Agreed Syllabus For Religious Education

Brent Agreed Syllabus for
Religious Education
1 Brent Agreed Syllabus for Religios Education

Contents
Foreword 3
1. Introduction 4
2. Special needs and inclusion 10
3. The Foundation Stage 13
4. Key Stage 1 23
5. Key Stage 2 40
6. Key Stages 3 and 4 93
7. Post 16 129
8. Attainment Target 131
9. Glossary 139
10. Appendix 1 : Legal requirements for religious education 176
Appendix 2 : Membership of the Brent Statutory Conference 178

and its working party

Foreword
Of all the subjects taught in Brent's primary and secondary schools, modern religious education asks its
students to engage with profoundly challenging questions: about how they live with their own beliefs and
about how they live with those who have different beliefs.
So I believe that we have been right to be ambitious about our work of revising Brent's Agreed Syllabus
for religious education.
Building on what has gone before, a new syllabus for Brent should stimulate rigorous and responsive
thinking among its students. It should excite commitment and creativity among its teachers. And,
because it has been agreed locally, this syllabus is designed to fit the demands of our diverse Brent
community.
Our hope is that this syllabus will enable students and teachers to find religious education an enjoyable,
relevant and serious subject. And that they will come to appreciate and engage with the rich heritage of
ideas, traditions and wisdoms that religions and ethical belief systems have to offer.
The process of revising the syllabus has been more demanding than I first imagined but my
SACRE colleagues have met the challenge with real dedication. Representatives from all Brent's many
faith communities invested their time, energy and expertise in the project. Our reward has been to
experience first hand what religious education at its best can be, the personal enrichment of
encountering the strength and integrity of another person's belief. Personally, I have found this task to
be one of the most stimulating pieces of work I have done during my time in the borough.
I would like to thank my colleagues for their unfailing commitment to this task, and with them to thank
Beth Stockley, our RE Advisory Teacher, for the considerable professionalism and educational insight
she has brought to the project.
On behalf of my SACRE colleagues, I enthusiastically commend this syllabus to the young people of
Brent and to their teachers, confident that it will serve them well.
The Reverend Steven Nolan

Group A
Chair of LB of Brent Statutory Agreed Syllabus Conference July 2002

The aim of religious education is to learn about and from spiritual insights, The aims of religious
beliefs and religious practices and to explore fundamental questions of
human life.
education in Brent
This will include helping children and young people to:
Understand and respect different theistic and non-theistic religious traditions

as well as other ethical traditions (such as Humanism) by exploring issues
within and between them
Develop knowledge and understanding of beliefs, values, traditions and

religious institutions and their influence on the life of the believer and on
communities and societies
Look for and learn from the wisdom contained in the stories, sayings and
customs of religious and ethical traditions
Understand how meaning is conveyed through religious texts, ritual,

symbolism, and the arts
Recognise the integrity of truth claims, value the search for truth and manage
conflicts which may arise from differing views
Develop the ability to make reasoned and informed choices concerning belief
and behaviour
Enhance and reflect on their own spiritual, moral, emotional and cultural
development
Develop a positive self image through reflecting on their own beliefs and home
traditions while respecting the right of others to hold beliefs different to theirs
Religious education, provided in accordance with the Brent Agreed Syllabus,

should not be „by means of any catechism or formulary which is distinctive
of a particular religious denomination‟. Education Act 1996 section 376 (2),
Schools and Framework Act 1998 Schedule 19 (5) It is not the aim of religious
education, then, to promote any religious perspective or to persuade pupils to be
religious.

