Lesson video

Hi, everyone, my name's Mrs. Charalambous, and welcome to today's lesson.

Our lesson is called Dharma as love for all beings, from the unit, Natural World: What does dharma teach about attitudes to the planet? Let's begin.

By the end of today's lesson, you will be able to explain how Hindus put dharma into action.

Let's take a look at our keywords for today's learning.

Unconditional.

Unconditional: loving someone completely without any condition or expectations.

Compassion.

Compassion: We care about others, treat them with kindness and feel a strong desire to help others in need.

Dharma.

Dharma: acting with love and compassion to all living things.

Our lesson outline for Dharma as love for all beings looks like this.

Cycle one: What does dharma say about treating others? Alex explains how we use philosophy in religious education.

Alex says, "In religious education, we sometimes use philosophy to explore big ideas.

Philosophers ask questions about how we live, and what it means to do the right thing.

They ask questions like, 'how should we treat other living beings?' and 'why do our actions matter?'" In this lesson, we'll explore the deeper meaning of the story of your Yudhishthira.

We'll find out what it can teach us about dharma, compassion and the choices people make.

Look carefully at the image.

What do you notice? What might be happening? Do you just see a person or an animal? Or do you see something more? In this picture, we see a girl helping a swan stuck in plastic.

This act shows compassion.

Compassion is taking action when others are suffering.

Some Hindus believe we should show unconditional love to all living beings, not just humans.

Let's check our understanding.

Compassion is.

A: taking action and care for others.

B: only helping other people.

Or C: only helping people you know.

That's right, it's A, taking action and care for others.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

Sofia and Alex discuss the idea of dharma.

"A big philosophical question is 'how should we treat other living beings on this planet?' I wonder how this might link to dharma?" Sofia replies, "That's right Alex.

Dharma means living in a way that is loving, kind, and compassionate to all living things, not just following religious rules.

The story of Yudhishthira and the dog can help us understand this." Here is a summary of Yudhishthira and the dog.

Yudhishthira was a great king and leader.

He was offered a place in heaven but refused to leave the dog who had been loyal and followed him.

The dog turned into the figure of dharma who allowed him into heaven.

Why do you think Yudhishthira chose to stay with the dog? What does this story teach about kindness or dharma? Can you think of a time when doing the kind thing wasn't easy? Alex says, "We're going to ask some people with a Hindu worldview what this story teaches them.

This is Het and Priya, and they are brother and sister." Alex says, "Why do you think Yudhishthira refused to leave the dog behind?" Priya says, "I think Yudhishthira had chosen to do what was right rather than what was easy.

That's what I would consider dharma in action.

He could have gone to heaven, but he chose the dog instead.

That shows that what was really in his heart was love.

In my Hindu tradition, we believe we are connected to all living things.

That's why kindness to one is kindness to all." Let's check our understanding here with this multiple choice question.

Why didn't Yudhishthira leave the dog? A: he didn't want to go to heaven.

B: he was showing compassion towards the dog.

C: he was too lazy to go to heaven or D: he wanted to wait for the dog's owner? That's right, it's B, he was showing compassion towards the dog.

Well done if you got that correct.

Let's carry on.

Het says, "The story of Yudhishthira teaches me that dharma is acting with unconditional kindness.

Yudhishthira didn't know the dog was a god.

He was just kind because it was the compassionate thing to do.

For me, it shows that all beings matter, not just people.

Animals such as dogs have as much value.

Dharma helps me to live with love and kindness to all." Let's check our understanding with this multiple choice question.

Dharma is.

A: a set of rules to obey, B: a type of prayer to a deity, or C: acting with love and kindness to all? That's right.

It's C, acting with love and kindness to all.

Let's carry on.

Task A: Alex, Sofia, and Lucas are discussing the deeper meaning of the story of Yudhishthira and the dog.

Who do you think has the best answer? Why? Alex says, "Yudhishthira wanted to go to heaven, so he was prepared to abandon the dog when it got difficult." Sofia says, "Yudhishthira had nothing to gain by staying with the dog.

He followed the rules of dharma and one of the rules is being kind." Lucas says, "Yudhishthira acted according to dharma.

He chose to act out of love for the dog.

He did what was right, not what was easy." Pause the video here for this discussion, and when you're ready, press play for some feedback.

Task A, feedback time.

Who do you think has the best answer? Why? You might have said: I think Lucas has the best answer because he understands that dharma is about doing the loving thing and not the easy thing.

Sofia does not quite understand dharma as she thinks it's about rules to follow rather than acting with compassion.

