Download The Noble Eight

Please Note: This key is mainly for the teacher. The students need to know the general information in each category, but I have provided you with much more
detail than they need to know. Please do NOT think they need to master everything in this chart.
Religion/
Symbol
Hinduism
Aum is the
main symbol
of Hinduism.
It is the sound
heard in
deepest
meditation
and is said to
be the name
most suited
for God.
God/gods
House of Worship
Holy Book(s)
Important Beliefs
Sects
Hindus actually only
believe in one God,
Brahman, the eternal
origin who is the cause
and foundation of all
existence. The gods of the
Hindu faith represent
different forms of
Brahman. These gods are
sent to help people find
the universal God
Mandir-A Hindu
temple is called a
mandir, but you can
also set up a mandir
in your home.
The two oldest
scriptures are called
the Vedas and the
Upanishads. You
will find important
Hindu beliefs and
hymns in the Vedas
and advice from
Hindu teachers as
well as an
explanation of the
concept of
reincarnation in the
Upanishads.
For many Hindus,
religion is a matter
of practice rather
than of beliefs. It's
more what you do,
than what you
believe.
Hinduism has
no founder,
single teacher
or any
prophets.
Hinduism is
not a Single
Religion.
Hinduism is
the practices
of a variety of
different
religious
groups which
come out of
India
(Brahman). However
many westerners
perceive Hinduism as a
polytheistic religion and
many Hindus see it this
way too. It’s probably
easiest to teach it as
polytheistic since that is
how the state of Texas
seems to classify it.
The three most important
gods are:
Brahma-the creator;
Hindus believe that the
universe lives, is
destroyed and then
recreated many times. It
is Brahma who creates it.
Shiva-often called the
Praying to a god and
offering the god a
gift like food, candy,
flowers or incense is
known as a puja.
Most Hindus do this
every day at their
personal mandir at
home.
Clergy- There are
dozens of different
sorts of religious
leaders, some of
whom might be
compared to priests
or clergy in the
western religious
context: these
include gurus,
yogins, swamis,
pandits, acharyas,
sadhus, rishis, and
many others.
An important poem
in which the god
Krishna converses
with a man named
Prince Arjuna is
found in many
Hindu homes. Some
Hindus describe the
Bhagavad-Gita as a
summary of
important Hindu
beliefs and a guide
to life.
Hindus believe in a
universal soul or
god called Brahman.
Brahman takes on
many forms that
some Hindus
worship as gods or
goddesses in their
own right. Hindus
believe that there is
a part of Brahman
in everyone and
this is called the
Atman.
Hindus believe in
reincarnation - a
belief that the soul
is eternal and lives
many lifetimes, in
one body after
another. The soul is
sometimes born in a
human body,
Name of
Follower
Hindu
Holiday
Divali (Diwali)-A five day
celebration which takes
place in November/
December of our calendar;
also called the “festival of
lights.” The fourth day of
Divali is the Hindu New
Year. It is held in honor of
Lakshmi, the goddess of
wealth and prosperity.
Hindus pray to her for
good luck in the coming
year. People lights
hundreds of small oil
lamps which they place
around the home, in yards
and courtyards. They
believe the more lamps
they light, the more likely
it is for the goddess
Lakshmi to visit them.
destroyer, he is not
viewed negatively.
Instead Hindus think of
him as one form of
Brahman’s energy. When
the universe reaches the
end of its life cycle, it is
Shiva who destroys it so it
can be recreated again by
Brahma.
Vishnu-the preserver;
Hindus believe he has
taken human form many
times. Two important
Hindu figures who were
said to be Vishnu in
human form were called
Krishna and Rama. Vishnu
is thought to maintain the
balance of good and evil in
the universe.
The term guru is a
Sanskrit word that is
typically translated
simply as
"teacher."A guru is
a particularly
learned person,
typically although
not exclusively a
Brahmin, who
passes his (or, in
some cases her)
knowledge to his or
her students.
The role of the guru
is extremely
important in
numerous contexts
in Hinduism. The
guru not only
teaches, but also
guides; thus a guru
not only knows the
sacred texts and the
rituals, but also
knows the abilities,
capabilities, and
needs of his or her
students.
Brahmins are
members of the
priestly caste of
Hinduism. They have
traditionally been the
sole keepers of the
Vedas and performers
sometimes in an
animal body and
sometimes in a
plant body etc..
