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teachings of Islam as well as the philosophy and literature of the Vedic tradition, including the six systems of Indian Philosophy, Upanishads, Yoga Sutra, Bhakti Sutra, Tantra and Hatha Yoga.
The Youth of Guru Nanak
By the age of ten, Nanak began to emerge as a bridge-builder between various religious traditions. Sometimes he would visit mosques and pray with the faithful Muslims. At other times, he would visit the Hindu Temples and chant bhajans with the Hindus. Nanak's family felt that he was old enough to receive the sacred thread (janeu), which is the Hindu rite of spiritual manhood. Therefore, an appropriate and auspicious time was set for the ceremony. Initially, it was arranged that only the higher class friends and relatives would be invited to attend the ceremony. But Nanak insisted that Muslim fakirs, sadhus and many common poor people of a lower caste should also be invited to the ceremony. His father was persuaded by his son's arguments and invited his guests, even though some of the upper caste people were not pleased with the decision.
When all of the guests were assembled and preliminary rites had been performed, the family priest, pundit Hardyal, sat Nanak down for the ceremony of receiving the sacred thread. The
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