Sikh Initiation Ceremony: Amrit Sanskar (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Note

What is the Khalsa?

• The Khalsa was formed by Guru Gobind Singh at Vaisakhi in AD 1699

• It is a group into which committed Sikhs can be initiated to demonstrate their devotion to their faith

• The Khalsa commemorates five volunteers who were prepared to offer their lives for Waheguru and Guru Gobind Singh

  • After offering their lives to Guru Gobind Singh, the five volunteers were given amrit, a mixture of sugar and water

  • It was given in a bowl stirred by a khanda

  • This represented them being initiated into the Khalsa

  • Guru Gobind Singh then declared them the first five members of the Khalsa

  • They became known as the Panj Piare or the five beloved ones

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The creation of the Khalsa CC by-sa 1.0

• Guru Gobind Singh and his wife were then initiated into the Khalsa

• Guru Gobind Singh declared that all men who were initiated into the Khalsa would be given the name “Singh”, meaning “lion”, and all women who were initiated would be given the name “Kaur”, meaning “princess”

  • This indicates the removal of status or caste and represents equality and fairness within all humanity

Why is the Khalsa so important to Sikhs?

• Today, Sikhs who wish to become members of the Khalsa show their commitment and dedication by taking part in the Amrit Sanskar ceremony

  • This ceremony initiates them into the Khalsa, where members follow the Rehat Maryada

• The Khalsa promotes equality because everyone in the Khalsa is equal — there are no caste, class or gender distinctions

  • All members take the name Singh or Kaur to reflect this

• The Khalsa was a response to injustice, which is still important to Sikhs today

  • The Khalsa was formed to defend religious freedom and protect the weak during a time of persecution by the Mughal Empire

  • Sikhs today are still expected to stand up for truth and justice

• The Khalsa helps to unite the Sikh community

  • It gives Sikhs a shared identity and helps to form a global Sikh brotherhood and sisterhood

What are the five Ks?

• The five Ks are five items that are worn on the body

  • They can be considered a uniform for Amritdhari Sikhs, who are also called Khalsa Sikhs

  • These Sikhs outwardly show their commitment to the Sikh faith to others

  • However, many Sahajdhari Sikhs often also wear some or all of the five Ks

• The five Ks consist of the following:

  • Kesh (uncut hair)

    • This is a symbol of respect for God’s creation

    • Sikhs do not cut their hair, which shows they accept the way God made them

  • Kanga (wooden comb)

    • This is kept in the hair to show cleanliness and order

    • It reminds Sikhs to keep both their body and mind clean

  • Kara (steel bracelet)

    • This is a circular bracelet worn on the wrist

    • It is a symbol of God’s eternity (no beginning or end) and of restraint from evil actions

  • Kachera (cotton undershorts)

    • This is a symbol of self-control, modesty and moral behaviour

    • They were practical clothing worn by Sikh warriors and are now a sign of discipline

  • Kirpan (small sword or dagger)

    • This is a symbol of spiritual strength and duty to stand up against injustice

    • It is not a weapon for violence but a reminder of the Sikh duty to protect the weak

Why are they so significant within Sikhism?

• Each of the five Ks has its own symbolic meaning, and they are all significant, both individually and collectively

Kesh

• Kesh is important because Sikhs believe that the hair is a gift from God

  • They believe it was intended to be worn naturally, and so it must not be cut

  • Hair is often viewed as a symbol of strength and vitality in Sikh culture

  • Sikhs often wear a turban to keep it clean; however, the turban is not one of the five Ks

Kanga

• Kanga helps Sikhs to keep themselves tidy and ensures that they are in a tidy state, both physically and mentally

  • The kanga removes knots from their hair just as God removes the tangles and difficulties from a person’s life

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Kanga

Kara

• The Kara represents the eternal nature of Waheguru, who is without beginning or end

  • It reminds Sikhs of the unbreakable relationship they have with God

  • It is a reminder that they must do the work of God at all times and avoid the Five Vices

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Kara

Kachera

• The Kachera is a reminder that Sikhs must show self-control, modesty and chastity

  • This means they cannot undertake sexual activity unless they are married and must not commit adultery

  • The kachera also reminds Sikhs of what the warriors who fought for their faith wore on the battlefield

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Kachera

Kirpan

• The Kirpan represents the duty to protect the Sikh faith and defend those in need

  • It reminds Sikhs to always fight for justice and protect the weak, but it is never to be used in anger

  • For practical reasons, some Sikhs prefer to wear an alternative, such as a pendant in the shape of a Kirpan on a neck chain

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Kirpan

What is the difference between Sahajdhari and Amritdhari within Sikhism?

• Amritdhari Sikhs are individuals who have gone through the Amrit Sanskar initiation ceremony and belong to the Khalsa

• Amritdhari Sikhs must follow the rules of the Rahit Maryada

  • They must wear the five Ks: the Kesh, Kanga, Kara, Kachera and Kirpan

  • In addition to not cutting their hair, they must always keep it clean, and some wear a turban

  • They must pay daswandh

  • They must not eat meat that has been ritually slaughtered (such as halal meat); although, most Sikhs are vegetarian

  • They must not drink alcohol or gamble

  • They must not arrange marriages for their children for financial gain

• Sikhs who have not gone through the Amrit Sanskar initiation ceremony are known as Sahajdhari Sikhs

  • These Sikhs believe in the Ten Gurus and worship the Guru Granth Sahib but have not been initiated into the Khalsa

  • These Sikhs are just as much a part of the sangat as Amritdhari Sikhs

    • Anybody who is part of a Sikh family can be part of the sangat

What is the significance of the names Singh and Kaur within Sikhism?

• In Sikhism, the names Singh and Kaur signify a commitment to equality and a rejection of the caste system

• Singh, meaning “lion”, is adopted by many male Sikhs, while Kaur, meaning “princess”, is adopted by many female Sikhs

• This practice was introduced by Guru Gobind Singh to replace family surnames and to promote gender equality 

  • In traditional Indian society, surnames often reflected caste, and this practice was seen as a way to maintain inequalities

  • Guru Gobind Singh’s directive to use Singh and Kaur was a deliberate effort to change this system within the Sikh community

  • The literal meanings of Singh (lion) and Kaur (princess) represent strength, courage and dignity

    • This reinforces the idea of equality and empowering individuals regardless of their background

  • While some Sikhs in Western countries may use their family name for practical purposes, the religious and social significance of Singh and Kaur remains central to Sikh identity