five sikh institutions Gurdwara Place of Worship Guru Granth Sahib Ji The Sikh Holy Scripture Langar Free Community Kitchen Anand Karaj The Sikh Wedding Ceremony Gatka The Sikh Martial Art The Gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship, is associated with several features - its entrance with four doors, the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, langar (free kitchen) and the location for the marriage ceremony. The four doors show openness to everyone, of any race or faith, class or gender. They represent the end of attachment to any particular association and an open approach to all people and all lives, a universal association. The Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) and many historical Gurdwaras have this important architectural design. At the centre of the Gurdwara is Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Guru means “the Light”, “the Enlightener”, so when we bow before it we humble our pride before the “Book of Light.” We bow before a perfect person and a friend whose enlightenment fills the pages and brings light and refreshment to our darkened, weary and hungry souls; for the book contains the Amrit Bani, revealed words of the Gurus, “the Mead of Immortality”, “the Nectar of Life.” Apart from the Gurus there are the writings of 36 saints including the Sufi Baba Fareed, Bhagat Jaidev, tantric Baba Kabir and the dialogue Siddha Goshth with the Yogis. One bows before a rainbow of spirituality in the Book of Light, a rainbow bridge between the Beautiful Harmony in all things and our lonely, frightened confusion. The main activity in the Gurdwara is the singing of hymns - kirtan. In many Gurdwaras hymns to the Glory of God are sung all day, each day of the year. Guru Granth Sahib Ji is Revealed in 31 raags or types of music. Each type brings a different mood. Some create a sense of peace, others a sense of courage, some are dreamy, some focus the mind. It is like the different moods created by country music, rap music, and classical music. Particular raags were favoured by different groups, for instance, Raag Maru was favoured by the Yogis. Yoga has been discussed in their favourite music, in their language, using their concepts. There are seventeen languages used in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, but one alphabet, a specially devised script called Gurmukhi. Thus, people of all faiths and none could perceive the Unity of Grace in the diversity of faith traditions and languages. The unique Sikh belief is Universal Grace, which ultimately embraces and saves all. The hymns of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji are Divinely Revealed - as they have come from the Naam. By attuning yourself to them, you can bring the Naam into your life. In the langar we learn to share and serve in a communal meal, a small vision of how we should live and change the world. Monogamous marriage in the Anand Karaj, the “Rite of Bliss” is centred around a growing intimacy and equal interdependence between bride and groom. The practice of the martial art, gatka, provides self-respect and self-discipline and so restrains anger. Thus, the five symbols and five major institutions are related to the transformation of the five impulses. These provide a natural extension to, and also support for, spiritual growth based on a simple religion of loving and thinking about God and living with people naturally.