10 HISTORICAL GURUS OF SIKHISM

What is a Sikh?The word Sikh means someone who

learns.

What is a Guru?The word Guru means teacher.

Guru Nanak

Born in Punjab area of India in 1469.

Raised a Hindu, but learned a lot about Islam.

At age 30, he went to bathe in the river and disappeared for three days. He said he had been taken to God.

When he returned he spent his remaining years preaching that what really mattered was knowing God and living in a right way.

Guru Angad

Taught that salvation came from performing one’s worldly duties.

Opened Sikh schools

Guru Amar Das

Wrote the Anand Sahib, which is said at the end of every service of worship.

Guru Ram Das

Spread Sikhism by sending teachers all over India.

Developed the city of Amritsar, the centre of Sikhism.

Guru Arjan Dev

Built the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the most important building in Sikhism.

Collected hymns, creating the Adi Granth, the Sikh scriptures

Guru Hargobind

Worked hard to make sure that Sikhs could defend themselves in order to survive.

Guru Har Rai

Spread Sikhism widely into Northern India

Guru Har Krishan

Died at age 8 of smallpox, while caring for those who were sick.

Guru Tegh Bahadur

Was Guru while Sikhs were being persecuted, and was beheaded for refusing to change his religion.

Guru Gobind Singh

Began the Khalsa, a community of devout Sikhs.

Said there would be no more human Gurus, and instead the holy book would be the future Guru, called the Guru Granth Sahib.