New
New
Year 6

Perspectives on taking Amrit

I can describe how taking Amrit shows commitment to the teachings of the Sikh gurus.

New
New
Year 6

Perspectives on taking Amrit

I can describe how taking Amrit shows commitment to the teachings of the Sikh gurus.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Amrit is a mixture of sugar and water that has been stirred with a double-edged sword.
  2. A Sikh who has taken Amrit is known as a Khalsa Sikh.
  3. We can look at data to analyse how many Sikhs have taken Amrit.
  4. We can better understand Sikh perspectives on taking Amrit by talking to different Sikhs.

Keywords

  • Amrit - a holy drink used in a special ceremony, also called Amrit, to show commitment to God and to becoming a true Sikh

  • Commitment - a promise to keep doing something, even when it’s hard, because you believe it is important

  • Singh - means 'lion' and is a name given to Sikh men during the Amrit ceremony to show bravery and equality

  • Kaur - means 'princess' and is a name given to Sikh women during the Amrit ceremony to show dignity and strength

Common misconception

All Sikhs take Amrit.

Not all Sikhs take Amrit. Only those who choose to commit to the Khalsa, following its principles, take Amrit during a special ceremony.


To help you plan your year 6 religious education lesson on: Perspectives on taking Amrit, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use visuals to understand what happens during the Amrit ceremony. Invite a speaker to share their perspective on taking the Amrit and how it has impacted their life. Discuss if other religions have similar ceremonies or not.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
What was the purpose of creating the Khalsa?
to build a new temple
to start a festival tradition
Correct answer: to form a group loyal to Sikh values
Q2.
Who were the first Panj Pyare?
Correct answer: five Sikhs who offered their lives for their faith
five kings of India
five warriors from a famous battle
Q3.
Is the Khalsa only for people who fight in battles?
yes, it is only for warriors
Correct answer: no, it is for all Sikhs who follow Sikh values
yes, but only in olden times
Q4.
The first five Sikhs were willing to sacrifice their for their faith.
Correct Answer: lives, Lives
Q5.
The Khalsa was formed by Guru Gobind Singh at a called Vaisakhi.
Correct Answer: festival, Festival

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Amrit is made from and sugar stirred with a sword.
Correct Answer: water, Water
Q2.
The Panj Pyare add to the water to make amrit sweet.
Correct Answer: sugar, Sugar
Q3.
At the end of the ceremony, Sikhs are given a new .
Correct Answer: name, Name
Q4.
What happens during the Amrit ceremony?
Sikhs give gifts to the gurdwara
Correct answer: Sikhs drink and are sprinkled with amrit
Sikhs light candles and sing hymns
Q5.
What does the name 'Singh', which is given to Sikh men, mean?
Correct answer: lion
peace
teacher
Q6.
Do all Sikhs go through the Amrit ceremony?
yes, all Sikhs must do it
Correct answer: no, only those who commit to the Khalsa
yes, at birth

Additional material

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