My Sikh Faith (My Faith series) 0237519801, 9780237519803

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About this book The titles in the Red Rainbows Religion collection ore designed to introduce young children to the six world faiths and each focuses on o child and his or her family from a particular faith community. Whilst the approach and the language level are appropriate for young readers, some of the key concepts will need to be supported by sensitive clarification by an adult. The Notes for Teachers and Parents on pages 4 and 5 provide extra information to help develop children's knowledge and understanding of the different beliefs and traditions. Published by Evans Brothers Limited, 2A Portman Mansions, Chiltern Street, London WIM ILE ©Evans Brothers Limited 1999 First published in 1999 Printed in Hong Kong by Wing King Tong British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Singh, Kawal My Sikh faith. - (Red rainbows) 1. Sikhism - Juvenile literature 1. Title II. Knott, Lynda 051999 ISBN 0 237 51980 1 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Evans Brothers Limited. Editor; Su Swallow Design: Tinstar Design (www.tinstar.co.uk) Production: Jenny Mulvanny Reading consultant: Lesley Clark, Reading and Language Information Centre Series consultant: Alison Seaman, The National Society's Religious Education Centre Photography: Vip Rao Illustrations: Lynda Knott

Acknowledgements The author and publishers would like to thank Simran Singh and his family for their help in making this book. For permission to reproduce copyright material the author and publishers gratefully acknowledge the following: cover and page 11 (left) Trip/H Rogers page 7 Kanwaijit Kaur-Singh page 8 Trip/N Ray page 9 Trip/A Tovy page 13 Trip/H Rogers page 17 Trip/H Rogers page 23 Trip/H Rogers page 24. Trip/H Rogers page 25 Trip/H Rogers

Kanwaijit Kaur-Singh

Contents Notes for teachers a nd parents What is a Sikh? God's family The gurdwara The Guru Granth Sahib Guru Nanak Covering our hair Music and prayer Eating together Learning Panjabi The Five Ks Festivals 7057

Index

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Notes for Teachers and Parents Pages 6/7 Sikhism was started by Guru Nanak who

Sikhs of God's infinite power. On the outside of the

was born in Punjab in India in 1469 CE and gave his

Khanda are two kirpans (swords) which remind Sikhs

first sermon at about the age of 30 years. Guru Nanak

of their spiritual and secular responsibilities. The

established the system of Guruship and was followed

gurdwaras usually have a prayer hall, dining hall,

by nine Gurus. Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru,

rooms for classes to teach Panjabi and music.

ended the line of Gurus and gave Guruship to the Sikh

Gurdwaras are run by management committees

holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib. The Sikhs believe

chosen by the congregation. Most Sikhs have a prayer

that Gurus were special people chosen and inspired by

room at their homes where they keep the Guru Granth

God to give God's message to people. The Sikh Gurus

Sahib. That room is also called a gurdwara.

taught that everyone has the right to choose their way

Pages 12/13 The Sikhs believe that the Gurus were

of life, and defending the weak is a sacred duty of

God-inspired, and their writings revealed God's

every Sikh. The majority of Sikh names can be used

message, which are collected in the Guru Granth

for boys and girls. A girl's name is followed by 'Kaur'

Sahib. Guru Granth Sahib is written in poetry and is

and a boy's name by 'Singh'. So you might meet a

set to rages (musical notations) for singing, and is

boy called Simran Singh and a girl called Simran

written in Panjabi. The writing is referred to as

Kaur. Kaur means princess and Singh means lion. The

shabads (hymns).

Sikhs believe that there is only one God. The symbol

Pages 14/15 Sikh men and women do not cut their

in the picture is Ik Onkar, meaning one God.

hair, it is part of the five Ks, which forms the Sikh

Pages 8/9 Sikhs believe that there is only one God

uniform. Because of their uncut hair which grows

and the whole universe is created by one and the

long, the Sikh boys are sometimes addressed as girls

same God, who is omnipresent. The whole of

and can fall prey to teasing and bullying. Teachers

humanity is equal in God's eyes. There is no one

and parents need to be sensitive to this issue. Sikh

inferior or superior because of his or her birth. All

men who practise their religion can easily be

people rich or poor, black or white, Christians, Jews,

recognised by their turbans and beards. Young girls

Muslims, Hindus or Sikhs are equal to God. God does

wear their hair loose or plait it and women tie it in a

not make any distinction between religions. It is the

knot at the back of their neck.

actions of people that make them good or bad.

