Lesson video

Hi, my name's Mrs. Charalambous.

And welcome to today's learning.

I've got a great lesson for you.

Today's lesson is called All Are One: The Earth as Mother, from the unit Natural World: What Does Dharma Teach About Attitudes to the Planet? Let's begin.

By the end of today, you'll be able to explain how many Hindus see the world as divine and as mother.

But first, let's look at our keywords.

Divine.

Divine, of or like God.

Interconnected.

Interconnected, linked or related to each other.

Guru.

Guru, a wise person and spiritual teacher.

This is what our lesson outline looks like for All Are One: The Earth as Mother.

Let's start with cycle one, how do Hindu see the Earth? Sofia explains how we use philosophy in Religious Education.

Sofia says, "Philosophy is interested in what we know and how we know it.

Philosophers ask questions about how people think or reason about the world around them, and how we can know what is true or real.

We can better understand world views by using philosophical tools like thought experiments, critical thinking, and reasoning." In this lesson, we'll be looking at the deeper meaning of a Hindu creation story.

We will look at how Hindus answer the question, what is Earth? What can you see in this photograph? You might see the sea, clouds, and land of Planet Earth.

What questions might an alien who had never seen it before ask? Would you like to share some with me? Sofia and Alex think of an ultimate question.

Alex says, "The Earth looks amazing from space, but is it just a lump of rock in orbit around the sun? Or is it more than that?" Sofia says, "This is a great question, Alex.

Let's find out how Hindus might answer this question.

Hindus have been asking ultimate questions for thousands of years." Hindus tell many stories about how the universe began.

Here's one version.

At first, there was only darkness.

The deity Vishnu slept on a serpent.

The sound aum rang through the universe, waking Vishnu.

A lotus flower grew from his belly, with Brahma sitting on it.

The deity Brahma created the Earth, sky, heavens, animals, and people.

Let's take a moment to check our understanding with this multiple choice question.

In the Hindu creation story, who created the Earth and everything in it? A, Shiva, b, Ganesh, c, Brahma, or d, Vishnu.

That's right, it's c, Brahma.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

This is Dhanu.

She has a Hindu worldview.

Dhanu describes how she interprets the creation story.

"In the story, Brahma creates a world filled with life.

All the elements of life are in balance.

Air gives us life because we breathe oxygen released from trees.

We have water to drink and oceans full of fish.

The sun provides heat and light.

When I look at this photograph, I see all these elements from the creative power of Brahma and the love of Vishnu.

For me, the Earth is not just a lump of rock in space.

The world is part of the divine.

God is not somewhere up in the sky.

All the planet and all the life is filled with God." Let's take a moment here to check our understanding with a true or false.

Dhanu believes the Earth is simply a lump of rock in orbit.

True or false? That's right, it's false.

Why? Dhanu explained that many Hindus believe that the Earth is part of the divine and that the land is sacred.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

Sofia and Alex reflect on the idea of the Earth as divine.

Alex says, "Dhanu has told us that many Hindus see the Earth as more than just a planet with life on it.

What does that mean?" Sofia says, "I think we need to understand where this idea comes from.

We can then understand Hindu ideas about the world better." What can you see in this photograph? What connections can you make between the bee and the flower? Bees and flowers need each other.

Bees gather nectar for food from the flower.

The flower coats the bee with pollen, which helps fertilise the plant.

Bees and flowers are interconnected.

What can you see in this image? Aum is a sacred symbol that refers to Brahman, the divine.

It was the sound at the start of the universe.

In Hindu Dharma, the Earth is seen as divine.

It is all part of Brahman.

Animals, people, rivers, and skies all depend on each other.

Everything is interconnected.

Dhanu says, "Ancient Hindu philosophers said, 'Air, fire, water, earth, all creatures, trees and plants, rivers and seas, they are all organs of God's body.

' When I look at the world, I see the divine or God in everything.

We are all interconnected.

We all need each other, like bees and flowers need each other." Let's check our understanding.

Interconnected means a, all life is in competition with each other, b, all life depends on each other, or c, God created all life.

That's right, it's b, all life depends on each other.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

Task A.

Alex is still not sure how Hindus see the Earth.

Can you help Alex? Can you use the images to explain what you have learned? Can you use the words interconnected and divine? Pause the video here, and when you're ready, press play for some feedback.

Task A feedback time.

Here is what you might say to Alex.

Alex, for many Hindus, the Earth is sacred because it was made by Brahma and is part of the divine.

Most Hindus believe that everything is interconnected.

This means that the Earth, people, and nature are all linked together and depend on each other.

Just like the bee needs the flower to survive and the flower needs the bee to survive, all life is connected.

This means the Earth is more than just a planet in orbit around the sun.

