Hinduism Unit

1. Hinduism: Introduction

2. Brahman, the Supreme Being

3-4. Gods & Symbolism

5. The Sacred Books

8-9. Hindu beliefs

10. Hindu society: varna, caste

14-15. Worship12 -13. Rites of Passage

16 -17. Gandhi & Ahimsa

18. Assessment

11. Ashrama: stages in life

6-7. Festivals

Yet another ‘unheard voices’ production

from RED 2008

1. Hinduism: Introduction

• Starter: the Six Dimensions

Learning Objective: to introduce Hinduism through the Six Dimensions

All: fill out the dimensions grid with facts about Hinduism (level 3-4)

Most: can make a statement about each dimension is in Hinduism (level 5)

Some: can show what is most important in Hinduism with reference to

the Six Dimensions (level 6)

• Title: Introduction to Hinduism

• 1. (all) in your books – landscape – construct a six-box diagram headed with the Six Dimensions (level 3)

• 2. (all) as you look at the Introduction presentation, note in your diagram anything to do with Hinduism in the corresponding box (level 4)

• 3. (most) explain what each of the six dimensions is in Hinduism (‘Belief in Hinduism is …; Myth in Hinduism has to do with …’) (level 5)

• 4. (some): what seems to be important in this religion? Explain how/why it is important? (level 5-6)

Belief Myth Social

Ritual Experience Ethics

2008

Learning Objective: to understand the idea of the supreme god in Hinduism (Brahman)2. Brahman, the Supreme Being

Elephant story:

- how was each blind man right?- how was each blind man wrong?

‘Finding God’:

- what was Chitendra confused about?

- how did ‘water’ answer his question?

The families of the Hindu gods:

- how are the gods of Hinduism linked together?

OM:

- what are the three main parts of OM?- why are there many Hindu gods?- where do all the gods come from?

“There is one Truth (Brahman),

but the wise call it by many names”

- Rig Veda

1. copy out the quote, discuss what might this mean? (level 3)2. explore ideas of the one and the many with the following (levels 4-5)…

2008

All: will have some information about the many gods in Hinduism (level 3-4)Most: can answer some questions about how God is seen in different ways (level 5)Some: will be able to show how belief in Brahman is both one and many (level 6-7)

Elephant story

‘Finding God’ story

The families of the Hindu

gods

OM

Conclusion: ‘Is Hinduism a monotheistic (belief in one God only) or a polytheistic (belief in many gods) religion? Why?’ Make use of the notes you gathered in the above diagram.

Learning Objective: to understand the idea of the supreme god in Hinduism (Brahman)2. Brahman, the Supreme Being

“There is one Truth (Brahman),

but the wise call it by many names”

- Rig Veda

2008

Learning Objective: To explore the symbolism of the Hindu gods3-4. Hindu Gods & Symbolism

Main task: in groups of three (target levels 6,5,4) – research and make a poster presentation on the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) and at least three other gods:

• all to research (654)

• two to present the poster (54)

• one to write the summary (6)

Resources: ‘Hinduism’ p. 14-21; department sheets; library books; internet

All: will have researched symbols of up to six Hindu gods (level 3-4)Most: will have presented the research showing the meaning behind the symbols (level 5)Some: will explore why there are so many Hindu gods (level 6-7)

…there are many gods apart from Brahman, but …

…the many gods represent different aspects of Brahman…

Name of the god:Symbols:

Story/connections:

God/goddess of:

Summary: why are there many gods in Hinduism?

2008

5. The Sacred BooksLearning Objective: where Hinduism get its beliefs about God from, the sacred books

All: can name the main sacred books in Hinduism (level 3)Most: know what sort of material is contained in the sacred books (level 4-5)Some: can show the different ways in which Hindu sacred books teach humanity about God (level 5-6)

Shruti Smriti

Vedas Puranas

What do the Vedas contain?

1 3 Laws of Manu

2 4 Mahabharata & Bhagavad Gita

Rig Veda Ramayana

Introduction:

Research: find out about the structure and contents of the sacred books

Resource: Hinduism P.8-13

Review: what can you recognise or comment about the following …?

In what ways do the sacred books help Hindus find Brahman (level 5-6)?

2008

6-7. FestivalsStudy Objectives: to understand and explain the ‘themes’ and ‘means’ of Hindu festivals…

What are festivals about?

The Festival

The Story of the festival…

Rituals: the actions which show the theme

Theme: the main point(s) from the story

Symbols: the objects which show the theme

In pairs (target 5/6 & 4/5): research and present a study on at least two festivals in Hinduism (sugar paper). Procedure:

(both) research facts @ story, rituals, symbols, theme

(5/6) written response to: “how do the festivals help in the search for Brahman in life?”

(4/5) present the results under the four headings on sugar paper plus space for the overview

Report information about at least two Hindu festivals (level 3-4)

Report information categorised under the four headings (level 5)

Can show how the festivals fit in to the quest for God in Hindu life (level 6) 2008

Resource:Hinduism, p. 36-41

8-9. Hindu beliefs: samsara & moksha Learning Objective: understand Hindu beliefs about the world and life

All: know the words of samsara and moksha (level 3-4)Most: understand what samsara and moksha are (level 5)Some: can show and discuss how all Hindu beliefs work together (level 6-7)

Lesson 2: explain in your own words:

What is the main problem in Hinduism and what is the main aim of Hinduism?

