Understanding Sikhism: Beliefs, Practices, and Global Presence

Posted on Jan 26, 2025 in English

Understanding Sikhism: Beliefs and Practices

True or False

  1. Sikhism, as a religion, usually looks for new followers.

FALSE, Sikhism as a faith, never actively sought converts.

  1. All followers of Sikhism have the same physical appearance.

FALSE

  1. Yogi Bhajan was a pioneer in teaching Kundalini yoga to Westerners.

TRUE

  1. Kundalini yoga centers have spread to several countries in America.

FALSE, They are located only in New Mexico and Los Angeles.

Circle the Best Option

  1. Mahan Atma Kaur converted to Sikhism because she

a) Was impressed by the teachings

  1. All of the following are true about Sikhs except that

b) They are found in 13 countries

  1. It can be inferred from the text that

a) Being a Sikh could be dangerous

  1. Amir Kaur said, “I researched many religions and practiced different ones… but nothing belonged to me.” Belonged means:

a) Connected

Compare and Contrast

How are the experiences of the people who converted to Sikhism similar and/or different?

Sikhism is a religion that has been growing throughout the world in which people try to find their truth. Sikhs usually have a determined physical appearance where men have beards, wear turbans and kirpans, and women don’t cut their hair. This might make people think this is a strict religion, contrary to others like Catholicism where people don’t necessarily have to wear something specific for others to know they belong to a certain cult. For example, we can analyze Dana Singh who was born in Latvia and was married to an Indian man who presented to her his culture and religion, and she started to be dedicated to it, although she hasn’t formally converted yet. Similarly, we can study Amrit Kaur’s life, born in Canada with an atheist mother and a Catholic father. She doesn’t look like a Sikh but started practicing it when she felt she belonged to it.

Any Topic

Sikhism is a religion that has been growing throughout the world in which people try to find their truth. Sikhs usually have a determined physical appearance where men have beards, wear turbans and kirpans, and women don’t cut their hair. This might make people think this is a strict religion, contrary to others like Catholicism where people don’t necessarily have to wear something specific for others to know they belong to a certain cult. For example, we can study a person that was born in Colombia with an atheist mother and a Catholic father. This person doesn’t look like a Sikh but started practicing it when they felt they belonged to it. All people, when they feel the need to look for something else, whether a God or tranquility, they turn to something they feel connected to.

Listening Section

  1. In the past, women could be fired for getting married because:

a) It wasn’t enshrined in the law

  1. Why is Jonathan at the bus stop?

b) His child is coming home from school

  1. Jonathan became a stay-at-home dad because:

c) It was financially convenient

  1. Before Jonathan became a stay-at-home dad he:

b) Took care of his children but couldn’t focus

  1. What can we imply about Dawn’s feelings of being a working parent?

d) She wants to stay home

  1. Jonathan’s dad implies that:

b) His son’s choice to stay at home is not good