FoxChild@Learn
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June 2024
Q1.1: Which one of the following is not a barrier to mukti?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Anger B Greed C Illusion D Wisdom
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: D Wisdom
Q1.2: Give two ways that Sikhs can carry out sewa.
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. Allow use of key terms – tan (physical sewa) / man (mental sewa) / dhan (material sewa). Allow general or specific examples of these, for example: helping in the langar / donating food / paying daswandh / cleaning the gurdwara / using skills to help the community / fund raising for a good cause / giving time and support to help other Sikhs / supporting other worshippers at the gurdwara / teaching people to read and understand the Guru Granth Sahib / gaining a better understanding of their faith / working in the caring professions / volunteer work / participating in an Akhand Path / leading worship / giving out karah parshad, etc.
Q1.3: Explain two ways in which belief in the equality of women with men influences
Sikhism today.
Question 1 continues on the next page
Answer:
influence on individuals, communities and societies To be a ‘detailed explanation’ the ‘influence’ of the way must be included. • Influences Sikhs to see all as equal / ‘divine spark within all’ (GGS) / hence influences Sikhs to be fair-minded / treat everyone with respect / not to discriminate / to work or fight for justice for those discriminated against / to set up equal opportunities in all Sikh endeavours (religious or not). • Guru Granth Sahib (GGS) declares the equality of women with men in all things / ‘Women and men, all by God are created. All this is God’s play. Says Nanak, all thy creation is good’ (GGS) / Sikhism teaches that there is a oneness of humanity / God created everything and everyone / ‘All made from the same clay’ (Guru Arjan) / ‘It is from woman that we are conceived and born. Woman is our lifelong friend who keeps the race going. Why should we despise the one who gives birth to great men’ (Adi Granth 473) / since Sikhs read the GGS or gutka daily, they constantly are aware of this message / so it influences their behaviour and attitudes. • Men and women may be the granthi / or a ragi / or prepare and give out karah parshad / all the key roles in the gurdwara / criteria are entirely about character and ability / the gurdwara committee – sewadars – can be led by women / women lead some of these committees. • Women and men have the same right to be in the Khalsa / take amrit Sanskar / Guru Gobind Singh’s wife was in the Khalsa / led the Khalsa after his death / women must follow the Rehit Maryada / no difference in expectation on them / women can be warriors / fought historically / eg • The langar is prepared, cooked and served by men and women alike / no sense that it is a woman’s job / at Amritsar it is noticeable how many men do this role / eating in the langar shows equality / as all sit on the floor without any hierarchy. • Women all take the name ‘kaur’ / which showed they were their own person / not belonging to a father or husband / kaur means princess, coming from term for ‘prince’ / to show greater respect. • Nam Japna, Kirat Karni and Vand Chakna apply equally to men and women / Sikh women are encouraged to get a high level of education / Sikh women are decision makers / Sikh women are councillors, politicians, CEOs / Guru Amar Das set up 22 administrative regions for the spread of Sikhism / 8 of the 22 were led by women / at a time when few places allowed women to lead, etc.
Q1.4: Explain two Sikh beliefs about the elimination of pride or ego (haumai).
