Ramayana Tableau Play

Status: MODERATED

Grade Level: High School

Objectives

The student will know 3 facts about Ramayana

Preparation

Prepare copies of the Worksheet and Ramayana Play for the class

Method

1. Opening Gassho & Welcome

2. Roll and administration

3. Review:

   1. Last week was the introduction to Hinduism

   2. Hinduism (or some parts of it) probably started as an animistic religion.

   3. Then the gods became anthropomorphic (like humans)

   4. Early on (1600 BCE) however it became both monotheistic and polytheistic: Many gods, but they are all aspects of the supreme Brahman.

   5. Core beliefs:

      1. atman - eternal soul

      2. karma - cause & effect (same as in Buddhism)

      3. reincarnation of the atman until moksha (rejoining w/ supreme Brahman)

      4. deities are active in daily lives

      5. humans contain a part of the supreme Brahman

      6. universe in never-ending cycle of rebirth

      7. henotheism - All deities are aspects of the central deity, Brahman, but individual at the same time

      8. Principle deities - Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver), Shiva (Destroyer)

   6. History

      1. Oldest texts: Vedas, Upanishads, etc.

4. Worksheet 

5. Ramayana Tableau Play

   1. Tableau Plays are "plays" where few (usually one; maybe up to three) frozen scenes are depicted and the text is read by a reader.

   2. Divide the class into groups of at least 3. 

   3. Assign a scene(s). It should have either action or strong emotion.

   4. They choose how to create a tableau. They should create "costumes" and "props" and poses to tell the story.

   5. The group should assign roles including the reader.

   6. They hold the position and that verse/text is read by the reader

6. Discussion:

   1. What is the moral of this scene?

   2. Is this a Buddhist moral?

   3. What are 3 things that you find memorable?

7. Summary & Review

Evaluation

During the Discussion, make sure to ask each student for at least one memorable thing/fact about the Ramayana

Note

If desired and time permits, a video can be made by recording the play. 

Additionally, this could be a 3 Sunday lesson (1 to introduce, 1 to rehearse & prep, 1 to perform)

Author

Mas Nishimura, nish221.at.gmail.dot.com, San Jose Betsuin, 2015