PSEB SS Religion cheat sheet

Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539) in the Punjab region; he taught the oneness of God (Ik Onkar) and the equality of all human beings.

There are ten human Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Gobind Singh Ji; after the tenth Guru, the Guru Granth Sahib is the eternal Guru.

Core beliefs: belief in one formless God (Ik Onkar), the equality of all people regardless of caste, creed, or gender, and the importance of honest living and selfless service.

The three pillars of Sikhism are Naam Japna (meditation on God's name), Kirat Karni (honest living), and Vand Chakna (sharing with others).

The Khalsa was founded by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib; initiated members take the surname Singh (male) or Kaur (female).

The five Ks (Panj Kakars) of the Khalsa are Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (wooden comb), Kara (steel bracelet), Kachhera (cotton undergarment), and Kirpan (small sword).

The Guru Granth Sahib contains hymns (Shabads) by the Sikh Gurus and by saints such as Kabir, Ravidas, and Farid; it is treated as the living Guru.

Sikh worship (Gurudwara service) includes the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, Kirtan (singing of hymns), and the Ardas (formal prayer); the service ends with the distribution of Karah Parshad.

The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy scripture of Sikhism and the eternal Guru; it was compiled and given its final form by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

The Guru Granth Sahib is written in Gurmukhi script and contains 1,430 pages; it opens with the Mool Mantar, the fundamental statement of Sikh belief.

The Mool Mantar begins 'Ik Onkar' (There is one God) and describes God as truth, creator, without fear, without hate, timeless, and self-existent.

The Japji Sahib, composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, is the opening composition of the Guru Granth Sahib and is recited daily by Sikhs.

The Guru Granth Sahib is organized into sections called Raags (musical measures); hymns are arranged by the raag in which they are sung.

The Dasam Granth is a separate collection of writings traditionally attributed to Guru Gobind Singh Ji; it is not part of the Guru Granth Sahib.

The Vars and compositions of Bhai Gurdas are highly revered in Sikh tradition but are not included in the Guru Granth Sahib.

The Guru Granth Sahib is always placed on a raised platform (Takht) under a canopy (Palki) in the Gurudwara and is treated with great respect, including being covered and fanned.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539) was the first Guru; he undertook four major journeys (Udasis) to spread his teachings across and beyond the Indian subcontinent.

Guru Angad Dev Ji (second Guru) standardized the Gurmukhi script and collected the hymns of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Guru Amar Das Ji (third Guru) established the Langar system and opposed the caste system and the practice of Sati.

Guru Ram Das Ji (fourth Guru) founded the city of Amritsar; Guru Arjan Dev Ji (fifth Guru) compiled the Adi Granth and built the Harmandir Sahib.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji was the first Sikh martyr; he was tortured and executed under orders of the Mughal emperor Jahangir in 1606.

Guru Hargobind Ji (sixth Guru) introduced the concept of Miri-Piri (temporal and spiritual authority) and built the Akal Takht.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (ninth Guru) was executed in Delhi in 1675 for defending the religious freedom of Kashmiri Pandits; Guru Gobind Singh Ji (tenth Guru) founded the Khalsa in 1699.

The Akal Takht in Amritsar is the highest seat of temporal authority for Sikhs; the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) is the central place of worship.

Naam Japna (meditation on God's name), Kirat Karni (honest labor), and Vand Chakna (sharing with others) are the three fundamental ethical pillars of Sikhism.

Seva (selfless service) is a core Sikh value; it includes Tan (physical service), Man (mental service), and Dhan (material service).

Langar is the community kitchen in a Gurudwara where free food is served to all people regardless of caste, religion, or gender, reflecting the principle of equality.

Sikh ethics emphasize the equality of all human beings; discrimination based on caste, creed, or gender is contrary to Sikh teachings.

Honest living (Kirat Karni) means earning a livelihood through honest means and rejecting exploitation, bribery, and dishonest gain.

The Sikh code of conduct (Sikh Rehat Maryada) outlines moral duties, including daily prayer, honest living, and abstaining from intoxicants, theft, and adultery.

Sikh teachings oppose practices such as Sati, female infanticide, and the caste system; the Gurus promoted the dignity and equality of women.

Forgiveness (Khima) and humility are important Sikh virtues; the Ardas includes a prayer for the well-being of all humanity (Sarbat da Bhala).