Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mrs. Afshan, and welcome to today's lesson.

We are going to explore how one small object can carry deep meaning in a person's life and how it connects to something very important in the Sikh faith.

The lesson is called "Kara: serving as a Sikh," from the unit, "What does Khalsa mean to Sikhs today?" The outcome of today's lesson is, I can explain how the Kara shows what is important in Sikh faith.

Before we get started, let's look at some of the keywords.

The words are Kara, symbol, and seva.

Kara is the steel bracelet worn by Sikhs.

Symbol is something that represents a deeper meaning.

And finally, seva, which is helping others selflessly, an important Sikh value.

As we explore this topic today, keep these words in mind.

You'll see how they are connected.

Let's get started.

Our lesson has two cycles.

First, we're going to learn about, who wears a Kara and what does it mean? Here we have Sam and Aisha who are discussing how we use the tools of social science in religious education.

Sam says, "Social scientists are interested in how people live and how different factors affect them." Aisha shares, "We can understand different worldviews by learning about the symbols that are very important in different religions.

We can also look at photographs and interview people to find out more." In this lesson, we'll look at case studies to learn about the significance of the Kara in Sikhi to help us better understand their worldviews.

Sofia and Alex are going to help us in our lesson today.

They are investigating further symbols that Sikhs wear as part of their identity.

Sofia says, "I know Sikhs might wear Kesh," which is uncut hair, "Kanga," which is the comb, "or Kachera," the shorts.

But she wonders, "Do Sikhs wear any other symbols for their faith?" Alex says, "It would be interesting to ask some Sikhs what they wear, and see if it is true for all Sikhs." Let's find out with Sofia and Alex.

They are now talking with Ria, who has a Sikh worldview and is from London.

What is this? What is special about it? Do you know? Well done.

Great thinking.

This is a Kara.

It is a steel bracelet that Sikhs wear on their wrist.

It's usually simple and plain with no decorations.

Well done if you thought of the same answer.

Great.

Ria explains more about the Kara that she wears.

The Kara is made out of steel, so it's cheap and affordable, and easy for everyone to have.

Ria says, "I wear mine on my right hand to remind me to always do good things, be kind, and stay close to my faith." Time for a check.

What is the Kara? Is it a book of prayers or a special hat worn during festivals, or is it a steel bracelet worn on the wrist by Sikhs? What do you think? That's correct.

It's the steel bracelet worn on the wrist by Sikhs.

You got that right.

Sofia and Alex are now talking to Ranjit, who has a Sikh worldview and is from Birmingham.

They ask, "Hi Ranjit! Do you wear the Kara every day?" Let's find out from Ranjit about what Kara means to him.

Ranjit says, "Yes, I haven't taken Amrit yet, but I still wear the Kara every day.

It reminds me to do the right thing and follow what the gurus taught us." Ranjit explains more.

He says, "As a Sikh, the Kara helps me remember to be kind, honest, and helpful.

I wear it on my right hand because I'm right-handed, so I see when I'm doing things.

My cousin is left-handed, so he wears his on his left hand.

It reminds us both to use our hands to do good things." Time for another check.

Sikhs can only wear the Kara after taking the Amrit ceremony." True or false? False.

That's correct.

'Cause we just heard from Ranjit about him wearing a Kara.

Sikhs can wear the Kara even if they haven't taken Amrit.

It's still a meaningful reminder of their faith and values.

Well done if you chose false as your answer.

Great work.

Now let's go with Sofia and Alex to investigate if all Sikhs wear a Kara.

Sofia says, "Ranjit wore a Kara, but he hadn't taken Amrit yet.

I wonder how many Sikhs wear a Kara.

Do we have any data to help us with this?" Let's look at Alex who's got some data with him from 2018.

He says, "Yes! In 2018, 2,000 Sikhs were asked about the five Ks.

86% of Sikhs wore a Kara.

So the majority of British Sikhs were a Kara.

It is the most worn of all the five Ks." Sofia and Alex are now talking to Giani Pradeep, who is a Sikh leader and lives in London.

Giani Pradeep, what does the Kara stand for? Let's find out from a religious leader.

The shape of the Kara is a perfect circle, with no beginning and no end.

This represents the eternal nature of Waheguru, God.

Time for another check.

What does the shape of the Kara represent in Sikhi? Is it the eternal nature of Waheguru or the strength of the Kara, or is it the material used to make the bangle? What do you think? That's correct.

It represents the eternal nature of Waheguru, God.

You got that right.

Well done.

Time for our task.

I hope you're ready.

Draw or use the image of the Kara.

You can draw around or inside it, but make sure you explain what is the Kara.

And do all Sikhs wear the Kara? Is there any data that can help us answer this question? And also remember to answer why do different Sikhs wear a Kara.

Use the data and case studies to help you answer the questions.

You can pause the video now and come back when you're ready with your answers.

Let's check our answers.

You might have included this in your answer.

The first question was, what is the Kara? The Kara is a band or a bangle made of steel worn by Sikhs on their wrists.

The next question was, do all Sikhs wear the Kara? Is there any data that can help us answer this question? The answer is the majority of Sikhs were a Kara.

Data from 2018 suggested 86% of Sikhs do.

This is Sikhs who have taken Amrit and those who have not.

And finally, why do different Sikhs wear a Kara? Ranjit says his Kara reminds him to do the right thing and follow the gurus.

Giani Pradeep said it reminded him of the eternal nature of God.

Well done if you wrote all your answers using the case studies and the data.

