3HO–Healthy Happy Holy Organization, founded in 1969 by Yogi Bhajan.

Akal Takht—Seat of temporal authority of the Sikhs; throne of the Undying Lord, located in Amritsar, India.

Akhand Path– aka Siri Akhand Path–An unbroken, continuous recitation of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib.

Amrit Vela—Nectar hours of the morning, from 2:00 a.m. to sunrise.

Ardas—Special prayer recited before the Siri Guru Granth Sahib.

Ashram—Spiritual teaching center.

Bana–Spiritual dress or uniform.

Bani–The Divine Word; one of the daily Sikh prayers.

Bhai Sahiba–Chief Religious Minister of Sikh Dharma.

Bhog Ceremony–Celebration at the completion of the Siri Akhand Path, consisting of special Gurbani Kirtan, Ardas, and Guru’s Prashad.

Dharma–Righteous duty.

Granthi–The person who performs the priestly duties in a Gurdwara.

Gurbani Kirtan–The verses of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and other holy writings sung in melody.

Gurdwara–Sikh religious service; a Sikh temple; literally, the Guru’s door.

Gurmukhi–Spiritual language in which the Siri Guru Granth Sahib is written.

Guru–Teacher of spiritual wisdom, literally, one who takes you from darkness to light.

Guruka langar–Free kitchen; where Sikhs gather to eat after Gurdwara.

Guru Prasad–The sweet, holy food served at the end of a Sikh Gurdwara service. It means the Guru’s blessing or grace.

Guru Ram Das Ji-The fourth Sikh Guru who was known for his unfailing humility and service to others.

Gurpurb–Any Sikh religious holy day.

Hari Mandir Sahib–The Golden Temple in Amritsar India, the main center of spiritual pilgrimage of Sikhs, surrounded by a tank of nectar or healing waters.

Hukam-Means "command" or "order" and is the divine instruction from the Siri Guru Granth when taken with reverence.

Intentional Community–People who share a common vision and resources, with spiritual and social and economic interaction.

Ishnaan Seva–Weekly cleaning and washing of the Gurdwara marble with milk, starting at midnight each Saturday evening.

Japji–The first prayer of Guru Nanak, known as the Song of the Soul, and recited each morning during Sadhana at 3:45 a.m.

Khalsa–The family of the pure ones.

Kundalini Yoga–The Yoga of Awareness.

Langar–Free kitchen of the Guru–see Guruka langar.

Miri Piri–Soldier Saint.

Missals–Groups organized to serve the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and it’s environments.

Mukhia Jethadar–The head of the missal system.

Prasad-A sweet food made from ghee, honey and flour that has been specially made with a high vibration of chanting and is blessed before being served.

Ramalas–Special clothes or coverings of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib.

Ram Das Puri–Land owned by the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation that is the site of our Summer Solstice celebration and Khalsa Youth Camps; it means the land of God’s servants and is named after Guru Ram Das, the 4th Sikh Guru, who embodied humility.

Sadh Sangat–A gathering of the disciplined ones.

Sadhana–Daily spiritual practice.

Sangat–Community family.

Sat Nam Rasayan–An ancient, transformational healing system incorporating holding a sacred space in projective meditation in service and gratitude, combining disciplines from Kundalini Yoga and shamanic healing practices.

Simran–Singing God’s name with each breath.

Seva–Selfless service.

Sevadars–One who performs selfless service.

Shabad–The word of God. The teachings of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib.

Sikh–Student of truth.

Sikh Gurus–The ten Gurus of the Sikhs who lived in India from the late 1400s through the early 1700s and laid out the teachings and path of dharma for their followers, who came to be known as Sikhs; and the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, considered the 11th, living Guru of the Sikhs, holding the embodiment of those teachings.

Siri Akhand Path–aka Akhand Path–An  unbroken, continuous recitation of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib.

Siri Guru Granth Sahib–The living Guru of the Sikhs.

Siri Singh Sahib–The title held by Yogi Bhajan as the Chief Administrative Authority for Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere.