Download Sikhism - Guru - WhiteHouseCurriculum

R.E.
KS3
Title of Unit: Sikhism: The Ten Gurus
Key Theme: Inspirational People
Key Concept: Guru
Strands/ Fields of Enquiry
AT1: Beliefs teachings and sources
Practices and ways of life
AT2: Identity and belonging
Questions of meaning, purpose and truth
Values and commitments
AT1 :
AT2 :
Learning Outcomes:
Be able to identify where Sikhism fits into history
Be able to retell the story of Guru Nanak and say why it is important to Sikhs
Be able to explain the concept of ‘Guru’
To name some of the Ten Gurus
To talk with confidence about the role of Guru Gobind Singh
To explain why the Guru Granth Sahib is important to Sikhs
Expectations—Levels of Attainment—In line with locally Agreed Syllabus
Nearly all can:- (LEVEL WORKING TOWARDS)
Many can:- (LEVEL 1)
Some children have progressed further and can:- (LEVEL 2)
Skills
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Reflection
Enquiry/ Investigation
Empathy
Communication/Expression
Key Attitudes and Values
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Respect
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Open mindedness
Opportunities for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development
Every Child Matters
Being healthy
Enjoy and achieve
Making a positive contribution
Staying safe
Economic wellbeing
Cross Curricular Links
English
Art
Geography
History
Early Learning Goals / Prior Learning
Social Cohesion
Find out about local Sikhs
Key Vocabulary
Guru Nanak
Guru
Sikhsim
Sikh
Mardana
Adi Granth
Guru Granth Sahib
Mool Mantra
Japji
Key Questions for Enquiry;
Teaching Activities:
How good is your English History? The image above is of King Edward IV who was on the throne from 1442 to
1483
It was the time of the Wars of the Roses.
Now look at the chart below. It shows the dates of the world’s major religions and their founders.
2,085 BCE. Judaism-Abraham
1,500 BCE. Hinduism- no specific founder
560 BCE. Buddhism- Siddhartha Gautama Buddha
550 BCE. Taoism - Lao Tzu
599 BCE. Jainism- Mahavira
30 CE. Christianity – Jesus Christ
610 CE- Islam- Muhammad
1469 CE – Sikhism - The Birth of Guru Nanak
The picture above shows Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion.
In pairs write down 5 key facts that you know about Sikhism.
Discuss these in your class. Many people think that religions go back many many centuries like Judaism and
Christianity but Sikhism is relatively young.
You will see that Guru Nanak was born during the reign of King Edward IV in England in 1469.
Guru Nanak was born in a place called Talwandi near Lahore in the Punjab. As a young boy he was brought up as
a Hindu but he was taught by a Muslim teacher called Mardana, a poet and musician. Nanak learned things from
both faiths but he watched the constant arguments between the Hindus and Muslims and decided that this could not
be right. God was everywhere. He was not in a religion, a place or a picture.
At the age of nineteen Nanak married and went to work in a town called ‘ Sultanpur’ .One morning when he was
30 the story says he went to bathe in the river and did not return for three days. His friends and family were
worried. They thought he had drowned. When he retuned three days later he said ‘There is neither Hindu nor
Muslim so I shall follow God’s path. He said that he had been in the presence of God who did not distinguish
between people by their sex, race or background, but that everyone was equal in the sight of God.
God, he said, is the perfect Guru, the perfect teacher. The Gu – The darkness of ignorance and the Ru – The light
of truth and spiritual knowledge. The Sat guru or true teacher and the Wake guru the wonderful Lord.
Nanak began travelling and teaching and he gained many followers. He taught Sikhs that ‘there is one and only one
God’; ‘Ik Onkaar’ who guides and protects them.
He stressed the importance of doing good work and actions rather than merely carrying out rituals
Sikhs believe that the way to lead a good life is to:
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keep God in heart and mind at all times
live honestly and work hard
treat everyone equally
be generous to the less fortunate and serve others
Although Nanak had two sons he felt that they lacked humility and were not spiritual enough to be holy men. Sikhs
tell a story of how when Guru Nanak dropped a water jug into a muddy ditch his sons thought it beneath them to
retrieve it for him. Instead, one of his disciples Lehna plunged his hand in and retrieved the jug.
Nanak then named him as his successor but he changed his name to Angad, which means like an arm or leg.
Nanak died in 1539. Legend says that his Hindu followers wanted to cremate him and his Muslim followers
wanted to bury him but when they went to dispose of the body all that remained was the sheet covering him.
Nanak was the first Sikh Guru but there were nine others that followed him:
Guru Angard – 1504-1552
Guru Amar Das – 1479-1574
Guru Ram Das – 1534-1581
Guru Arjan – 1563-1606
Guru Har Gobind 1595-1646
Guru Har Rai 1630-1661
Guru Har Krishnan 1656-1664
Guru Teg Bahodur 1621-1675
Guru Gobind Singh 1661-1708
In 1708 Guru Gobind Singh made it clear that he would be the last human Guru. After his death the Adi Granth
would become the spiritual Guru.
Each of the Gurus had written down their teachings and these were now to be compiled together into one sacred
book called the Guru Granth Sahib. The book would then become the last and final Guru.
Think about your teacher. What happens if he/she is ill or out of the classroom? How does he/she ensure that you
carry on your lessons and your learning.
Just like your teachers, the Gurus had written down their guidance and instructions for all Sikhs to follow.
The Guru Granth Sahib meant that there would be no other living Gurus, but instead Sikhs could look to their holy
scriptures for guidance, so the holy book became the 'Guru' (teacher).
Read the verse below. It is the opening verse of the Guru Granth Sahib and is called the Mool Mantra and is part of
the thirty-eight verses of a hymn written by Guru Nanak called the Japji.
There is one God
Eternal Truth in His name
Maker of all things
He is without fear
He is without hate
He is immortal, without form
He is beyond birth and death
He is self- illuminated
By the grace of the Guru, made known to men
Watch the video clip below to find out more
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-sikh-holy-book-the-guru-granth-sahib/4825.html
Assessment Opportunity
Write the letter that Guru Gobind Singh might have written explaining why he will be the last human Guru and that
the Guru Granth Sahib will become a living Guru for future generations.
Resources
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/what-s-important-to-a-sikh/5944.html
www.youtube.com/watch?v=miapIny8B3A