Akhand
Path
Continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib from beginning to end.
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Gurdwara
Sikh place of worship. Literally the ‘doorway to the Guru’.
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Japji
Sahib
A Sikh name for God. A morning prayer, composed by Guru Nanak, which forms
the first chapter of the Guru Granth Sahib.
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Akal
Purukh
Timeless being. A Sikh name for God.
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Gurmukh
One who lives by the Guru’s teaching.
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Jivan
Mukt
Liberation from self-centeredness.
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Amrit
Nectar. Sanctified liquid made of sugar and water, used in initiation.
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Gurmukhi
From the Guru’s mouth. Name given to the script in which the scriptures
and the Punjabi language are written.
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Kachera
Traditional shorts. One of the five K’s (see panj kakke).
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Amrit
ceremony
The Sikh rite of initiation into the Khalsa.
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Gurpurb
A Guru’s anniversary (birth or death). Also used for other anniversaries,
e.g. of the installation of the Adi Granth, 1604 CE.
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Kakka
A letter of the Punjabi alphabet. See panj kakke.
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Anand
karaj
Ceremony of bliss. Wedding ceremony.
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Guru
The giver of light or teacher. In Sikhism, the title of Guru is reserved
for the ten human Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib. Ultimately through the
Guru’s word, the Guru or Enlightener is God.
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Kangha
Wooden comb worn in the hair. One of the five K’s (see panj kakke).
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Ardas
Prayer. The formal prayer offered at most religious acts.
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Guru
Arjan
The fifth Guru who was the first Sikh martyr (1563-1606).
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Kara
Steel
bangle worn on the right wrist. One of the five K’s (see panj kakke).
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Bandi
Chhor Diwas
The Sikh festival which falls on the same day as the Hindu Divali.
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Guru
Gobind Singh
Tenth Sikh Guru. It is important to note that the title ‘Guru’ must be used
with all the Gurus’ names. Sikhs usually use further terms of respect, e.g.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji or Guru Nanak Dev Ji, or prefix the name with the title
Sri.
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Karah
parshad
Sanctified food distributed at Sikh ceremonies
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Bhai
Kanhaya (Ghanaya)
A Sikh commended by Guru Gobind Singh for serving water to the enemy wounded.
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Guru
Granth Sahib
Primal collection of Sikh scriptures, compiled by Guru Arjan and given its
final form by Guru Gobind Singh.
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Kaur
Princess. Name given to all Sikh females by Guru Gobind Singh (see Singh).
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Bhai
Lalo
A humble carpenter who opened his house to Guru Nanak. The Guru preferred
Bhai Lalo’s simple food to the offerings of a local rich merchant.
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Guru
Nanak
The first Guru and the founder of the Sikh faith (1469-1539)
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Kesh
Uncut hair. One of the five K’s (see Panj kakke).
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Chanani
Canopy over the scriptures, used as a mark of respect.
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Haumai
Egoism. The major spiritual defect.
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Khalsa
The pure. The Sikh community who have taken amrit. Also the Sikh community.
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Chauri
Symbol of authority of the Guru Granth Sahib. Fan waved over scriptures,
made of yak hairs or nylon. It should not be called a ‘fly whisk’.
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Hukam
God’s will.
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Khanda
Double-edged sword used in the initiation ceremony. Also used as the emblem
on the Sikh flag.
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Darbar
Court. Place where the Guru Granth Sahib is kept and where people sit as
the holy congregation (sangat).
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Ik
Onkar
There is only one Creator. The first phrase of the Mool Mantar. It is also
used as a symbol to decorate Sikh objects. |
Kirat
karna
Earning one’s livelihood by one’s own efforts.
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Gurbani
Divine word revealed by the Gurus. The Shabads contained in the Guru Granth
Sahib. |
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Kirpan
Benevolent protector of honour. Sikh sword; one of the five K’s (see panj
kakke). |
