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June 2022
Q1.1: Which one of the following was the first Sikh Guru?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Guru Amar Das B Guru Gobind Singh C Guru Granth Sahib D Guru Nanak
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: D Guru Nanak
Q1.2: Give two of the Sikh virtues.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority If a student provides more than two responses, only the first two responses should be considered for marking. Wisdom / truth (Sat) / truthful living / justice / temperance / self-control / patience / courage (Himmat) Accept any answer which is a synonym for any of the above, eg bravery (courage), being satisfied Other creditable responses might include - Ethical living / being God-centred (Gurmukh) / respect / honest living, etc.
Q1.3: Explain two ways in which belief in mukti (liberation from rebirth) influences Sikhs
today.
Answer:
influence on individuals, communities and societies To be a ‘detailed explanation’ the ‘influence’ of the way must be included. • It might encourage them to become more God-centred in their everyday lives / perhaps by worshipping more than they did before this influence / or by studying the scriptures more than they might without this influence / or doing more sewa than they ordinarily would / because they are focused on being more God-centred. • It might encourage them to do more sewa / so that they can help others / bringing greater justice to the world / eg by helping the homeless. • It might influence them to learn more about their religion / so that they can teach others / helping them to become more Gurmukh. • It might influence them to spend more time at the gurdwara / with the Sat Sangat / ‘The Sat Sangat is the school of the soul, where the Glorious virtues of the Lord are studied’ – GGS / hence they can learn more to achieve the next stage of mukti. • It might influence them to live an ethical life / as they know that by doing this they might attain • It might influence them to do Nam Japna more devotedly / as this will reduce the chance of haumai (‘haumai is a great malady’ – GGS) / and so make mukti more attainable. • The goal of life is to be with God / mukti is being with God in the Fifth Khand / which is blissful / everyone would want this feeling, • It might give them hope / as whatever life is like, even if very difficult, they can still achieve mukti / freedom from that difficult life • It might give them faith, strength of character, motivation or determination / believing they will eventually be reunited with God / they stay faithful or determined / and try hard to make this • It might influence them to join the Khalsa / become amritdhari / as this is the path to achieve mukti / with all support from others / the right environment. • It might discourage them from the 5 Vices / from unethical living / from eating meat / and anything else contrary to Sikh belief and practice / so as to evolve rather than be reborn as a lesser being / for example influencing them to avoid greed / but rather to give charity or do something good, etc.
Q1.4: Explain two Sikh beliefs about God which are included in the Mool Mantra.
Refer to sacred writings or another source of Sikh belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Relevant and accurate reference to sacred writing or another source of Sikh belief and teaching – 1 mark The Mool Mantra states - • There is only one God (Ik Onkar) / means that God has no partners or equals / God is absolute and supreme / God is omniscient/omnipotent/omnibenevolent / there is nothing greater than God. • Eternal truth is his name (Sat Naam) / God is the one true reality or Truth / humans are affected by their ego, whereas God is not / God is uncorrupted. • He is the creator (Kurtah Purakh) / God created the entire universe / from His will (hukam), • Without fear (Nir Bhau) / God is beyond this negative trait / beyond any negative emotion / this implies God has courage and is brave. • Without hate (Nir Vair) / all-loving / without any form of prejudice / means God will be merciful to all, operating fairly and with absolute justice/ this implies God is loving and compassionate. • Immortal without form (Akaal Moorat) / eternal / without beginning or end / existed always (in the past, present and future) as time does not affect God / God is transcendent, beyond time and space / ‘without form’ reminds humans that any image they have of God is not adequate. • Beyond birth and death (Ajooni) / transcendent (nirgun) / pre-existent / without beginning or end / eternal / not affected by the cycle of rebirth which affects humans. • Self-existent (Saibhang) / exists without cause / reliant on nothing for existence. • By the Guru’s grace (Gurprasaad) / God reveals Himself to humans / humans see God only because God wishes it to be so / when God bestows His grace on a human so that they get a glimpse of him, this is evidence of God’s immanence (sargun). • God was true in the timeless beginning (Aad Sach) / meaning God pre-existed everything. • God was true when ages began (Jugaad Sach) / meaning God has existed throughout history / God did not just create the world then ‘expire’ / all the previously listed qualities of God were the • God is true now (Hai Bhi Sach) / God continues to exist now / so is immanent in the world now / all the previously listed qualities of God remained the case. • Nanak says, God will evermore be true (Nanak Hosi Bhi Sach) / God will always exist / all the previously listed qualities of God remain the case forever, etc.
Sources of authority might include:
The Mool Mantra is the first portion of the Guru Granth Sahib / GGS 1a / considered to be the word of God / written by Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak – God will evermore be true. Guru Granth Sahib 1a - One Creator. Truth is His name. Doer of everything. Fearless, Revengeless, Undying, Unborn, Self-illumined. The Guru's gift, Meditate! True in the beginning. True through all the ages. True even now. Oh Nanak it is forever true.
