Lesson video

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

I have a really great lesson to teach you today, so I hope that you are ready.

It's called "Dharma: Yudhushthira and the Dog." From the Unit: Natural world.

What does Dharma teach about attitudes to the planet? By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to explain why Hindus act with compassion towards all living things.

Let's get started with our keywords.

Dharma.

Dharma, the practise of compassion and kindness.

Essence.

Essence, the most important quality of a thing.

Compassion.

Compassion, caring about others and wanting to help.

Let's carry on.

Today's lesson outline for Dharma: Yudhushthira and the Dog.

We'll beging with what is dharma? Sofia explains how we use philosophy in religious education.

She 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 will examine the Hindu concept of dharma and how it influences how Hindus think the world should be treated.

Sofia and Alex are discussing a big philosophical question.

Alex says, "How should we treat other living beings?" Sofia replies, "That's a really big question.

It's a type of question that people ask when they want to understand the world and how we should live.

There isn't always one right answer and people might have different ideas.

Many Hindus think deeply about this question." Sofia continues.

"Many Hindus believe that everything has a true nature or purpose." Alex says, "They call this their dharma.

To understand what dharma means, we need to think about something called essence." Sofia says, "I think that's a good idea.

Essence is the most important quality of a thing.

I think this will help us understand dharma." What is the essence of something? Let's look at the essence of some everyday things.

The essence of sugar is to be sweet.

The essence of fire is to burn.

And the essence of a pencil is to write.

Let's check our understanding.

How might we explain the essence of something? A, it's appearance.

B, its taste.

Or C, its most important quality.

That's right, it's C.

Its most important quality.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

Alex says, "Hindus believe that humans also have an essence, a way they are meant to live." Sofia says, "If fire's essence is to burn and sugar's essence is to be sweet, I wonder what the essence of a human is?" What do you think the essence of a human might be? Take some time to think about this question before we carry on.

Some Hindu philosophers believe the essence of a human is to show love and kindness.

They call this dharma, living with compassion for all living things.

If our essence is to show love and kindness, in what ways could we show that? Take some time here to think about your answer before I hear some.

Yes, I can hear lots of different ways.

Let's look into this a little bit more.

Alex says, "This is Dhanu.

She has a Hindu Dharmic worldview.

Can you tell us more about dharma, Dhanu?" Dhanu says, "For me, Dharma is about living in a way that shows love and kindness to all living things.

It's not about following a fixed set of rules, it's about deciding on the most loving and caring thing for other people, animals, and the world around us.

Dharma is acting with compassion." Sofia says, "This is Priya, she's also a Hindu.

Priya, can you tell me more about dharma?" Priya says, "I think dharma means trying to do the compassionate thing even when it's hard.

I try to be kind to everyone, even plants and animals.

Like many Hindus, I am a follower of Sanatana Dharma, which means an eternal path of kindness and care for all living things." Let's take a moment here to check our understanding with this multiple choice question.

What do some Hindu philosophers believe dharma means? A, following the rules.

B, being kind only to people.

C, showing love and kindness to all living things.

Or D, doing the easiest thing in every situation.

That's right.

It's C, showing love and kindness to all living things.

Let's carry on.

Alex and Sofia are reflecting on their understanding of dharma.

Alex says, "Hindus believe that dharma is like a person's essence.

It means trying to live in a way that's kind and fair to living things, not just people." Sofia says, "And it's not a rule you follow.

It's about choosing to live and act with kindness." Task A.

Look at each action below and decide which ones show someone living with dharma.

You can put a tick next to them.

Anna shares her snack with a friend who forgets theirs.

Meena squashes a spider because she doesn't like them.

Muhammad helps clean up the park without being asked.

Leo laughs when someone falls over.

Two.

Choose one of the examples and explain why it shows dharma.

Pause the video here so you can carry out this activity.

When you are ready, press play for some feedback.

Task A, feedback time.

Number one.

Look at each action below and decide which ones show someone living with dharma.

You should have ticked Anna shares her snack with a friend who forgets theirs.

And Muhammad helps clean up the park without being asked.

Part two.

Choose one example and explain why it shows dharma You may have included.

I think Muhammad helping clean up the park shows dharma because he's being kind to nature and helping with without being told.

Dharma means caring for all living things, not just people.

Well done so far for your learning.

Let's carry on.

Cycle two.

What is the story of Yudhishthira? Alex says, "I wonder how Hindus know what is the right thing to do.

Dharma sounds important, so how do they learn about it?" Sofia says, "One way Hindus learn about dharma is through stories.

Hindu Dharma has many scriptures and stories from wise Hindu rishis in the past.

Hindus still read and hear these stories today." Can you think of a story that's taught you something about being kind or doing the right thing? You can share some with me now, if you like.

Yes, lots of great stories can teach us how to be kind.

Let's continue.

Dhanu says, "In my Hindu worldview, we learn about dharma from stories.

They help us understand how to act with kindness even when it's not easy.

