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== Baba Buddha Ji ==
'''Baba Buddha ji''' ([[6 October]] [[1506]] -  [[8 September]] [[1631]]),  one of the most venerated, primal figures of early [[Sikhism]], was born on [[6 October]] [[1506]] at the village of [[Katthu Nangal]], 18 km northeast of [[Amritsar]].


Baba Buddha ji was a most venerated primal figure of early [[Sikhism]], was born on 6 October 1506 at the village of [[Katthu Nangal]], 18 km northeast of Amritsar (31° 36'N, 74° - 50'E). After some time the family settled down in Dhalla village not far away from river Ravi opposite Kartarpur. Bura, as he was originally named, was the only son of Bhai Suggha, a Jatt of Randhava clan, and Mai Gauran, born into a Sandhu family.
After sometime the family settled down in Dhalla village not far away from river Ravi opposite [[Kartarpur]]. "Bura", as he was originally named, was the only son of Bhai Suggha, a Hindu Jatt of Randhawa clan, and Mai Gauran, who was born into a [[Sandhu]] family.


Bhai Budha occupies a unique position in Sikh history. He applied the tilak of guruship to five Gurus, saw seven Gurus and remained in close association with first six Sikh Gurus from 1521 to 1628 for over one hundred years. He was the first priest of [[Harimandir Sahib]], and laid the foundations of Dera Baba Nanak and most of the holy buildings at [[Amritsar]].
Also referred to reverently as '''Baba Buddha Ji'''; [[Bhai Buddha]] occupies a unique position in Sikh history and in the hearts of all Sikhs. He applied the [[tilak]] of [[guruship]] to five Gurus, saw and had the vision of seven Gurus and remained in close association with the first six [[Sikh Gurus]] from [[1521]] to [[1631]] for over one hundred years.  


=== Childhood ===
He was the first "priest" (or [[Giani]]) of [[Harimandir Sahib]], and laid the foundations of [[Dera Baba Nanak]] and most of the holy buildings at [[Amritsar]].  It was the greatness of [[Guru Nanak]] that the [[seva]] (service or task) of applying [[tilak]] was given to Baba Buddha ji, given the fact that he belonged to a so-called low caste.


As a small boy, he was one day grazing cattle outside the village when, in 1524 A.D, [[Guru Nanak]] happened to pass by his village. According to Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, Bura went up to him and, making obeisance with a bowl of milk as his offering, prayed to him in this manner: "O sustainer of the poor! I am fortunate to have had a sight of you today. Absolve me now from the circuit of birth and death." The Guru said, You are only a child yet. But you talk so wisely." "some soldiers set up camp by our village," replied Bura, "and they mowed down all our crops - ripe as well as unripe. Then it occurred to me that, when no one could check these indiscriminating soldiers, who would restrain Death from laying his hand upon us, young or old." At this [[Guru Nanak]] pronounced the words: "You are not a child; you possess the wisdom of an old man." From that day, Bura, came to be known as Bhai Buddha, buddha in [[Punjabi]] meaning an old man, and later, when advanced in years, as Baba Buddha.
==Background==
{{p|File:Buddhaganga.jpg|Baba Buddha ji and [[Mata  Ganga]]<br>''[http://www.sikhs.nl/Famous%20Sikhs/Baba%20Buddha.htm  image courtesy:www.sikhs.nl]}}


One day, when he was  young, he was grazing cattle outside the village when [[Guru Nanak]] happened to pass by. According to Bhai Mani Singh's, [[Sikhan di Bhagat Mala|''Sikhan di Bhagat Mala'']] (The Holy Sikh Jewels), Bura went up to him and, making obeisance with a bowl of milk as his offering, prayed to him saying:
:"O sustainer of the poor! I am fortunate to have had a sight of you today. Absolve me now from the circuit of birth and death."


=== Devoted Service to 6 Gurus ===
The Guru said, You are only a young man,  yet  you talk very wisely."  Then he related a story to Guru Nanak, "Some soldiers set up camp by our village and then they mowed down all of our crops, the ripe ones and the unripe ones, as well. Then it occurred to me that, when no one could check these indiscriminating soldiers, who would restrain death from laying his hand upon us, young or old."


==== Guru Nanak & Guru Angad Dev ====
At this [[Guru Nanak]] pronounced the words: "You are not a child; you possess the wisdom of an old man." From that day, Bura, came to be known as Bhai Buddha, buddha in [[Punjabi]] means wise  (wisdom usually only comes with age). Later, when advanced in years, he was known as Baba Buddha.