Q1.5: ‘The lives of the Gurus teach Sikhs all they need to know about equality.’
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • refer to Sikh teaching • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • reach a justified conclusion.
[SPaG 3 marks]
Extra space
Q2 Sikhism: Practices
Answer:
In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view [SPaG 3 marks] understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. evidence and information.
Arguments in support
• It is not enough to know the principles or teachings about equality / found in the Guru Granth Sahib / the Sikh gurus put those teachings into practice / their example gives a practical record of how to live in a way to bring equality / equality must be practical to have any meaning/impact. • Guru Nanak established many rules for equality / his leadership carries great weight / so that Sikhs will follow his lead and his rules / not only did he explain the teachings, but he also showed the practical application of them / ‘There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim’ / established the langar / closest friend was a Muslim, Mardana. • Guru Amar Das established equality / creating processes of equality for Sikhs / eg by making women leaders of many of the Sikh outreach communities of his time / by insisting on the langar for all before any meeting he held, regardless of social status. • Guru Gobind Singh established equality within the Khalsa / Kaur and Singh / built a prosperous city (Anandpur) based on practices of equality / rejected religious prejudice – he said, ‘Someone is Hindu, someone is Muslim, then someone is Shi’a, someone is Sunni; recognise the whole human race as one’, etc.
Arguments in support of other views
• The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of Sikhism / its words are the foundation for the actions of the Gurus / so it is more important / and can teach them more clearly / using God’s words / ‘Recognise the Lord’s light within all, and do not consider social class or status’ – GGS. • Knowing about equality is not always the same as practising it / anything can be a source of knowledge / a Sikh needs to use it to live more ethically / or it is wasted knowledge. • A person can know about something, but still disagree with it / so their actions do not reflect their knowledge / rather their actions – which are what have the impact in the world – reflect negative belief or attitude. • Knowledge needs to be combined with action and belief / the whole Sikh faith gives belief in being Gurmukh, which should lead to living an ethical (just) life / and that everyone is equal – ‘All beings and creatures are His; He belongs to us all’ (GGS) / hence any Sikh – because of their beliefs allied to their knowledge – would treat others as equals. • The lives of the Gurus were so long ago that they might be seen as less relevant today / there may be more modern views now. • The langar is a good place to learn equality / all treated the same / regardless of gender etc / tan, man, dhan are all about equality / so sewa generally teaches equality. • There are other sources of authority which can educate people on equality / the law / parents / education / society / life experience / these might educate or influence Sikhs before they know the full teachings of Sikhism or stories of the Gurus / and understand their practical application, etc. Q2 Sikhism: Practices
Q2.1: Which one of the following is a Sikh gurpurb?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Akhand Path B Guru Nanak’s birthday C Naming a child D Nam Japna
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: B Guru Nanak’s birthday
Q2.2: Give two roles of the gurdwara within the Sikh community.
Question 2 continues on the next page
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority If a student provides more than two responses, only the first two responses should be considered for marking. Place for acts of worship / birth ceremonies / naming ceremonies / marriage ceremonies / funeral ceremonies / festival celebrations / free kitchen (langar) / spiritual guidance from others / home of Sat Sangat / host for Akhand Path / place of religious study / meeting place for governance of gurdwara / meeting place for community discussions, etc. Accept social examples – hosts community lessons / hosts free clinics, eg legal clinics, medical clinics (eg Covid testing) / cookery lessons in langar / acts as food bank / distribute meals to vulnerable members of the community / GCSE revision classes, etc.
Q2.3: Explain two contrasting ways in which Sikhs perform sewa in the langar.
Answer:
similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs Contrast may mean opposing or may mean different views. If similar ways are given, only one of them may be credited up to 2 marks max. • Anything done in the langar is done as sewa / selfless service to others / because no reward is expected from those being served. • A person can contribute financially to the meals cooked in the langar / this is dhan sewa / it shows a person is willing to use their wealth to give to others selflessly / they use their wealth to support • A person might contribute in practical terms / by shopping for ingredients / by cooking food / by serving food / by cleaning up after people have eaten / this is tan sewa (physical) / they are using their strength and stamina to support the community selflessly / many Sikhs will go to large gurdwaras, such as at Amritsar, to do voluntary work in the langar kitchens, feeding thousands / this form of sewa (tan) is available to almost every single person (Sikh or not). • A person who is helping in the langar in any way will turn their mind to God whilst working / this means their efforts are dedicated to God / this is man sewa (mental) / they try to be Gurmukh whilst they are giving time and energy, or money to the langar and to sewa. • The langar’s purpose was to uphold the principle of equality and to begin the development of ‘caring communities’ / sewa is fundamentally caring for others through service to them without desire for reward / hence the langar is fundamentally – even as a concept – an expression of
Q2.4: Explain two reasons why Divali is an important festival in Sikhism.