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 • Haumai prevents a person from being gurmukh / which is the ideal state for any person / haumai makes a person manmukh / opposite of gurmukh / eliminating haumai makes a person gurmukh / nearer to mukti / haumai reinforces the illusion of the material world / pushing them away from • Pride (ahankar) is one of the Five Evils / which all Sikhs must try to eradicate / because these keep a person clinging to this material world / and prevent mukti / because of making them more • Haumai by its very nature makes a person miserable / by eliminating haumai a person is happier / which is the desire of all people. • Pride makes a person selfish / the contrast to Sikh teachings about selflessness / so Sikhs must try to eradicate this / in order that they can fulfil their duties as a Sikh / and become gurmukh not • Haumai is selfishness / Sikhism is a religion of service / so haumai is the opposite of what it is to be a Sikh. • Haumai is a disease / the human attitude to disease is to eliminate it / because disease hurts people / even leading to their death / the same is true of pride. • Both haumai and pride prevent a person from reaching the Khands / even the lowest of the five / and certainly prevents a person from being with God / the fifth Khand – Sach Khand / which is the aim of life. • The Gurus all taught that it is important to eliminate haumai / and the Five Evils, including pride / as does Guru Granth Sahib (GGS) / so basic Sikh teaching tells them to eliminate haumai and pride / they show respect to this teaching. • It is very difficult to eliminate haumai / takes many lifetimes / ‘those who do not serve the true Guru…they go through 8.4 million reincarnations, and they are ruined by death and rebirth’ (GGS) / because of illusion encouraging haumai. • The examples of the Gurus show elimination of haumai / as role models their example is to be followed / the great good they did relied on eliminating haumai / so it follows that Sikhs can also do great good if they eliminate haumai. • The work of the Sangat shows it is important to eliminate haumai / as the Sangat is supporting others, and not exploiting them / so living a life according to Sikh principles is itself an attempt to eliminate haumai / a person cannot have haumai and serve the Sangat / a person cannot have pride and be humble / which is necessary to serve others, etc.
Sources of authority might include:
‘Haumai and the remembrance of God are opposites of each other.’ – GGS ‘The self-willed manmukh separates themselves from God.’ – GGS ‘Haumai is ‘the filth that clings to man.’ – Guru Amar Das ‘Haumai is a great malady. The remedy is to attune oneself with God.’ – GGS ‘Those who do not serve the true Guru…they go through 8.4 million reincarnations, and they are ruined by death and rebirth’ (GGS) ‘The Gurmukhs are absorbed in the True Lord...eradicate selfishness and conceit from within...sing the glorious praises of the Lord...Through selfless service, eternal peace is obtained.’ – GGS ‘Within this body dwell the Five Thieves…egoism; the self-willed manmukh does not realise…is blind without the Guru.’ - GGS ‘If you long for honour for yourself, then renounce your ego in the Sat Sangat, the company of the holy.’ – GGS Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q1.5: ‘The Sangat’s most important role is to support its religious community in their
religious beliefs.’ 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
• The Gurus taught that the Sangat was best for all / ‘Egotism is never eradicated without the Sat Sangat, the company of the holy…Joining the Sat Sangat, the true congregation, I serve my Lord and Master continually’ (GGS) / it is clearly the will of the Gurus that a Sikh be part of the Sangat / as this is their best chance of full happiness and bliss / so this must be the highest of the roles. • ‘The Sat Sangat is the school of the soul, where the Glorious Virtues of the Lord are studied’ (GGS) / shows that the Sangat is the best place to become more gurmukh / because it is a place to learn about the beliefs amongst like-minded others, and being supported by them / and hence to come closer to God / aim of life for Sikhs / by supporting spiritually, the Sangat is helping Sikhs to achieve that core goal / helping sahajdhari become amritdhari. • The Gurus set up and commended the Sangat for precisely this role / it dates back to Guru Nanak / so must be the most important / similarly, the GGS does not describe any other role for the Sangat / so it must be the central or most important role. • It could be argued that everything the Sangat does supports the spirituality of the community either directly or indirectly / so all roles do that / because God should be in mind at all times / the aim being to help themselves and others towards mukti, etc.