Bhai Buddha became a devoted disciple. His marriage at the age of seventeen at Achal, 6 km south of Batala (31°- 49'N, 75°- 12'E), did not distract him from his chosen path and he spent more time at Kartarpur where Guru Nanak had taken up his abode than at Katthu Nangal. Such was the eminence he had attained in Sikh piety that, at the time of installation of [[Bhai Lahina]] as [[Guru Angad Dev | Guru Angad]], i.e. Nanak II, Guru Nanak asked Bhai Buddha to apply the ceremonial tilak on his forehead. Bhai Buddha lived up to a ripe old age and had the unique honour of anointing all of the four following Gurus. He continued to serve the Gurus with complete dedication and remained an example of holy living for the growing body of disciples.
== Devoted Service to 6 Gurus ==
=== Guru Nanak & Guru Angad Dev ===


Bhai Buddha became a devoted disciple of [[Guru Nanak]]. His marriage at the age of seventeen at Achal, near  Batala, did not distract him from his chosen path and he spent more time at [[Kartarpur]] where Guru Nanak had taken up his abode than at Katthu Nangal.


[[Guru Angad Dev]] ji invented Gurmukhi script. In order to popularise it, he started teaching it to the children of the [[Sikh]]s. Bhai Budha also learned it and then took up the Guru's duty to teach it.
Such was the eminence he had attained in Sikh piety that, at the time of installation of [[Bhai Lahina]] as [[Guru Angad Dev|Guru Angad]], (Nanak II), Guru Nanak asked Bhai Buddha to apply the ceremonial tilak on Bhai Lahina's  forehead. Bhai Buddha lived to a ripe old age and had the unique honour of anointing all of the four following Gurus. [[Guru Angad Dev]] ji invented the Gurmukhi script, the script used in the [[Guru Granth Sahib]].  


==== Guru Amar Das & Guru Ram Das ====
In order to popularize the new script, the Guru started teaching it to the children of the [[Sikh]]s. Bhai Budha also learned Gurmukhi (lit. from the Gurus' mouth) and then took up the Guru's duty to teach it.


He devoted himself zealously to tasks such as the digging of the baoli at [[Goindval]] under the instruction of [[Guru Amar Das]] and the excavation of the sacred tank at [[Amritsar]] under [[Guru Ram Das]] and [[Guru Arjan Dev | Guru Arjan]]. The ben tree under which he would sit supervising the excavation of the Amritsar pool still stands in the precincts of the Golden Temple. He subsequently retired to a bar or forest, where he tended the livestock of the [[Guru ka Langar]]. What is left of that forest is still known, after him, as Ber Baba Buddha Sahib.  
Throughout his live Bhai Buddha continued to serve the Gurus with complete dedication, remaining an example of holy living for the growing body of disciples.


==== Guru Arjan Dev & Guru Hargobind ====
===Guru Amar Das and  Guru Ram Das ===  
{{p|File:Baba Budha placing tilak.jpg|[[Baba Buddha]] ji placing tilak on [[Guru Ramdas]]}}


[[Guru Arjan Dev]] ji placed his young son, [[Guru Hargobind | Hargobind]], under Bhai Buddha's instruction and training. When the Adi Granth ([[Guru Granth Sahib]]) was installed in the [[Harimandir Sahib | Harimandar]] on 16 August 1604, Bhai Buddha was appointed granthi by [[Guru Arjan Dev | Guru Arjan]]. He thus became the first high priest of the sacred shrine, now popularly known as the Golden Temple. Following the martyrdom of Guru Arjan on 30 May 1606, [[Guru Hargobind]] raised opposite the Harimandar a platform called the [[Akal Takhat]], the Timeless Throne or the Throne of the Timeless, the construction of which was entrusted to Baba Buddha and [[Bhai Gurdas]], no third person being allowed to take part in it.


The young Guru Hargobind asked Baba Buddha ji to adorn him with a sword. Baba Buddha ji had never handled a sword. He put it on the wrong side of the Guru. When the Guru pointed out the mistake, Baba ji wanted to remove it to the other side. The Guru did not permit him to undo a holy act. He asked him to tie another sword on the right side. Thus the Guru was adorned with two swords called by him the swords of Miri and Piri. So at the [[Akal Takht]] Sahib, Bhai Buddha performed, on 24 June 1606, the investiture ceremony at which Guru Hargobind put on two swords, one on each side, symbolizing miri and piri, sovereignty and spiritual eminence, respectively.
He devoted himself with zeal to such tasks as;  construction of the Baoli at Goindval under the instruction of Guru Amar Das and the excavation of the Amrit Sarovar (Amritsar) the city that lent its name to [[Amritsar]], under Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan.


