Hinduism Beliefs
Introduction (Intent statement- why this why now?)
In Primary schoool In Key Stage 2 (Years 5-6) 7 unit you should have been CONNECTING using the Agreed Syllabus (page 104) Unit L2.7 What do Hindus believe God is like? [Brahman/atman] and L2.8 What does it mean to be Hindu in Britain today? [Dharma] and Unit U2.7 Why do Hindus want to be good? [Karma/dharma/samsara/ moksha]
In this year 8 unit you will be building on this work in primary school by APLLYING / INTERPRETING the Agreed Syllabus (page 103) Unit.3.9 Why don’t Hindus want to be reincarnated and what do they do about it? [Samsara/moksha/ Brahman/atman/karma/dharma]?
While it is possible to also study Hindu Beliefs and Practices for GCSE and beyond for Alevel and degree study although we do not teach that as part of the Marling Short or Full Course GCSE or Alevel religions course. However, both the skills and knowledge are useful in these other studies.In Year 10 you will learn to KNOW UNDERSTAND and EVALUATE in Christianity the Educas GCSE Comp 1 Unit 1 Christian Beliefs and Teachings .and Islam in the Educas GCSE Comp 3 Unit 1 Islam Beliefs and Teachings .
In year 8 you will gain a basic understanding of Hindu beliefs and practices.
- to consider the preconceptions of Hinudu beliefs and Hinduism in the UK.
• Explain the importance of the key beliefs studied (e.g. karma, samsara, moksha) for Hindu ways of living
• Give reasons and examples to explain how and why Hindus put their beliefs into action in different ways (e.g. paths to moksha; aims in life; varnas)
• Show how Hindu beliefs and teachings guide them in making moral decisions (e.g. non-violence, vegetarianism)
• Give a coherent account of why a Hindu would not want to be reincarnated, and what they might do about it
• Evaluate how far the ideas of karma and samsara help students to make sense of the world and their own experience.
Hinduism introduction
In this unit we will be learning about the orgins of Hinduism. The problems with the term Hinduism and the meaning of Sanatana-dharma. The Absolute; Brahman taking many different forms. Ek sat vipram bahuda vadanti – truth is one. We will develop an understanding of Ganesha; examine Divali, the Kumdh Mela and Varanasi and reflect on the importance of human gatherings and spiritual journeys.
We will understand basic features of a Hindu temple and the role of the Mandir in the UK.
Many Hindus believe in Brahman as the ultimate reality – one 'Supreme Spirit' in many forms. Brahman is male, female and even animal, it is easier to think of Brahman without form.
Brahman is also commonly understood as the Trimurti - three gods with three key functions:
Brahma - the source of all creation.
Vishnu - responsible for keeping all good things on Earth and bringing harmony when needed.
Shiva – assists in the creation of new things – some things have to end for others to begin.
However many Hindus believe in Vishnu or Shiva as the one SupremeDeity.
The atman of each of us may also hold a 'spark' of Brahman. For most Hindus, Brahman is present in the lives of all living things.
The traditional Hindu greeting 'Namaste', usually performed with joined palms and bowed head, may be translated as 'I bow to the divine spark within you'.
ShaktiShakti literally means 'strength' and symbolises feminine aspects of thedivine, often referred to as Devi and Mata. Some of the many forms of Shakti include:
Saraswati – inspires music, drama, science and poetry. Many pray to her for help in these areas.
Lakshmi - many Hindus pray to her for a happy family life and financial security.
Parvati - known to be caring for others and both patient and wise. The balance of female and male is often represented in Hinduism by images of Shiva and Parvati as halves of one person.
Durga - a warrior goddess who symbolises the 'hidden strength' of women, and divine opposition to evil.
Other popular deities
Lord Krishna - one of the most popular gods and source of many legends.
Prince Rama and Princess Sita - a beautiful love story and model for how people should live. They both demonstrate loyalty, bravery and disregard for material possessions.
Hanuman - a deity in the form of a monkey, recognised for his bravery and loyalty. Many Hindus pray to Lord Hanuman for help in overcoming difficulties.
Lord Ganesh - commonly depicted with an elephant's head, Ganesh represents wisdom and prosperity.
Incarnations and avatarsMany Hindus believe that Lord Vishnu has appeared on Earth in human or animal form, called incarnations or avatars. Examples of this include Rama and Krishna who were both princes. Hindus believe they were sent to save the Earth in times of danger. Buddha is also believed to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Summer Term 12 Lessons - Home learning
For each lesson you will be expected to complete a short google doc workbook and a summative socratic quiz, there will be further resources such as a lesson PPT and further research resources on the google classroom.
