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Hinduism Unit
1. Hinduism: Introduction
2. Brahman, the Supreme Being
3-4. Gods & Symbolism
5. The Sacred Books
6-7. Festivals
8-9. Hindu beliefs
10. Hindu society: varna, caste
11. Ashrama: stages in life
12 -13. Rites of Passage
14-15. Worship
16 -17. Gandhi & Ahimsa
18. Assessment
Yet another ‘unheard
voices’ production
from RED 2008
1. Hinduism: Introduction
Learning Objective: to introduce Hinduism
through the Six Dimensions
• Starter: the Six Dimensions
• Title: Introduction to Hinduism
Belief
Myth
Social
• 1. (all) in your books – landscape –
construct a six-box diagram headed
with the Six Dimensions (level 3)
Ritual
Experience
Ethics
• 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)
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)
2008
2. Brahman, the Supreme Being
Learning Objective: to understand the idea
of the supreme god in Hinduism (Brahman)
Elephant story:
- how was each blind man right?
- how was each blind man wrong?
‘Finding God’:
“There is one Truth
(Brahman),
but the wise call it by many
names”
- Rig Veda
- what was Chitendra confused
about?
- how did ‘water’ answer his
1. copy out the quote, discuss what
question?
might this mean? (level 3)
The families of the
Hindu gods:
- how are the gods of
Hinduism linked together?
2. explore ideas of the one and the
many with the following (levels 4-5)…
OM:
- what are the three main parts of OM?
- why are there many Hindu gods?
- where do all the gods come from?
2008
Learning Objective: to understand the idea
of the supreme god in Hinduism (Brahman)
2. Brahman, the Supreme Being
Elephant story
‘Finding
God’ story
“There is one
Truth (Brahman),
but the wise call
it by many names”
- Rig Veda
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.
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)
2008
3-4. Hindu Gods & Symbolism
Learning Objective: To explore the
symbolism of the Hindu gods
…there are many gods
apart from Brahman, but …
…the many gods represent
different aspects of Brahman…
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)
Name of the god:
Symbols:
Story/connections:
God/goddess of:
• one to write the summary (6)
Resources: ‘Hinduism’ p. 14-21; department
sheets; library books; internet
Summary: why are
there many gods in
Hinduism?
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)
2008
5. The Sacred Books
Learning Objective: where Hinduism get its beliefs
about God from, the sacred books
Introduction:
Shruti
Smriti
Vedas
Puranas
Research: find out about the
structure and contents of the
sacred books
What do the Vedas
contain?
1
3
Laws of Manu
Resource: Hinduism P.8-13
2
4
Mahabharata &
Bhagavad Gita
Rig Veda
Ramayana
Review: what can you recognise or
comment about the following …?
In what ways do the sacred books help
Hindus find Brahman (level 5-6)?
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)
2008
Study Objectives: to understand and explain the
‘themes’ and ‘means’ of Hindu festivals…
6-7. Festivals
What are festivals about?
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
(4/5) present the
results under the four
headings on sugar
paper plus space for
the overview
(5/6) written
response to: “how do
the festivals help in
the search for
Brahman in life?”
Resource:
Hinduism, p. 36-41
The Story of the
festival…
Rituals: the
actions
which show
the theme
The Festival
Symbols:
the objects
which show
the theme
Theme: the main
point(s) from the story
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
8-9. Hindu beliefs: samsara & moksha
Learning Objective: understand Hindu
beliefs about the world and life
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:
Brahman
Moksha
Maya
Samsara
Reincarnation
ahimsa
Yoga
Meditation
Karma
Worship
Suffering
Guru
Lesson 2: explain in your own words:
What is the main problem in
Hinduism and what is the
main aim of Hinduism?
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)
2008
10. Hindu Society: Varna, caste
Learning Objective: to know what caste
is, to understand how it works, to reflect
on the meaning of, caste
starter
1. Using ‘Hinduism’ P.26-27 fill in a copy of this diagram in your books (level 3-4)
Caste
Description
Purusha
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas
Shudras
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)
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)
2008
11. Ashrama: the four stages of life
Learning Objective: to understand the
four stages of life for a Hindu
starter
1. using ___ fill in a copy of this diagram in your books (level 3-4)
Sanskrit
(Translated)
Aim in Life
Duty (dharma)
1.
2.
3.
4.
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)
2008
Some: can discuss what the overall aim/meaning of life is for a Hindu (level 6)
12-13. Rites of Passage
Learning Objective: to explore how Hindus celebrate
and recognise birth, coming of age, marriage and death
What are Rites of Passage and how are they celebrated?
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?
BIRTH
UPANAYANA
The start of a new life…
The change from being a child to being an
adult
How is a new life marked in the ceremonies
following birth?
How is the change from childhood to adulthood
marked?
MARRIAGE
DEATH
The joining of two lives to become one
The journy from life to the afterlife
How is the joining of two people symbolised in
Hindu marriage?
How is the journey to the next life symbolised?
(levels 4-5)
B. How do the Rites of
Passage help Hindus on their
search to find God? (level 6…)
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)
2008
Learning objective: Hindu
worship: ritual & symbolism
14-15 Worship
starter
Read p. 32-35 ‘Hinduism’
Make a list of as many symbols and
rituals as you can find in Hindu
worship
symbols
meaning
rituals
meaning
What are the meanings of the
symbols & rituals?
Summary: why, and what, do Hindus
worship?
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)
2008
16-17. Gandhi & Ahimsa
Learning Objective: to understand what
‘ahimsa’ is and how it influences Hindu life.
1. What …
Hinduism, p25, 3rd paragraph 3
2. How …
What is ahimsa?
What do the following
three quotes have to
say about how a Hindu
should practise
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)
2008
The weak can never
forgive.
Whenever you are confronted with an
opponent, conquer him with love.
I do not envisage
God other than
truth and nonviolence.
The strength to kill is
not essential for selfdefence; one ought to
have the strength to
die.
Non-cooperation
with evil is as much
a duty as is
cooperation with
good.
The best way to find
yourself is to lose yourself
in the service of others.
Action for one’s own self binds,
action for the sake of others
delivers from bondage.
Ahimsa is the eradication
of the desire to injure or to
kill.
3. How can it … ?
Truth is my religion
and ahimsa is the
only way of its
realization.
No power on earth can
subjugate you when you are
Ahimsa is the highest ideal. armed with the sword of
It is meant for the brave,
ahimsa. It ennobles both the
never for the cowardly.
victor and the vanquished.
Learning Objective: to
understand what ‘ahimsa’ is and
how it influences Hindu life.
An eye for
an eye
makes the
whole world
blind.
Ahimsa is an attribute of the brave.
Cowardice and ahimsa don’t go
together any more than water and
fire.
I object to violence because when it
appears to do good, the good is only
temporary; the evil it does is
permanent.
2008
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’?
N
A
M
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)
A
S
T
E
2008