Brahman: the role of deities
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the role of deities in Hindu Dharma and why the Trimurti is important to help explain qualities of Brahman.
Key learning points
- Most Hindus believe that Brahman can take many forms.
- The forms of Brahman are often represented through deities.
- The Trimurti is an important way many Hindus describe the divine.
- Trimurti describes God in different roles. Brahma as creator, Vishnu as preserver and Shiva as transformer or destroyer.
Keywords
Trimurti - three significant forms of Brahman
Shiva - the deity who transforms the universe
Vishnu - the deity who protects the universe
Brahma - the deity who creates the universe
Qualities - special characteristics of someone or something
Common misconception
Hindus worship many gods.
There is one Brahman, but many Hindus believe there are many forms of Brahman. These forms are called deities. The Trimurti are the three important ways in which Hindus talk about the roles of Brahman.
Teacher tip
To show diversity of representation look for different images of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma. You may find some in mandirs local to you, or online. Consider looking at images from North and South India to show how they may be similar or different.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is a sacred text for many Hindus?
Q2.What festival do many Hindus celebrate in Autumn each year?
Q3.What do Hindus celebrate during Diwali?
Q4.What is the symbol used to represent Brahman?
Q5.What does the sound of Aum represent?
Q6.Which word describes the Hindu concept of the divine in everything?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each Trimurti deity with their role.
creator
protector
transformer
Q2.What does Vishnu’s conch represent?
Q3.Match each of Brahma’s objects with its meaning.
the divine source of creation
water’s role in creating life
sacred teachings that explain Brahman’s truth
Q4.Which object represents Vishnu's power and strength to protect the universe?
Q5.Which of these qualities are represented by Shiva’s trident?
Q6.How do the objects held by the Trimurti connect to Brahman’s qualities?
To help you plan your 6 religious education lesson on: Brahman: the role of deities, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 religious education lesson on: Brahman: the role of deities, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 religious education lessons from the Hindus: how do Hindus see Brahman? unit, dive into the full primary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.