Cycle 2, why is soil important to Hindus? What can you see in this photograph? What is soil? Why might it be important? How do you think Hindus might see soil? Sofia and Alex discuss soil.

"I don't really see what's important about soil.

It's just muddy and full of worms," says Alex.

Sofia says, "If many Hindus see the world as divine, then maybe understanding why soil is important might help us understand Hindu world views better." Dhanu looks at the ideas from ancient Hindu philosophers.

She says, "In Hindu Dharma, the planet is seen as not just rock and soil, but as a divine mother, who nurtures and sustains all life.

That Atharva Veda is part of the Hindu scripture.

It says, 'The Earth is my mother, and I am her child.

'" Why do you think some Hindus call the Earth their mother? Yes, I'm hearing lots of different answers.

Let's find out together.

Dhanu explains the idea of the Earth as mother.

She says, "For me, the Earth is my mother because she gives me everything I need.

She gives me air to breathe, water to drink.

From the soil, we can grow food.

All animals, rivers, mountains are like extensions of my family.

The world is one family.

But sadly, the Earth, my mother, is suffering." Let's take a moment to check our understanding.

Why do some Hindus call the Earth Mother Earth? A, it's a big planet, b, it has animals and flowers, c, it nurtures and sustains all life.

That's right, it's c, it nurtures and sustains all life.

Let's carry on.

Many Hindus talk about the Earth as a mother.

A mother is interconnected with her children.

They both need each other.

For many Hindus, all life is interconnected.

If one part of nature suffers, it then affects everything else.

Even the soil beneath our feet is part of that web of life.

Did you know that soil is in danger? Plants need soil to grow in.

Soil gives plants nutrients to survive.

Without healthy soil, we can't grow food to live.

Sadly, soil is in danger because of land being cleared for farming and fertilisers being added that exhaust it.

Dhanu explains why soil is important to her.

She says, "Ancient Indian philosophers recognised that soil was important.

I like to walk barefoot in my garden.

It cheers me up and makes me feel happy.

I feel connected to the world around me.

Now modern science also says that walking barefoot is good for you." Ancient Indian philosophers talked about the Earth as mother.

Modern Hindu teachers also care about the Earth.

A guru is a wise and respected Hindu teacher.

A popular Hindu guru is Sadhguru.

He has created Save the Soil organisation.

Let's check our understanding.

In Hindu traditions, a guru is a, a clever person, b, a wise teacher, or c, someone who cares about soil.

That's right, it's b, a wise teacher.

Great job.

Let's carry on.

Arjun is a volunteer with Save Soil.

He describes why he got involved.

He says, "For me, Sadhguru is a great guru because he is a livewire.

He travels around the world and is really inspiring.

I did not know that soil was struggling.

I help with Save Soil because I think if we don't see nature as part of our family, our planet is in danger." Arjun describes what Save Soil is trying to do.

"If we care for soil, we care for everything.

We are trying to get governments to stop using chemicals that harm the soil.

We want to stop rainforests from being cut down for farms. We can take action in our gardens by being organic and not using chemicals.

We are all one family and need to protect our mother Earth." Let's check our understanding.

The Save Soil campaign is only important for farmers in India.

True or false? That's right, it's false.

Why? The Save Soil campaign is important for everyone around the world because healthy soil supports all life, plants, animals, and people.

Let's carry on.

Task B.

A Hindu primary school in a city want to help another school close to them understand why soil is important and needs to be cared for.

Can you help them by creating a presentation, poster, or a speech to explain why? Can you use the images or quotes to help you? Press pause here to carry out this task.

When you're ready, press play for some feedback.

Task B feedback time.

You may have mentioned, one, soil is important because all life depends on it.

Soil gives nutrients and energy to plants and provides foods for humans and animals.

Two, soil is in danger because of land being cleared for farming and fertilisers exhausting the soil.

Three, many Hindus want to care for the Earth because they see the Earth like a mother who provides all they need.

All life is interconnected.

Four, Save Soil was started by the guru Sadhguru.

They are trying to make governments treat soil better.

Five, everyone can care for soil and make a difference.

If you'd like me to hear some of your ideas, now's the time.

Well done.

Great job for today.

Let's take a look at the summary for All Are One: The Earth as Mother.

Hindu Philosophers have always asked questions about the universe.

One ultimate question is, what is the Earth like? The planet is viewed by many Hindus as divine.

All nature is seen as interconnected to everything.

Many Hindus speak of the Earth as mother because it provides humans with everything they need.

Campaigns such as Save Soil reinforce the importance of being responsible as a Hindu in caring for the world.

What a great lesson today.

I hope you enjoyed it.

And I hope to see you soon.

Bye for now.