Framework of the The Agreed Syllabus is organised into guidance for the Foundation Stage (age
3-5) and programmes of study for each of the subsequent key stages ( Key
Brent Agreed Syllabus Stage 1: age 5-7, Key Stage 2: age 7-11, Key Stage 3: age 11-14, Key Stage 4:
age 14-16). The programmes of study have been designed to follow the
framework of National Curriculum subjects. They clarify the types of knowledge,
understanding, skills, attitudes and processes which inform religious education in
Brent. They describe continuity and progression through the key stages.
The religious and ethical traditions to be studied at each key stage are specified in
the breadth of study. Two prescribed units must be taught at the Foundation
Stage and five at Key Stage 1. There are four core units which must be taught
at Key Stages 2 and 3 and additional units which can be chosen from a range of
options. Teachers must address the programme of study for the appropriate key
stage and the key questions for each unit taught. Learning objectives, suggested
teaching material and examples of learning activities have been included to guide
teachers in their planning and teaching. It is recognised that, in order to give
adequate time to address the requirements of the programme of study, there will
be differences in the amount of material studied within a unit by different
students and by different classes within a key stage due to differences in age and
ability.
All agreed syllabuses are required to „reflect the fact that the religious traditions in
Great Britain are in the main Christian while taking account of the teachings and
practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain‟ Education
Reform Act 1988 Section 8 (3). The principal religious traditions in Great Britain
besides Christianity are generally understood to be Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam,
Judaism and Sikhism. All of these religious communities are represented in The
London Borough of Brent. In addition there are significant numbers of
Rastafarians and there are also Baha‟is, Jains and Zoroastrians.
While students are required to study units on Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and
Judaism at Key Stages 2 and 3, material is included from these and other
traditions in the thematic units. At Key Stage 3 students may also be taught
systematic units on the Baha‟i faith, Buddhism, Humanism or Sikhism. However,
it is important that teachers are aware that they may introduce material from
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other traditions into the thematic units in order to take into account traditions with
smaller numbers of adherents but with significant teachings and/or to include the
experiences of students in their classroom. There is also the provision for
teachers to design their own unit at Key Stage 3, drawing on the requirements
specified in the programme of study. They may wish to design a systematic unit
on a tradition not already detailed, e.g. Rastafarianism.
In Brent the majority of students are active members of religious communities.

There is also a minority of students who do not come from a religious background
but who, nevertheless, bring with them developing beliefs, values and ethical
frameworks. There are differences in the pupils‟ range of experience and contact
with religious practices. There is diversity within traditions as well as between
them. Teachers need to take account of this diversity of beliefs and of students‟
personal development.
One of the aims of the Brent syllabus is to help students to live peacefully in a
pluralist society where there are often conflicting views. There are times when this
diversity may produce friction due to conflicting truth claims or different ways of
following the same tradition. The presence of debate gives teachers the
opportunity to teach students how to manage such disputes constructively and
calmly while maintaining the integrity of their own beliefs. Indeed, it is the role of
religious education to provide opportunities for structured discussion and for
students to learn reasoned argument where they can listen to the views of others
and express their own coherently.
In the context of this syllabus the term „faith‟ is used to refer to that which
motivates people, shapes the way they live, informs their choices and without
which it would be difficult to carry on living. Teachers need to recognise that faith
develops and changes through people‟s lives in response to questions posed and
life experiences. For many their faith and beliefs are clearly identified with a
named religious or ethical system and they may belong to its community,
participating fully or maybe only occasionally. Others may not find it so easy to
identify their beliefs and faith with an existing organisation. Some may be on a
search for a community of believers with which to identify. The investigation and
understanding of this whole range of beliefs, of faith, of ways of belonging and of
practice is at the core of this syllabus.
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Assessment for Teachers are assessing all the time and this assessment informs them of students‟
needs, helping them to adjust their planning and teaching so that effective and
learning appropriate learning can take place. However, the term „assessment‟ usually
suggests assigning National Curriculum levels to pupils‟ work, and evokes the
stressful image of preparation for tests and writing reports for parents.
Assessment for learning, or formative assessment, is less overtly recognised yet
its importance in raising standards is significant. The main function of the
attainment target, then, is to guide teachers in assessment for learning. Together
with the programmes of study, it should inform teachers‟ planning. The levels
provide a benchmark for teacher expectation. They have therefore been designed
to be in line with the levels for National Curriculum subjects: it is expected that
most pupils will have reached level 4 by the end of Key Stage 2 and levels 5/6 by
the end of Key Stage 3.
The decision was made to combine the two previous attainment targets, learning
about and learning from religion so that learning from is understood as an
integral part of religious education and takes place in response to the material
learnt about. Aspects previously included in Attainment Target 2, learning from
religion, which actually related to skills and attitudes have been included in the
programme of study.
Teachers need to follow their own school policy on summative assessment. For
the purpose of reporting to parents on pupils‟ progress they may find it useful to
use phrases from the attainment target.
Spiritual, moral, social Religious education plays an important part in the provision for students‟ spiritual,
moral, social and cultural development in schools. In their exploration of faith
and cultural
issues and their response to material studied it is expected that all students will
development clarify and articulate the beliefs and values that will take them forward in life,
develop the capacity to give critical and reasoned arguments for the views they
hold and develop the capacity to engage openly with the views and beliefs of
others. It is also expected that pupils will develop their capacity for reflection and
consider the value of stillness and times of silence.
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Both the programmes of study and the individual units provide links with the Citizenship
Citizenship curriculum. There is considerable overlap between the skills and
attitudes of religious education and those of Citizenship. These include the
processes involved in expressing personal opinions and beliefs, contribution to
discussion, often of a controversial nature, consideration of other points of view
and reflection on the motivation and processes of participating and action.
The key questions for many of the units at Key Stage 3 connect specifically with
the concepts and concerns of Citizenship, such as justice, human rights, equality,
freedom, law making, diversity, care for the environment and conflict resolution.
Most GCSE courses in religious studies also explore these issues. Teachers
should also provide students with opportunities to explore topical issues in the
context of units being studied.
Planning and
Every school should have a named teacher responsible for religious education.
managing religious
Religious education should be clearly included in curriculum planning. Schools education
should include the study units in their broad framework of curriculum provision and
develop them through their medium-term planning.
in schools
Religious education should have parity of status – as regards time and resources –
with foundation subjects. This syllabus assumes the following minimum hours will
be devoted to religious education:
Foundation Stage (Reception) : 36 hours per year

