GURDWARA It’s nature ~ Social and Religious It’s role in Sikh life and faith for Sikhs today. PPQ Jan 2010 & Jan 2012 A: “Examine the nature and role of the Gurdwara” (30) Jan 2010 B: “The Gurdwara has more of a social role than a religious role in Sikhism today.” Discuss how far you agree (15) June 2010 B: “The Gurdwara no longer meets the needs of sikhs in the UK.” Discuss how far you agree. (15)

Gurdwara LO: What is a Gurdwara?

What are the key features?

Explore the RELIGIOUS nature of a Gurdwara

Explore the SOCIAL nature of a Gurdwara

http://www.cleo.net.uk/resources/displayframe.php?src=389/consultants_resources%2Freligiouseduc%2FPOWsikhism%2FPoWquestions.html

Guru= Teacher Granth = big Sahib = ‘Sir’ title of respect Nishan = flag Nishan Sahib=? Sat= true Nam = name Sat Nam=? Sat Guru=? Wahe= wonderful Waheguru=?

What is this?

The Nishan Sahib

Where do we normally find the Nishan Sahib?

Part A

A The Colour is called Kesri. It is

the colour which reminds of those who have died for their Guru.

Part B

B is called the Farla. When it flaps in the wind it invites everyone to the home of the guru

Part C

C The Khanda Symbol reminds us to be a Saint and Soldier. To always

remember god and also stand for truth

Part D

D Kamarkasa – reminds the Sikh

to always be ready for

serving/helping others

Part E

E are the promises we try to follow sikhi – keep our hair and take amrit to

become better Sikhs

Part F

F are the ropes which hold the nishan sahib in place. There are four of

them which means people from all directions

can receive a message from Guru Granth Sahib

jee.

Part G

G is called the Thara. If the flag of a religion flies high, it is a sign that the people it belongs to are free and strong.

A nishan sahib is high from the ground which fits in with “jab lag khalsa rahe niyara, tab lag tej deeyo mein sara” Until the khalsa remains unique I will give it my support – Guru Gobind Singh Jee Maharaj

Part H

H is the world which the Sikh lives and works in but does not

forget Waheguru

Part I

I The khanda top reminds us to always focus on simran and

take our thoughts higher and to think

better actions

A

B

C

D

E

F G

H

I

Fateh, used in the Sikh Greeting "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh", referring to victory.

Gurdwara LO: What is a Gurdwara?

What are the key features?

Explore the RELIGIOUS nature of a Gurdwara

Explore the SOCIAL nature of a Gurdwara

What is a Gurdwara?

Literally Guru's portal/ abode / House or Door

The word “Gurdwara” means “Door to the Guru”

or “House of the Guru”. The Guru in this case

refers both to God (referred to variously as

Satnam - “True Name”, Satguru – “True Guru”,

Waheguru – “Wonderful Guru”), and the Guru

Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. Every

Gurdwara will have at least one copy of the

Guru Granth Sahib, in fact it cannot call itself a

Gurdwara if it does not. Most Sikhs will not have

a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib at home, but if

they do, their house then becomes a Gurdwara,

and the book has to treated with the same

respect as it would receive at the Temple.

Definition of a Gurdwara

During the times of the early Gurus, Sikh places of worship were referred to as

dharamsalas. They were a place where Sikhs could gather to hear the Guru speak or sing

hymns. As the Sikh population continued to grow Guru Hargobind introduced the word

Gurdwara, meaning the gateway through which the Guru could be reached. Thereafter all

Sikh places of worship came to be known as Gurdwaras.

Any place where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed and treated with due respect can be

referred to as a Gurdwara, whether it is a room in ones house of a separate building.

Three main functions are carried out in all public Gurdwaras.

One is Kirtan which is the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib,

another is Katha which is reading of the Guru Granth Sahib and explanations.

The third main function which is carried out at every Gurdwara is the Langar, free

community kitchen for all visitors of all religions.

