Dharma, Bhumi and the environment
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why and how the concept of dharma and the figure of Bhumi may encourage some Hindus to care for the environment.
Key learning points
- The concept of Dharma and human responsibility can encourage Hindus to care for the environment.
- The figure of Bhumi as sacred mother earth can encourage Hindus to care for the environment.
- All living things on earth contain within them the atman as a spark of the divine.
- The principle of ahimsa means that many Hindus are vegetarian, and this can also benefit the environment.
- All living things should be treated with compassion according to Hindu teachings about human dharma.
Keywords
Ahimsa - the principle of non-violence towards any living thing
Bhumi - the earth or earth goddess, representing the natural world and all the life it sustains
Dharma - the essence of things, the eternal laws that sustain the universe
Sacred - something that is considered holy, divine, or deserving of great respect and reverence
Vegetarian - someone who does not eat any meat, fish or poultry
Common misconception
Ahimsa only refers to non-violence towards humans.
Ahimsa refers to non-violence towards all living things, as all living things have value, worth and are interconnected.
Teacher tip
Organisations such as Bhumi Global would make another interesting case study for Hindu communities taking action to preserve and replenish the natural world and its inhabitants.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What term refers to when large amounts of trees are cut down?
Q2.What is the name of the process where gases in earth's atmosphere trap heat, keeping the planet warm?
Q3.What term describes the long-term change in earth's weather patterns and average temperatures, primarily caused by human activities?
Q4.What term refers to the concept in dharmic traditions that describes the belief that a person's actions influence their future experiences?
Q5.Which of the below follow a religion with the concept of dharma?
Q6.What term refers to the belief that after death, a person's soul is reborn in a new body?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What term refers to a person who does not eat meat, but may still consume other animal products like eggs or dairy?
Q2.Which goddess in Hindu teachings is often depicted as the personification of Earth and is considered the mother of all living beings?
Q3.What term refers to the principle of non-violence which encourages not causing harm to any living being, either through action, speech or thought?
Q4.What term in Hindu Dharma refers to the soul or self of each living thing?
Q5.Which of these types of farming could be considered 'ahimsa agriculture'?
Q6.When are 111 trees planted in the village of Piplantri?
To help you plan your 9 religious education lesson on: Dharma, Bhumi and the environment, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 religious education lesson on: Dharma, Bhumi and the environment, 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 Rebels: should we embrace or challenge authority? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.