Baba Buddha passed his last days in meditation at Jhanda Ramdas, or simply called Ramdas, a village founded by his son, Bhai Bhana, where the family had since shifted from its native Katthu Nangal. As the end came, on 16 November 1631, [[Guru Hargobind]] was at his bedside. The Guru, as says the Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi, gave his shoulder to the bier and performed the last rites over Bhai Gurdas, further to quote the Gurbilas, started a reading of the Adi Granth in memory of the deceased. The obsequies concluded with [[Bhai Gurdas]] completing the recital and Guru Hargobind presenting a turban to Bhai Buddha's son, Bhana. Two shrines stand in Ramdas commemorating Baba Buddha, Gurdwara Tap Asthan Baba Buddha Ji, where the family lived on the southern edge of the village, and Gurdwara Samadhan, where he was cremated.
The ben tree under which he would sit, supervising the excavation of the Amritsar pool still stands in the precincts of the Golden Temple. He subsequently retired to a bar (a forest), where he tended the livestock of the Guru Ka Langar. What is left of that forest is known as 'Ber Baba Buddha Sahib'.
   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


=== External Links ===
The following [[tuk]]s (lines of Gurbani) can be found in the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] that refer to the ascendency to [[Guruship]] of the fourth [[Sikh Guru]], [[Guru Ram Das]]:


{{tukc|923|39556|ਹਰਿ  ਭਾਇਆ  ਸਤਿਗ੝ਰ੝  ਬੋਲਿਆ  ਹਰਿ  ਮਿਲਿਆ  ਪ੝ਰਖ੝  ਸ੝ਜਾਣ੝  ਜੀਉ  ॥ <br>ਰਾਮਦਾਸ  ਸੋਢੀ  ਤਿਲਕ੝  ਦੀਆ  ਗ੝ਰ  ਸਬਦ੝  ਸਚ੝  ਨੀਸਾਣ੝  ਜੀਉ  ॥੫॥
|Har bẖĝ▫i▫ĝ saṯgur boli▫ĝ har mili▫ĝ purakẖ sujĝṇ jī▫o. Rĝmḝĝs sodẖī ṯilak ḝī▫ĝ gur sabaḝ sacẖ nīsĝṇ jī▫o. (5)
|The Lord was pleased as the True Guru spoke; he was blended then with the all-knowing Primal Lord God.<br>
The Guru then blessed the Sodhi Ram Das with the ceremonial tilak mark, the insignia of the True Word of the Shabad. (5)}}
=== Guru Arjan Dev & Guru Hargobind ===
[[Guru Arjan Dev]] ji placed his young son, [[Guru Hargobind|Hargobind]], under Bhai Buddha's instruction and training. When the Adi Granth ([[Guru Granth Sahib]]) was installed in the [[Harimandir Sahib|Harmandar]] on 16 August 1604, Bhai Buddha was appointed as the granthi by [[Guru Arjan Dev|Guru Arjan]]. He thus became the first high priest of the sacred shrine, now popularly known as the [[Golden Temple]].
Following the martyrdom of Guru Arjan on 30 May 1606, [[Guru Hargobind]] raised, in front of, the Harimandar a platform called the [[Akal Takhat]], the Timeless Throne or the Throne of the Timeless, the construction of which was entrusted to only Baba Buddha and [[Bhai Gurdas]], no one else was allowed to take part in building the platform.
After the Martyrdom of [[Guru Arjan]], the investiture ceremony of [[Guru Hargobind]] was held on the new platform that Baba Buddha and Bhai Gurdas had built. Even then,  the new platform facing the entrance of the causeway to the [[Harmandar Sahib]] was referred to as the [[Akal Takht]] Sahib.
Bhai Buddha, as he had done so many times before, was called on again to perform the initiation as he had done before, but on that day (24 June 1606) Guru Hargobind ji took Sikhi in a new direction for he asked Baba Buddha for a sword, rather than the traditional ''seli'' that had once been worn by [[Guru Nanak]]. [[Guru Hargobind]] then put on not one but two swords; one on his left side and the other on his right. He declared that the two swords signified [[Miri and Piri|"Miri" and "Piri"]]: "Temporal Power" and "Spiritual Power", one which would smite the oppressor and the other which would protect the innocent.
==Last Days==
Baba Buddha passed his last days in meditation at Jhanda Ramdas, or simply called Ramdas, a village founded by his son, Bhai Bhana, where the family had since shifted from its native village of Katthu Nangal. As the end came, on [[8 September]] [[1631]], [[Guru Hargobind]] was at his bedside.  According to the  ''Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi'', the Guru gave his shoulder to the bier and performed the last rites over Bhai Gurdas, further quoting the ''Gurbilas'', started a reading of the [[Adi Granth]] in memory of Baba Buddha.
The obsequies concluded with [[Bhai Gurdas]] completing the recital and Guru Hargobind presenting a turban to Bhai Buddha's son, Bhana. Two shrines stand in Ramdas commemorating Baba Buddha, Gurdwara Tap Asthan Baba Buddha Ji, where the family lived on the southern edge of the village, and Gurdwara Samadhan, where he was cremated.
==See also==
* [[Baba Buddha Blessed Mata Ganga]]
* [[Guru Amar Das]]
* [[Guru Har Gobind]]
* [[Shri Akal Takhat]]
* [[Dasvandh]]
* [[Bhai Gurdas]]
== External Links ==
* [http://allaboutsikhs.com/bhagats/bhaibudha.htm www.AllAboutSikhs.com]
* [http://allaboutsikhs.com/bhagats/bhaibudha.htm www.AllAboutSikhs.com]
* [http://www.singhsabha.com/budha_ji.htm www.SinghSabha.com]
* [http://www.singhsabha.com/budha_ji.htm www.SinghSabha.com]