Hindus believe that
all forms of life
contain a soul, and
all souls have the
chance to
experience life in
different forms.
Samsara means
going through the
cycle of repeated
births and deaths
(reincarnation).
Hindus believe that
existence of this
cycle is governed by
Karma.
Hindus believe that
the soul passes
through a cycle of
successive lives and
its next incarnation is
always dependent on
how the previous life
was lived. (Similar to
Buddhist beliefs)
Karma is the cause of
our particular destiny.
Misfortunes in our
present life are the
result of acts that we
have committed in the
past. In the same way,
of the rituals of
Hindus.
our actions in our
present lives will
determine our fate in
the lives that follow.
Hindus therefore aim
to live in a way that
will cause each of
their lives to be better
than the life before.
The spiritual goal of
a Hindu is to
become one with
Brahman. This
freedom is referred
to as moksha. Until
moksha is achieved,
a Hindu believes
that he/she will be
repeatedly
reincarnated in
order that he/she
may work towards
self-realization of
the truth (the truth
being that only
Brahman exists,
nothing else).
For many Hindus
there are four goals
in human life
(purusharthas);
1 Moksha - the
release of the soul
(Atman) from the
cycle of rebirth.
The individual soul
(Atman) unites with
Brahman the universal
soul. There are
different ways to
Moksha.
spiritual - involves
acquiring spiritual
knowledge through
yoga and meditation.
devotion to god
working selflessly for
the good of society.
How a person is
reincarnated is
determined by
karma.
2 Dharma - the code
for leading one's life.
Respect for elders is
considered important
and many consider
marriage as a son's
religious duty.
3 Artha - the pursuit
of material gain by
lawful means.
4 Karma- through
pure acts, knowledge
and devotion, you can
reincarnate to a
higher level. The
opposite achieves the
contrary result.
The practice of
Hinduism consists
of rites and
ceremonies
centering on birth,
marriage, and
death.
There are three
basic practices:
1 Worship (called
Puja)
This is an integral
part of the faith.
Offerings (puja) are
usually made to
representations of
the gods.
2 Cremation
The dead are burnt
not buried
3 Compliance with
the rules of the
caste system
The caste system,
prescribed in the
Vedas, was 'a
division of society
to preserve society'
similar to the
society in ancient
Egyptian times.
Each group had
rules of conduct to
be obeyed.
The caste system
divided people by
occupation i.e.
teachers and
philosophers were
brahmins; fighters
were kshatriya;
shopkeepers,
moneylenders and
trades people were
vaishya; and
servants and
cleaners were
shudra.
Judaism
The Star of
David
Most English speaking
Jews call God, God. In
prayer, they address God
as Adonai (The Lord).
Synagogue
Long, long ago all
Jews worshipped at
the temple (now
destroyed) in
Jerusalem.
Sometimes Jews
who are going to
services on Friday
night will say they
are “going to
temple.”
The Hebrew
acronym TANAKH
describes the three
parts of the Jewish
holy book: the
Torah (five books of
the law), the
Writings (Psalms,
etc.) and the
Prophets. Of the
three parts, the
Torah is the most
important.
There is another
There is one God.
Judaism is thought
to be the very first
monotheistic
religion.
Observant Jews
follow a series of
laws given to them
by God to teach
them how to live in
a way pleasing to
him. According to
Jewish tradition,
there are exactly
The three
main types of
Judaism are:
Orthodox
(the most
religiously
observant),
Reform (the
most
modern)
Jew
Yom Kippur-This day is
also called the Day of
Atonement. It happens
soon after Rosh Hashanah.
From the sundown that
marks the beginning of
Yom Kippur until the
sundown of the following
day, Jews do not eat or
drink anything. They do
no work and they pray and
ask forgiveness for their
sins from the past year.
Rosh Hashanah-This is the
Clergy:
The Jewish spiritual
leaders are called
Rabbis. Unlike
leaders in many
other faiths, a rabbi
is not a priest and
has no special
religious status.
important book that
rabbis consult called
the Talmud. It is a
record of how
different rabbis
over the years have
read and
interpreted God’s
laws. It helps rabbis
know how to advise
Jews about how the
laws of God affect
their daily lives.
613
commandments.
Each one of these
613
commandments can
fit in one of 10
categories.
