Glossary of Sikhism

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The following list consists of concepts that are derived from both Sikh and Indian tradition. The main purpose of this list is to disambiguate multiple spellings, to make note of spellings no longer in use for these concepts, to define the concept in one or two lines, to make it easy for one to find and pin down specific concepts, and to provide a guide to unique concepts of Sikhism all in one place.

Contents

A

Amrit
elixir of immortality - the sanctified nectar or sugar water substitute used in ceremonies. It is prepared by stirring it in an iron bowl with the double-edged sword and continuous recitation of five banis by the five selected members of the Khalsa.
Amritdhari
baptized Sikh who has undergone the Khalsa ceremony. According to Sikh Reht Maryada, any person who is initiated into the Khalsa is called Amrit Dhari.
Amrit Sanchar, Amrit Sanskar
Baptism (sanchar means ceremony)
Akal Purakh
Timeless Being - The name of God
Akal Sena
Military established by Guru Hargobind.
Akali Nihang
Sikh warrior order.

B

Bani
verses. An abbreviation of Gurbani, applied to any of the writings which appear in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Bhagat
A holy person or a member of a community whose objectives involve leading humanity towards God and highlighting injustices in the world.
Bhagat Bani
Any of the writings which appear in the Guru Granth Sahib which were not written by the Gurus.
Beadbi
[1] Blasphemy, Sacrilege, Desecration or disrespect.

C

Chola
Robe - Unisex Sikh attire.

D

Daan
Charity. One of the 3 petitions - Naam, Daan, Ishnan.
Darbar Sahib
Imperial Court - the main hall of a Gurdwara.
Dasband, daswand, dasvand
10% of earnings donated to the less advantaged.
Dastar
Turban (Pugree). It is an inseparable part of Sikh dress and is mandatory for a Sikh to tie his turban according to Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh 'Code of Conduct'.
Deg Tegh Fateh
Victory to Charity and Arms - slogan and the title of an anthem in the Punjabi language that signifies the dual obligations of the Khalsa: The responsibility to provide food, and to provide protection, for the needy and oppressed.
Dharam di Kirat
To earn an honest living.
Dharamyudh
Term which means just war, a concept of war against tyranny.


G

Gatka
Sikh martial art
Gurdwara, gurudwara
Place of worship, meaning "Guru's door", or Guru's place
Gurbani
Collective writings of the Sikh Gurus. (See bani.)
Gurmukh
Person who is spiritually centered. (See manmukh.) A person who lives within the will of God and accepts all good and bad that happens to oneself without question or annoyance.
Gurmukhi
The written form of Punjabi used in the Sikh scriptures propagated by Guru Nanak and Guru Angad. Gurmukhi script is also called 'Paintis Akhri' because it contains thirty-five letters.
Gutka Sahib
Prayerbook containing daily prayers.

H

Hankaar
Pride, one of the five vices.

I

Ik Onkar
Phrase that denotes the One Universal Creater.
Ishnan
Purity of mind and body. One of the three petitions - Naam, Daan, Ishnan.

J

Japu, Japō
Recitation (from Jap: Recite).
Japji Sahib
The first 8 pages of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy scripture), consisting of hymns composed by Guru Nanak.
Jatha
A group of Sikhs.
Jathedar
The leader of a Jatha.
Jhatka
Meat of an animal which is slaughtered without any rituals by severing its head instantly in one blow of an axe or sword to cause as less pain as possible.

K

Kakke
Panj (5) K's that must be worn by Sikhs.
Kachha/kachchhera
Short undergarments – one of the Five Ks that a Khalsa Sikh must wear. It is a symbol of self-control.
Kaam
Lust, one of the 5 vices.
Kanga
Wooden comb – one of the Five Ks that a Khalsa Sikh must west. It is a symbol of discipline.
Kara
A loose steel bracelet – one of the Five Ks that Sikhs must wear. It is a symbol of restraint. Variations include Jangi Kara for combat.
Kaur
Princess. Female Sikh middle name or surname.
Kesh
Unshorn hair – one of the Five Ks that Sikhs must wear.
Khanda
Emblem of Sikh faith that symbolizes the four pillars of Sikh belief. It consists of four symbolic weapons.
Khalsa
Pure – must carry panj kakkar.
Khalsa Fauj
The military stablished by Guru Gobind Singh.
Kirpan
Short sword – one of the Five Ks that a Khalsa Sikh must wear. It is a symbol of the fight against injustice and religious oppression.
Kirat karō (kirat karni)
One of the three primary pillars of Sikhism, the others being Naam Japo and Wand kay Shako. The term means to earn an honest, pure and dedicated living.
Krodh
Anger. One of the 5 vices.
Kutha
The meat of an animal which is ritualistically and slowly slaughtered. Prohibited.
Kurahit
kurahat: The cardinal sins for the Sikhs. These are cutting, trimming, shaving or removing hairs from one’s body, eating kutha meat, using tobacco, or any other intoxicant in any form or committing adultery.

