Sikh founder and process of spreading

SIKHI

EMILY SIMER

JV KEN

• Founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region• Guru Nanak Dev with his nine successive Sikh Gurus● Sikh means disciple in Punjabi● Follows the teachings of the Ten Sikh

Gurus● World's youngest monotheistic religion

BIODATA OF GURU NANAK● 20 October 1469 - 7 May 1539● Born in the village of Talwandi (now called Nankana

Sahib), near Lahore in present-day Pakistan● He was born a Hindu as both his parents were Hindus● In his earlier days, he showed signs of deep spirituality

to all who came into contact with him.● He always questioned rituals that were done without

logic or rationale.● There are many folklores that depict stories of the

different people that he encountered througout his journeys.

● He quickly became known as a spiritually awakened youth● It is believed that age 28, Guru Nanak went missing for

three days as he took his early morning bath in a stream before meditating.

● After three days, he reappeared and recited the ‘Mool Mantra’ & ‘Japji Sahib’, which is known to be ONE of the most important daily prayers.

● He also repeated a quote from that moment on very often, “There is no Hindu nor Muslim” because at the time there were many unrests between these two spiritual disciplines.

● It was then he began his missionary work

● Voiced out against empty religious rituals - pilgrimages, sacrifice of widows, depending on books to learn the true religion.

● Voiced out against injustice, the caste system.● All treated equally as one● Never ask his listeners to follow him. Only asked the

Muslims to be true Muslims and the Hindus to be true Hindus.

● Gave the message of oneness of God and universal brotherhood of man.

● Established the 3 basic principles – honest living, prayer & sharing.

PROCESS OF SPREADING SIKHISMGuru Nanak undertook five major journeys called `Udasis` ● In India, he travelled across far and wide from Assam● Bengal to Tamil Nadu in the south● Kashmir in the north● Mecca and Medina and Baghdad in the Arabian

Peninsula, Tibet and Ceylon● In Baghdad, a memorial discovered proves his visit with

his name inscribed on it dated around 1520● It is believed that he went until China as well

TALWANDI

• After 30 years , Guru Nanak returned to Punjab and established a town named Kartarpur, ‘the dwelling of God’

• His journeys attracted devotees from all quarters and encouraged them to participate in spiritual congregation

• The following nine Gurus continued with his teachings

• The first Sikh empire was establish under Banda Singh Bahadur & Sikhi was spread within his territories

In the 18th century, King Ranjit

Singh established a strong

Sikh kingdom• Sikhs prospered greatly • Sikhi was able to re-establish its dominance• Known as martial race and their physical prowess

was famed worldwide • They participated in significant military struggles

like World Wars I & II and during the Struggle for Indian Independence

• Guru Nanak's principles survived because he did not present himself as belonging to any particular religion and his message was directed towards all.

• The principle of hospitality

that welcomes newcomers

& believe that all are equal

in God’s eyes caused

Sikhi to spread.