Great work.

We now know who wears the Kara and what it means to them.

Let's now go and find out how is the Kara and seva connected.

We have Sofia and Alex who wants to see if wearing the Kara links to what Sikhs might do to help others.

They try to think of some questions social scientists might ask.

Sofia says, "We know most Sikhs wear a Kara.

I also know that service or seva is important in Sikhi." Alex replies, "We can interview some Sikhs to find out what does seva mean to them, how do they practise seva, and how does it link to wearing a Kara." Let's join Sofia and Alex on this journey.

Sofia and Alex interviews Harpreet, who lives in Slough.

This is a town with a large Sikh community.

Hello Harpreet.

Do you wear a Kara? She replies, "Yes, I do, and it reminds me to serve God and others every time I look at my wrist." Have a look at the image.

What is going on here? Look closely.

Let's find out from Harpreet.

"In the picture, you can see me doing seva at my gurdwara." So it was Harpreet doing her seva at the gurdwara.

"Wearing the Kara on my wrist reminds me to help others as an act of worship to God," Harpreet says.

And she continues to explain, "When no one is around, I do seva by cleaning people's shoes.

It makes me feel happy to do this because I'm showing my service to God and hopefully being a blessing." Let's see if you got that.

What is seva according to Harpreet's Sikh worldview? Is it selfless service to others or doing chores to earn rewards, or is it helping only friends and family? What do you think? That's correct.

According to Harpreet, seva is a selfless service to others.

You got that right.

Well done.

Sofia and Alex now interviews Balbir.

Balbir lives in Bradford.

They question him and ask, "What does seva mean to you?" Balbir replies, "I feel that seva is a special way to serve Waheguru by helping others.

It reminds me to stay humble and do good without expecting anything back.

Wearing my Kara and seva are part of being Sikh." Here is Balbir in the image.

Can you spot him? Let's find out from him what this image represents.

"I volunteer at a local charity.

I help cook with meals and support those in need.

It feels good to live out my faith by making a difference," Balbir shares.

That image represent him working as a volunteer supporting a local charity.

Time for another check.

Seva is a way to serve Waheguru by helping others.

True or false? What do you think? True.

That's correct.

Because seva is a way to serve Waheguru.

Sikhs believe that they can do this by helping others.

They follow what the gurus taught them.

By being kind and caring, they show Waheguru's love in the world.

Well done for choosing true as your answer.

Sofia and Alex are now talking to Ria, and they want to find out how does her Kara link to seva.

Ria shares, "Seva is important to me because it's how I show kindness and help people who need it.

My Kara reminds me every day to use my hands to do good things, like help others and share." Ria continues to share why seva is important to her.

She says, "Our gurus taught us to share what we have, which is called Vand Ke Chakna.

That means sharing food, time, and love with others.

I help my parents raise money for Khalsa Aid, and sometimes I help pack food or supplies for people who are in need." Time for another check.

What does Vand Ke Chakna mean? Is it keeping everything to yourself or helping only your family, or is it sharing food, time, and love with others? What do you think? That's correct.

Vand Ke Chakna means sharing food, time, and love with others.

Well done.

Alex questions Ria.

"Ria, does seva happens everywhere for all Sikhs or is it just a British Sikh practise?" Ria talks about Khalsa Aid, which is a Sikh charity that helps people all over the world.

They help them during hard times, like after floods, earthquakes, or wars.

She shares, "Khalsa Aid follows the teaching of Guru Gobind Singh, 'Recognise the whole human race as one,' says Guru Gobind Singh.

They help everyone with kindness, fairness, and selfless service," which is seva.

Here's an image of Khalsa Aid's food distribution.

Time for our next task.

Here are some photographs and quotes.

"Recognise the whole human race as one," is one of the quote, and Vand Ke Chakna.

What connections can you make between them and seva? Can you connect them to any of the case studies? And can you use them to explain what seva might mean to a Sikh? We have seen Kara earlier in our lesson and we've also seen the selfless act by Harpreet.

And also found out about Khalsa Aid from Ria.

Use them to explain what seva might mean to a Sikh, along with the other quotes mentioned.

You can pause the video now and come back to check your answers with me.

Let's check your answers.

You may have included this in your answer.

The Kara helps Balbir and Ria to do good things with their hands.

For Harpreet, seva means selfless service and is an important part of the Sikh way of life.

This means helping others without expecting anything in return.

For Balbir, seva is a way to serve Waheguru by helping people in need.

It teaches him to be kind, humble, and caring.

Vand Ke Chakna, one of the three main Sikh teachings, shows how important seva is for Ria.

Sikhs can do seva in many different ways, like Harpreet helping in the gurdwara, Balbir volunteering at a local charity, or Ria and her family fundraising to support people in need.

Great, if you included all those in your answer.

Well done.

Let's quickly reflect about our learning from today's lesson.

We've learned today that the Kara is a steel bracelet worn by Sikhs to remind them to be good, be kind, and follow their faith.

And the majority of Sikhs wear a Kara.

This includes those who have and have not taken Amrit.

We've also learned that the Kara is an important symbol in Sikhi.

They remind Sikhs of their identity, beliefs, and duties.

Seva means selfless service, helping others without expecting anything in return.

It is a key Sikh value and a way to serve by Waheguru.

We've also seen how seva is done in many different ways.

As we finish, think about this, what symbols are meaningful to you and how do they remind you to be your best? Thanks for being part of this learning journey.

I'll see you in our next lesson.

Goodbye.