There's a story called Yudhishthira and the Dog.

It comes from the Mahabaratata, a very old and important Hindu book full of stories about life, choices, and dharma." Let's check our understanding with this multiple choice question.

Where does a story of Yudhishthira and the dog come from? A, Ramayana.

B, a Hindu newspaper.

C, the Mahabarata.

Or D, the Upanishads.

That's right, it's C, the Mahabarata.

Let's continue.

When the world had changed and their time as kings was over, the Pandava brothers gave up their kingdom.

They started a long journey to the top of a tall mountain.

This was their final journey, the journey to heaven.

The eldest brother Yudhishthira was kind, honest, and always did the right thing.

He walked first leading his brothers, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva and queen Draupadi.

An unknown dog walked beside them.

The dog followed Yudhishthira everywhere.

It never left his side.

As they walked, Yudhishthira turned to the dog and said kindly, "Go home.

My dear friend, this journey is too hard for you." But the dog didn't leave, it just kept walking with him.

Yudhishthira tried again and again to send the dog back saying, "The path is long and very cold.

You'll get tired and hungry.

Please, go home." But still, the dog stayed.

As they climbed higher, it got colder and harder to walk.

One by one, Yudhishthira's brother and queen Draupadi grew tired and fell.

Sadly, they died, but Yudhishthira did not stop.

The faithful dog still walked beside him.

Let's check our understanding before we carry on with the rest of the story.

Why did Yudhishthira try to send the dog back? A, he didn't like dogs.

B, he thought the journey would be too hard for the dog.

C, he thought the dog would slow him down.

Or D, the dog kept barking.

That's right, it's B.

He thought the journey would be too hard for the dog.

Let's continue with the story.

Suddenly, a bright light shone in the sky.

A chariot came down from the heavens.

A God stood inside.

It was a deity, Indra.

"Yudhishthira," said Indra, "Come.

I have come to take you to heaven." Yudhishthira was surprised.

"What about my brothers and Draupadi?" He asked.

"They're already in heaven." Said Indra, "They are waiting for you." Yudhishthira smiled and was ready to go.

He looked at the dog and said, "Come, my friend.

Let's go." But Indra shouted, "No, a dog in heaven? Never.

Leave the dog behind." Yudhishthira was shocked.

"I cannot do that," he said, "This dog stayed with me throughout the hardest part of my life.

My brothers are gone, my queen is gone, but this dog never left me.

He is my friend." Indra became angry.

"He is just a dog.

Dogs don't belong in heaven.

Leave him behind or don't come." Yudhishthira stayed calm.

"If I must leave him, then I will not go to heaven.

I will stay with him.

I will do what is right." Then Indra tested him again.

"Fine, you can send the dog to heaven, but you must go to hell instead." Yudhishthira didn't even think twice.

"Let the dog go to heaven.

I will go to hell.

I will not leave my friend." Suddenly, the dog changed shape.

He turned into a shining figure.

It was Dharma, the deity of truth and goodness.

Dharma smiled and said, "Yudhishthira, you are a truly good man.

You care for all living things.

You are full of love and kindness.

You are ready for heaven." Let's check our understanding for the last part of that story.

Yudhishthira happily left the dog behind so he could go to heaven.

True or false? That's right.

It's false, why? Yudhishthira refused to leave the dog behind even if it meant giving up heaven.

Let's carry on.

Dhanu says, "I love the story of Yudhishthira and the dog.

When I listen to it, I understand that dharma means staying kind and loyal even when it is difficult.

Yudhishthira chose compassion for the dog over going to heaven.

For me, that's what it means to live with dharma.

Caring for all living beings no matter what." Task B.

Imagine you are Yudhishthira at the end of your journey.

Write a diary entry to reflect what happened and how you felt.

You could use these ideas to help you write your diary.

What happened on your journey? How did you feel when Indra told you to leave the dog behind? Why did you make the choice to stay with the dog? What did this teach you about dharma and kindness? Take a moment here.

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

Task B, feedback time.

Your diary entry might look something like this.

"Dear Diary Today, Indra came to take me to heaven.

He said I had to leave the dog behind.

My heart sank.

The dog had walked with me through everything.

I felt so sad and confused.

He had shown me loyalty and kindness.

I told Indra I would stay with the dog instead of going to heaven.

All of a sudden, something happened.

The dog turned into the God Dharma.

He told me I had passed a test.

I felt proud and peaceful.

I've learned that dharma means doing what is right even when it is hard.

Yudhishthira." Great job, everyone.

Well done for today's learning.

Let's look at the summary together for this lesson.

Summary.

Dharma: Yudhishthira and the Dog.

Many stories help Hindus to answer big philosophical questions.

Dharma is a true essence of any living thing.

Many Hindu see dharma as having compassion for all living things.

The story of Yudhishthira and the dog shows the dharmic choice is to act with love for all beings.

Well done for your learning today.

I hope you've enjoyed this story and learned a lot from it.

And I hope to see you soon.

Bye for now.