Learning objectives
• To be able to understand the basic history of Sikhism
• To know what the five K’s are at the end of the lesson
• To understand what a Gurdwara is
• To understand the main Rites of passenger of Sikhs
How did Sikhism begin?
• Around 1500 CE
• Punjab area of
South Asia (Now
parts of India and
Pakistan)
• Guru Nanak started
teaching Sikhism
• At the time the area
was distinctly Hindu
and Islamic
What are the Gurus?
• There have been 10 human Gurus
• The Guru is seen as an enlightened
teacher, not a God
• Each Guru would appoint his
successor
• The last human Guru (Guru
Gobind Singh) appointed the Sikh
sacred texts as the final and
enduring Guru (Referred to as Sri
Guru Granth Sahib)
What are the 5 K’s?
What do they Represent?
So what
are the 5
K’s?
The Khanda is
made up by
some of the 5
K’s.
This is
called the
Khanda.
This Symbol
represents some
of the concepts
of Sikhism.
What are the 5 K’s?
• The 5 K’s are objects that most Sikhs carry to represent
different aspects of their religion.
• The reason they are called the 5 K’s is because the name
of all 5 objects begin with a ‘K.’
• Sikhs who carry these 5 K’s are called Khalsa. Khalsa
meaning “pure.”
• Both men and women can carry the 5 K’s.
• Each one of the 5 K’s has a different significance, but they
all just as important as each other.
• The 5 K’s are………
Kesh
This applies
for all body
hair, women
and men.
Hair is part of
God’s creation,
by having uncut
hair it shows the
acceptance of
God’s gift.
Kesh
means
uncut
hair.
Uncut hair
symbolizes
holiness and
strength.
Kara
The Kara is
worn on the
right wrist.
The Kara also
represents
restrained and not
doing anything
against the Guru’s
wishes.
The Kara
is a steel
bracelet.
The Kara
symbolizes
eternity,
showing God
has no
beginning or
end.
Kachehra/Kaccha
The Kachehra
helps to stop
one from
making the
wrong moves,
and remind
them of their
duty.
The Kachehra
should not go
below the knees.
The
Kachehra is
a pair of
underwear.
The Kachehra
symbolizes
chastity.
Kanga
It is
important to
look after
God’s
creation (our
body).
The Kanga is
used to brush
the uncut hair,
keeping it neat
and tidy.
The Kanga
is a
wooden
comb.
The Kanga
symbolizes a
clean body
and a clean
mind.
Kirpan
The rule is
“never do
injustice and
never let
anyone else
do injustice”
The Kirpan
symbolizes selfdefense,
defense of God
and defense of
the weak.
The Kirpan
is a sword.
The Kirpan
represents
courage
and
defence.
What is the place of worship?
The Gurdwara is the Sikh
place of worship. Gurdwara
means gateway to the guru.
Services
• Services are based
on the writings in
the Guru Granth
Sahib. A scripture of
a collection of
teachings. Together
with chants and
prayers from the
gurus known as
keertan.
Services
• The service ends with a
shared meal known as
langar.
• Langar is served to
everyone who attends
the Gurdwara.
• The food is shared out
by the Granthi, which is
the person who looks
after the Gurdwara.
What is a Nam Karan?
• When both the mother and child are ready to move
about, they are taken to the Gurdwara along with
the rest of the family.
• They recite hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib.
• Karah Prashad and Amrit are prepared.
• The new-born's name is chosen from the Hukam. The
Granthi randomly opens a page from the Guru
Granth and recites the hymn on that page. The
name is chosen by the first letter of the first word on
that hymn.
What is an Anand Karaj?
• A Sikh marriage is called Anand Karaj.
• The Guru Granth Sahib is present during the
wedding ceremony.
• While reciting the Lavan the couple must walk
around the Guru Granth Sahib four times.
• Wedding ceremonies can be performed by any
Sikhs who has gone through the Armit initiation.
• Sikhs believe in monogamy.
• Widows and widowers may remarry.
• Child marriage is forbidden.
Funeral Rites
• Death is considered a natural process.
• Public displays of grief at a funeral is discouraged
and so is worshipping the dead with gravestones.
• Cremation is what Sikhs prefers.
• Before cremation the body is cleaned and clothed
by a family member.
• Hymns are recited, while being cremated they
recite a night time prayer and Ardas is performed.
• Non continuos reading of the whole Guru Granth
Sahib takes place and concludes on the 10th day.
How many human Gurus
were there?
15
10
2
Try again
What does Khalsa mean?
Pure
Spiritual
Holy
Try again
What is a Gurdwara?
A house full of Holy people
A sacred bangle
A temple where Sikhs go for prayers
Try again
What is Armit?
Holy salt water
Sweet water
Sacred water
Try again