Refer to sacred writings or another source of Sikh belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Relevant and accurate reference to sacred writing or another source of Sikh belief and teaching – 1 mark • Guru Amar Das told Sikhs to celebrate this festival / it is one of three which are seen as compulsory because of his order. • It commemorates Guru Hargobind’s saving of 52 political prisoners / in 1619 / having been released from imprisonment, he asked for their release / was told that any who could hold onto him could leave / so he had a cloak made with 52 tails / all 52 political prisoners left with him / hence called Bandi Chhorh Divas (freedom day, prisoner release day). • It represents Sikh belief in justice / as Guru Hargobind brought justice for those political prisoners / many Sikhs are politically active on this day, especially to fight for political prisoners. • Remembering the bravery and martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh / after he prevented the murder of many Sikhs by the Governor’s forces. • It represents Sikh belief in sewa / Guru Hargobind gave great service to those political prisoners. • It represents freedom / the freedom of Guru Hargobind and the political prisoners / but also reminding Sikhs today of their freedom / eg that they are free to express their religion. • Divas lamps are lit as a tradition / the light representing freedom / also representing God’s guidance to living / also representing human life as the lamp is lit, burns bright, then dies / to reflect that only God is eternal. • It is a day to attend the gurdwara for worship / bringing the community together in religious terms / reinforcing Sikh beliefs and teachings as well as Sikh religious practice. • It is a community festival / everyone in the Sikh community celebrates this day / as do increasing numbers of non-Sikhs in the UK celebrations / this is a joyful time for all. • As more non-Sikhs join in the community celebrations / Sikhism – beliefs and practices – becomes more familiar and better understood to or by non-Sikhs / this helps social cohesion and harmony / as well as reducing prejudice and intolerance. • There is much charitable giving associated with the festival / so that those less fortunate benefit from this celebration / an altruistic importance of the festival, etc.
Sources of authority might include:
Guru Granth Sahib - ‘The lamps of the night of Divali eventually burn out…Life - even as bestowed by God - is temporary; settled and then destructed’ Guru Granth Sahib - ‘He who is liberated, liberates the universe’ (in relation to Bandi Chhorh Divas) Guru Gobind Singh - ‘A Gurmukh seeks bliss from Divali’ Guru Gobind Singh issued a royal decree (hukamnama) that Sikhs celebrate Divali.
Q2.5: ‘For Sikhs, it is important to go through the Amrit Sanskar ceremony (initiation into
the Khalsa).’ Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • refer to Sikh teaching • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • reach a justified conclusion.
Extra space
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Answer:
In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. evidence and information.
Arguments in support
• Guru Gobind Singh set the Khalsa up / so it is very traditional in Sikhism / and has held status and prestige throughout Sikh history. • It reflects the point a person has reached in their spiritual journey / as there are greater commitments to be made / and more rules to follow / with greater scrutiny for disobeying rules, etc. / hence it is a serious step but an obvious one in a Sikh’s spiritual development / ‘He does not recognise anyone else except One Lord, not even the bestowal of charities, performance of merciful acts, austerities and restraint on pilgrim-stations; the perfect light of the Lord illuminates his heart, then consider him as the immaculate Khalsa’ – Guru Gobind Singh. • Being part of the Khalsa requires going through this ceremony / it shows a person’s commitment at a higher level to the faith / hence anyone who wants to fully focus on their spiritual development to the next Khand should make this commitment / they might be unable to make the step without the commitment / ‘Waheguru ji ka Khalsa – The Khalsa belongs to God’ / ‘Those humble people become pure – they become Khalsa’ (GGS). • The Khalsa act as a strong support network (Sat Sangat) for any Sikh / which helps a person to be more Gurmukh / and to attain mukti / so a Sikh should commit via the Amrit Sanskar / and then use this network more fully. • Being part of the Khalsa means more involvement in the Sat Sangat / so closer to God / through more spiritual practice / and being with those of like-mind (gurmukh), etc.
Arguments in support of other views
• Not all are ready to make the commitment / eg sahajdhari Sikhs meaning ‘slow adopters’ / as becoming amritdhari (one who has taken amrit, or one for whom being beyond death has been bestowed) is a big commitment / they might not be sure of their faith / or strong enough in their beliefs yet / so they should not be pressured to undertake the ceremony until fully ready. • A Sikh could go through this ceremony and then not make any changes to their lives / so the ceremony is rendered meaningless / a ritual only / Guru Nanak spoke against following rituals blindly / eg by rejecting Sacred Thread as a child / or his response to those splashing water for ancestors to drink. • There is no requirement in Sikhism to become amritdhari / or to go through the ceremony / so to say ‘it is important’ may be too strong / not being amritdhari does not stop them from pursuing a more spiritual path / not all Sikh gurus were in the Khalsa / as it did not exist / but it can be implied that the ceremony is not required. • Not all Sikhs want to be amritdhari / forcing someone to go through the ceremony against their will or with uncertainty can only lead to them failing to live properly as amritdhari / which would bring the status into disrepute, etc.