Introduction to Hinduism

Objectives

After this lesson, the student will know 3 facts about Hinduism


Materials

See below


Preparation

Make sure that the links in the Worksheet still work

Make sufficient copies of the worksheet for each person/group.

  • Alternatively, you can make electronic copies of the worksheet and give access to the students.

Make sure that the students have access to smart phone or other device capable of internet browsing


Method

  1. Welcome

  2. Roll and administration,

  3. Review

    1. Last week was Shinto, an animistic religion of Japan.

    2. What did we learn?

    3. This week we’ll start on the section on Hinduism

  4. Presentation:

    1. What do we know already about Hinduism?

    2. What are the impressions/bias about Hinduism? (Write them down) "Let's see if they are right".

    3. Reminder about definition of Religion: Common beliefs dealing with existential questions.

    4. Hinduism is only a British name. The correct “name” is “hindu”. This name is originally a region beyond the Indus River Valley. First mention of “Hindu” as a set of beliefs is by Xuan Zhang who brought Buddhism to China from India. Most historians think that the name was given to differentiate it from Buddhism.

    5. Dharma means law and applies to Hinduism as well.

    6. Hinduism most likely started as animistic tradition, but closely moved to polytheistic form with many deities from many different regions that were syncretized along with the merging & fragmentation of people in the region. However, even early on, a notion of that all the deities are aspects of the one God became predominant (henotheism).

  5. Show YouTube video on Hinduism: Example: CrashCourse on Hinduism https://youtu.be/0tpVZrsvK-k (10min)

  6. Activity: Worksheet

The following is a description to help the teacher. Please refer to the Worksheet - ANSWER document for details.

    1. Activity 1: Go to Study.com Chapter 1.

      1. Questions:

        1. Who is the founder of Hinduism?

        2. What is Moksha?

        3. What does polytheistic?

      2. Activity:

        1. Exclamation; used to express surprise

        2. Acronym for a permit that grants entry into certain areas of India

        3. C+13

        4. http://cliparts.co/cliparts/Xpc/o9B/Xpco9BxTE.png

    2. Activity 2: Go to Hinduism::

      1. Questions:

        1. What are the oldest texts of Hinduism?

        2. Who are three main deitiies? Brahama, Vishnu, Shiva

        3. What it puja? (17:17)

      2. Activity:

        1. Half of an imperial Star Wars vehicle

        2. Half of a Aunty Ethel Mars most famous candy

        3. Half (1st) of a name of famous sister; it’s the first time in forever...

    3. Activity 3: Answer the questions on the web page.

  2. Review the answers.

  3. Discussion & Review

    1. How is Hinduism similar to Buddhism?

    2. How is Hinduism different from Buddhism?

    3. How is what you thought about Hinduism match with what you thought about it before?

    4. What did you find noteworthy about Hinduism?

  4. Summarize

  5. Closing Gassho


Evaluation

During the discussion make sure to ask each student at least one question

Notes

N/a

Author

Mas Nishimura, nish221.at.gmail.dot.com, San Jose Betsuin, 2018

Worksheet

Answer Sheet