The Oneness of Humanity (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Note

What does Sikhism teach about equality between men and women?

• Sikhism teaches that men and women are equal in the eyes of Waheguru (God)

  • Within Sikhism, both men and women are able to:

    • Achieve mukti (liberation)

    • Lead spiritual lives

    • Take part fully in worship and community life

  • The equality of men and women is supported in the Guru Granth Sahib, which states:

• These quotes show that women are respected and valued and that God is present in everyone, regardless of gender

The role of women

• Guru Nanak also spoke out against the mistreatment of women in 15th-century India

  • He taught that women and men are equal in dignity and spiritual potential

  • He encouraged women to worship, learn and lead

• Women also have equality in relation to religious practice, and both men and women can:

  • Lead prayers in the gurdwara

  • Take amrit and join the Khalsa

  • Perform sewa (selfless service)

  • Take part in any religious role or ceremony

What did Guru Nanak teach about equality?

• Guru Nanak was brought up in the Hindu faith and lived in a place influenced by both Hinduism and Islam 

• As an adult, he had a religious experience and disappeared for three days while washing at the river Bain

  • Sikhs believe that during those three days, God revealed himself to Guru Nanak

  • On his return, Guru Nanak proclaimed, “God is neither Hindu nor Muslim, and the path I follow is God’s”

• Guru Nanak taught that the traditional distinctions between people were irrelevant to how people relate to God

  • He travelled across the north of India teaching about the oneness of God and the equality of all people

  • He introduced the langar, a free kitchen, because of his belief in the oneness of humanity

    • At the langar, everyone could eat together, regardless of their occupation, class, caste, gender or wealth

  • Guru Nanak rejected the Hindu caste system

    • He believed that spiritual worth is not based on birth but on actions and devotion

  • He taught that men and women were equal and that gender should not be important 

    • Guru Nanak said, “From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived ... Why call her bad?”

  • He believed that it is important to learn about sewa

    • Serving others, especially the poor or outcast, is a core part of living equally
      

How the Gurus followed the teachings of Guru Nanak

• The Gurus that followed Guru Nanak also followed his teachings by demonstrating equality with their actions

  • Guru Angad set up schools to help young people read and write Gurmukhi

    • This script already existed, but he adapted it to make it accessible to ordinary people

  • Guru Amar Das made sure that those who came to consult him about religious matters were always treated to a meal before the talks began

    • Everyone was involved in preparing and serving these meals; they ate the same food and were treated the same way, no matter who they were

  • He also appointed 52 women missionaries to spread the message of Sikhism

    • This shows his belief in the equality of all humans, regardless of gender

  • Guru Ram Das strengthened the community-based leadership of Sikhs (sangat and pangat) based on merit, not status

    • He continued supporting equal access to worship and service

  • Guru Arjan Dev built the Golden Temple with four doors, symbolising that people from all backgrounds are welcome

    • He also compiled the Adi Granth, which includes writings from Hindu and Muslim saints, showing respect for all faiths

  • Guru Hargobind wore two swords, Miri and Piri, showing the importance of combining both spiritual and worldly leadership 

    • He also supported justice and defended the weak, regardless of religion or caste

  • Guru Har Krishan offered free medical care and healing to all, including Hindus and Muslims

    • He also served plague victims in Delhi, regardless of religion or social class

How does the Guru Granth Sahib teach about equality?

• The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy scripture of Sikhism and the eternal Guru of the Sikhs

  • It is a compilation of spiritual hymns (shabads) from Sikh Gurus and other saints 

  • It was finalised by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, who declared:

• The Guru Granth Sahib gives Sikhs guidance on how to live their lives

  • It teaches them about the oneness of humanity

• Within the Guru Granth Sahib, the hymns and poems express the importance of the equality of all humans

• There are many teachings in the Guru Granth Sahib relating to equality 

  • The holy book teaches that all humans are equal because everyone is created by the same One God (Waheguru)

    • It also teaches that there is no superiority based on caste, race, gender or religion

• The book also strongly opposes the Hindu caste system

  • It makes clear that spiritual progress depends on actions and devotion, not birth

• There are also teachings about gender equality in the Guru Granth, showing that women are valued in Sikhism

• The Guru Granth teaches about religious tolerance

  • It includes teachings from saints of other religions, such as Islam and Hinduism

  • This demonstrates the teaching that truth is not limited to one religion

• There are also teachings that promote living together peacefully and serving others

  • Sewa (selfless service) and langar (community kitchen) are practical expressions of equality taught in the scripture

How do Sikhs show equality today?

• Sikhs continue to follow Guru Nanak’s and the Guru Granth Sahib’s teachings on equality in many practical ways, both within the Sikh community and in wider society

• Sikhs continue to offer a langar meal served in every Gurdwara

  • Everyone is welcome to the meal regardless of religion, background, caste or status, and they sit and eat as equals
    

• Sikhs perform sewa (selfless service) in the form of voluntary work in Gurdwaras and communities

  • No one is treated as more important in this, and everyone can serve, including cleaning, cooking or helping others

• All Gurdwara practices remain open to all, not just Sikhs

  • There is no separate seating in the Gurdwara; men and women, rich and poor, all worship together

  • The Guru Granth Sahib is placed in a central position, rather than any human leader

• Sikhs use the names Singh (lion) for the men and Kaur (princess) for the women

  • This removes caste or family-based identity and symbolises spiritual equality

• Many Sikhs support charities and carry out humanitarian work that supports human rights

  • Sikh organisations promote gender equality, anti-racism and religious freedom around the world

• There are equal leadership opportunities within Sikhism

  • Both men and women can lead prayers, perform sewa and be part of community decisions