History and Issues

Punjab, near Lahore “I am neither Hindu nor Muslim” but a

worshipper of Nirakara, the FormlessThere is One God, the Supreme TruthHe, the Creator, is without fear, withour hate.He, the omnipresent, pervades the universe.He is not born, nor does he die to be born againBy his grace shalt thou worship HimBefore time itself, there was Truth.When time began to run its course, He was TruthEven now, He is the Truth, and evermoreTruth shall prevail.

Guru Ram Das (1574-81) founder of AmritsarGuru Arjan (1581-1606) builder of “Golden

Temple” in Amritsar. Executed by Mughal Emperor Jehangir

Guru Hargobind.(1606-1644) The “two swords” of faith and arms

Guru Tegh Bahadur (1664-75) Executed under Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb

Guru Gobind Singh (1675-1708) 10th and last Guru. Created the Khalsa in 1699. Led rebellion against Aurangzeb’s Empire. In 1708, appointed Adi Granth as his successor

Spiritual Leadership of the Community to be vested in the Scripture, the Book

The hymns of the Guru Granth are considered

to be shabad, the word, the inspired word of God.The hymns of the gurus collected, from the time of Nanak onward. The Granth is unique in that it includes hymns of non-Sikhs (Kabir, for example)

Uncut hair and beard Comb Short Pants Steel bangle Steel dagger, kirpan

Incumbent upon initiated members of the Khalsa

Guru Ramdas Ashram, Sikh Dharma (1970s, Millis in 1981)

New England Sikh Study Circle, 1968; Milford, 1990

Guru Nanak Darbar, 1997; Medford 2003

Boston Sikh Sangat Society, Somerville 2006