An Introduction to Sikhism Trivia Quiz

Answer: False

Sikhs believe in only one Supreme Being - the Creator God. Unlike other monotheistic faiths like Christianity, Islam and Judaism, Sikhism believes in 'Ik Onkar' which translates to One Constant, an all pervading spirit which is timeless and shapeless. The adherents of Sikhism are called Sikhs which means students.

The religion was founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak. Subsequently, there were other Gurus who led the people at different points in time.

Answer: Gurmukhi

The Landa script was used in the northern parts of India. Guru Angad standardized the different forms of the Landa script and created the Gurmukhi alphabet. Gurmukhi means from the mouth of the Guru.

Answer: Gluttony

The Five Thieves are called the Panj Dosh and consist of kaam (lust), krodh (rage), lobh (greed), moh (attachment) and ahankar (conceit). They are called thieves because they steal the ability of a person to behave rationally or in a more humane manner.

Answer: Maya

Maya is illusion and makes a person attached to worldly things. The Five Virtues are Sat (truth), Daya (compassion), Santokh (contentment), Dharam (discipline), and Vichar (contemplation).

Apart from these, Sikhism also has the Three Pillars which Sikhs are called upon to follow. These are Naam Japo (meditation on the name of God), Kirat Karo (honest work) and Vand Chhako (share with the community).

Answer: Guru Arjan

Guru Arjan was the fifth Sikh Guru. His father, Guru Ram Das, and maternal grandfather, Guru Amar Das, were earlier Gurus of the Sikhs. Guru Arjan began to compile the teachings of the earlier Gurus into a book form which then became the Guru Granth Sahib. During his time, the Mughal Empire was ruling most of northern India.

The Guru was arrested on the orders of the Mughal Emperor, Jehangir, and forced to convert to Islam. When he refused, he was tortured and killed, thus becoming the first martyr of the Sikhs.

Many years later, the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was also beheaded by the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, for his refusal to convert to Islam.

Answer: Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of the Sikhs and is regarded as the living guru after the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, affirmed that the text would be his successor. It was first compiled by Guru Arjan as the Adi Granth. Guru Gobind Singh added Guru Tegh Bahadur's hymns to the Adi Granth and formed the Guru Granth Sahib.

Baba Deep Singh and Bhai Mani Singh prepared multiple copies of the Guru Granth Sahib for distribution among the Sikhs after the death of Guru Gobind Singh.

Answer: Destroying old copies of the Guru Granth Sahib

Agan Bheta is a specific ritual associated with destroying old copies of the Guru Granth Sahib. Only those books which are not deemed to be usable any more due to wear and tear may be thus destroyed. Since the Guru Granth Sahib is regarded as the living Guru of the Sikhs, the Agan Bheta involves the cremation of the book with the ceremony being similar to the cremation of dead people.

Answer: Seva

Sikhism regards seva or charitable work as one of the keys to keeping one's ego under controls. Sikhs from all walks of life volunteer to help at the Gurudwara in whatever capacity possible. The community kitchens of the Gurudwara are all run by volunteers who help to cook and serve the food to all who visit.

Since Sikhism believes that there is only one God and there may be different paths that people may follow towards enlightenment, no religion is regarded as superior over the other. Hence, Sikhs do not actively seek to convert people to their faith. Sikhism also places complete faith in the Supreme Being and belief in superstitions or astrology is not encouraged.

Answer: Diwali

Diwali is called the Festival of Lights and is celebrated by Hindus to mark the triumphant return of Ram from his exile. Among Sikhs, Bandi Chhor Divas (Day of Liberation) is celebrated on the same day. It celebrates the release of Guru Hargobind, the sixth guru, from his imprisonment in the Gwalior Jail.

Other major festivals celebrated by Sikhs include Maghi, the winter harvest festival and Baisakhi, the summer harvest festival.

Answer: True

While Sikhism has no restrictions on the consumption of meat, the food served in the langars is generally pure vegetarian. The concept of the langar was started by the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak to promote equality among all people. All those who visit the gurudwara may partake of the meal irrespective of the religion they follow. Meat may have been served earlier in the langars.

The meals were later strictly vegetarian to accommodate those of other beliefs who may not feel comfortable eating in a place where meat is also cooked.

The only exception to this is when Nihangs (an armed order of Sikhs) cook and serve meat during the Sikh festival of Hola Mohalla.