Authority:
The founder of Sikhism, who was the first out of ten Gurus was Nanak. He was born in 1469 CE to a Hindu family in the Punjab, which at the time was under Muslim rule. His early years were influenced by a background of Hindu and Muslim teachings; however, he soon became aware of the intolerance shown by Muslim and Hindu leaders of these two faiths. One story about Guru Nanak tells of how he rebelled at eleven years old. At this ages Hindu boys of his caste would start to wear the sacred thread to distinguish them from other castes. Nanak refused, saying that people should not be distinguished by thread, but by the things they did. Nanak continued to demonstrate a radical spiritual by arguing with local holy mean and sages, both Muslim and Hindu, he argued that external things such as pilgrimages, penances, and poverty were of less spiritual importance than the internal individual soul. Nanak was inspired by a spiritual experience that gave him a vision of the true nature of God, and confirmed the idea that the way to spiritual growth was through mediation and through a way of living that reflected the presence of the divine within each person. Nanak was married and had a family, but in 1496 he set out on a spiritual journey through India, Tibet and Arabia that lasted around 30 years. While on this journey he studied and debated with people he met along his way and he began to teach a new route to spiritual fulfilment. The last part of Nanaks life was spent in Kartarpur in the Punjab, where he was joined by his disciples. Nanaks taught radical social teachings, and he denounced the caste system and taught that everyone is equal.
The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of Sikhism. It is a collection of hymns and poetry, and is considered the head of the Sikh religion. Sikhs believe that the message contained within the Guru Granth Sahib is the word of God and that this message will help their should develop. The first edition of this holy book was compiled by the fifth Guru Arjun and also known as the Adi Granth at this point; it was completed by the tenth Guru Gobind Sigh. The hymns were mostly written by the first five Gurus, but writings by Hindus, Muslims and other Sikhs are also included within. The tenth Guru decided that the Guru Granth Sahib would replace all living Gurus in teaching and guiding the religion. He added a few hymns to the text and then declared nothing else shall be added to it, as it contains all the wisdom a Sikh would need. It is read regularly by Sikhs and is the centre of all Sikh ceremonies such as weddings, funerals and baptisms. The Guru Granth Sahib is considered and treated like a living Guru, it is treated with respect. It is kept on a special covered platform in the Gurdwara (Sikh temple), and it is never placed on the ground; at night it is put in a bed. Worshippers in the Gurdwara have to bow to the text, and must never turn their backs towards it. Sikhs do not worship this text, but they respect it because it contains Gods words. When reading from the Guru Granth Sahib, they wave a Chauri (a kind of fan) over it as a sign of respect. The Guru Granth Sahib contains moral and ethical guidance and helps Sikhs to find unity with God.
The Dasam Granth is a Sikh scripture which contains texts composed by the 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. The compositions of the Granth set out the ideas, thoughts and guidelines for the future of the Nanak panth (means gurus way) as enshrined in the Khalsa. The Dasam Granth holds a great significance to a lot of Sikhs; however, it does not have the same authority as the Guru Granth Sahib. Some parts in the Dasam Granth like the Jaap Sahib and the Benti Chaupai are part of the daily prayers/lessons for Sikhs.
The Dasam Granth is a Sikh scripture which contains texts composed by the 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. The compositions of the Granth set out the ideas, thoughts and guidelines for the future of the Nanak panth (means gurus way) as enshrined in the Khalsa. The Dasam Granth holds a great significance to a lot of Sikhs; however, it does not have the same authority as the Guru Granth Sahib. Some parts in the Dasam Granth like the Jaap Sahib and the Benti Chaupai are part of the daily prayers/lessons for Sikhs.