Alex is wrong because Yudhishthira did not abandon the dog.

Well done for this part.

Let's carry on.

How do Go Dharmic put dharma into action? How do you feel if you are angry? How do you feel if you are happy? How does it feel different in your body and your mind? Sofia and Alex are discussing emotions.

"When I feel angry, my heart races.

My hands feel sweaty and my mind feels like it's spinning.

Sofia says, "When I feel happy, my heart beats slowly.

I feel light inside and calm.

I can smile and notice everything around me.

I feel happy when I know I am loved and valued." How does this compare with what you said? This Is Hanuman Dass.

He is the founder of Go Dharmic.

He says, "I believe that love is the most powerful force in the world.

Compassion and love is the essence of who we are.

My life changed when I realised this.

My guru and teacher, Neem Karoli Baba said: 'Love is the strongest medicine.

It is more powerful than electricity.

'" How could love be more powerful than electricity? Inspired by love, Hanuman Dass founded Go Dharmic.

Here's the logo.

The motto is: "Love all, feed all, serve all." What do you think this means? How might this link to dharma? Hanuman Dass explains why it is called Go Dharmic.

Hanuman says, "I started Go Dharmic because I wanted to take action.

The word 'Go' in the name is because we need to make a difference now.

It is urgent.

Dharma for me is acting with love and compassion to all.

Just like Yudhishthira did not abandon his dog, we should all act with love and spread kindness through the world." Let's check our understanding with this multiple choice question.

Which of these are reasons Hanuman Dass named the organisation Go Dharmic? A: there is need for change and it is urgent, B: dharma is about making quick decisions.

C: dharma is about showing kindness and love to all, D: dharma is about trying to raise lots of money? That's right.

It's A and C.

There is a need for change and it is urgent, and C, Dharma is about showing kindness and love to all.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

What can you see in this photograph? What might be happening? Hanuman says, "These are some of our incredible Go Dharmic volunteers.

They are serving free food for people who need it.

Go Dharmic has served 25 million free meals in cities across the UK and in places around the world.

If a disaster happens, we will be there.

Serving others in this way is putting love, putting dharma into action.

Let's check our understanding with this multiple choice question.

What is one reason why Go Dharmic volunteers do their work? A: they are told they must do this, B: they get paid for their time, C: they want to show compassion and care for others and the planet, D: they want recognition from others around them? That's right, it's C.

They want to show compassion and care for others and the planet.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

What can you see here? What might be happening and why? Hanuman says, "Climate change is the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced.

This is the dharma forest project.

Our volunteers are restoring a mangrove forest in India by replanting trees.

This will increase the habitat for tigers and everything included in the beautiful nature that lives there.

It will also help people by protecting the land from flooding." Let's check our understanding with this true or false.

Go Dharmic is a charity that puts dharma into action by helping only people.

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

Why? Because Go Dharmic is a charity that puts dharma into action by helping people and the planet with love and compassion.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

Sofia is reflecting on what she has learned about Go Dharmic.

"When I hear about Go Dharmic volunteers helping people or planting trees, I think this is what dharma looks like in real life.

It's not just about following rules.

It's about acting with love and compassion.

When we do something kind, even when no one is watching, that's called unconditional love.

Go Dharmic shows us that by helping others, people, animals, or the planet.

I think it's a very thoughtful way to live." What small choices could you make this week to show unconditional love or compassion to all living things? Wow.

I'm hearing lots of different wonderful ideas.

Task B, imagine you are a Go Dharmic volunteer.

Write a short paragraph or draw a poster showing: what you would do to help people, animals, or the Earth, why it's important to show unconditional love and compassion, how this is a way of living out dharma.

Press pause, and when you are ready, press play for some feedback.

Task B, feedback time.

Here is what you might have written: If I were a Go Dharmic volunteer, I would help clean up a park and plant trees to care for the Earth and animals that live there.

I would also help give out food to those people in need.

I think it's important to show unconditional love and compassion because everyone deserves to feel safe, cared for and respected, no matter who they are.

When we help others and the planet, we are living out dharma by choosing kindness and doing what is right.

Well done for today's learning.

Let's look at the summary together.

Summary for Dharma as love for all beings: Dharma means acting with unconditional love and compassion to all living beings.

Go Dharmic is a charity that tries to put dharmic principles into action.

Go Dharmic volunteers are planting mangroves in India to restore forests.

Well done for today's learning.

I hope you enjoyed it and I hope to see you soon.

Bye for now.