(Christians call
these the 10
Commandments
and see them as
individual laws to
follow, but Jews see
them as categories
of laws and are
more likely to
translate the name
into the phrase the
10 Sayings or the 10
Statements.) Here
are some ways
these 10 categories
are translated into
English by Jewish
people:
1.Monotheism
2. Correct ways of
Worship
3. Laws about
swearing oaths
4. Observance of
sacred times
5. Respect for
parents and
teachers
6. Forbidding Jews
to physically harm
Conservative
(a mix of the
other two)
Jewish New Year and it
usually falls sometime in
the middle of September
to the middle of October
using our calendar. This
holiday also celebrates the
creation of the Earth
which is described at the
beginning of the book of
Genesis in the Torah.
people
7. Rules about
proper sexuality
8. Forbidding Jews
to steal
9. Forbidding Jews
to harm other
people through
speech
10. Forbidding Jews
to covet.
Keeping KosherThere are rules
about what foods
Jews can eat, which
they cannot eat
together and ways
those foods are
prepared. Not all
Jews eat a Kosher
diet, but the ones
who do must make
sure the food they
buy at the store is
kosher or certified
by a rabbi.
Jews believe they
have a special
relationship with
God called a
covenant. God has
promised Jews their
own land and his
blessing. In return
Jews are to follow
the laws of God and
live in a way
pleasing to him.
Buddhism
The wheel of
life which
symbolizes
the cycle of
life, death
and rebirth.
The eight
spokes
remind
people that
the Buddha
taught about
eight ways of
life.
Buddhism is different
from many other faiths
because it is not centred
on the relationship
between humanity and
God. Buddhists do not
believe in a personal
creator God.
Buddhist worship at
home or at a
temple.
Worshippers may
sit on the floor
barefoot facing an
image of Buddha
and chanting. It is
very important that
their feet face away
from the image of
Buddha. They listen
to monks chanting
from religious texts
and take part in
prayers.
Home-Buddhists
will often have a
The sacred book of
Buddhism is called
the Tipitaka
(Tripitaka). It is
written in an
ancient Indian
language called Pali
which is very close
to the language that
the Buddha himself
spoke. The Tripitaka
is a very large book.
The English
translation of it
takes up nearly
forty volumes.
It is also called the
Pali Canon, after the
language in which it
was first written.
Observant Jews do
not work on the
Sabbath (Friday at
sundown to
Saturday at
sundown.) Some do
not even drive.
They go to the
synagogue on
Friday evening for
services and then go
home and eat a
special meal
together.
Buddhist believe
that the Buddha
saw the truth about
what the world is
like. They believe
that nothing in the
world is perfect,
and that the
Buddha found the
answer to why it is
like this. They do
not believe that the
Buddha was a god.
He was a human
being just like them.
They believe that he
was important
because he gained
Enlightenment, and
he chose to teach
other people how
There are
many
different
types of
Buddhism,
because the
emphasis
changes from
country to
country due
to customs
and culture.
Theravada
Buddhism,
the school of
Buddhism
found in
Burma,
Thailand, Sri
Lanka, Laos,
Buddhist
Buddha Day / Wesak /
Visakha Puja / Vaisakha is
in May
It is an important festival
because on this day the
Lord Buddha was born,
attained enlightenment,
and died. All three of
these significant events
fell on the same day.
In the UK and other
Western countries, Wesak
is often called Buddha
Day. Buddhists go to a
temple or monastery.
They listen to a talk by the
monks about Buddha's life
and Enlightenment. They
often repeat mantras and
meditate. Many Buddhists
shrine. There will be
a statue of Buddha,
candles, and an
incense burner.
Temple-Buddhist
temples come in
many shapes.
Perhaps the best
known are the
pagodas of China
and Japan. Another
typical Buddhist
building is the Stupa
(upside down bowl
shape). All Buddhist
temples contain an
image or a statue of
Buddha.
Buddhist worship is
called puja. People
chant to show their
love for the Buddha.
They make offerings
of flowers, candles,
incense and pure
water at a shrine.
People thank
Buddha for his
teachings.
When Buddhist
worship alone they
usually meditate
and read from the
Buddhist holy
to reach it too.
Buddhism is based
on Buddha's
teachings. At first
these were passed
down by word of
mouth and later
were complied into
two sets of
scripture. One set
by Council of Monks
of the Theravada
school (the
Tripitaka) the other
by the Mahayana
school (the Sutras).