• Explore Hindu ideas about Brahma, the Trimurti. Building on / review KS2 ideas of [Brahaman /atman]
• Discuss the question: What is Brahaman? Atman?
Write a definition of any of these words.
Karma/dharma/samsara/ moksha
We will explore Hindu ideas about samsara, karma and moksha by building on what you have learn in KS2 [Karma/dharma/samsara/ moksha]
https://s3.amazonaws.com/truetube.co.uk-files/tt_1529_0.mp4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlBEEuYIWwY&feature=youtu.be
What is the problem that causes the individual eternal self (atman) to be trapped within the cycle of life, death and rebirth (samsara)?
Examine how the law of karma governs reincarnation.
Consider how endless reincarnations is not an appealing prospect, and hence the desire to escape from samsara.
• Explore some of the ways Hindus can escape from samsara and attain moksha, e.g. karma yoga (path of unselfish action); bhakti yoga (path of devotion to God); jnana yoga (path of knowledge); astanga yoga (path of meditation).
Watch the BBC Programe "the four spiritual pathways"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zsbZVtlT-Y
Using the video and if you need the script
http://archive.teachfind.com/ttv/static.teachers.tv/shared/files/9418.pdf
Explain in a Pargraph
1. each spiritual pathway
2. the kind of people who would find this pathway helpful.
Find out about yogi's or Sadhus in India
Which spiritual pathwaay would be yours? Why? Explain.
• Explore Hindu ways of life building on KS2 [Dharma]
• Explore Hindu ideas about the four aims of life (punusharthas): dharma: religious or moral duty; artha: economic development, providing for family and society by honest means; kama: regulated enjoyment of the pleasures and beauty of life; moksha: liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Shrines and Murties
Rituals and Puja
Prayer and mediation
Food and fasting
• Explore Hindu commitments to non-violence (ahimsa), harmlessness and vegetarian food. Contrast this with some Western attitudes. Evaluate the proposition that the Hindu path is our best hope in the battle to protect the environment
• Explore British Hindu teenagers’ lives, their multiple identities and thoughts about their traditions. Investigate what they think about goals in life, connecting with dharma, artha, karma and moksha. Compare similarities and differences with the diverse lives of students in your class.
• Analyse sacred texts dealing with dharma, such as passages from the Bhagavad Gita or the Ramayana. Explore the idea of dharma and varna in modern Indian and British Hindu communities. Evaluate this system of social organisation.
HIndu Practices
HIndu pratices centre
BBC Bitesize - KS3 Religious Studies - Hinduism in Varanasi
BBC Bitesize - KS3 Religious Studies - Hindu beliefs about Ganesh
Varanasi is an ancient city on the banks of the River Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, Northern India.
It is one of the most sacred sites in India because it is believed to have been the home of Lord Shiva. Some Hindus believe that the River Ganges pays its respects to Lord Shiva by the direction in which it flows. Usually, the river flows from the north to the south, but at Varanasi it flows from the south to the north.
Millions of pilgrims visit Varanasi in order to purify themselves by bathing in the River Ganges at sunrise.
Some Hindus believe that if they die at Varanasi, they might be able to attain moksha sooner. Because of this, some Hindus go there when they are close to death in order to die there. Others have their ashes scattered there by relatives. A feature of the landscape at Varanasi is the cremation ghats that line the banks of the Ganges.
The processions that take the dead bodies to the ghats may be joyful, even accompanied by singing and dancing, because of the belief inreincarnation and the possibility of moksha of the person who has died.
There are many different funeral rituals, but often the body is dipped into the Ganges and covered with ghee, then wrapped in cotton before being cremated in the open on a funeral pyre. The ashes are then scattered in the River Ganges.
Nature and importance
There are lots of mandir in Varanasi, dedicated to Lord Shiva and other deities. Some Hindus believe that worshipping at the mandir in Varanasi dedicated to their favourite deity builds positive merit and may aid their path to moksha.
Three famous mandir Hindu pilgrims may visit are:
the Kashi Vishwanath Mandir - dedicated to Lord Shiva
the Durga Temple - dedicated to the goddess Durga
the Tulsi Manas Temple - dedicated to Lord Rama
The River Ganges
The River Ganges is important in its own right. Some Hindus believe that it flowed from heaven to purify humans. Sometimes the river is represented in female form because many Hindus refer to it as 'mother Gangaa' or 'she'.
There are various locations along the River Ganges which can attract millions of pilgrims. Many Hindus believe water (known as 'Gangaa jal') from anywhere on the River Ganges is purifying and holy.