Sikhism Key Beliefs: Nature of God (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
Exam code: 8062
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Who founded Sikhism, and when?
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Cards in this collection (40)
Who founded Sikhism, and when?
Guru Nanak, in the 15th century (~500 years ago), in the Punjab region of India.
Define Waheguru.
The Sikh name for God — the one God.
How many Sikh Gurus were there in total?
Ten — Guru Nanak and the nine Gurus who followed him.
Define the Guru Granth Sahib.
The holy book of Sikhism, central to Sikh faith and practice.
Define langar.
The free community kitchen in the gurdwara, where everyone is welcome to a meal regardless of background.
Define sewa.
Selfless service to others — an important Sikh practice.
What are the Five Ks?
Kesh (uncut hair)
Kanga (comb)
Kara (steel bracelet)
Kirpan (sword)
Kachera (undergarment)
True or False?
Sikhism is a polytheistic religion.
False.
Sikhism is monotheistic — Sikhs believe in the oneness of God (Waheguru).
Name a core Sikh belief.
The oneness of God (Waheguru), truthful living, equality, and reincarnation.
Sikhs are initiated into the Khalsa in a ceremony called the ______ Sanskar.
Sikhs are initiated into the Khalsa in a ceremony called the Amrit Sanskar.
What is Kirtan?
The singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib.
Define the Mool Mantra.
The opening section of the Guru Granth Sahib, describing the nature of Waheguru; the foundation of Sikh belief.
Define Ik Onkar.
The first line of the Mool Mantra, meaning 'There is only one God'.
What does 'Sat Nam' in the Mool Mantra mean?
'Eternal truth is his name'.
Where is the Ik Onkar symbol often found?
In gurdwaras and Sikh homes, reminding Sikhs to focus on God.
Who created the universe, according to Sikhs?
Waheguru — through Hukam (the will of God).
Define Hukam.
The will of God (Waheguru) — by which the universe was created and everything happens.
Does Sikhism have creation stories?
No — many Sikhs accept scientific theories like the Big Bang; the Guru Granth Sahib explores God's creation rather than the universe's origins.
What does it mean that Waheguru is both transcendent and immanent?
Transcendent (Nirgun) — separate from and beyond the universe; immanent (Sargun) — present within all creation.
Define the divine spark.
The part of Waheguru present within every living being.
True or False?
Sikhs believe Waheguru has a gender.
False.
Waheguru is genderless and beyond human explanation (ineffable).
The Mool Mantra teaches there is ______ God for all, so all people are equal.
The Mool Mantra teaches there is one God for all, so all people are equal.
Why do Sikhs believe they have a duty to protect the world?
Because Waheguru created and sustains it, and creation is part of God.
Many Sikhs recite the Mool Mantra ______ to focus their mind and heart on God.
Many Sikhs recite the Mool Mantra daily to focus their mind and heart on God.
Give one quality of Waheguru described in the Mool Mantra.
Without fear (Nir Bhau), without hate (Nir Vair), immortal and without form (Akaal Moorat), beyond birth and death (Ajooni), or self-existent (Saibhang).
Name three Sikh virtues.
Truth (truthful living), compassion, patience, contentment, humility, self-control, love, wisdom and courage.
What Five Evils do the virtues help Sikhs overcome?
Lust
Anger
Greed
Attachment
Pride
Define mukti.
Liberation — when the soul (atman) is freed from the cycle of rebirth and reunited with Waheguru.
Define karma (in Sikhism).
The belief that positive and negative actions have consequences in the next life.
What are the three foundations Sikhs follow to build good karma?
Kirat Karna (earning an honest living)
Wand Chakna (sharing with others)
Nam Japna (remembering God's name)
Which is considered the highest form of rebirth?
A human being.
What are the five stages (khands) of liberation?
Piety (Dharam khand)
Knowledge (Gian khand)
Effort (Saram khand)
Grace (Karam khand)
Truth (Sach khand)
Define Gurmukh.
Someone who is 'God-centred' — following the Gurus' teachings and living by Waheguru's will (Hukam).
Define Manmukh.
Someone who is self-centred, follows their own ego and desires, and ignores God.
True or False?
The five khands of liberation are usually reached within one lifetime.
False.
They usually happen over several lifetimes, like the stages of a long journey.
The fourth stage of liberation, Grace (Karam khand), is a blessing from God that is ______, not earned.
The fourth stage of liberation, Grace (Karam khand), is a blessing from God that is given, not earned.
What determines the body an atman is reborn into?
Its karma from the previous life.
Why do Sikhs develop the virtues?
They reflect God's (Waheguru's) qualities, help overcome the Five Evils, and lead towards mukti.
The opposite of a Gurmukh is a ______, who follows their own ego.
The opposite of a Gurmukh is a Manmukh, who follows their own ego.
Define Nam Japna (Nam Simran).
Repeating or remembering the name of Waheguru through meditation.
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