Along with these main functions Gurdwaras around the world also serve the Sikh

community in many other ways including, libraries of Sikh literature, schools to teach

children Gurmukhi and the Sikh scriptures and charitable work in the community on behalf

of Sikhs.

OVER TO YOU !!! In groups of 4 use the chip paper + markers …. There are 5 MAIN elements (features) that make up a Gurdwara. Discuss / debate / then write down your ideas … be prepared to JUSTIFY your answers!

Features of a Gurdwara 1.The Guru i.e. SGGSJ. A hall called Darbar Sahib, houses the Guru. Darbar Sahib refers to the Main Hall within a Sikh Gurdwara. In the phase "Darbar Sahib", the word Darbar means Court and so the terms together refers to the "Guru's Court". This is the hall where the current and perpetual Guru of the Sikh, Sri Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a Takhat or Throne in a prominent central position in the hall. 2.Nishan Sahib, is a triangular orange flag with a Khalsa emblem of a (Khanda)in the middle. It expresses the faith of Sikh Community in the True Lord. It is a Khalsa icon for the TRUE Guru's abode 3. Pangat :PANGAT from Sanskrit pankti (literally a row, line, series, or a group, assembly, company) stands in Sikh terminology for commensality or sitting together on the ground in a row to partake of food from a common kitchen regardless of caste, creed, sex, age or social status. Pangat is thus a synonym for Guru ka Langar, an institution of fundamental importance in Sikhism. 4. Sangat is a holy congregation of the 'saint soldiers', which in the purest form is called the Khalsa. As per Sikh faith, this Khalsa congregation also represents the combined spirit of the ONE(True eternal God). 5. Golak or Guru ki Golak is the term used to refer to the collection box that is usually laid in front of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib where the congregation deposits their offerings in the form of coins or paper notes before kneeling or bowing to the Guru. One can donate their dasvand here. Dasvandh or Dasaundh, literally means a "tenth part" and refers to the practice among Sikhs of contributing in the name of the Guru one-tenth of their earnings towards the common resources of the community. In addition to the 5 Basic features, a Gurdwara may have: 6. Rest Room for the GGSJ: This room is sometimes called "Sach Khand" (which translates to abode of 'True God' /Pure Domain /Paradise ) 7. Various utility rooms, wash-rooms, kitchen, etc. Some of the larger Sikh Gurdwaras may also have rooms for the devotees to stay overnight with bathroom facilities.

Watch TRUE TUBE visit to a Gurdwara

Holy Cribs - The Gurdwara

Ramonjot, a young Sikh, gives TrueTube a tour of his Gurdwara, the Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Southall. He shows us the prayer hall, the dining hall and even the Guru Granth Sahib’s bedroom!

• The raised platform, on which the Guru Granth Sahib is placed to be read from during the prayer service

• A Punjabi word meaning ‘sweet-smelling.’ It is a type of incense used as an offering.

• The sound made to call Sikhs to worship

Palki

• A fish dish served during Langar in Sikh worship

• A fan that is waved over the Guru Granth Sahib

• A liquid composed of water and sugar and is stirred with a double-edged sword, then drunk by a Sikh to become a member of the Khalsa

Chauri

• The room where the Guru Granth Sahib is kept during the night

• A small statue which depicts the Ek Onkar

• A famous Sikh leader whom many Gurdwara’s are named after

Sach Khand

• A chant used in worship to clear the mind

• The name of the ceremonial prayer used at Sikh weddings

• A sweet tasting food which has been blessed that is handed out to all worshippers at the end of a service

Karad Prashad

• A chant used in Sikhism to clear the mind

• The name of the ceremonial prayer used at Sikh weddings

• It means ‘selfless service’ and involves people giving up their time to work helping others

Sewa

• A fish dish served during Langar in Sikh worship

• A ceremonial reader of the Guru Granth Sahib

• A pointer used to help them read from the Guru Granth Sahib in worship

Granthi

Chandoa A canopy above the Guru Granth Sahib – important people would have sat beneath a canopy to keep them out of the sun, so it became a symbol of respect.

