Sikh dharma
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the meaning of the Sikh understanding of dharma and how Sikhs might put this into action.
Key learning points
- The Sikh dharma indicates the path of righteousness, proper religious practices, and performing one's own moral duties.
- It derives from a Sanskrit root word meaning 'to uphold or sustain'.
- Dharma is anything that upholds or sustains a positive order in accordance with Sikh values.
- The Sikh dharma is revealed through the teachings of the nine living gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib.
- Sikhs are inspired to follow the Sikh dharma by Guru Nanak and the Guru Granth Sahib.
Keywords
Sikh dharma - living with a good moral code and honouring God
Mukti - the freeing of the soul from rebirth; the soul reunites with Waheguru
Waheguru - God, the divine
Common misconception
The concept of dharma is the same in Sikhi, Sanatana Dharma and Buddhism.
Sikh dharma is living according to the teachings of Waheguru, Guru Nanak and the nine successive Gurus.
Teacher tip
Find example(s) of Sikh charity to demonstrate how Sikh dharma is put into action.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which term refers to the Buddhist community?
Q2.Why is the Buddha's Dhamma important to Buddhists?
Q3.What is another name for 'the three jewels'?
Q4.What is the fourth noble truth?
Q5.Which religion interprets dharma as living with a good moral code and honouring God?
Q6.Match the three jewels to the correct gemstones.
the yellow gemstone
the blue gemstone
the red gemstone
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What is the Sikh name for God?
Q2.What is the meaning of the Sikh dharma?
Q3.Which Sanskrit word describes the goal most Sikhs want to achieve?
Q4.Match each element of the Sikh dharma to the correct description.
earning an honest living
prayer
contributing to charity
Q5.In the story of Malik Bhago and Lalo, Malik listened to Guru Nanak and resolved to live what kind of life?
To help you plan your 7 religious education lesson on: Sikh dharma, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 religious education lesson on: Sikh dharma, 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 3 religious education lessons from the Dharma: how is this interpreted and put into action? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.