=== BIBLIOGRAPHY ===
== BIBLIOGRAPHY ==
#Copyright © Harbans Singh "The encyclopedia of Sikhism.  
#Copyright © Harbans Singh "The encyclopedia of Sikhism.  
#gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi. Patiala, 1970  
#gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi. Patiala, 1970  

Latest revision as of 10:43, 11 December 2014

Baba Buddha Ji

Baba Buddha ji (6 October 1506 - 8 September 1631), one of the most venerated, primal figures of early Sikhism, was born on 6 October 1506 at the village of Katthu Nangal, 18 km northeast of Amritsar.

After sometime the family settled down in Dhalla village not far away from river Ravi opposite Kartarpur. "Bura", as he was originally named, was the only son of Bhai Suggha, a Hindu Jatt of Randhawa clan, and Mai Gauran, who was born into a Sandhu family.

Also referred to reverently as Baba Buddha Ji; Bhai Buddha occupies a unique position in Sikh history and in the hearts of all Sikhs. He applied the tilak of guruship to five Gurus, saw and had the vision of seven Gurus and remained in close association with the first six Sikh Gurus from 1521 to 1631 for over one hundred years.

He was the first "priest" (or Giani) of Harimandir Sahib, and laid the foundations of Dera Baba Nanak and most of the holy buildings at Amritsar. It was the greatness of Guru Nanak that the seva (service or task) of applying tilak was given to Baba Buddha ji, given the fact that he belonged to a so-called low caste.

Background

One day, when he was young, he was grazing cattle outside the village when Guru Nanak happened to pass by. According to Bhai Mani Singh's, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala (The Holy Sikh Jewels), Bura went up to him and, making obeisance with a bowl of milk as his offering, prayed to him saying:

"O sustainer of the poor! I am fortunate to have had a sight of you today. Absolve me now from the circuit of birth and death."

The Guru said, You are only a young man, yet you talk very wisely." Then he related a story to Guru Nanak, "Some soldiers set up camp by our village and then they mowed down all of our crops, the ripe ones and the unripe ones, as well. Then it occurred to me that, when no one could check these indiscriminating soldiers, who would restrain death from laying his hand upon us, young or old."

At this Guru Nanak pronounced the words: "You are not a child; you possess the wisdom of an old man." From that day, Bura, came to be known as Bhai Buddha, buddha in Punjabi means wise (wisdom usually only comes with age). Later, when advanced in years, he was known as Baba Buddha.

Devoted Service to 6 Gurus

Guru Nanak & Guru Angad Dev

Bhai Buddha became a devoted disciple of Guru Nanak. His marriage at the age of seventeen at Achal, near Batala, did not distract him from his chosen path and he spent more time at Kartarpur where Guru Nanak had taken up his abode than at Katthu Nangal.

Such was the eminence he had attained in Sikh piety that, at the time of installation of Bhai Lahina as Guru Angad, (Nanak II), Guru Nanak asked Bhai Buddha to apply the ceremonial tilak on Bhai Lahina's forehead. Bhai Buddha lived to a ripe old age and had the unique honour of anointing all of the four following Gurus. Guru Angad Dev ji invented the Gurmukhi script, the script used in the Guru Granth Sahib.

In order to popularize the new script, the Guru started teaching it to the children of the Sikhs. Bhai Budha also learned Gurmukhi (lit. from the Gurus' mouth) and then took up the Guru's duty to teach it.

