Guru Nanak and Sikhism (Great Religious Leaders) [Paperback]

Rajinder Singh Panesar (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Great Religious Leaders

Guru Nanak was born in northern India in the fifteenth century. He was an ordinary person who, as he grew up, started to question the religions he saw around him, Hinduism and Islam. Instead, he chose a different way where everyone worships 'the one God' and is respected as an equal. As he got older Guru Nanak travelled and taught, attracted followers, and founded the religion known as Sikhism. This book tells you all about the life of the Guru Nanak, who he was and what he did. It explains his ideas, about the other Sikh Gurus who followed him, and how their teaching is written down in the Sikh holy book. Four key moments in his life are also retold: his birth, two stories about his travels and his followers, and his death. There is also information on sacred places, festivals and how the Guru's teaching has lasted to the present day.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Basic introductions to the world's major religions ... written in a style easily accessible to key stage 2 and 3 pupils. ... Eye-catching photographs and colourful reproductions of traditional artwork form each faith combine to make this an immediately attractive series' -- TES Teacher 20030228 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

The author, Rajinder Singh Panesar, is a Sikh Faith Tutor at the Interfaith Education Centre at Bradford. It is from here that he assists and advises religious education teachers, police, hospitals and local authorities on Sikhism. He is also a college lecturer on Sikhism and teaches at several gurdwaras. The consultant, Sukhdev Singh, is an educationalist in the field of technology. He takes a keen interest in interfaith matters and learning strategies for young people. He teaches Punjabi and relegious education to children at his local gurdwara, as well as organising children's events and contributing to charity work. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Smart Apple Media (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583402209
• ISBN-13: 978-1583402207
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,542,600 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars An unbalanced but interesting treatment of Sikhism, March 24, 2011

By 

E. A. Lovitt "starmoth" (Gladwin, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guru Nanak and Sikhism (Great Religious Leaders) (Paperback)

Sikhism is a monotheistic Indian religion that combines elements of Islam and Hinduism. According to this book, Sikhism is practiced by about 32 million adherents. Guru Nanak was the founder of this religion. He and his nine successors are called the Ten Gurus.

If you read "Guru Nanak and Sikhism," a book aimed at a Young Adult (YA) audience, you might be led to believe that Sikhism is a very pacifistic religion, but this ignores both Sikh history and the teachings of Gurus who followed the fifth Guru, Arjun, who himself was executed by the Mughal Emperor. Toward the end of this book, in the chapter "Festivals and Special Occasions," the persecution of the Sikhs by the Muslims is mentioned, as is the Khalsa Brotherhood (originally a militant sect), which remains the principal Sikh order.

Other than this curious de-emphasis on the militant side of Sikhism, "Guru Nanak and Sikhism" is quite an interesting book, with many color photographs of Sikh holy sites and festivals. Since I knew nothing about this religion except for the reputation of its adherents as fierce warriors, I learned quite a bit about its teachings.

The three basic rules as expounded by Sikhism's founder, Guru Nanak are listed in this book as:

1. 'Naam Japna:' meditate
2. 'Kirat Karna:' earn an honest living
3. 'Vand chhakna:' share earnings with needy people

The Sikhs also believe in the transmigration of the soul after death, a recurrent cycle until the soul ultimately becomes one with God.

Another facet of the Sikh religion that is particularly refreshing is its belief in the equal status of women. They were encouraged to learn and read by the second Guru, Angad, and a later guru "made a law against women covering their faces. He also told his followers not to believe in the evil ceremony of 'sati,' where a wife had to jump alive into the funeral pyre of her husband."

I would definitely recommend this book, as long as the reader balances this author's treatment of Sikhism with, say, a history of the Sikh Wars.