Lesson video

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

Today, we are looking at dharma, taking action for the wellbeing of the world 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'll be able to explain how some Hindus are taking action to help save the planet.

Here are our key words, Krishna.

Krishna, a deity that represents God for many Hindus.

Bhagavad Gita.

Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu text that reflects on dharma.

Dharma.

Dharma, acting with love and compassion for all beings.

Here is what the lesson outline for today looks like for dharma, taking action for the wellbeing of the world.

Let's start with, what does Hindu Dharma say about taking action? Sofia explains how we use philosophy in religious education.

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 worldviews by using philosophical tools like thought experiments, critical thinking and reasoning.

In this lesson, we're thinking about how Hindus understand their responsibility to the planet as an act of compassion and love for all beings.

Have a look at the pictures below and think about these three questions.

Is the Earth being cared for here? What can you see? What might be happening? I can see litter and lots of plastic on this beach.

But is the beach the only place where you see litter? I can also see lots of cut down trees, deforestation.

It's happening all over the world.

And finally, I can also see a power plant with fumes and factory fumes coming out of it.

How do you think that impacts the air? Sofia is thinking about the planet and dharma.

I know that our amazing planet is facing lots of problems such as pollution and trees being cut down.

I'm curious to know what Hindus might think and feel about this.

Does the idea of dharma include taking action? This is Dhanu.

She has a Hindu worldview.

For me as a Hindu, the Earth is like a mother.

She is part of the divine.

It makes me sad when I see her being polluted and animals suffering.

The deity Krishna helps me understand what God is like.

Krishna cared for the world.

There's a story about Krishna that helps me remember this.

It's called the story of Govardhan Mountain.

Let's take a moment here to check our understanding.

Which deity is Dhanu devoted to? A, Hanuman.

B, Shiva.

C, Krishna.

Or D, Rama.

That's right.

It's C, Krishna.

Let's carry on.

Here is a summary of the story.

The villagers used to pray to the deity Indra for rain.

They were scared that if they didn't, there would be no food.

Krishna told them to honour the Earth instead, like Govardhan Mountain, which gave them food and water.

Indra became angry and sent heavy rain.

Krishna lifted the mountain to shelter everyone underneath.

Dhanu says, "The story shows me that Krishna cared for the villagers, animals and the trees.

He took action to protect them.

The story teaches me that the whole world is connected.

Animals, trees, mountains and humans are all part of God." Let's take a moment here with this multiple choice question.

What does the deity Krishna help many Hindus remember? A, to look out for the other deities and do nothing else.

B, that we should protect people, animals and the Earth.

C, that we should only focus on humans.

Or D, to pray to him and no one else.

That's right.

It's B, that we should protect people, animals and the Earth.

Well done if you've got that question right.

Let's carry on.

Sofia says, "I understand that you see the world is divine and everything is connected.

What else does Krishna teach?" Dhanu replies, "I think Krishna is saying that we can't wait for God, like Indra, to do something.

We need to take actions ourselves.

Let me show you another teaching from Krishna." The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most important texts in Hindu Dharma.

In it, Krishna is guiding a warrior called Arjuna.

Krishna helps Arjuna understand his dharma and how he should act.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says, "Considering the wellbeing of the world, you must take action." What do you think Krishna means by this? Hmm, I think Krishna is giving an instruction to Arjuna that is for all of us today.

We need to think about the planet and what is facing it.

Then we must take action to save it.

Dharma is acting for others out of compassion.

Let's take a moment here to check our understanding with this, true or false? In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna tells a warrior named Arjuna to avoid taking action in difficult times.

True or false? That's right.

It's false.

Why? Because Krishna encourages to take action to care for all living things.

Doing nothing can be as harmful as choosing a wrong action.

Let's carry on.

Task A, complete these sentences.

1, in the story of Govardhan Mountain, Krishna taught the villagers.

2, when Krishna speaks to Arjuna, he is giving an instruction to.

Pause the video here and when you are ready, press play for some feedback.

Task A.

Your completed sentences might look like this.

In the story of Govardhan Mountain, Krishna taught the villagers taking action means doing something to help, not just thinking or talking about it.

