Deck 7: Sikhism

Question 1

What is the definition of the following term:
-Adi Granth:

Answer 1

(ah'dee gruhnth; Punjabi, "first book") Sikhism's most important sacred text and, since the death of Guru Gobind Singh in 1708, Sikhism's primary earthly authority; traditionally known as Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Question 2

What is the definition of the following term:
-amrit:

Answer 2

(am'rit; Punjabi, "immortalizing fluid") A special drink made from water and sugar crystals, used in the Khalsa initiation ceremony.

Question 3

What is the definition of the following term:
-gurdwara:

Answer 3

(goor'dwah-ruh; Punjabi, "doorway of the Guru" or "by means of the Guru's [grace]") A building for Sikh worship that houses a copy of the Adi Granth; the central structure of any Sikh community.

Question 4

What is the definition of the following term:
-guru:

Question 5

What is the definition of the following term:
-haumai:

Question 6

What is the definition of the following term:
-hukam:

Question 7

What is the definition of the following term:
-Khalsa:

Question 8

What is the definition of the following term:
-langar:

Question 9

What is the definition of the following term:
-mukti:

Question 10

What is the definition of the following term:
-Mul Mantra:

Question 11

What is the definition of the following term:
-Panth:

Question 12

What is the definition of the following term:
-Rahit:

Question 13

The composition of the Dasam Granth has been traditionally attributed to

A) Guru Nanak.
B) Guru Gobind Singh.
C) the poet Kabir.
D) Akbar the Great.

Question 14

In Sikhism, the term Guru is used in three ways. Which of the following is not one of them?

A) The title of Nanak and his successors
B) The title of the sacred text
C) A name for God
D) A teacher in a religious school for Sikh children

Question 15

Nanak and his wife, Sulakhani, moved to the religiously diverse community of

A) Amritsar.
B) Delhi.
C) Sultanpur.
D) Talvandi.

Question 16

Nanak, explaining what had happened to him when he received God's revelation, said that he had

A) been escorted to the court of God.
B) encountered seven angels who pronounced God's plan for him.
C) learned that neither Hindu nor Islamic teachings should be followed.
D) seen Vishnu, who invited Nanak to become his avatar.

Question 17

With his Muslim friend Mardana accompanying him on the rebab, Nanak

A) sang his hymns at communal worship gatherings.
B) danced with other dervishes while spending time in Mecca.
C) composed poetic verses that would have a profound influence on Kabir.
D) recited from the ancient Vedic texts before large crowds of Hindu worshippers.

Question 18

Guru Nanak lived from

A) 1323 to 1402.
B) 1469 to 1539.
C) 1666 to 1708.
D) 1714 to 1782.

Question 19

Sikh sacred texts, in addition to the Adi Granth, include the

A) Rig Veda and the Code of Manu.
B) Dasam Granth and the Rahit.
C) Qur'an and the Hadiths.
D) Dhammapada and Questions of King Milinda.

Question 20

The Adi Granth was compiled in 1603-1604 by

A) Kabir.
B) Guru Arjan.
C) Guru Tegh Bahadur.
D) Akbar the Great.

Question 21

The Adi Granth was composed in a variety of languages, most prevalently

A) Arabic.
B) Persian.
C) Punjabi.
D) Sanskrit.

Question 22

Today, the Adi Granth is

A) available in English and French translations.
B) commonly present in Sikh homes, at least in condensed form.
C) celebrated for its music and poetic excellence.
D) All of the above

Question 23

Sikhism teaches that the ultimate purpose of life is to

A) attain mukti (spiritual liberation).
B) go to heaven after death.
C) leave the world a better place.
D) raise children and help to fortify the Sikh community.

Question 24

The Adi Granth begins with the Mul Mantra, which is a

A) meditative hymn featuring the sacred syllable OM.
B) brief account of the life of Guru Nanak.
C) concise summary of Sikh theology.
D) list of the Five Ks.

Question 25

Sikhism is similar theologically to monotheistic religions, including

A) Jainism.
B) Shinto.
C) Zoroastrianism.
D) All of the above

Question 26

Which characteristic is not among the five accompanying vices of haumai?

A) Anger
B) Attachment
C) Lust
D) Sloth

Question 27

Spiritual liberation according to Sikh teachings implies

A) freedom from evil inclinations and from guilt.
B) being in the presence of God.
C) a good rebirth into a Sikh family of high standing.
D) infinite bliss in one of the seven heavens.

Question 28

The regulatory code that spells out the correct belief and behavior for members of the Khalsa is the

A) Khalistan.
B) Panth.
C) Rahit.
D) Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Question 29

Which of the following is not one of the Five Ks?

