Video summary
Simran tells the story of how the Khalsa Sikh community was founded more than 300 years ago during the harvest festival of Vaisakhi.
She explains that becoming a Khalsa today is a choice and a commitment. And that commitment is to love God with all your heart and, if need be, sacrifice whatever you have for God.
Teacher Notes
Sikh storyteller and teacher Butta Singh says: “Being a Khalsa Sikh is a choice and once you've made that choice you've made a commitment. And that commitment is to love God with all your heart and if need be sacrifice whatever you have for God.”
You could ask pupils to discuss:
(i) What did the people in the story sacrifice? Why?(ii) What do Sikhs sacrifice today for their faith? What is hard here (Alcohol? Drugs?)(iii) What is hard for young people about being Sikh? Is it hard to wear the 5 Ks?
Ask the pupils to generate questions they would like to ask of Taran, Joven and Butta about their religion and faith. If you can, get a member of the Khalsa Sikh community to come into the class to talk about their faith and answer these questions.
This topic will be relevant to teaching Religious Education at KS2 or KS3 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and National 2 or 3 in Scotland.
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Taking Amrit. video
Two Sikh boys called Taren and Jovan join the Sikh Khalsa by taking part in the special Sikh ceremony, which is called taking Amrit.
The Five Ks of Sikhism. video
Two Sikh boys called Taran and Joven explain the five Ks that they wear as members of the Sikh Khalsa.
The Gurdwara. video
Simran, aged 11, describes the Sikh place of worship which is called the Gurdwara.
The Guru Granth Sahib. video
Simran, aged 11, explains the importance of the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib.
The Ten Gurus. video
Simran, aged 11, explains who the Ten Gurus are and why they are important to those who follow Sikhism.
Vaisakhi. video
Simran, aged 11, takes us to the Vaisakhi celebrations and parade in her hometown of Birmingham.
Life as a young Sikh girl. video
A young British Sikh introduces herself, her family and some of the main beliefs of her religion.