Key Stage 1 : 36 hours per year
Post 16 : 5 hours per year
At Key Stages 3 and 4 schools may find it appropriate to integrate religious

education, citizenship and PSHE given the close connections between these three
areas of the curriculum and the importance of faith perspectives on many aspects
of PSHE. In this case, the amount of time allocated should be doubled. The
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curriculum should be carefully planned to ensure that the core units and the
required number of additional units from the syllabus are taught, embedding
elements of citizenship and PSHE appropriately.
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Special needs and inclusion
All pupils in mainstream schools must be given access to the whole curriculum including
religious education. Teaching needs to be engaging and challenging for all pupils. The use of a
range of teaching methods, allowing for different learning styles, and the differentiation of
learning activities will help teachers to provide for good progress of all pupils.
Good inclusive teaching of religious education:

Relates key concepts, experiences or questions to their own experiences and builds
understanding based on this relationship
Engages all students with strong sensory aids that connect to key concepts,
experiences or questions
Uses creative arts to communicate themes of religious education through emotion
Uses religious and non-religious artefacts that, whenever possible, are authentic and
have a „story‟
Includes movement and drama
Uses websites that provide something exciting, visual or aural about religious
education
Includes visitors to share about aspects of their lives
Uses the natural and local environment as well as places of worship
Draws on students‟ and teachers‟ thoughts and questions about life and religion by, for
example, setting up a „Wall of Wisdom‟
Pupils who attend special schools should be taught religious education „so far as is
practicable‟.
(Education Act 1981)
Teachers need to be particularly alert to the difference between faith nurture and religious
education when working with pupils who have not yet developed a clear sense of themselves
and others. They need to guard against children‟s confusion or synthesis of their own tradition
and that of others and between the different traditions. It is easier for children to be nurtured in
a faith through sustained references to beliefs in a context of home practice and action than it is
for children to learn about the beliefs of others in a school setting. Within religious education, it
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may be particularly difficult to communicate concepts of God without verging on faith nurture
until children have a clear sense of others.
Therefore it is suggested that work may be done exploring shared spiritual values and
experiences, sometimes in the context of religious material, until pupils begin to develop a
sense of themselves and others. At first they may develop an awareness of different traditions
through the identities and affiliations of themselves, their peers, teachers and visitors. The box
below draws out important aspects of spiritual appreciation and religious education which are
particularly relevant to the learning needs and development of children in special schools and
may be the focus of their learning.
Aspects of spiritual appreciation
Making sense Meaning

Pattern Order Repetition
Time Ritual Celebration Remembering

Community Creativity
Self awareness Relationships Sense awareness Curiosity
Empathy Belonging Awe and wonder
Rules of conduct Response to environment

Imagination
Teachers can plan their provision for learning and development in these areas within the
framework of different themes, such as those listed below:
Everyday and special celebrations Personal events

