What do you think is happening in the picture below? What questions would you like to ask about it? In and On – Try to answer at least one question of each colour
What is the name of Who was the Roughly how old is the Sikh holy text? founder of Sikhism? the Sikh religion?
What does the word What was the name of How many men, ‘Guru’ mean? the Guru involved in the volunteered to ‘die for events of the first the faith’ in the story of Vaisakhi? the first Vaisakhi? What happened at the first Baisakhi? Objectives
• Identify the main events that led to the founding of the Khalsa.
• Explain the story in detail, including the importance of the Khalsa in Sikhism. Guru Gobind Singh
• Guru Gobind Singh was the 10th and final human Guru of Sikhism. • One of his major achievements was the founding of the Khalsa. • The Khalsa is a stricter group (more fundamental- essential) within the Sikh religion. • Sikhs can choose to become a member of the Khalsa. They become known as a baptised Sikh and from this point onwards follow the rules of Sikhism very carefully. • Baisakhi tells the story of the beginning of the Khalsa. Tasks
Think about the following and then attempt the questions below:
1) What do you think the name changes suggest? (Singh for a man; Kaur for a woman) 2) Is it a good thing to have a group that all Sikhs can aspire to? 3) Do you think that having separate groups is a good thing or bad thing for Sikhism. 4) What do you think Guru Nanak would think of this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBDhEon1d_U&t=1s Watch this clip if Guru Gobind Singh – Founding of the Khalsa you can Guru Gobind Singh was the 10th Guru of Sikhism. He was a They were the Panj Pyare, the ‘five beloved ones’. They strong leader, a skilled soldier, very clever and concerned formed the basis of the Khalsa, meaning ‘the pure’. It was a about the rights of the people. brotherhood of Sikh.
He led the Sikhs through very turbulent times. He had to The five were given a special mixture of sugar and water restore confidence after the previous Guru had been called amrit to baptise them. The Guru told them how they martyred. He also had to lead the though battle as those who would be expected to behave in future. He laid down strict feared the growing numbers of Sikhs attacked them and he standards of dress and gave them new names. All men would had to help the Sikhs build their confidence in God. be called ‘Singh’, meaning lion and all women ‘Kaur’, which means princess. ‘God alone is the only Giver and ruler of all. All stand like beggars at his court’ These new Sikhs did not recognise differences of caste or religion. Baisakhi 1699 Large numbers of Sikhs had gathered to celebrate the festival ‘All men have the same eye, ears and body and figure made of Baisakhi. The Guru wanted a display of unity and strength. out of the compounds of the earth, air, fire and water’ Holding a sharp sword he asked for volunteers who would give their heads for him. After a long time, one man came forward.
The Guru led him into the tent and returned with his sword dripping with blood. Four times he repeated the request and four more times he appeared with his blood soaked sword.
However, after the last time he returned with the five men, all unharmed. They had shown they trusted the Guru and his beliefs. Diary entry
Task Keywords to include Write a Diary entry • Khalsa as if you were at • Singh the first Baisakhi • Panj Pyare • Baisakhi • Guru What should a good • Kaur diary entry have in it? Celebrating Baisakhi
As you watch the clip – make notes of the way that Baisakhi is celebrated by Sikhs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy4KLR3J _eo https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips- video/religious-studies-ks2-vaisakhi/z6s2t39 Jayren Celebrating Vaisakhi Visit the Gurdwara to Street Parades Guru Granth listen to the Guru Sahib is Granth Sahib paraded being Displays of through traditional martial streets arts The flagpole at the Gurdwara is rewrapped in new fabric How is Vaisakhi Celebrated?
Visit the Spend time with friends and family Eat Langar (meal) Gurdwara to pray together at the Gurwarda
Traditional Music Some Sikhs will be baptised and and dancing become part of the Khalsa brotherhood Why is Baisakhi important to Sikhs today?
Can you suggest any reasons why the festival is important to Sikhs today?
Many Sikhs choose this It is the beginning It connects Sikhs today day to become a of the Sikh new to an important point member of the Khalsa in their history year (baptised Sikh)
It explains the It is a time for the It is a festival about significance of many whole community to commitment to their Sikh practices (Carrying come together. faith and God the 5 K’s/names etc)
After thinking time, put the above reasons into order of importance. You should explain your choice for top/bottom.