Bhai Buddha is one of closest companions of the Guru Nanak – the founder and first Guru of Sikhism and is one of the most revered and sacred saints in Sikhism. He holds one of the most important and pivotal positions in Sikh history. Bhai Buddha also known as Baba Buddha (Gurmukhi: bābā buḍhā; lit. meaning “wise old man”; was a most venerated primal figure in early Sikhism. Baba Buddha was born into the Randhawa clan. He was born in a Jat family on October 6, 1506, in Katthu Nangal, 18 km north-east of Amritsar. Originally named Bura (Gurmukhi: būṛā), he was the only son of Bhai Suggha and Mai Gauran.

After sometime the family settled down in Dhalla village not far away from river Ravi opposite Kartarpur.

As a child, while grazing cattle outside his village, he met Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak sat under a Tahli tree, where Gurdwara Janam Asthan Baba Buddha is located. The remnants of the Tahli are said to be present inside the Gurdwara Sahib. He asked Guru Nanak many questions regarding life and death, such that, at his young age, Guru Nanak blessed him with the name Buddha, as he spoke as if he were a wise elder.

Guru Nanak Dev had made a rule for his congregation. Whoever attended his court; all of them would recite words of devotion and sing bhajans and kirtans with the entire congregation. This routine of the court continued every day as a rule. Guru Sahib often noticed that during the shabad kirtan, a small boy would come and stand silently behind him.

One day Guru Nanak Sahib asked that boy, ‘Son, why do you come here every morning, it is time for you to sleep. What pleasure do you get from reciting the Vaani now? Doesn’t your mind go towards games?’

Ill 3: Gurdwara Janam Asthaan Baba Budha Sahib is situated in Village Kathunangal, 8 km north east of Amritsar. Distt Amritsar on Amritsar Batala road Gurudwara Janam Asthan Baba Budha Sahib is not only an important pilgrimage site but also a center for learning about Sikh history and values. The gurdwara features traditional Sikh architecture, with a beautiful dome and intricate carvings that create a serene space for worship..

The boy bowed his head and said respectfully, ‘Once my mother asked me to burn wood in the stove. In that process, I saw that mother first burned small, thin logs in the fire because small logs would catch fire faster than big logs. The fire would take longer to affect big and thick logs. From that time itself, it settled in my mind that perhaps knowledge can also catch on quickly in us children. That is why I love your company the most.

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.”

Guru Sahib was pleased with the wisdom of that boy and said, ‘You are young in age but very old in wisdom.’ After that day, that boy was named Budha Singh. From that day, Bura, came to be known as Bhai Buddha, buddha in Punjabi means old wise man (wisdom usually only comes with age). Later, when advanced in years, he was known as Baba Buddha. Bhai Buddha became a devoted disciple. Baba Buddha Singh lived till the time of the sixth Nanak Guru Hargobind.

According to Sikh hagiographies and oral histories, Baba Buddha learnt the Sikh martial art system of Shastar Vidya from Guru Nanak himself. Baba Buddha provided the successive gurus of Nanak training in the martial art and was ordained by Guru Hargobind to instruct recruits into the first Sikh army, in Shastar Vidya.

Guru Arjan Dev placed his young son, Hargobind, under Bhai Buddha’s instruction and training.

While Guru Hargobind was in jail, Baba Budha reformed the Nihang army, at the time called the Akal Sena, although now it is named the Budha Dal after Jathedar Baba Buddha........

© Eurasia Review