World Religions: A Voyage of Discovery-Sikhism

Singing Hymns

A frequent worship activity inside the gurdwara

Guru

A spiritual teacher and revealer of truth, common to Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism

Sikh Names

Boys receive Singh and girls receive Kaur

Guru Nanak

Founder of Sikhism

Traveled and taught

Guru Nanak did this extensively following his revelation

Indira Gandhi

Prime minister of India that was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984

Hukam

The divine order of the universe

Militarism

This aspect plays a significant role in Sikhism; Especially in keeping the Kirpan

Gurdwara

"Doorway of the Guru"; Special building that is reserved for Sikh worship and houses a copy of the Adi Granth

Khalsa

An order within Sikhism to which most Sikhs belong; "The Pure Ones"

Immanent

Indwelling; Sikh theology maintains that God dwells within nature and within human beings in such a way that God is personal and can me approached through worship

Learner or Disciple

Sikh literally means this

Monotheistic

Sikhism is this kind of religion; Believing in only one true God

Adi Granth

Sikhism's most important sacred text; Sikhism's earthly authority

Haumai

The human inclination toward being self-centered rather than God-centered, an inclination that increases the distance between the individual and God

Justice and Equality

The most important aspect of Sikh daily life; Give this in all things at all times

Punjab

The region in Northwest India where Sikhism originated and is most concentrated

Divinity

The ten historical Gurus lacked this as it is a feature of God and God alone

Kartarpur

The town where Guru Nanak and his followers formed the first Sikh community and whose name means "abode of the creator"

Complete Union with God

The ultimate goal of a Sikh; the purpose of life

Hinduism and Islam

These two religions were blended to create Sikhism