Chapter 9.4Key Terms

PunjabRegion of northern India. Location of where a new religion called “Sikhism” arose.

Guru Nanak He was the first Guru, or spiritual leader in the Sikh tradition. At 30 years of age he had a religious vision, he traveled to spread the message that God was eternal, formless, and the creator. He preached monotheistic messages. He taught everyone can achieve unity with God through service to humanity, meditation, and honest work . God is all powerful and all loving, and has no hate towards anyone.

Sikhs

A person, a "disciple", "seeker," or "learner") who practices the religion of Sikhism. They believe in one God. They rely on one holy book, the Guru Granth Sahiband honor a line of teacher who have descended from Guru Nanak. Sikhism is the world’s fifth-largest religion.

GuruA spiritual teacher, especially one who imparts initiation. An influential teacher or popular expert. There were the first ten gurus each of who were the first leaders of the Sikh religion.

InfiniteTo be devoted to a formless, One (or single God) that can be found in everyone and in all of nature.

The fifth Guru who made a book compiled of the teachings of the first five Gurus. He built the “Golden Temple” in the city of Amritsar in Punjab which remains the most holy Sikh house of worship.

Who was Guru Gobind? He was the tenth Sikh Guru,someone who was very bound to his religion, warrior, poet and philosopher. When his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was killed for refusing to convert to Islam, Guru Gobind Singh was formally named as the leader of the Sikhs at age nine, becoming the tenth Sikh Guru.

● He was born on December 22, 1666 and died on October 7, 1708.

● He was born in Patna and died in Nanded.● He was the founder of the ¨Khalsa¨ sikh warrior

group

Banda Singh BahadurA general named Banda Singh

Bahadur lead the sikh community

after the death of Guru Gobind

Singh. By the time he came to

lead persecution worsened. At

first he was successful in

defeating armies but then people

wanted to overthrow him and he

was surrounded in Punjabi and

his empire soon fell.

KhalsaThe formal group of Sikhs "the sovereigns" who have already been initiated as Sikhs, as well as a community that considers Sikhism as its faith, have undergone a sacred ceremony. The Khalsa tradition was initiated in 1699 by the last living Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh. Its formation was a key event in the history of Sikhism.

KakarIs a type of clothing that members of the Khalsa are expected to wear. The clothing is also known as the “Five K’s.” All of the pieces of clothing start with the “K” sound.

● Kesh – Uncut hair: Sikhs do not cut hair or beards to remain in the image that God gave us.

● Kachera – Under-shorts (boxers) to represent modesty and fidelity (virtuous character)

● Kanga – Comb, made of wood – to keep uncut hair neat and clean.

● Kara – Bracelet, made of steel worm on right hand – a reminder of noble actions, a symbol of eternity.

● Kirpan – Ceremonial small blunt knife symbolizing freedom, liberty and justice.