AQA GCSE SPECIFICATION CHECKLIST: Sikhism Beliefs
Section A: Key Beliefs
The Nature of God: as expressed in the Mool Mantra including
God as Creator (including different aspects of God’s relationship with Creation)
God shown in and through the universe and God as separate from the universe
Beliefs in Karma & Rebirth, and Mukti: Including the meaning of Mukti, and the different aspects of Mukti
(both positive and negative)
Beliefs about nature of human life as an opportunity to unite w/ God, incl. development of Sikh virtues
eg. wisdom, truthful living, justice, temperance, self-control, patience, courage, humility, contentment.
The five stages of liberation (five khands) and barriers to mukti (illusion, self-centredness, lust, anger,
greed, worldly attachment, pride).
The importance of being gurmukh (God-centred) rather than manmukh (man-centred) and the
elimination of pride or ego (haumai).
Section B: Beliefs on The Nature of Human Life
Belief in the oneness of humanity + in the equality of all, including complete equality of women w/ men.
The expression of the equality of all in:
the stories of the lives of Gurus, including Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh
the Guru Granth Sahib
in Sikhism today
Sewa: the importance of service to others, including physical (tan), mental (man) and material (dhan).
The role and importance of the Sangat (religious community)
KEY TERMS GLOSSARY
Dhan Material service to other people, eg. donating to charities or giving time to help people who are in need.
Gurmukh Someone who thinks about God first and follows the Gurus’ teachings.
Guru Gobind Singh The tenth and final human Guru.
Guru Granth Sahib The Sikh scriptures.
Haumai Ego, pride, arrogance.
Jot Divine spark comes from the Sanskrit word ‘jyotis’ meaning light.
Karma Actions and their consequences.
Khalsa The community of the pure which was founded in 1699.
Khands Stages to liberation (Mukti)
Man Mental service, eg. studying in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and teaching it to others.
Manmukh Someone who thinks about themselves first and is self-centred.
Mool Mantra ‘Main chant’: is found at the beginning of every section of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Mukti The goal of a Sikh to escape from reincarnation.
Nirgun God is also transcendent - separate and distinct from the world.
Rebirth The return of the soul, born into a new body.
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