Both were similar.
Both Theravada and
Mahayana
Buddhists generally
accept the Tripitaka
(called Tipitaka in
Pali) as the Buddhist
sacred writings.
The three section of
the Tripitaka (three
baskets of Wisdom)
are
Vinaya Pitaka (the
Discipline Basket) A rule book for
monks and nuns
There are 227 rules
The Three Jewels
There are three
Buddhist central
beliefs. These are
known as the three
jewels as they are
felt to be so
precious.
Belief in Buddha
Dharma - The
teaching of Buddha
The Sangha - the
Buddhist
community made
up of ordinary
people as well as
the monks and
nuns. The purpose
is to help others and
by doing so to cease
to become selfish
and to move on the
way towards
enlightenment.
One important
belief involves
reincarnation: the
concept that one
must go through
many cycles of
Cambodia,
Myanmar & in
part,
Indonesia,
Vietnam &
Malaysia.
Mahayana
Buddhism,
the school of
Buddhism
found in
China, Japan,
Korea and
Vietnam.
Vajrayana
Buddhism,
the school of
Buddhism
found in Tibet,
Nepal, Sikkim,
Bhutan and
Mongolia.
Jodo Shin
Buddhism or
Pure Land
Buddhism
mainly from
India, Japan
Zen Buddhism
give each other cards and
presents.
In Thailand, the Wesak
festival is called Vaisakha.
People listen to monks
giving talks about the life
of Buddha. The shrines in
the temples are beautifully
decorated. A special part
of the festival is at night,
when the statue of
Buddha is taken outside.
People walk around it
three times, carrying
candles. They pour
scented water over the
statue.
books.
Every month most
Buddhists have
special religious
days. These are
often days when
there is a full moon.
Many Buddhists go
to temples to
worship on these
special days.
Clergy:
They listen to monks
chanting from
religious texts and
take part in prayers.
Buddhists do not need
a monk or priest to
worship though.
for monks, and
more for nuns.
Sutta Pitaka (the
Teaching Basket)The actual
experiences of
Buddha
Abhidhamma Pitaka
(the Higher Doctrine
Basket)- An
explanation on the
teaching of Buddha.
Most of these are
called Sutras
Parts of the
Tripitaka such as
the Dhamma-pada
and the SuttaNipata are among
the most expressive
religious books in
the world. Some of
Buddha's parables
are very similar to
those used by Jesus.
birth, living, and
death. After many
such cycles, if a
person releases
their attachment to
desire and the self,
they can attain
Nirvana - a state of
liberation and
freedom from
suffering.
At the heart of the
Buddha's teaching
lie The Four Noble
Truths and The
Eightfold Path
which lead the
Buddhist towards
the path of
Enlightenment.
The Four Noble
Truths
What is the First
Noble Truth?
Dukkha: Suffering
exists:
The first truth is
that life is suffering
i.e. life includes
pain, getting old,
disease, and
ultimately death.
We also endure
psychological
suffering like
loneliness
frustration,
boredom, fear,
embarrassment,
disappointment and
anger.
What is the Second
Noble Truth?
Samudaya: There is
a cause for
suffering.
The second truth is
that suffering is
caused by craving
and the needing to
control things. It
can take many
forms: the desire
for fame; the desire
to avoid unpleasant
sensations, like fear,
anger or jealousy.
What is the Third
Noble Truth?
Nirodha: There is an
end to suffering.
The third truth is
that suffering can
be overcome and
happiness can be
attained; that true
happiness and
contentment are
possible. lf let go of
our craving and
learn to live each
day at a time (not
dwelling in the past
or the imagined
future) then we can
become happy and
free. We then have
more time and
energy to help
others. This is
Nirvana.
What is the Fourth
Noble Truth?
Magga: In order to
end suffering, you
must follow the
Eightfold Path.
The fourth truth is
that the Noble 8fold Path is the path
which leads to the
end of suffering.
The Noble EightFold Path
The Noble Eightfold Path focuses
the mind on being
fully aware of our
thoughts and
actions, and
developing wisdom
by understanding
the Four Noble
Truths. It is the way
Buddhists should
live their lives. The
Buddha said that
people should avoid
extremes. They
should not have or
do too much, but
neither should they
have or do too little.
