Guru Gobind Singh and the Formation of the Khalsa

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Guru Gobind Singh and the Formation of the Khalsa
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• Final human Guru, guruship lasted 1675 1708 CE.
  M9s son
• Guru Gobind Singh is remembered for two main
  contributions
• (a) The formation of the khalsa (brotherhood of
  Sikhs which gave Sikhs an outward identity),
• (b) The installation of the Adi Granth as the
  eternal Guru of the Sikhs.
• The masand system abolished
• According to tradition accounts of the khalsa
  ceremony, Guru Gobind Singh summoned the Sikhs to
  an assembly on Vaisakhi at Anandpur, in 1699 CE,
  and exhorted them to strength and loyalty. The
  events of this day have been recorded by a Mughal
  news writer. Gobind asked the people for a
  volunteer who would be beheaded. Naturally, the
  congregation was startled, wondering why the guru
  was asking for heads. Eventually a Sikh came
  forward and disappeared into Gobinds tent.
  Gobind emerged alone with a blood-stained sword.
  This was repeated four times with four more
  volunteers. Each time the guru emerged from the
  tent, the congregation had presumed hed killed
  the volunteers. However, finally, Guru Gobind
  Singh re-emerged from the tent with all five men
  who were now dressed identically.
• These five men were initiated into the
  brotherhood of Sikhism, now known as the khalsa,
  by an initiation rite known as khande-di-pahul,
  that is, initiation via the sword, rather than
  charanamrit which had been used up until now to
  initiate members into the Sikh faith.

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• All male members of the khalsa took the name
  Singh, which means lion all female members
  took the name of Kaur, meaning princess.
• Compulsory for members of the khalsa to wear, at
  all times, its external symbols, known as the
  5Ks
•  
• Kesh - this is the uncut hair and beard of the
  Sikh.
• Kangha - this is the comb which is used to keep
  the hair tidy and also symbolizes spirituality.
• Kara - the steel bracelet which is usually worn
  on the right wrist, symbolizing the eternal
  nature of God. It also represents the Sikhs
  unity with God and with the khalsa.
• Kaccha - these are shorts which distinguished
  Sikhs from other Indians at the time who wore
  long, loose garments known as dhotis, the kaccha
  also allowed freedom when fighting.
• Kirpan - in the past the kirpan was a proper,
  full-sized sword. Nowadays, it is usually worn
  in a smaller form of a few inches long. It
  symbolizes dignity, self respect and readiness to
  fight to protect the weak and oppressed and
  uphold religious liberty.

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Why did Guru Gobind Singh establish the Khalsa?

• Led to outward distinction of Sikhs
• Was it the public beheading of his father?
• Nobody except for 2 low-caste Sikhs came in
  disguise to claim his body bravery?
• Emphasis on martyrdom?
• All united no more caste names no caste
  prejudice?
• Caste and gender equality (sugar crystals)
• The term mazhabi
• Struggles against Mughals involved many
  sacrifices his 4 sons

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The Adi Granth as Eternal Guru

• In 1708CE M10 suffered knife wound night before
  he died, 5 coins and coconut in front of Adi
  Granth 2008 celebrations
• 1 spirit now in Guru Granth Sahib eternal
  guruship
• Too much corruption?
• False Gurus setting themselves up?
• Miri-piri- Guru Panth (sangat) MIRI
• Guru Granth (scripture) PIRI

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Discussion questions

1. Why do you think it was important for Guru Nanak
   to choose a successor?
2. By appointing a successor, did Guru Nanak intend
   on setting up a new religion?
3. Do you think it was necessary for Sikhism to
   adopt a militant nature, Why?
4. Did this disobey the teachings of Guru Nanak?
5. What factors do you think led to the
   establishment of the Khalsa?
6. Do you think the ideals of the Khalsa were
   contradictory to Guru Nanaks message that there
   is no Hindu, there is no Muslim?
7. Assess the importance of institutionalization.