Krishna lifted the mountain to protect the people and animals.

He didn't stay silent or wait for someone else.

That shows me that dharma is about kindness in action.

Number two, when Krishna speaks to Arjuna, he is giving an instruction to think about the planet and what is facing it.

Then taking action to do something about it.

Would you like to share some of your work with me now? Well done for Task A.

Let's move on.

How are Hindus responding to climate crisis? Sofia says, "I understand that many Hindus see dharma as taking action for the good of all living things.

But how do they take action? I'm going to meet Aarya who volunteers with a group called Hindu Climate Action." Take a look at this picture.

What can you see here? What might be happening? Aarya, can you tell us about the photograph? Aarya says, "I joined a river clean-up with Hindu Climate Action in Leicester.

In Hindu Dharma, rivers are sacred.

I wanted to express my belief and take action.

The river Soar is beautiful, but also polluted." What can you see in this photograph? Here are some of the objects from the river clean-up.

Aarya found so much rubbish including a bike, a wheelie bin, and a hoover.

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

What does Hindu Climate Action do? A, they build new mandirs around the world.

B, they teach people to ignore climate change.

C, they only clean rivers in Leicester.

Or D, they help people understand how caring for the Earth is part of Hindu belief.

That's right.

It's D, they help people understand how caring for the Earth is part of Hindu belief.

Let's carry on.

Aarya, why do you volunteer with Hindu Climate Action? Aarya says, "As a Hindu, I think we should help because we want to live peacefully and in harmony with all living things.

Climate change puts this at risk.

I volunteer because I want to play my part in making this world a better place.

I also hope my example will inspire future generations to lead a sustainable lifestyle." What do you think Aarya means by leading a sustainable lifestyle? After the river clean-up, I wanted to do more.

I noticed what we were doing at our mandir.

We used a lot of plastic plates.

I worked with the local Hindu community and now we use recyclable card plates instead of plastic.

And here's a picture of them using the recyclable plates.

Why do you think Aarya wanted to make this change? Let's listen to why Aarya wanted to make the change.

Plastic doesn't break down easily.

It can harm animals and pollute land and water.

By choosing recyclable plates, our mandir is going green.

It's one small change that helps protect the Earth.

Let's check our understanding with this, true or false? Plastic breaks down quickly and doesn't really harm animals and the environment.

True or false? That's right.

It's false.

Why? Because plastic takes a very long time to break down and can harm animals and pollute the land and water.

Well done if you got that right.

Let's carry on.

Aarya do you think our actions can make a difference to climate crisis? Aarya says, "Yes, small things can make a big difference.

Cleaning the river helps connect us to nature, which is divine.

Switching to paper plates at the mandir meant other people started thinking about how they could help too.

One small change can inspire more changes, like ripples in water." Task B, Hindu Climate Action started with a small group of people who cared about their faith and the Earth.

Volunteers cleaned rivers, changed habits at their mandirs and inspired others.

If you started a group to help the planet, what would you do and why? Think about, what would your group be called? What small action would you start with? Who would you want to help? How would you encourage others to join? Pause the video here to carry out this activity.

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

Task B, feedback time.

You might have said, "If I started a group to help the planet, I would call it 'Planet Protectors.

' We would organise litter picks in the parks and help our school use less plastic.

I would also share tips with others about saving water and energy.

I want to help animals and people because pollution hurts them and their homes.

We would also care for the rivers and trees to keep nature healthy.

To encourage others to join, I would explain why small actions matter and how everyone can make a difference.

By working as a team, we can make our community cleaner and greener." If you'd like to share some of your thoughts, now is your chance.

Great job.

Wow, lots of different ideas there and some great names.

Some great reasons behind why you would do what you would do.

Summary, Dharma, taking action for the wellbeing of the world.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says, "Considering the wellbeing of the world, you must take action." Many Hindus today are taking action to help save the planet, this is also part of their dharma.

Hindu Climate Action is a group of Hindu volunteers that tries to encourage Hindus to take action.

Hindus are adapting and changing their practises to reflect the state of the planet.

Well done for your learning today, and I hope to see you all again soon.

Bye for now.