L

Lobh
Greed, one of the 5 vices.
Langar
Community kitchen of a gurdwara, which serves lacto-vegetarian meals to all free of charge, regardless of religion, caste, creed, gender, economic status, or ethnicity.

M

Manmukh
A self-centered person, contrast gurmukh. A person who lives within the will of the Mind as opposed to the will of God.
Miri Piri
Concept of having both temporal power and spiritual authority.
Moh
Attachment. One of the 5 vices.
Mul Mantar
Basic statement of creed.

N

Naam
Name. Remembrance of the divine name.
Nām Japō, Naam japna
Recitation and meditation on the Naam of the Lord.
Nitnem
Daily prayers which begin with Japji Sahib and are written in a Gutka (prayerbook).

P

Panj
The number 5
Panj dokh
The 5 thieves/betrayers. Ahankar (pride), Kam (lust), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed) and Moh (worldly attachment)
Panj weapons
Chardi Kala (positive energy), Daan (charity), Dayan (kindness) Nimarta (humility), Santokh (contentment)
Panj virtues
Daya (compassion), Nimrata (humility), Pyare (love), Santokh (contentment) and Sat (truth).
Panj Kakke
The Five Ks; the five external symbols worn by both male and female Sikhs. The name of each symbol starts with the letter k (kakka); kaccha, kanga, kara, kesh and kirpan.
Panj Pyare
Five Beloved Ones - refers to a gathered ad hoc quintet of five baptized (Amritdhari) Khalsa Sikhs who act as institutionalized leaders for the wider Sikh community.
Panth
Means path.
Patit
Apostate.
Sache Patishah
True Emperor - the name of God and title of all Gurus.
Panth Patishah


S

Sangat
Society (congregation). Compare Panth.
Sarbat da Bhalla
Welfare of humankind
Satguru
True Guru - The name of God.
Seva
Service. One of the 2 foundations of Sikhism. Three varieties of seva are sanctioned in the Sikh lore: that rendered through the corporal instrument (tan), that through the mental apparatus (man) and that through the material wherewithal (dhan). There are 4 types of Seva:
  1. Dhan di Seva – the one people are most familiar with. Doing seva by performing deeds of service and virtue.
  2. Mann Di Seva – done by doing Simran. Cleansing the Soul of polluted thoughts and Maya.
  3. Guru di Seva – by having your Mann attuned to his Naam.[ clarification needed ]
  4. Satgur ki Seva.[ further explanation needed ]
Shabad, Śábda
The hymns contained in Sikh scriptures.
Shaheed
Title used before the name of a person who has died as a Sikh martyr.
Simran
The remembrance of Waheguru. Guru Nanak formed a new type of Bakti beginning with Simran and Jap of Waheguru Gurmantar.
Singh
Lion. Male Sikh middle or surname title.
Sloka
Stanza. The Sanskrit epic metre formed of thirty-two syllables: verses of two lines (distich) of sixteen syllables each or in four half-lines (hemistich) of each syllables each. Japu (recitation) comprises an introductory sloka, 38 stanzas traditionally called pauris and a concluding sloka attributed by some to Guru Angad.
Sukhmani
the Psalm of Peace.

T

Tankhah
Salary, payment also social offense – He is not to commit any of the social offences (Tankhah), such as giving dowry, using liquors and intoxicants, raising monuments over graves and associating with apostates.
Turban
Dastar (Pugree). It is an inseparable part of Sikh dress and is mandatory for a Sikh to tie his turban according to Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh 'Code of Conduct'.


W

Waheguru (ਵਾਹਗੁਰੂ)
Wonderous Guru - A term used in Sikhism to refer to God as described in Guru Granth Sahib.
Wand Shakna
To share one's bounty with others (See daan.)


Related Research Articles

<i>Khalsa</i> Sikh community and special group

The term Khalsa refers to both a community that considers Sikhism as its faith, as well as a special group of initiated Sikhs. The Khalsa tradition was initiated in 1699 by the Tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh. Its formation was a key event in the history of Sikhism. The founding of Khalsa is celebrated by Sikhs during the festival of Vaisakhi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Five Ks</span> Five articles of faith that Khalsa Sikhs wear at all times

In Sikhism, the Five Ks are five items that Guru Gobind Singh, in 1699, commanded Khalsa Sikhs to wear at all times. They are: kesh, kangha, kara, kachhera, and kirpan.