The 'Middle Way' is
the best.
The path to
Enlightenment
(nirvana) is through
the practice and
development of
wisdom, morality
and meditation.
What are the 5
Precepts (morals)?
These are rules to
live by. The main
five are:
Do not take the life
of anything living.
(Do not kill)
Do not take
anything not freely
given. (Do not steal)
Abstain from sexual
misconduct and
sensual
overindulgence.
Refrain from untrue
speech, (Do not lie)
Do not consume
alcohol or other
drugs. The main
concern here is that
intoxicants cloud
the mind.
Christianity
The Cross is
the main
symbol of
Christianity.
It reminds
them that
Jesus died on
the cross to
save them.
Christians believe in only
God, but God has three
“faces”: God the Father,
God the Son (Jesus) and
the Holy Spirit
Christians worship
in buildings called
churches,
cathedrals, or even
chapels.
Christian worship
involves praising
God in music,
speech, readings
from scripture,
prayers of various
sorts, a sermon and
various holy
ceremonies.
The Bible is the
Christian holy book.
It is divided into the
Old and New
Testaments. Parts
of the writing
contained in the Old
Testament are also
sacred to Jewish
and Muslim people.
Christians believe
that Jesus Christ
was the Son of God
and that:
God sent his Son to
earth to save
humanity from the
consequences of its
sins
There are
several
denomination
s of the
Christian faith,
however all
Christians
share
common
beliefs.
Jesus was fully
human, and
experienced this
world in the same
way as other human
Church of
England Anglicanism
The Church of
England is the
Christian
Easter-Easter is the oldest
and the most important
Christian Festival, the
celebration of the death
and coming to life again of
Jesus Christ. For Christians,
the dawn of Easter Sunday
with its message of new
life is the high point of the
Christian year. Easter
usually comes in the
month of April. However,
Easter can fall as early as
March 22 or as late as
April 25.
beings of his time
Clergy:
The Christian
spiritual leaders
are called priests
or ministers.
Jesus was tortured
and gave his life on
the Cross (At the
Crucifixion)
Jesus rose from the
dead on the third
day after his
Crucifixion (the
Resurrection)
Christians believe
that Jesus was the
Messiah promised
in the Old
Testament
officially
established
Christian
church in
England.
Roman
Catholic
The Catholic
Church is the
oldest
institution in
the western
world. It can
trace its
history back
almost 2000
years.
The Holy Spirit
Baptists
For Baptists,
the church is
not just a
particular
place or
building, but
rather a family
of believers,
committed to
Christ, to one
another and
to the service
of God in the
world.
Christians believe
that God made the
Methodist
The calling of
Christians believe
that there is only
one God, but that
this one God
consists of 3
"persons"
God the Father
God the Son
Christmas-Usually
December 25th (except for
the branch of Christianity
called Orthodox) This
holiday celebrates the
birth of Jesus.
world.
the Methodist
Church is to
respond to
the gospel of
God's love in
Christ and to
live out its
discipleship in
worship and
mission.
Orthodox
The Orthodox
Church shares
much with the
other
Christian
churches in
the belief that
God revealed
himself in
Jesus Christ,
and a belief in
the
incarnation of
Christ, his
crucifixion and
resurrection.
There are
many other
protestant
branches.
Islam
The Star and
Crescent
Moon were
symbols of
the Ottoman
Empire and
not all
Muslims see
as it as a
symbol of
their faith.
For hundreds
of years, the
Ottoman
Empire ruled
over the
Muslim
world. After
centuries of
battle with
Christian
Europe, it is
understandab
le how the
symbols of
this empire
became
linked in
people's
Muslims believe in only
one God. The Arab word
for God is Allah.
Muslims worship in
buildings called
mosques. The
Arabic word for a
mosque is a masjid.
There are no
pictures or statues
in a mosque. They
are decorated with
patterns and words
from the Qur'an.
There is also very
little furniture
inside because
Muslims use prayer
mats for prayer.
When people go
into the mosque
they take off their
shoes. This is to
keep it clean for
prayer.
There is often a
fountain or pool, or
at least an area with
water where people
can wash (wudu).
Muslims wash their
hands, mouth,
throat, nose, ears,
arms up to the
elbow and feet. This
is a sacred wash
that symbolizes
The Muslim
scripture is the Holy
Qur'an. Muslims
believe it is 'the
word of God'.