Arguments in support of other views
• The Sangat’s most important role is to help the religious community in their religious practice / ie lead worship (granthi) / support understanding of the GGS via the ragis / prepare and distribute karah parshad / organise festivals / as belief is not enough / Sikh gurus required faith be translated into action / worship outwardly shows inner devotion to God / so Sangat needs to support believers in the practical expression of their beliefs. • The Sangat organises and provides opportunities for sewa / allocating roles to people / ensuring they have sufficient training / encouraging all to participate. • The teaching role of the Sangat is more important / teaching Punjabi language so that children retain their heritage / teaching Sikh history so that Sikhs know how their religion was shaped and practised / teaching methods of meditation, Nam Japna / teaching Gurmukhi so that a Sikh can read their holy book / teaching Sikhi. • The wider roles of the Sangat are very important to less devout Sikhs / and to helping the wider community understand Sikhism / so reducing intolerance and creating community harmony / for example, the Sangat organises events for the community /such as the festival celebrations / which are open to all. • The Sangat is the backbone of the community / protector of the community / involved in inter-faith and wider community relations / this inter-faith and inter-communal role is crucial in a pluralistic society / and allows the spiritual side to flourish. • The Sangat provides much pastoral care / for some Sikhs that is the most important thing at any one time / so the Sangat helps a person in their ordinary life as well as religious life / being a member allows a person to access that support as well as become part of the network of support • Not all Sikhs live near a physical Sangat / so cannot take advantage of spiritual support / and have to rely on themselves / for example, in areas of UK where there is no gurdwara / non-Sikh • Not all those born a Sikh practise their faith to the extent that they want to belong to the Sangat / they might be non-practising or Sikh in name only / to them other roles of the Sangat are more important / eg provision of classes for health. • The Sangat’s duty is to the wider community / not just their religious community / making the wider community respectful of the Sangat community / being a part of not separate to the non- Sikh community / giving back or integrating / living up to the idea of Sikhism being a religion of service / shown in how the Gurus helped non-Sikhs / eg Guru Hargobind and the 52 princes, etc. Q2 Sikhism: Practices
Q2.1: Which one of the following describes the palki in a gurdwara?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A A domed structure for the Guru Granth Sahib B An area where Sikhs sit facing the Guru Granth Sahib C The Sikh who reads the Guru Granth Sahib D The symbol of Sikhism above the Guru Granth Sahib
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: A A domed structure for the Guru Granth Sahib
Q2.2: Give two reasons why Sikh families hold religious ceremonies for babies.
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. Traditional / expected by the family and/or community / to welcome a baby into the family / to welcome a baby into the community / recognise it as a Sikh / recognise as a gift from God / to introduce the baby to the religious community / to show devotion to God / in the expectation that they will grow up in the faith / to give them a name / based on the inspiration of the GGS / so the baby is blessed by God / to celebrate the birth / to give thanks for the child / prescribed by the Rehit
Q2.3: Explain two contrasting roles of an Akhand Path.
Question 2 continues on the next page
Answer:
similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs First contrasting role Second contrasting role Contrast may mean opposing or may mean different views. If similar roles are given, only one of them may be credited up to 2 marks max. • To dedicate and bless something / eg a marriage / baby / work venture and so on / since the AP takes place at the home or business / it brings great merit to that place as well as the focus for the • To provide comfort at sad times / eg funeral / reminding of God, mukti and other beliefs / bringing the community together to support the bereaved. • To give support for the spiritual development of those in the community / as everyone is welcome to attend / it is open house for worship / being in the community might mean people attend who are not regular gurdwara attendees / hearing the words of the GGS is a spiritual aid. • To bring the community together / for example, in support of members in the case of an AP for someone who has died / and to bless their memory. • To provide support for acts of worship / APs give extra opportunities for worship to take place / hence a chance to be more gurmukh. • To maintain traditions / first full reading was for Guru Gobind Singh / first AP was done for Bibi Sundari (female Sikh warrior) who asked to hear the whole of the GGS before she died / this established the tradition. • To usher in a festival or gurpurbs / so the right tone begins these celebrations / demonstrates the festivals are founded on faith and spirituality / and the importance of the Gurus. • To remember the lives of the Gurus / also historical occasions / brings a blessing to that memory,
Q2.4: Explain two ways in which Sikhs pray in the home.
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 • Through the daily routine of prayer (NitNem) / morning prayer taking up to an hour / Japji Sahib which includes Mool Mantra plus Jaap Sahib written by Guru Gobind Singh plus ‘With your grace’ hymn / prayer at dusk / called Rehras Sahib / prayer at bedtime (Sohila) / called Kirtan / recitation • Through Nam Japna – meditating on the name of God / can be done anytime for any length of time / possible to do whilst mechanically doing another task, eg cleaning / or as total focus • Reading GGS or Gutka / holy scriptures / amritdhari should read at least five verses daily / reading also allows reflection / provides focus for meditation. • Through personal prayer / done at any time / additional to the formal daily routine of prayer / for example, as extra prayers if someone is ill. • Might play religious music / kirtans / so as to meditate on their words / or remain mindful of God when doing any activity / or resting / sing gurbani. • Might pray as a family / for example, before eating a family meal / showing thanks for the food and the companionship, etc. Allow answers which describe the method of prayer, such as getting washed and ensuring cleanliness then praying, etc.