Journeys Festivals
Stories Self and Others
The Natural World Change
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When teachers are confident that children can distinguish between their own tradition and
others, explicitly religious concepts can be included, building on these themes. Teachers can
also draw from any parts of the syllabus which are judged to be most appropriate for pupils‟
needs. Children should be provided with opportunities to develop and communicate their own
beliefs.
Teachers should draw on the elements of good inclusive teaching of religious education
outlined above, using the spectrum of experiential teaching strategies and activities appropriate
for the needs of their pupils to enable them to engage with key aspects and themes of
spiritual appreciation and religious education shown in the box and list above
eg. play, roleplay, eye-catching collections of objects to emphasise a theme, maybe based on a
colour, evocation of mood using music, light and smell, stimulation of the senses, dramatised
story and story making, exploration of the natural environment, visits to the local area, focused
reflection.
Levels of attainment, including performance levels for pupils working below Level 1, have been
devised for this syllabus to assist teachers assess, plan and differentiate appropriately for all
pupils‟ learning.
Teachers are advised to consult the QCA document „Planning, teaching and assessing the
curriculum for pupils with learning difficulties: Religious Education‟ March 2001 www.qca.org.uk
Teachers of pupils who are working below Level 1 of the syllabus‟ attainment target are also
recommended to refer to the schemes of work on spiritual appreciation produced by Equals:
Equals
PO Box 107
North Shields
Tyne and Wear
NE30 2YG
Tel: 0191 272 8600
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The Foundation Stage
Children must receive religious education in accordance with the requirements of the locally agreed syllabus from
the time that they are registered with the primary school in Reception classes or in Early Years Units.
Opportunities must be provided for children to explore and learn from the units Myself and Others and Festivals
and Celebrations. Relevant elements of the Foundation Stage „Stepping Stones‟ have been listed below
together with suggestions to help practitioners integrate religious education into their whole provision of
opportunities for learning. In addition, practitioners should note that creative development makes an important
contribution to religious education. Children learn the basis of symbolic expression through their own work. They
also learn to express ideas and feelings through non-verbal forms.
It is not a requirement that religious education be included in the whole curriculum for children in Nursery classes.
However, recognition and exploration of the beliefs and home traditions, which all children bring with them, and of
the religious traditions which are also part of the lives of many children will contribute to the early stages of
children‟s learning and development in all areas. Provision of activities and opportunities for spiritual development
overlap with those for early religious education. It must also be remembered that all who work with children are
required to respond to the „religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic persuasion of each child‟.
(Working with Children : the Children Act 1989)
Personal, social, emotional and spiritual development : dispositions and attitudes

Knowledge and understanding of the world : exploration and investigation
Stepping stones What does the practitioner need to do?
Show curiosity Provide displays and collections of natural objects, objects with
Have a strong exploratory impulse personal meaning, significant objects from individuals‟ lives,
Have a positive approach to new including the children‟s, religious artefacts and objects from
experiences celebrations and festivals
Show increasing independence in

Provide settings of different cultural and faith traditions in the
selecting and carrying out activities
home corner
Show curiosity, observe and
manipulate objects Encourage children to explore and question new aspects of the
Describe simple features of objects home corner
and events
Model questioning and give children time to ask and explore
Examine objects and living things to questions
find out more about them
Visit and/or use photographs of the local area to identify
aspects which express belief and faith traditions eg. shops,
Continue to be interested, excited and community centres, as well as places of worship
motivated to learn
Provide opportunities for children to examine natural objects
and artefacts from festivals and celebrations to appreciate their
Maintain attention, concentrate and qualities and explore their functions
sit quietly when appropriate
Make time for quiet periods of reflection
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Personal, social, emotional and spiritual development : self-confidence and self esteem
: behaviour and self-control
: sense of community
Knowledge and understanding of the world : cultures and beliefs
Separate from main carer with Encourage children to bring something special to them from
support home
Begin to accept the needs of others
with support Talk with parents about family beliefs and faith background and
Make connections between different welcome parents into the classroom to share aspects of this
parts of their life experience with the class
Express feelings about a significant
personal event Play games, including those from religious festivals, which
involve taking turns and appreciating others‟ enjoyment
Separate from main carer with Share information and encourage children to talk about special
confidence events and festivals celebrated at home and in the local
Have a sense of belonging community
Talk freely about their home and
community Tell and explore stories from spiritual and religious traditions,
Show care and concern for others, for which express concern for and value of the individual eg. the
living things and the environment Lost Sheep, Zaccheus
Show a strong sense of self as a
member of different communities Provide activities where children can explore individual
such as their family or setting characteristics, differences and similarities eg.
Describe significant events for family finger/handprints, looking in mirrors, self-portraits
or friends
Provide opportunities for children to explore and celebrate their
name, its meaning and how it was chosen
Have a sense of self as a member of
different communities
Show confidence and the ability to Provide opportunities for children to discuss and explore
stand up for own rights similarities and differences in home culture and beliefs eg.
Have an awareness of, and show discuss contents of lunchboxes, make mixed media food plates,
interest and enjoyment in, cultural and roleplay home situations
religious differences
Have a positive self-image and show Encourage children to respect each other‟s differences
they are comfortable with themselves
Gain an awareness of the cultures Listen to children when they express feelings of their own
and beliefs of others distinctiveness being belittled
Tell stories which focus on significant experiences about