Pages 16/17 Everyone who visits the gurdwara

Pages 10/11 A gurdwara is a place of Sikh worship,

shows their respect by removing shoes, covering their

where the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib is

heads and bowing before the Guru Granth Sahib,

kept. Every gurdwara has the Sikh flag, the Nishan

before sitting down to listen to shabads. In this

Sahib, flying outside it. In the middle of the flag is the

country, men and women sit on separate sides. It is a

Khanda, the Sikh symbol, depicted in the border.

social custom and not a religious edict.

The Khanda represents justice and freedom. Around

Pages 18/19 In Sikhism there is no priestly class.

the Khanda is a circle called a Chakra which reminds

Any man or woman who can read the Guru Granth

4

Sahib can conduct the services and perform all the

saintliness; Kanga, a comb, it represents cleanliness;

ceremonies, but often it is read by an appointed

Kacch (shorts), a symbol of sexual purity and self-

'gronthi' (literally meaning a reader of Guru Granth

restraint; Kara, a steel bangle, it reminds Sikhs to

Sahib). Similarly whoever can sing, can take part in

always do the right thing; Kirpan, a sword, a symbol

singing the shabads during the services and

to remind Sikhs to defend the weok. Wearing these

ceremonies. However, many gurdwaras employ

five symbols reminds Sikhs to live according to the

professional singers called ragis, as it is difficult to rely

Gurus' teachings.

on volunteers. Sikhism believes that religions are

Pages 25/26 Sikh festivals are called gurpurab,

different paths leading to the same God, therefore

meaning the Guru's day. In this country the Sikhs

anyone who wants to worship can join without any

celebrate their festivals on weekends. Sikhs celebrate

distinction of gender, colour, creed or status.

the festival of Vaisakhi with great enthusiasm. This

Pages 20/21 The langar is the name for the food

was the day when Guru Gobind Singh tested his Sikhs

and the dining hall of a gurdwara. All people who

to see if they were ready to follow the Sikh teachings.

attend a service are expected to stay afterwards to eat

With a sword in hand he asked for a Sikh to come

together. This is a reminder that all people belong to

forward who was willing to give his life for God and

the same family of God ond should be treated equally.

Guru. In total, the Guru asked for five Sikhs. He called

Volunteers (both men and women) from the

the first five who came forward the panj piarey (five

community cook and serve food, which is always

beloved ones) ond gave them amrit (the Sikh

vegetarian, so that everyone is able to eat.

initiation) and osked them to wear the five Ks. Five

Pages 22/23 In the Gurdwara, classes are held to

Sikhs representing the panj piarey take part in major

teach Panjabi and to play the musical instruments, the

clebrotions. Panj piarey head the major celebrations

drums and the harmonium. These classes are held on

for Sikh festivals.

Saturdays or Sundays so that children can attend easily

Page 27/28 Other major Sikh festivals are Guru

without disrupting their main schooling. The Sikhs

Nanak's and Guru Gobind Singh's birthdays. In the

believe that it is important for children to learn to read

gurdwaras the Guru Granth Sahib is read continuously

Panjabi so that they can read the Guru Granth Sahib.

and services are held. On these days street processions

Sikhs lay great importance in family life. Looking

are also held. The Guru Granth Sahib is put on o

after and teaching their children the Sikh way of life is

decorated float, is headed by the panj piarey and

very important. Therefore, the adults in the extended

followed-by the congregation singing hymns, and free

family, whenever they visit, take an opportunity to

food is distributed to all passers-by.

teach children the teachings contained in the Guru

Page 29 The family and the wider Sikh community

Granth Sahib, and stories of the Gurus' and other

share the responsibility for passing on the teachings of

Sikhs' lives.

their religion to their young.

Page 24 The five Ks are: the Kes, uncut hair, a sign of

5

My name is Simran Singh. I am a Sikh boy. 6

rVis‘

What do Sikhs believe?

We Sikhs believe that there is only one God. This symbol helps us to remember the one God.

God alone made this world and everything in it. God is everywhere and always there for us.

God made all the people, black and white. Everyone is an equal member of God's family and God loves us all. We all pray to thank God. 9

Where do you pray?

Sikhs pray at the gurdwara. The gurdwara can be a room at home where the family pray. 10

It can also be a large building where many people meet to pray. This is the Golden Temple in India.

Do Sikhs have a holy book?

