The first Gurus
Sikhism was established by ten human Can mean God, teacher or guide. Usually means a teacher of religion. In Sikhism, it also refers to the ten human messengers of God.. These Gurus created and defined Sikhism from one to the next through their words, hymns, writings and actions. By living a spiritually pure life, they taught people in India the importance of equality and the belief that all religions worship the same one true God.
A guru is a special religious guide and teacher. The word guru can be broken down: 鈥榞u鈥 means darkness and 鈥榬u鈥 means light. The metaphor is that of being taken from darkness into light. So, a guru enlightens people, giving them knowledge and understanding of God in their lives.
Guru Nanak
Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus, who lived from 1469 to 1539. founded Sikhism. He was born to a Hindu family over 500 years ago in the Punjab (an area that is now in Pakistan, but at the time, it was part of India). When he was 13 years old, he rejected the The Sacred Thread is a ceremony for boys in some Hindu communities to confirm they are of an age to take on religious responsibility., which is the ceremony that initiates boys into the Hindu faith.
Throughout his life, Guru Nanak experienced key events that led him to:
- reject the The anglicised term for varna; originally a Hindu social order of higher and lower class. Also followed by some Sikhs. system within Hinduism
- teach that everybody is equal through the belief in the oneness of humanity
- teach the The Three pillars of Sikhism, also called the three duties: Nam Japna (meditating on God鈥檚 name), Vand Chakna (helping others through sewa) and Kirat Karna (earning an honest living).
Key events in Guru Nanak鈥檚 life
After Guru Nanak died in 1539, his disciples, known as Sikhs, which means 鈥榙isciple鈥 or 鈥榣earner鈥, were led by nine other human Gurus. Each Guru developed the religion, building on the teachings of the previous Gurus. They wrote many hymns and poems, some of which are included in the The Guru Granth Sahib is the most important Sikh holy book. It is a collection of songs, prayers and hymns from the Sikh Gurus and other holy men, as well as teachings from other faiths. It is treated as a living Guru..