The following outline is provides an overview of Sikhism, or Sikhi.

Vaṇḍ Chakō is one of the three main pillars of the teachings of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikhism. The other two pillars are Naam Japo and Kirat Karo. It means to share what you have and to consume it together as a community. This could be wealth, food. etc. The term is also used to mean to share ones wealth with others in the community, to give to charity, to distribute in Langar and to generally help others in the community who need help. A Sikh is expected to contribute a portion of their wealth or income to people in need or to a worthy cause.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaap Sahib</span> Sikh morning prayer

Jaap Sahib is the morning prayer of the Sikhs. The beaded prayers were composed by the Tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh and is found at the start of the Sikh scripture Dasam Granth. This Bani is an important Sikh prayer, and is recited by the Panj Pyare while preparing Amrit on the occasion of Amrit Sanchar (initiation), a ceremony held to Amrit initiates into the Khalsa and it is a part of a Sikh's Nitnem. The Jaap Sahib is reminiscent of Japji Sahib composed by Guru Nanak, and both praise God.

In Sikhism, Nām Japō (Punjabi: ਨਾਮ ਜਪੋ, pronunciation: ), also known as Naam Japna or Naam Simran, is the remembrance of God or the Akal Purkh, the supreme formless power that is timeless and deathless, through the meditation or contemplation of the various Names of God, especially the chanting of the word "Waheguru" representing the formless being, the creator of all the forms, and the being omnipresent in all forms.

The Akhand Kirtani Jatha, alternatively romanized as the Akhand Keertanee Jathaa and abbreviated as AKJ, is a jatha and sect of Sikhism dedicated to the Sikh lifestyle. The Jatha follows a strict discipline in keeping the Rehat of Guru Gobind Singh. They also enjoy an active style of Keertan recited by Sikhs in a collective manner in front of Guru Granth Sahib. This style of Keertan is relatively simple, and the entire congregation devotionally participates in singing along.

The Three pillars of Sikhism, also called three duties, were formalised by Guru Nanak Dev Ji as:

  1. Naam Japo: The Guru led the Sikhs directly to practice Simran and Naam Japo—meditation on God and reciting and chanting of God's Name—Waheguru. The Sikh is to recite the Nitnem banis daily in remembrance of the grace and kirpan of the Almighty.
  2. Kirat Karo: He asked the Sikhs to live as householders and practice Kirat Karo: to honestly earn, with hard work, by one's physical and mental effort, while accepting God's gifts and blessing. One is to speak the truth at all times. Live a life of decency, high moral values and spirituality.
  3. Vaṇḍ Chakkō: The Sikhs were asked to share with everyone, Irrespective of caste, creed, color or sexuality by practising Vaṇḍ Chakkō—“Share and Consume together”. The community or Sadh Sangat is an important part of Sikhism. One must be part of a community that is pursuing the values set out by the Sikh Gurus and every Sikh has to give in whatever way possible to the community. This spirit of Giving is an important message from Guru Nanak.
<i>Nitnem</i> Daily prayers in Sikhism

Nitnem is a collection of Sikh hymns (Gurbani) to be read minimally 3 different times of the day. These are mandatory and to be read by every Amritdhari Sikh as expressed in the Sikh Rehat Maryada. Optionally additional prayers may be added to a Sikh's nitnem. There are five hymns (Five Banis) to be done during Amrit Vela, the Rehras Sahib hymn for the evening and Kirtan Sohila for the night. The morning and evening prayers should be followed by an Ardaas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panj Pyare</span> Gathered quintet of five baptised Sikhs

Panj Pyare refers to a gathered ad hoc quintet of five baptised (Amritdhari) Khalsa Sikhs who act as institutionalized leaders for the wider Sikh community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">God in Sikhism</span> Sikh conception of God

In Sikhism, God is conceived as the Oneness that permeates the entirety of creation and beyond. It abides within all of creation as symbolized by the symbol Ik Onkar. The One is indescribable yet knowable and perceivable to anyone who surrenders their egoism and meditates upon that Oneness. The Sikh gurus have described God in numerous ways in their hymns included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, but the oneness of formless God is consistently emphasized throughout.