A) A small comb worn in the hair, a reminder of cleanliness
B) A steel wristlet, affirming constant connectedness with God
C) A sword, a sign of devotion to truth and to the defense of just causes
D) A turban, indicating allegiance to the Sikh community

Question 30

Among Guru Nanak's successors, Guru Arjan deserves special mention for various impressive accomplishments, including

A) establishing an independent Sikh state.
B) helping to strengthen the Khalsa and to make it more popular than before.
C) constructing the Darbar Sahib.
D) loyally serving as Guru Nanak's personal assistant until his death.

Question 31

Guru Gobind Singh

A) is traditionally depicted as a worldly prince, ever ready for battle.
B) died at the hand of an assassin.
C) is revered as the greatest Guru after Nanak.
D) All of the above

Question 32

The founding of the Khalsa involved

A) a display of loyalty by the original "Beloved Five," who thought they were being put to death.
B) a decisive military victory over Moghul forces.
C) a decree to proceed with building the Darbar Sahib.
D) the marriage of the Sikh ruler with the princess of a neighboring kingdom.

Question 33

By the time of his death, Guru Gobind Singh had managed to

A) establish Guru Angad as his successor.
B) befriend the Mughal rulership and to ease tensions between the peoples.
C) complete and publish the first edition of the Adi Granth.
D) enter into a treaty agreement with the British government.

Question 34

Under the leadership of Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), the Sikh community

A) became extremely prosperous, establishing itself as the wealthiest religious group in India.
B) entered into good relationships with the sizeable Indian Buddhist community.
C) thrived as a sovereign kingdom in the Punjab.
D) earned favor from the British government.

Question 35

A nationalist movement of recent times that has involved Sikhs in conflict, both within and outside the Sikh community, is commonly called

A) Sikh Nation.
B) Punjabi Panth United.
C) Khalistan.
D) Operation Blue Star.

Question 36

The total population of Sikhs in the world today is approximately

A) 2 million.
B) 5 million.
C) 25 million.
D) 54 million.

Question 37

Even though only about 15 percent of Sikhs have undergone the traditional ceremony of initiation into the Khalsa, the basic requirement of not cutting the hair is followed by about

A) 30 percent.
B) 50 percent.
C) 70 percent.
D) 95 percent.

Question 38

The total number of Sikhs living outside of the Punjab and of India is nearly

A) 100,000.
B) 500,000.
C) 1.2 million.
D) 2 million.

Question 39

The first gurdwara in the United States was established in

A) New Haven, Connecticut, in 1765.
B) Galena, Illinois, in 1824.
C) Eugene, Oregon, in 1889.
D) Stockton, California, in 1912.

Question 40

Challenges to Sikhs living outside of the homeland who strive to maintain traditional ways include

A) laws requiring the wearing of a helmet when driving a motorcycle.
B) work schedules that inhibit the practice of praying on five occasions throughout the day.
C) lack of easily accessible kosher food.
D) unwillingness of most non-Sikhs to convert to Sikhism, even though Sikhs are required to strive to increase their numbers.

Question 41

Celebration of Divali, the Festival of Lights, exemplifies the fact that Sikhs

A) incorporated important aspects of Islam into their religion.
B) participate in festivals that for centuries have been features of northern Indian culture.
C) occasionally do not adhere to strict vegetarianism.
D) make use of fire as a significant part of their ritual life.

Question 42

The important Sikh practice nam simaran, "remembrance of the Name," can be done by

A) kirtan, or the singing of hymns.
B) confessing one's spiritual failings.
C) making pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya.
D) discussing the biographies of the historical Gurus.

Question 43

Technically speaking, a gurdwara is any building that

A) faces toward Amritsar in northwestern India.
B) has four doors.
C) was constructed during the period of the historical Gurus.
D) contains a copy of the Adi Granth.

Question 44

Worship in the gurdwara is preceded by

A) almsgiving.
B) bathing.
C) meditation.
D) worship in the temple.

Question 45

An act symbolizing Sikh unity involves consumption of karah prasad, which is

A) a red wine made from grapes grown in the Punjab.
B) a special pudding made of wheat flour, sugar, and ghee.
C) meat from lambs sacrificed on Baisakhi Day.
D) a type of yogurt made of sheep's milk.

Question 46

One important Sikh ritual of the life cycle is Amrit Sanchar, the

A) Khalsa initiation ceremony.
B) baptism of a Sikh baby.
C) first pilgrimage of a young Sikh to Amritsar.
D) ceremonial cremation of the dead.