Respond to significant experiences, identity, belonging, feelings and important celebrations
showing a range of feelings when including religious ones
appropriate
Encourage children to be sensitive to each other‟s differences
in their interactions with each other
Have a developing awareness of their
Encourage children to listen to each other‟s views and what is
own needs, views and feelings and be
important to them
sensitive to the needs, views and
feelings of others
Tell and explore spiritual and religious stories with a moral
theme including those which give meaning to religious festivals
eg Ramayana
Have a developing respect for their
own cultures and beliefs and of others
Understand what is right , what is
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wrong and why
Consider the consequences of their
words and actions for themselves and Introduce children to a range of religious festivals and
others celebrations, for example tell and explore stories, listen to
Understand that people have different music, dance, cook foods, make props and toys associated with
needs, views, cultures and beliefs, festivals, look at displays, posters and videos
that these need to be treated with
respect Deepen children‟s knowledge of beliefs and religious traditions,
Understand that they can expect particularly with reference to personal identity, home traditions,
others to treat their needs, views, celebrations and festivals, for example by looking at books,
cultures and beliefs with respect handling artefacts, inviting parents and other visitors from a
Begin to know about their own range of religious groups to the setting and by visiting places of
cultures and beliefs and those of worship
other people
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Language and literacy: communication
Listen to favourite stories and songs. Tell spiritual and religious stories and use rhyming versions with
Join in with repeated refrains, refrains
anticipating key events and important
phrases Make time and opportunities to sing songs associated with
Listen to others in one-to-one/small celebrations and festivals
groups when conversation interests
them
Use words and/or gestures, including Provide activities based on familiar spiritual or religious stories
body language such as eye contact to stimulate small group conversations eg. models, figures,
and facial expression to communicate pictures, or cards from stories such as „the Lost Sheep‟,
Ramayana etc
Listen to stories with increasing
attention and recall Provide props and opportunities for children to enact important
Describe main story settings, events events in the home corner
and principal characters
Question why things happen and give
explanations Talk with children about the links between expressions,
gestures and feeling, providing materials for them to make
Ask simple questions, often in the these connections
form of „where‟ or „what‟
Use action rather than talk to
Provide opportunities and props for roleplaying aspects of
demonstrate or explain to others
religious stories
Attend to and take account of what
others say
Sustain attentive listening, responding Encourage children to ask each other about important events
that they have heard by relevant and festivals in their home traditions
comments, questions or actions
Provide opportunities to take part in storytelling with percussion
and roleplay
Listen with enjoyment and respond to
stories, songs and other music, Encourage children to explore spiritual and religious stories by
rhymes and poems and make up their making pictures, objects and models which can encapsulate
own stories aspects of the stories
Provide materials and support for making masks and puppets to

Interact with others, negotiating plans express main characters of spiritual and religious stories
and activities and taking turns in
conversation Encourage children to predict possible and alternative endings
to stories
Model questioning and give children time to ask and discuss

questions
Set up collaborative tasks such as cooking foods from different

festivals, making large constructions which express important
aspects of festivals or objects which are used to celebrate
important events
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Language and literacy : thinking
Knowledge and understanding of the world : a sense of time
: exploration and investigation
Stepping stones What should the practitioner do?
Use action, sometimes with limited Set up shared experiences which have a spiritual or religious
talk, that is largely concerned with dimension that children can reflect on e.g. role play of birth
the „here and now‟ ceremonies, stories about their birth or birth of siblings
Remember and talk about
significant things that have
happened to them Set up displays of changes in the children‟s lives so far
Provide opportunities for children to sequence events in their