Throughout his live Bhai Buddha continued to serve the Gurus with complete dedication, remaining an example of holy living for the growing body of disciples.

Guru Amar Das and Guru Ram Das

Baba Buddha ji placing tilak on Guru Ramdas


He devoted himself with zeal to such tasks as; construction of the Baoli at Goindval under the instruction of Guru Amar Das and the excavation of the Amrit Sarovar (Amritsar) the city that lent its name to Amritsar, under Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan.

The ben tree under which he would sit, supervising the excavation of the Amritsar pool still stands in the precincts of the Golden Temple. He subsequently retired to a bar (a forest), where he tended the livestock of the Guru Ka Langar. What is left of that forest is known as 'Ber Baba Buddha Sahib'.

The following tuks (lines of Gurbani) can be found in the Guru Granth Sahib that refer to the ascendency to Guruship of the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das:


ਹਰਿ ਭਾਇਆ ਸਤਿਗ੝ਰ੝ ਬੋਲਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਪ੝ਰਖ੝ ਸ੝ਜਾਣ੝ ਜੀਉ ॥
ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਸੋਢੀ ਤਿਲਕ੝ ਦੀਆ ਗ੝ਰ ਸਬਦ੝ ਸਚ੝ ਨੀਸਾਣ੝ ਜੀਉ ॥੫॥
Har bẖĝ▫i▫ĝ saṯgur boli▫ĝ har mili▫ĝ purakẖ sujĝṇ jī▫o. Rĝmḝĝs sodẖī ṯilak ḝī▫ĝ gur sabaḝ sacẖ nīsĝṇ jī▫o. (5)
The Lord was pleased as the True Guru spoke; he was blended then with the all-knowing Primal Lord God.

The Guru then blessed the Sodhi Ram Das with the ceremonial tilak mark, the insignia of the True Word of the Shabad. (5)

Guru Arjan Dev & Guru Hargobind

Guru Arjan Dev ji placed his young son, Hargobind, under Bhai Buddha's instruction and training. When the Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib) was installed in the Harmandar on 16 August 1604, Bhai Buddha was appointed as the granthi by Guru Arjan. He thus became the first high priest of the sacred shrine, now popularly known as the Golden Temple.

Following the martyrdom of Guru Arjan on 30 May 1606, Guru Hargobind raised, in front of, the Harimandar a platform called the Akal Takhat, the Timeless Throne or the Throne of the Timeless, the construction of which was entrusted to only Baba Buddha and Bhai Gurdas, no one else was allowed to take part in building the platform.

After the Martyrdom of Guru Arjan, the investiture ceremony of Guru Hargobind was held on the new platform that Baba Buddha and Bhai Gurdas had built. Even then, the new platform facing the entrance of the causeway to the Harmandar Sahib was referred to as the Akal Takht Sahib.

Bhai Buddha, as he had done so many times before, was called on again to perform the initiation as he had done before, but on that day (24 June 1606) Guru Hargobind ji took Sikhi in a new direction for he asked Baba Buddha for a sword, rather than the traditional seli that had once been worn by Guru Nanak. Guru Hargobind then put on not one but two swords; one on his left side and the other on his right. He declared that the two swords signified "Miri" and "Piri": "Temporal Power" and "Spiritual Power", one which would smite the oppressor and the other which would protect the innocent.

Last Days

Baba Buddha passed his last days in meditation at Jhanda Ramdas, or simply called Ramdas, a village founded by his son, Bhai Bhana, where the family had since shifted from its native village of Katthu Nangal. As the end came, on 8 September 1631, Guru Hargobind was at his bedside. According to the Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi, the Guru gave his shoulder to the bier and performed the last rites over Bhai Gurdas, further quoting the Gurbilas, started a reading of the Adi Granth in memory of Baba Buddha.

The obsequies concluded with Bhai Gurdas completing the recital and Guru Hargobind presenting a turban to Bhai Buddha's son, Bhana. Two shrines stand in Ramdas commemorating Baba Buddha, Gurdwara Tap Asthan Baba Buddha Ji, where the family lived on the southern edge of the village, and Gurdwara Samadhan, where he was cremated.

See also

External Links


BIBLIOGRAPHY

  1. Copyright © Harbans Singh "The encyclopedia of Sikhism.
  2. gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi. Patiala, 1970
  3. Bhalla, Sarup Das, Mahima Prakash. Patiala, 1971
  4. Padam, Piara Singh, and Gianl Garja Singh, eds.,Guru ban Sakhlari Patiala, 1986