Muslim beliefs and
practices are rooted
in the Qur'an.
Muslims treat the
Qur'an with great
respect because
they believe that
the Qur'an is from
Allah, and every
word and every
letter is sacred. It is
usually placed on a
special wooden
stand to be read.
Muslims regard the
Qur'an as the
unaltered word of
God.
The basic belief of
Islam is that there is
only one God,
whose name in the
Arabic language is
Allah, and who is
the sole and
sovereign ruler of
the universe.
These are five
duties that every
Muslim is obliged to
perform. The five
pillars of Islam help
Muslims put their
faith into action.
Shahadah:
declaration of faith
"I bear witness that
there is no god, but
God; I bear witness
that Muhammad is
the prophet of
God." By reciting
this, one enters
Islamic faith.
Salah: prayer
Muslims are
required to pray five
times a day,
washing themselves
before prayer and
facing in the
direction of Mecca
Almost 90% of
Muslims are
Sunnis.
Shiites are the
second-largest
group. The
Shiites split
from the
Sunnis in 632
when
Muhammad
died.
Muslim
What are the main
Muslim Festivals?
The Muslim year is based
on Lunar calendar.
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth
month of the Islamic
calendar, and a time when
Muslims across the world
will fast (do not eat)
during the hours of
daylight.
The Muslim year is a lunar
(moon) year, so Ramadan
moves forward by ten or
eleven days each year. The
day Ramadan begins is
decided by the sighting of
the new moon.
Muslims believe that the
gates of Heaven (Jannah)
are open and the gates of
Hell (Jahanam) are locked
for the duration of
Ramadan.
During Ramadan, Muslims
celebrate the time when
the verses of the Qur'an
were revealed to the
Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him).
minds with
the faith of
Islam as a
whole.
spiritual cleansing
and purity in
readiness for
coming before God.
Based on this
history, many
Muslims
reject using
the crescent
moon as a
symbol of
Islam. The
faith of Islam
has
historically
had no
symbol, and
many refuse
to accept
what is
essentially an
ancient pagan
icon. It is
certainly not
in uniform
use among
Muslims.
There is always a
quibla wall in a
Mosque which is
the one facing
Makkah (Mecca), it
has an empty arch
to signify the
direction. It is
important that
Muslims always
know the direction
of Mecca.
Women do not pray
in the same place as
men, there is
usually a screened
off area for them.
Very often Mosques
have a domed roof
and a tall tower
called a minaret.
Muslims are called
to prayer from the
minaret. The man
who enters the
minaret and calls
them to prayer is
called a muezzin.
All Muslims go to
while praying.
Zakat: giving a fixed
proportion to
charity
Muslims are
required to give
away a percentage
of their earnings to
those less
fortunate,
regardless of their
religion.
Saum: fasting
during the month of
Ramadan
Muslims fast for
one lunar month
each year, a period
called Ramadan.
During this time,
Muslims reflect on
their behavior and
strive to purify their
thoughts.
Hajj: pilgrimage to
Mecca
If it is financially
possible, Muslims
are required to
travel to Mecca
once in their
lifetime.
Why do Muslims
Ramadan is a time of
worship and
contemplation. A time to
strengthen family and
community ties.
Every Muslim is expected
to fast from sunrise to
sunset. Muslims must not
eat or drink during
daylight hours. During
Ramadan Muslims get up
early before dawn (Fajr)
and have a light meal. This
time is known as Suhoor.
At the end of each day
(Maghrib), Muslims
traditionally break their
fast with a meal called the
iftar. Following the custom
of Prophet Muhammad,
the fast is often broken
with dates, and then
followed by a prayer and
dinner.
Ramadan concludes with
the celebration of Eid alFitr.
Eid-ul-Fitr (Id-ul-Fitr)- The
festival for the first day
after Ramadan.
Eid-ul-Fitr marks the
breaking of the fast for
Muslims at the end of
the mosque on
Friday. It is a special
day for prayer.
Clergy:
Religious Scholars
and interpreters of
Muslim law are
called Mullahs.
Prayer leaders
during worship are
called Imams.
face Mecca when
praying?