Sources of authority might include:
‘O servant Nanak, some are united with the Guru: to some, the Lord grants peace, while others – deceitful cheats – suffer in isolation. Those who have the treasure of the Lord’s Name deep within their affairs.’ – GGS 305:4 ‘Continuously sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, day and night; singing the Lord’s praises, I cannot find the limits.’ – GGS ‘Haumai is a great malady. The remedy is to attune oneself with God.’ – GGS ‘Pray, pray, pray and be at peace.’ – GGS ‘You are wasting your life on worldly pleasures, have not practised meditation, self-discipline and responsibility, not been of service, nor served holy people, nor recognised the divine.’ – GGS ‘Meditating on your name, I achieved tremendous happiness.’ – Guru Arjan ‘Shall rise early and meditate on God’s name…at rising of the sun sing gurbani’ – GGS/Guru Ram Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q2.5: ‘For Sikhs, remembering events of the past is the most important part of Vaisakhi
(Baisakhi).’ 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
Question . number .
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246G8062/17
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
• Vaisakhi was the start of the Khalsa / this is considered the most devoted form of Sikhism / in that these Sikhs are focused on attaining mukti / so the festival's origins have to be the central focus / without those origins, the Khalsa would not exist. • Generally speaking, the origins of a festival are important for making sense of the festival / so are necessarily a big part of the celebration / it is impossible to either not mention them or to only make brief reference to them / it would also be wrong to reduce their importance and significance / because then the festival would be meaningless / importance to helping children to understand the faith and its origins / ‘The stories of one’s ancestors make the children good children.’ (GGS). • Vaisakhi is the best time to take part in an Amrit Sanskar / making full commitment to the Khalsa / which is a promise about how to live and behave / this is certainly not about the past / however the ceremony is taken from past events / and made more special and binding by that historical • Many Sikhs go to Amritsar / where the festival began for Sikhs / even though they might do sewa whilst there, they are still going because of the past / hence past events are the key driver for • Many Sikhs recall events of religious persecution which have happened on previous Vaisakhis / eg in 1919, Sikhs were shot and killed by the British Army / after ruler issued orders to stop Sikhs from coming together to celebrate the festival / considered a risk of insurgency / Sikhs will remember that everyone should be allowed to practice their religion / and that right must be
Arguments in support of other views
• The most important thing is what is learned and applied / hence it is more important to tell people what the message of the festival is / and how they should go about making that part of their daily practice / as that is what will bring goodness and change in a troubled world or community / so whilst the past events are important, it is really their message which is most important not the actual events / making the worship during this festival more significant than the past events. • The most important themes of Vaisakhi are shown in the ways it is celebrated / for example, commitment shown through the Amrit Sanskar, and through the Nihang Sikhs / for example, the stress on the importance of sewa in sermons at the gurdwara / for example, the importance of community as the whole community is invited to be involved / for example, the fight for justice, demonstrated by the fight displays, and so on / whilst these link to the past events, they are of themselves more important and significant by happening now. • The most important point is that it allows for a pilgrimage to Amritsar, for example / thus enabling a greater show of commitment and devotion to the faith / which aids the path to mukti. • The most important is the activities which take place at Vaisakhi / washing the flag pole to signify purity and renewal / done as a community / showing it is better to explore the faith as a group / the procession / which takes Sikhism to the wider community / and shows pride in the religion (not hiding) / the community langar which fulfils the Guru’s teaching / performing sewa. • The most important aspect of Vaisakhi is that it is a festival open to the entire community / including non-Sikhs / so it helps bring greater understanding and community cohesion / which is important in the world of today / links Sikh communities across the world / reinforcing Sikhism’s identity as a global faith. • The most important part of Vaisakhi is the Khalsa ceremony / as that is when Sikhs make full commitment to the pursuit of mukti / goal of life for Sikhs / whilst this links to the past, it is important to focus forward, etc