Our holy book is called the Guru Granth Sahib. It is kept in the main prayer hall. It rests on cushions and is covered in beautiful cloths. 12

What does Guru mean?

Guru means 'wise teacher'. Guru Nanak was a wise teacher. He started the Sikh religion. 13

Not cutting hair is part of the Sikh religion. My mum ties my hair in a knot and covers it with a patka. 14

My dad covers his hair v/ith a turban. When we go to the gurdwara, my mum wears a long scarf called a chunni to cover her head. 15

Before we enter the gurdwara, we take our shoes off and cover our heads. This shows respect to the Guru Granth Sahib.

16

Then we sit down and listen to the singing of hymns. These hymns are called shabads. The words are in Panjabi. They are written in the Guru Granth Sahib. 17

There are special musicians who sing shabads in the gurdwara. They play the harmonium and Indian drums called the tabla. 18

J

Do only Sikhs pray in the gurdwaro?

No, anyone who wants to pray to God can join the prayers. Men and women share all the jobs in the gurdwaro. Women also lead the services and ceremonies.

After the service, everyone is given food called the langar. 20

We eat the langar in a large room at the gurdwara. This eating together shows we are all God's family.

21

I am learning to read Panjabi, so that I can read the Guru Granth Sahib. 22

My aunty reads me stories about the lives of our Gurus and other famous Sikhs. She also tells me about the five Ks. 23

The five things that Sikhs wear. In Panjabi they begin with the letter K. Here are four of them. The fifth is uncut hair. 24

I like the Vaisakhi festival, on 14th of April. On this day long ago Sikhs were asked to wear the Five Ks.

25

We have a street procession to celebrate Vaisakhi. The Guru Granth Sahib is carried on a float. Children sing and march with a band. 26

Whof other special times do you have?

We celebrate Guru Nanak's and other Gurus' birthdays. On these days, we get presents of new clothes and we go to the gurdwara wearing them.

27

We send cards and sweets to our friends to bless them and wish them a happy time. I give my pocket money to charity. 28

I tell my little brother about the special days and about the Gurus. I teach him how to be a good Sikh.

29

Glossary gurdwara - a Sikh place of worship. harmonium - an Indian musical instrument with a key board. langar - Guru's kitchen; the gurdwara dining hall and the food served in it. Panjabi - language spoken by Punjabis. patka - a head covering used by boys before they start wearing a turban. ragis - Sikh musicians who sing compositions from the Guru Granth Sahib. shabads - hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, tabla - Indian drums.

charity 28 chunni 15 festivals 25, 26, 28 Five Ks 23, 24, 25 God 7, 8, 9 God's family 9, 21 Golden Temple 11 gurdwara 10, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 27 Guru Granth Sahib 12, 16, 17,26 Guru Nanak 13, 27

30

Gurus 13, 23, 27, 29 hair 14, 15, 24 langar 20, 21 music 18, 26 Panjabi 17,22,24,29 patka 14 prayer 9, 10, 11, 19 prayer hall 12 shabads 1 7, 18 tabla 18 turban 15 Vaisakhi 25, 26

SCHOOLS IV

SERVfCe

7

Rainbows

R

ainbows are a unique 'family' of first information books for 5 to 11 year olds in science and nature, history, safety, geography and religion. They are grouped into three reading levels: •

Red Rainbows are for first and non-readers.

•

Green Rainbows are for beginning readers.

• Blue Rainbows are for independent readers.

Red Rainbows Religion This is a Red Rainbows Religion book. My Sikh Faith introduces the reader to some of the beliefs, woys of worship, traditions and festivals of Sikhism. Red Rainbows

Geography Houses and Homes* Looking Around Our Clothes People Everywhere What People Do. Safety Look out at Home Look out on the Road*

Loak out for Strangers Laok out by Water

The Flower Seeds The Moon and Stars What Animal is This? What's the Weather? Winter is Here!

Science and Nature Autumn Is Here! Daylight, Dark Night Frogs' Eggs I'll Push, You Pull I'm Speciol My Senses Recycle It! Spring is Here! Summer is Here! Sun's Hot, Sea's Cold The Caterpillar Story

Religion My Buddhist Faith My Christian Faith* My Jewish Faith* My Hindu Faith* My Muslim Faith* My Sikh Faith *Also available as a Big Book fX

ISBN 0-237-5198C

780237 519803">

KN-933-818

History Old and New When Dod was Young When Grandma Was Young