YOUR BOOKS

22. Optional questions
Explain the importance of religious objects in Sikh worship. (8 marks)
(in this question you can mention the GGS and how it is revered too)
“It is better to worship in the Gurdwara than in the home”. Discuss (15 marks)
“Worship can take many forms in Sikhism”. Discuss. (15 marks)
(include; objects, GGS, Karah Prashad, sewa, prayers, occasions etc)
Explain the importance of charity in Sikhism. (5 marks)