Chauri A fly-whisk – a handle with hair or feathers protruding from one end, waved over the Guru Granth Sahib as a sign of respect.

Granthi The man or woman who reads out the Guru Granth Sahib to the congregation.

Guru Granth Sahib The Sikh holy book.

Harmonium A small keyboard instrument similar to a piano accordion.

Ik Onkar A Sikh symbol – the first words of the Guru Granth Sahib in Gurmukhi letters that mean, “God is One”.

Karah Prashad A sweet food made of flour, sugar, milk and butter. It is mixed in a bowl and offered to the Guru Granth Sahib before being shared around the congregation.

Khanda A Sikh symbol made up of a two edged sword (a khanda), a circle (a chakra) and two single edged swords (kirpans).

Kirpan A single-edged sword, often slightly curved.

Manji Sahib A pile of cushions that the Guru Granth Sahib is placed on.

Offerings Various offerings of money, flowers, food etc are placed before the Guru Granth Sahib as a sign of respect.

Pictures of the Gurus These are placed around the Gurdwara to remind the congregation of the Gurus’ example.

Ragis Musicians who sing and accompany hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib.

Rumalla A cloth used to cover the Guru Granth Sahib in order to keep it clean.

Tabla A small drum played with the fingers.

Takht This means “Throne” and is the name given to the raised platform on which the Guru Granth Sahib is placed.

The Guru Granth Sahib Look at the picture below. It shows the front of a Diwan (worship) Hall in a Gurdwara with all the people and objects you would find around the Guru Granth Sahib. Read these descriptions and then have a go at labelling the picture.

What is the main Diwan Hall? Chanani is a canopy normally made of highly decorated cloth which covers the scriptures as is used as a mark of respect. The platform where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is placed the the darbar sahib is covered on top with a rectangular canopy called a Chanani, which is a large covering made of rich cloth attached high above the Guru's seating near the ceiling secured to the roof of the hall or held high by 4 posts. Manji is a Punjabi word for a small bed and sahib is term to show respect for the item described in the preceding word. The term Manji sahib is used in the Sikh tradition for the small bed on which Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is placed during the day in the main hall (Darbar Sahib) of the Gurdwara. Rumalla is a Punjabi term for a square or rectangular piece of silk or other cloth material used to cover the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee in the Gurdwara when it is not being read. Rumallas are sometimes brought as gifts when people attend the services at the Sikh Gurdwara. Palki is where the Guru resides, when the Guru is carried from one place to another.. The Guru Granth Sahib is placed on the Manji Sahib - a raised platform covered by the Palki - a canopy, to show its importance. The Guru Granth Sahib is covered by a piece of beautiful material called a Rumalla and flowers are placed round it. Around the top of the canopy may be engraved the word 'Waheguru' which means 'Wonderful Lord'. Nishan Its external distinguishing mark is the Nishan Sahib or the Sikh flag, saffron in colour, that flies day and night atop the building, or, more often, separately close to it.

Think of a Question!

Think of a question that you could ask about the Gurdwara and then nominate someone to answer it!

Guru Granth Sahib Nishan Nishan Sahib Sat Nam Sat Nam Sat Guru Wahe Waheguru

Darbar shaib Manji sahib Pangat Sangat Golak Rumallas Palki Miri Piri Takht Chauri

Gurdwara LO: What is a Gurdwara?

What are the key features?

Explore the RELIGIOUS nature of a Gurdwara

Explore the SOCIAL nature of a Gurdwara

Respect and Equality in the Gurdwara (Answers & Sort Cards) Respect 1. Take your shoes off. 2. Cover your head. 3. Sit below the level of the Guru Granth Sahib. 4. Men and women sit on opposite sides of the hall. 5. A chauri is waved over the Guru Granth Sahib. 6. The Guru Granth Sahib is beneath a chandoa (canopy). 7. The Guru Granth Sahib is sat on a manji sahib. 8. Cover the Guru Granth Sahib with a rumalla. 9. The Guru Granth Sahib is given its own room. 10. The Guru Granth Sahib is on a Takht. 11. Dress modestly. 12. Sit cross legged so the soles of your feet are beneath you. 13. Wash your hands. 14. Don’t wear revealing clothes. 15. No meat, drugs, tobacco or alcohol. 16. Offerings of money, food and flowers are given. 17. Hymns are sung from the Guru Granth Sahib. 18. The Granthi reads out the Guru Granth Sahib. 19. Worshippers bow to the Guru Granth Sahib.