Mecca or Makkah is
the birthplace of
prophet
Muhammad, peace
is on him. In the
center of the
mosque in Mecca, is
the cube-shaped
building called a
Kaaba (Ka'bah) is
found. All Muslims
face the direction of
the Kaaba during
ritual prayer (Salat).
Muslims believe
that the Kaaba is
the holiest place on
earth. It is generally
thought to have
been built by
Prophet Abraham. It
is used only as a
focal point for
prayer (not
worshiped) and
simply signifies a
direction, imposed
by God to maintain
unity and uniformity
among worshipers.
The Kaaba is draped
with a black cloth,
Ramadan. Lasting three
days, it is a time for family
and friends to get
together, for celebrating
with good food and
presents for children, and
giving to charity.
Eid-ul-Adha - The Festival
of Sacrifice which occurs
70 days after Eid-al-Fitr.
Eid ul-Adha is the second
most important festival in
the Muslim calendar. It is
to remember the time
when Abraham was going
to sacrifice his own son to
prove obedience to God
and marks the end of the
Hajj, the annual pilgrimage
to Makkah (Mecca). It
takes place on the 10th
day of Dhul-Hijjah, the last
month of the Islamic
calendar.
Dhu Al-Hijja:
The month of pilgrimage
during which all Muslims,
at least once in their life,
should try to make the
pilgrimage to Mecca.
Al Hijra:
The Islamic New Year
begins on the day
Muhammad left Mecca to
which is covered
with Koranic verses
that are
embroidered in gold
and silver thread.
During performing
the Hajj ceremony a
Muslim walks seven
times around the
Kaaba and then he
or she kisses and
touch the Black
Stone.
Every Muslim
family, no matter
where they live,
knows what
direction the Kaaba
is from their house.
(The Kaaba is also
called Bakka )
When do Muslims
pray?
Each period for
prayer has a special
name and each time
is separated by two
hours.
These essential
times are:
After first light and
before sunrise ( Fajr
travel to Medina.
)
Between the sun
reaching its height
and mid-afternoon (
Dhuhr )
Between midafternoon and
sunset ( Asr )
After the sun has
finished setting
( Maghrib )
In the dark of the
night ( Isha )
Sikhism
The symbol
or emblem of
Sikhism is
known as the
Khanda. It is
made up of:
The Khanda -
Throughout the Sikh
scripture many different
words are used to refer to
God including words such
as Allah and Ram which
are used in Muslim and
Hindu Faiths. Sikhs do
however have a favorite
word for God, Waheguru
(wonderful enlightener).
Sikhs worship in a
building called a
Gurdwara.
All Gurdwaras
across the globe
have:
The Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib
Community Kitchen
- langar
Food is cooked by
The Sikh Scripture is
called 'Guru Granth
Sahib'. It is a
collection of
teachings and
writings by Guru
Nanak and other
Gurus as well as
Sikh, Hindu and
Muslim saints.
The 'Guru Granth
Sahib' is the living
Guru of the Sikhs
The tenth Guru
(head of the
What do Sikhs
believe?
This religion is a
mixture of Hindu
and Muslim
practices and
beliefs. There has
been a lot of
conflict between
Muslims and Hindus
in India. Sikhism
began in Northern
India.
No
information
available
Sikh
Hola Mohalla February/March - a time
for contests when Sikhs
show their skills at
athletics, horsemanship
and martial arts.
Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) March/April - New Year's
Day in the Punjab.
Diwali - October - a
festival when the story of
Hargobind, the sixth Guru,
is told.
Guru Nanak's Birthday October/November- The
Guru Granth Sahib is
a double
edged sword.
This
represents
the belief in
one God.
The Chakkar,
like the Kara
it is a circle
representing
God without
beginning or
end and
reminding
Sikhs to
remain within
the rule of
God.
Two crossed
kirpans
(swords)
representing
spiritual
authority and
political
power.
the members of the
community and
served by members
of the community,
to all people at the
Gurdwara. The idea
is to demonstrate
equality of all
people, irrespective
of caste, creed,
religion, race or sex.
Four Doors
The gurdwara
usually has four
doors to show that
it is open to all.
The "Nishan Sahib,"
a yellow (saffron)
triangular flag
bearing the Sikh
symbol of "Khanda"
flies from every
Gurdwara. The term
'nisan' means 'flag'
and 'sahib' is a term
of respect.
