Kirtan
Devotional singing of the hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib.
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Punjab
Land of five rivers. Also spelt Panjab. The area of the Indian sub-continent
now divided between India and Pakistan.
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Kurahit
Breach of discipline. Examples are adultery, smoking and use of intoxicants
etc.
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Ragi
Sikh musician who sings compositions from the Guru Granth Sahib.
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Langar
Guru’s kitchen. The gurdwara dining hall where food is served without distinction.
Symbolises human equality and sharing.
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Rahit
Sikh internal and external disciplines representing the Sikh way of life,
e.g. keeping the five K’s and reciting daily prayers.
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Mela
Fair. Used of Sikh cultural festivals that are not gurpurbs.
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Sangat
Holy Congregation.
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Manji
Sahib
Small wooden platform on which the Guru Granth Sahib is placed.
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Sewa
Service without expectation of reward directed at the sangat and gurdwara,
but also humanity in general.
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Manmukh
Self-orientated (as opposed to gurmukh).
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Shabad
Word. Hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib; the divine word.
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Mool Mantar
Basic mystical formula. The basic precept or statement of belief at the
beginning of the Guru Granth Sahib.
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Sikh
Disciple, seeker after Truth. A person who believes in the ten Gurus and
the Guru Granth Sahib, and who has no other religion. For the Sikhs the
word also means seeker after the Truth.
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Nam
simran
Meditation of the divine Name (God Being) by repeating Sikh words for God
“Waheguru” or “Satnaam”.
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Vak
A random reading taken for guidance from the Guru Granth Sahib.
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Nishan
Sahib
Sikh flag flown at gurdwaras.
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Vaisakhi
A major Sikh festival celebrating the anniversary of the formal confirmation
of Sikh Khalsa Panth as an independent religion and nationality in 1699
CE.
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Panj
kakke
The five K’s. The five articles of faith worn by Sikhs. “Symbols”, although
used sometimes, should be avoided.
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Waheguru
Wonderful Lord. A Sikh name for God. |
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Panj
piare
The five beloved ones. The first five Sikhs initiated into the Khalsa in
1699. Those who perform the Amrit ceremony today and lead Sikh religious
processions (nagar kirtans), especially at major Gurpurbs.
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Panth
Path. Panth or Khalsa Panth is the Sikh nation.
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