Dharma 7

Hindu Ideals and Values

Class Information -

This class covers: This class is designed to help students internalize and apply Hindu values in real-world situations. While a reference textbook is available, the class is primarily discussion-based, interactive, and centered on practical application of dharmic principles. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and critically think through how Hindu teachings apply in modern life.

Ages: 10-11 / Grade: 5-6

Download PDF copy of book: CLICK HERE

Teachers -

Teachers:

Bhakti Modi
Sudeep Vishnumurthy
Aman Kumar Jha

EMAIL teachers: dharma7@hsmn.org

Teenage Volunteers:

Sravani Sripada
Arav Mahajan
Archith Sridhar

Class & Homework -

October

October 26

This week in class, we started off with a little review from the topics we spoke about last week. Then we did some Diwali crafts like rangoli and mandalas, and we also took our class picture.

October 12

This week in class, we started off by talking about why Shanti is said 3 times at the end of the prayer and came up with the answer that has multiple meanings, like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, Druga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and peace within you, your surroundings, and the universe. We also talked about the 6 internal enemies: desire, anger, greed, delusion, ego, and jealousy.

Homework: Read chapters 13 and 14 about desire and greed and continue researching about the question of what makes a person a guru.

October 5

This week in class, we talked about the chariot picture again, and we focused on mind and intellect. We concluded that intellect is what steers the mind into making the right decision and the mind is what takes the action. Then we talked about how the senses are the strongest because nothing controls the senses, but the mind has the ability to be more powerful.

Homework:

-Read chapter 12 (internal enemies)

-Research what makes a person a guru

-Understand why Shanti is said 3 times at end of prayers

September

September 21

This week in class, we discussed ideals, values, and morals, and came to the conclusion that ideals are goals that you can set for yourself, values are what help us achieve that goal, and morals are beliefs of right vs wrong. We also talked about how it is important for us to have goals as they help with personal growth and make sure that we don't get lazy.

Homework:

Read chapter 2 of the book.

September 14

This week in class, we started off by talking about the meaning of Ideals and Values and came up with examples of each. Then, we looked at an image of a chariot and talked about what the most important part of it was, and came to the question of mind vs intellect. Finally, we reviewed some vocab words that we will be talking about throughout the year like ahimsa and guru.

Homework: Ask your parents about the meaning of Ideals and Values, and also try and come up with an answer yourself.