Question 47

The naming of a Sikh child involves choosing the beginning letter of the name

A) based on the father's preference.
B) based on the name of the paternal grandfather (for a boy) or grandmother (for a girl).
C) by randomly opening the Adi Granth.
D) by consulting with a spiritual master.

Question 48

For Sikhs, the turban

A) is tied in whatever way the wearer finds simplest.
B) may indicate regional, political, or religious affiliation by its style and color.
C) is generally considered to be uncomfortable, too hot in the summer and not warm enough in the winter.
D) is commonly worn by women.

Question 49

According to the traditions established by the Khalsa, proper Sikh marriage

A) is arranged by the parents of a child of marriageable age through the assistance of a relative.
B) is entered into first and foremost because of the love that the two individuals feel for each other.
C) must avoid intermixing of individuals of differing caste status.
D) takes place only after both the bride and the groom have reached young adulthood and have established themselves in their careers.

Question 50

The central focal point of the Sikh marriage ceremony is

A) the groom's family, especially his parents.
B) the Adi Granth.
C) an image of Guru Gobind Singh, whose marriage is considered to be the perfect model for all Sikhs.
D) the Golden Temple.

Question 51

Which of the following is not part of the traditional Sikh death ritual?

A) Dressing the body in clean clothing and adorning it with the Five Ks
B) Greater participation by men than by women
C) Recitation of the Kirtan Sohila, the evening prayer
D) Burial of the body within one day of death

Question 52

Three guiding principles of Sikh life are

A) love, forgiveness, and charity.
B) self-awareness, self-reliance, and selflessness.
C) freedom, prosperity, and community.
D) worship, work, and charity.

Question 53

The term Sikh is derived from ancient Indian terms that mean "disciple."

Question 54

Sikhs today often use the name Vahiguru, "Praise to the Guru," for God.

Question 55

Nanak was born in 1469 ce in a small village near Lahore (in present-day Pakistan) to Hindu parents of the ruling class (the kshatriyas).

Question 56

In his early life, Nanak was careful to avoid the company of Hindus, Muslims, or other religious people.

Question 57

When Nanak was about thirty years old, he returned from bathing in the river after having been presumed to have drowned three days earlier, and he proclaimed that Hinduism was superior to Islam.

Question 58

During the middle period of his life, Nanak is said to have made four long journeys to various places.

Question 59

Drawing from his revelation experience, Nanak continued proclaiming his own religious ideals, among them belief in the Hindu triad of gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Question 60

Nanak welcomed people from all segments of society to reside in Kartarpur and to work together to maintain it.

Question 61

The Adi Granth is kept out of sight except for a few holy days per year.

Question 62

Every copy of the Adi Granth is identical in both script and page number; there are 1,430 pages in every copy.

Question 63

The Rahit is a collection of texts compiled in the twentieth century that clarifies Sikhism's place within the modern democracy of India.

Question 64

As revealer of the divine self to human beings God is referred to as Guru, for in this manner God delivers humans from darkness to enlightenment.

Question 65

The significance of nam for Guru Nanak can hardly be overstated.

Question 66

Guru Nanak had ten successor Gurus, all of them linked to one another through family lineage.

Question 67

The Mughal (therefore, Muslim) emperors who ruled northern India knew the Gurus personally and tended to respect them, in some cases developing strong friendships with them.

Question 68

When the Golden Temple was being built, Mian Mir, a Muslim Sufi saint, laid the foundation stone.

Question 69

With the creation of Pakistan in 1947, all Sikhs migrated to India to be amidst all of the significant Sikh historical sites, including Nanak's birthplace.

Question 70

In 2004, Manmohan Singh, became India's first Sikh prime minister.

Question 71

Because the vast majority of today's Sikhs are themselves descendants of Punjabi Sikhs, there is both a societal and a hereditary aspect of being Sikh.

Question 72

Today, there are more Sikhs living in Canada than in the United States.

Question 73

In the United Kingdom, motorcycle helmet laws have been modified, thus accommodating Sikhs.

Question 74

Sikhism strictly advocates vegetarianism for all Sikhs.

Question 75

The Khalsa was founded on the day of an important annual festival, Baisakhi Day, the first day of the Indian year.

Question 76

Daily prayers are a form of devotional practice that can (and should) be done by every Sikh.

Question 77

Friday is set aside for Sikhs to gather together to worship.

Question 78

All Sikh men are required to wear a turban as part of Sikh religious practice.

Question 79

According to Sikh ideals as defined by the Khalsa, a Sikh woman is only to be married to a Sikh, but caste status is not to be taken into consideration.

Question 80

Sikhism has generally maintained peaceful relations with other religions and with other peoples, both in their homeland and abroad.