Brahman

Maya

Samsara

Reincarnation

Karma

Suffering

Moksha

ahimsa

Yoga

Meditation

Worship

Guru

Starter: what is the word for ‘soul’ in Hinduism?

Lesson 1: using P.24-25 of ‘Hinduism’ note what the following words mean in a copy of this diagram:

2008

Caste Description Purusha

Brahmins

Kshatriyas

Vaishyas

Shudras

Learning Objective: to know what caste is, to understand how it works, to reflect on the meaning of, caste

4. Write down what might be the benefits and difficulties of the caste system for a modern Hindu. Try to use the following in your answer: karma, duty, identity, society, tradition… (level 6)

10. Hindu Society: Varna, caste

1. Using ‘Hinduism’ P.26-27 fill in a copy of this diagram in your books (level 3-4)

2. What were the Untouchables? 3. What decides which caste you are born into? (level 5)

All: will know the four castes of Hindu society (level 3-4)

Most: will understand the duties of caste and how caste is

decided (level 5)Some: can explore the effects of caste on a Hindu’s life (level

6)

starter

2008

11. Ashrama: the four stages of life

Sanskrit (Translated) Aim in Life Duty (dharma)

1.

2.

3.

4.

Learning Objective: to understand the four stages of life for a Hindu

2. Why are the Ashramas in this order (level 5)?

3. What does it say is important in Hindu life (level 6)?

All: know the four stages of life (level 3-4)

Most: can explain what the duty of each stage is (level 5)

Some: can discuss what the overall aim/meaning of life is for a Hindu (level 6)

starter

1. using ___ fill in a copy of this diagram in your books (level 3-4)

2008

Learning Objective: to explore how Hindus celebrate and recognise birth, coming of age, marriage and death12-13. Rites of Passage

All: know what the four Rites of Passage are (level 3-4)Most: understand how the Rites of Passage are marked in Hinduism (level 5)

Some: can show how the Rites of Passage help in the search to find God (level 6)

A. Using pages 44-47 of ‘Hinduism’ make a study across a double page in your exercise book of the Rites of Passage using the following headings:

• What change in life is marked?

• What symbols are used to mark the change?

• What rituals are used to mark the change?

(levels 4-5)

What are Rites of Passage and how are they celebrated?

BIRTHThe start of a new life…

How is a new life marked in the ceremonies following birth?

UPANAYANAThe change from being a child to being an adult

How is the change from childhood to adulthood marked?

MARRIAGEThe joining of two lives to become one

How is the joining of two people symbolised in Hindu marriage?

DEATHThe journy from life to the afterlife

How is the journey to the next life symbolised?

B. How do the Rites of Passage help Hindus on their search to find God? (level 6…)

2008

14-15 WorshipLearning objective: Hindu worship: ritual & symbolism

All: can identify the symbols and rituals involved in Hindu worship (level 3-4)Most: can explain the meaning behind the symbols and rituals of Hindu worship (level 5)Some: can explain the overall purpose of Hindu worship (level 6)

starter

Read p. 32-35 ‘Hinduism’

Make a list of as many symbols and rituals as you can find in Hindu worship

What are the meanings of the symbols & rituals?

symbols meaning rituals meaning

Summary: why, and what, do Hindus worship?

2008

1. What …

Hinduism, p25, 3rd paragraph 3

What is ahimsa?

What is a consequence of ahimsa for many Hindus?

Hinduism, p53, 3-4th paragraph

Why do Hindus practise ahimsa?

"This is the sum of duty; do naught unto others that you would not have them do unto you." (Mahabharata)

"One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire." (Mahabharata)

"What is religion? Compassion for all things, which have life." (Hitopadesa, Sanskrit fables)

2. How …

What do the following three quotes have to

say about how a Hindu should practise

ahimsa?

Learning Objective: to understand what ‘ahimsa’ is and how it influences Hindu life.

16-17. Gandhi & Ahimsa

2008

Learning Objective: to understand what ‘ahimsa’ is and

how it influences Hindu life.

3. How can it … ?

a. Read through each quote – discuss what they mean.b. Choose one, copy it out into your book.c. Explain in detail what you think the quote means.d. Is Gandhi’s ‘ahimsa’ anything more than just ‘being nice’?

Action for one’s own self binds, action for the sake of others delivers from bondage.

Ahimsa is the highest ideal. It is meant for the brave, never for the cowardly.

Ahimsa is the eradication of the desire to injure or to kill.

Ahimsa is an attribute of the brave. Cowardice and ahimsa don’t go together any more than water and fire.

No power on earth can subjugate you when you are armed with the sword of ahimsa. It ennobles both the victor and the vanquished.

Truth is my religion and ahimsa is the only way of its realization.

I do not envisage God other than truth and non-violence.

The strength to kill is not essential for self-defence; one ought to have the strength to die.

Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as is cooperation with good.

Whenever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love.

The weak can never forgive.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.

2008

N

A

M

A

S

T

E

All: know what ‘ahimsa’ means (level 4)

Most: can explain why Hindus practise ahimsa (level 5)

Some: can discuss ways in which ahimsa can be practised in life (level 6)

A few: can analyse different levels in which ahimsa is practised in life (level 7)

2008