Deck 11: Sikhism

Question 1

Sikhism was founded in the area of northern India called __________.

Answer 1

Punjab

Question 2

The free community kitchen in which there were no caste distinctions was called the __________.

Answer 2

langar

Question 3

The holy book of Sikhism is now known as the __________.

Answer 3

Guru Granth Sahib

Question 4

When the Fifth Guru first compiled Sikh hymns and the poems of Hindu and Muslim saints, the text was called the __________.

Question 5

__________ and __________ are two beliefs Sikhism shares with Hinduism.

Question 6

In Sikhism, public worship takes place in a building called a __________.

Question 7

Khalsa initiates strive to vanquish the five evils of __________, __________, __________, __________, and __________.

Question 8

The Sikh congregation is called a __________.

Question 9

The devotional practice of singing or chanting passages from the Sikh scriptures is called __________.

Question 10

The purported writings of Guru Gobind Singh are called the __________.

Question 11

Who founded Sikhism?

A) Punjab
B) Singh
C) Guru Nanak
D) Gobind

Question 12

Which was not among the three central teachings of Guru Nanak?

A) Work hard in society to earn one's own honest living
B) Share from one's earnings with those who are needy
C) Remember God at all times as the only Doer
D) Accept one's caste distinctions without complaint

Question 13

What is the name of the community of Pure Ones pledged to a special code of personal discipline?

A) Khalsa
B) Atman
C) Punjab
D) Guru

Question 14

Male initiates into the Khalsa take the surname

A) Sahib
B) Darshan
C) Singh
D) Kaur

Question 15

Female initiates into the Khalsa take the surname

A) Sahib
B) Darshan
C) Singh
D) Kaur

Question 16

Uncut hair is important to Sikhs because

A) long hair is a sign of divine beauty
B) through it they feel a close inner relationship to Guru Gobind Singh
C) strength lies in one's hair
D) long hair was standard when Sikhism was founded.

Question 17

What is a kirpan?

A) A turban worn by Sikh men
B) A small sword worn by Khalsa initiates
C) A prayer to the guru
D) An ascetic Sikh order

Question 18

Sikhism was founded around the same time as Christianity.

Question 19

What Sikhs believe about the life of Guru Nanak is based not so much on historic records as on traditional stories about his life.

Question 20

Sikhism reveres ten human gurus

Question 21

Sikhism is a polytheistic religion.

Question 22

The Holy Name of God in Sikhism is referred to as Nam.

Question 23

From the time of its inception, Sikhism has refused to acknowledge the traditional Indian caste system.

Question 24

Sikhs oppose war under any circumstance.

Question 25

The Sikh priestly class is comprised of both men and women.

Question 26

Sikhs today comprise roughly 20% of India's population.

Question 27

Sikh communities can be found in the United States and Canada.

Question 28

There is tension today between orthodox Sikhs and deras Sikhs over the issue of authority.

Question 29

In an effort to convert others to their faith, most Sikhs try to assimilate in countries where their communities have immigrated.

Question 30

Sikhs traditionally wear five distinctive symbols as marks of their spiritual dedication. First, name the symbols. Then discuss why these distinctive ways of presenting oneself are important to Sikhism. Finally, evaluate the meaning of distinctive religious dress. Can you think of any other examples of distinctive religious garb that is comparable in meaning to that of the Sikhs?

Question 31

How are women regarded in the Sikh tradition? Give specific examples from the reading. How does the Sikh attitude toward women compare with other religious traditions you have studied? What accounts for the differences?

Question 32

The Sikh custom of wearing the kirpan has led to hate crimes against Sikhs in the wake of terrorist attacks. Should Sikhs maintain this custom? Should they publicly explain this tradition? What measures can Sikhs take to maintain their traditions safely?