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1. Outline three Sikh beliefs about sewa - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies B - Question 1 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 1
1. Outline three Sikh beliefs about sewa. Sewa is an important practice in Sikhism that emphasizes selfless service. Sikhs believe several things about sewa: 1. Si... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:1. Outline three Sikh beliefs about sewa - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies B - Question 1 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Outline three Sikh beliefs about sewa.
Answer
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Sewa gives good karma: Sikhs believe that acts of selfless service contribute to good karma, which positively influences one's spiritual journey.
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Serving others serves God: Sikhs view service to humanity as a direct service to God. Helping others is seen as an expression of devotion and reverence to the Creator.
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Building the Sikh community: Through sewa, Sikhs strengthen their communal bonds and foster a sense of unity and support within the Sikh community. This communal aspect emphasizes the importance of collective action for a greater good.
Step 2
Explain two ways uniting with God will affect the life of a Sikh.
Answer
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Spiritual Growth: According to the Guru Granth Sahib, uniting with God allows Sikhs to experience a state of spiritual growth where they become more aware of their divine nature. This unity makes them feel a deeper connection to the universe and brings inner peace. The text states, 'Through the Word of the Guru, one merges with the Lord' (Guru Granth Sahib 467).
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Liberation from the Cycle of Rebirth: Sikhs believe that uniting with God leads to liberation (mukti) from the cycle of birth and rebirth. The Guru Granth Sahib teaches that achieving unity with the Divine frees individuals from worldly attachments and leads to a state of eternal bliss.
Step 3
Explain two ways life after death is shown in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Answer
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Reincarnation: The Guru Granth Sahib illustrates the belief in reincarnation, where souls go through a cycle of births based on their karma. It states, 'As you have acted in this life, so shall you be judged in the next' (Guru Granth Sahib 74).
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Union with God: Ultimately, the Guru Granth Sahib suggests that after death, souls have the opportunity to unite with God, attaining liberation. The text expresses this idea: 'By His grace, the Gate of Liberation is found' (Guru Granth Sahib 152). This emphasizes the belief that one's actions during life determine their final state after death.
Step 4
Evaluate the statement: "God is best described as Creator."
Answer
The evaluation of the statement begins with the Sikh understanding of God. Sikhs acknowledge God as the Creator (Ik Onkar), the source of all life and existence. This is a fundamental belief in Sikhism reflected in the Guru Granth Sahib, where God is described as the 'One' who created the universe.
However, there are differing perspectives. Some argue that while God is indeed the Creator, this description may limit understanding of the Divine, who also embodies qualities of sustainer and destroyer. In Sikh theology, God transcends these roles and can be viewed in multiple dimensions. Therefore, while describing God as Creator is accurate, it is not exhaustive of all God's attributes.
In conclusion, while one can affirm the statement due to the centrality of creation in Sikh teachings, it is vital to recognize the complexities of the Divine beyond just the role of Creator.