Visitors irrespective
of their religion can
expect shelter,
comfort and food at
all Gurdwaras.
religion), declared
that there would be
no other living
Gurus (leaders of
the religion) but
instead Sikhs could
look to their holy
scriptures for
guidance.
The Guru Granth
Sahib is kept under
a special canopy in
the Gurdwara.
Sikhs take off their
shoes in the
presence of the holy
scriptures and also
never turn their
back on them.
At every festival,
the scriptures are
read continuously
from beginning to
end, which takes
about 48 hours.
As the scriptures
are being read, the
reader or an
attendant will
periodically wave a
chauri over the
scriptures. This is a
sign of respect for
Sikhism teaches
that all human
beings are equal
and can realize the
divine within them
through devotion to
God, truthful living
and service to
humanity.
The core beliefs
One God
All Are Equal
Men and Women
have the same
rights/responsibiliti
es. Sikhs have
rejected the caste
system of the Hindu
religion. They
believe that
everyone has equal
status in the eyes of
God. This is a very
important principle
that permeates all
Sikh beliefs,
behaviors, and
rituals.
Meditation
Remember God
Live Honestly
carried through the streets
by five men.
Everyone who
enters a gurdwara
must cover their
head and take their
shoes off. Hands are
washed and in some
Gurdwaras feet are
washed.
There are no chairs,
everyone sits on the
floor.
Men and women do
not sit together. The
women sit on one
side of the Guru
Granth Sahib and
men on the other.
(In some smaller
Gurdwaras, men
and women may be
seen sitting mixed
in the
congregation.)
Clergy:
The Sikh faith does
not have an
ordained clergy, any
woman or man
from the
congregation may
lead religious
services.
the authority of the
Guru Granth Sahib
which is treated like
a living Guru or
teacher.
The chauri is a
ceremonial whisk
which is made from
the tail hair of a
white horse or yak
set in a wooden or
silver handle. It is a
traditional Indian
symbol of authority
and Hindu gods are
often shown being
fanned with a
chauri.
The Sikh scripture,
the Guru Granth
Sahib, is the only
major religious text
which contains
writings by teachers
of other faiths. This
is because the Sikh
Gurus taught that
there are many
different ways of
achieving a
connection with the
God. The Sikh way is
one of these ways.
Sikhs are supposed
to work hard and
live honestly
Share with Others
Give to the needy
Sikhs do not believe
in the following:
Fasting,
superstitions,
ritualism, caste
system, alcohol,
smoking and drugs
The 5 five articles
of faith - Panj
Kakkar
Sikhs display their
commitment to
their beliefs by
wearing the Sikh
articles of faith. The
five articles of faith
start with the "k"
alphabet in Punjabi,
and are thereby
referred to as the 5
K's.
They are:
1. Kesh (uncut hair)
2. Kangha (comb)
3. Kara (steel
Granthis are people
who have studied
the Sikh scriptures
extensively and are
available in the
Gurdwaras as
teachers.
bracelet)
4. Kirpan (sword)
5. Kaccha Kachhera (soldier’s
shorts)
Uncut Hair (Kesh) SPIRITUALITY
Sikhs do not cut
their hair (kesh) but
let it grow as a
symbol of their
faith. Because
during their
lifetimes it will get
very long Sikh men
wear turbans to
keep it tidy.
Sikh women may
either wear a
turban or a scarf.
Comb (Kanga) CLEANLINESS
The kanga is similar
to a small comb and
affirms its bearer’s
commitment to
society. It is tucked
neatly in a Sikh's
uncut hair. Just as a
comb helps to
remove the tangles
and cleans the hair,
the Kanga is a
spiritual reminder
to shed impurities
of thought.
Steel Bracelet
(Kara) - GOOD
DEEDS
The kara is worn
around one’s wrist
like a bracelet and
its circular shape
reminds a Sikh that
the Creator (God) is
infinite—without a
beginning and
without an end
Scimitar (Kirpan) PROTECTION
The kirpan
resembles a sword
and symbolizes the
protection of the
weak by Sikhs. It is
hung near a Sikh's
waist with a
shoulder strap.
Soldiers long
Undershorts
(Kaccha) SELF
DISCIPLINE
The kaccha (also
spelt Kachhera) is
similar to a soldier's
undershorts, a
loose, white, cotton
undergarment. It
reminds the Sikh of
the need for selfrestrain over
passions and
desires.