Equality 1. Men and women sit the same distance from the Takht. 2. Sit on the floor. 3. Everyone is welcome in the Gurdwara. 4. Everyone shares a meal in the Langar. 5. The Langar is vegetarian. 6. Dress simply. 7. Don’t wear lots of jewellery. 8. Everyone takes a turn to serve in the Langar. 9. Karah Prashad is shared. 10. The Granthi can be a man or a woman. 11. The ragis can be men or women. 12. Sikhs all take the names ‘Singh’ or ‘Kaur’.

Personal Behaviour Environment On the Move Other

Head must be covered at all times. Shoes and socks must be removed. Basic standards of personal hygiene are to be observed especially relating to cleanliness Eating or drinking while in service is strictly avoided. Being under the influence of any intoxicant including alcohol, tobacco...etc. is strictly forbidden. Consuming meat before entering the Darbar Sahib is strictly forbidden. Complete silence is observed while in Guru's service. Respectful attitude towards others who are present. No Discrimination while doing Sewa

The room should be kept clean The rumalla sahibs that are used to cover Guru Granth Sahib Ji are kept clean and changed daily. The Guru Granth Sahib Ji is always placed on a Manji Sahib (small handmade throne). A canopy is always placed over the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. A Chaur Sahib is provided besides Guru Granth Sahib Ji with a small platform to house the Karah Parshad (sacramental food) and other offerings. Everyone should cover their head and take off their shoes.

Five initiated Sikhs accompany Guru Granth Sahib at all times when travelling Another Sikh does Chaur Sahib seva One Singh is to go ahead of Satguru and sprinkle water or wet flower petals. The Main Singh carrying the Guru must put a clean Rumalla on his Turban before carefully and with respect placing the Guru on this Rumalla. At all times, the Guru should be covered with a small Rumalla so that the Guru's Sarop is always fully "covered". Also the Sikh carrying Guru Granth Sahib should have "Keshi Ishnaan" or washed hair to show respect. There should be recitation of "Waheguru" at all times.

No one sits on a higher platform than the Guru. No one is to come in front of guruji without his or her head covered.

Respect

Think of a Key Word!

Think of a KEY WORD that you could ask about the Gurdwara and then nominate someone to answer it!

Gurdwara Protocols

When entering the Gurdwara one is expected to remove the shoes and cover ones

bare head as signs of respect towards the sovereignty of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Hands are washed and in some Gurdwaras there are also feet washes. Approaching

the Guru Granth Sahib one is expected to bow down and touch the floor as a sign

of further respect towards the Eternal Sikh Guru. Offerings of cash are usually

made at this time to help carry the expenses of running the Gurdwara and

community work carried out by the Gurdwara. These offerings are voluntary and

not compulsory. All people irrespective of their status sit on the floor as a sign of

equality as opposed to chairs and the Guru Granth Sahib is always installed on a

higher level. One may enter or leave the congregation at any time. Men and

women do not generally sit together but on separate sides of the room, both at an

equal distance from the Guru Granth Sahib. All people are expected to stand facing

the Guru Granth Sahib when the Ardas (common prayer) is read out. Gurdwaras are

open to all people of all religions and are generally open 24 hours a day. Some

Gurdwaras also provide temporary accommodations for visitors or pilgrims. In the

Langar all sit on the floor and food is cooked and served by volunteers, this food is

available at all times. Only vegetarian food is served so that no person may be

offended and all people of all religions can sit together to share a common meal

irrespective of any dietary restrictions.