Rehat refers to the rules and traditions which govern the unique Sikh lifestyle and determines correct Sikh orthodoxy and orthopraxy. The Sikh Rehit Maryada is a code of conduct and conventions for Sikhism. The final version of the Rehat Maryada was controversially approved by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar in 1945. The Rehat Maryada was created to provide guidance to Sikhs on practical and functional aspects of daily life, including the operations of Sikh Gurdwaras, and religious practices to foster cohesion throughout the community. Rehitnāma is a Punjabi term that refers to a genre of Sikh religious literature which expounds upon specifying an approved way of life for a Sikh.

Sikh practices are guidelines laid out by the Gurus for the practice of the "Sikh way of life". The Gurus emphasise that a Sikh should lead a disciplined life engaged in Naam Simran, meditation on God's name, Kirat Karo, living an honest life of a house-holder, and Vand Chaako, sharing what one has with the community. This translates into hard work, honest living, love of fellow humans and through them service of the God, the primal power. This way of life is said to have been stripped of complications, myths, jargon, rituals and exploitation of man by man in the name of religion. No benefits are gained by where and to which family the person is born to – All have to undertake the rigours of Simran (meditation) and Sevā to progress spiritually. The Guru Granth Sahib asks the Sikh to "Practice truth, contentment and kindness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikh discipline</span>

In Sikh discipline, a Sikh is required by the Sikh Gurus to live a disciplined life by doing pure and righteous deeds and actions. The following are the list of activities that a Sikh should engages in:

<i>Guru Maneyo Granth</i> Historic statement of the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Maneyo Granth refers to the historic statement of the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708) shortly before his demise on affirming the sacred scripture Adi Granth as his successor, thereby terminating the line of human Gurus. Installed as the Guru Granth Sahib, it is now the central holy scripture of Sikhism, and the eternal living Guru of all Sikhs. It is central to Sikh worship as it is said to imbibe the one light of the creator manifested in the Ten Sikh Gurus‐one spirit in ten forms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The 52 Hukams of Guru Gobind Singh</span> Commands of Guru Gobind Singh Ji

The 52 Hukams are a set of instruction in Sikhism set by Guru Gobind Singh in Nanded, Maharashtra, India in 1708. These edicts sum up the ideal way of life of the Khalsa and serve as a code of conduct for the Khalsa Panth. Members of the Khalsa aim to follow all the 52 edicts.

Sikhism has often been criticised by non-Sikhs regarding its texts, practices, and societal norms, but Sikhs and other scholars argue that these criticisms are flawed and are based on a biased and poor understanding of the texts, especially of the multiple languages used in the Sikh scriptures. They also argue that most Western scholars who attempted to interpret Eastern religious texts were missionaries and could not overcome the bias they carried with them, irrespective of whether they were translating the Quran, Vedas, Puranas or the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak rejected ritualistic worship and encouraged belief in one God: Waheguru. The veneration and bowing to the Guru Granth Sahib, has often been interpreted by Western scholars as akin to idolatry, as observed by the Hindu faith, which defeats the ideology of Guru Nanak. Other scholars dismiss Sikhism as, either consciously or spontaneously, a syncretism of the Hindu Bhakti and Islamic Sufi movements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amrit Sanskar</span> One of the four Sikh sanskars also called Charan Amrit or Charan Phul or the Pag Pahul

Amrit Sanskar also called Amrit Parchar, Amrit Sanchar, Khande di Pahul, or Khande Batte di Pahul is one of the four Sikh Sanskaars. The Amrit Sanskar is the initiation rite introduced by Guru Gobind Singh when he founded the Khalsa in 1699.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amrit Velā</span> Religious time for reciting hymns in Sikhism

Amrit Velā does not refer to a specific time. According to the pahar system of time, most Sikhs typically interpret this time to start at around 3:00 a.m. Guru Nanak in the Japji Sahib says, "in amrit velā meditate on the grandeur of the one true Name". The importance of Amrit Vela is found throughout the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib states that "those who consider themselves a Sikh must wake up daily at Amrit vela and be in tune with the Naam "

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sects of Sikhism</span> Sub-traditions within Sikhism

Sikh sects, denominations, traditions, movements, sub-traditions, also known as sampardai in the Punjabi language, are sub-traditions within Sikhism that believe in different approaches to practicing the religion. All sampradas believe in the One Creator God typically rejecting both idol worship and caste systems. Different interpretations have emerged over time, some of which have a living teacher as the leader. The major historic traditions in Sikhism, says Professor Harjot Oberoi, have included Udasi, Nirmala, Nanakpanthi, Khalsa, Sahajdhari, Namdhari Kuka, Nirankari and Sarvaria.

References

  1. "What is 'beadbi' or sacrilege in Sikhism, which sees Guru Granth Sahib as living Guru". ThePrint . 19 December 2021.