Use talk, actions and objects to lives so far and in those in spiritual and religious stories
recall and relive past experiences
Show interest in the lives of people Encourage children to sort objects for celebrations e.g. clothing,
familiar to them food, cards etc or by senses
Begin to differentiate between past
and present Use stories that introduce a sense of time eg. the birth of Jesus,
Sort objects by one function Guru Nanak, the Prophet Muhammad and Ramadan
Provide activities and tell stories which will draw out the links
Begin to use talk instead of action to between festivals and the seasons or the lunar cycle
rehearse and reflect on past
experience, linking significant Tell stories which convey the yearly recurrence of festivals and
events from own experience and encourage children to share their memories
from stories
Begin to make patterns in their Provide growing projects which draw out the meaning of Easter
experience through linking cause
and effect, sequencing, ordering Talk through and sequence order of events in birth ceremonies,
and grouping celebrations and festivals
Begin to use talk to pretend
Provide opportunities for children to explore and recognise
imaginary situations
patterns associated with festivals eg. rangoli, mehndi, easter
Notice and comment on patterns
eggs, Islamic pattern on Eid cards
Show an awareness of change
Use language to imagine and Use stories to focus children‟s attention on prediction and
recreate experiences explanations eg. what might be the result of actions in stories
Use talk to organise, sequence and such as the Ramayana, Zaccheus
clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and
events Encourage children to talk about how they feel eg. At times of
celebration and particular festivals when
Find out about past and present events take place in the home and in the local community
events in their own lives, and in
those of their families and other Encourage children to observe, comment on and record
people they know similarities, differences and change in themselves and between
each other
Look closely at similarities,
differences, patterns and change Model questioning from stories and encourage children to raise
questions and suggest solutions and answers about
Ask questions about why things their own experiences and experiences in stories
happen
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Festivals and Celebration
What moments and events do we celebrate?
How do different communities celebrate important festivals?
What stories and traditions express the central values and beliefs of
important festivals?
Suggested learning objectives

To consider what moments of the day and aspects of the natural world may be worth
celebrating
To be aware of blessings and prayers which may be used by religious communities to
celebrate aspects of daily life
To be aware that celebration may involve aspects common to traditions such as wearing
special clothes, sharing special meals, giving cards and presents, and may involve aspects
which are distinctive of specific traditions
To be aware of the special nature of stories and traditions associated with festivals
To contribute and respond to ways in which communities celebrate
Suggested teaching material

Poems, blessings and prayers (all including Hu)
New Year : January 1st
: Yuan Tan, Chinese/SE Asian,
: Naw Ruz, Baha‟i/Iranian/Zoroastrian
Christmas and the story of the birth of Jesus (Ch)
Easter and the story of Good Friday and Easter Sunday (Ch)
Deepavali/Divali and the stories of the Ramayana, of Lakshmi (Hi), and of the release of Guru Har
Gobind (S)
Harvest (Ch)
Id-ul-Fitr (I)
Hannukah, Sukkot (Ju)
Wesak (Bu)
Birth of the Cosmic Christ, Transfiguration Day (Ra)
Examples of learning experiences

Play music which expresses celebration and wonder, e.g . Louis Armstrong : ‘What a wonderful world’.
Provide opportunties for children to paint or draw moments of the day or aspects of their environment
which they would like to celebrate and which they are amazed by.
Provide opportunties for children to model scenes from the story of the birth of Jesus.
Help children to make an Easter garden and discuss why new life is celebrated.
Invite Hindu parents to make rangoli patterns on the floor of the school hall and give children the
opportunties to paint their own on paper
Watch the section on Sukkot from the video programme ‘Candle :Judaism’ in the series ‘Water, Moon,
Candle, Tree and Sword’ : Channel 4. Help the children to build a sukkah and encourage them to
articulate their responses.
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Background information Festivals and Celebration
Christmas, Easter and Harvest (Ch):
In the early years of Christian mission the Church absorbed the festivals of the pagan world, „baptising‟ them in an
attempt to win over the hearts of those it was aiming to win. Consequently, many pagan ideas have accreted to
Christian practice. Christmas has been linked with the winter solstice, Easter, although rooted in the Jewish
festival of Pesach, is also associated with the pagan spring festival of the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre.
Traditionally, preceded by the four weeks of Advent, Christmas is celebrated for twelve days, beginning with
Christmas Day and ending with Epiphany (6 January). Many of the ideas associated with Christmas date from the
Victorians: trees, Father Christmas, etc. The festival proper begins at midnight on Christmas Eve and employs
themes of light and darkness to mark the birth of the baby in Bethlehem. Many churches have a nativity scene or
crib, consisting of the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, shepherds and angels, the three wise men being added
later. Sharing presents is a reminder of God‟s gift of Christ to the world. The single most important theological
theme connected with Christmas is that of Incarnation, the idea that God can be found in human form.
Like Christmas, Easter is preceded by a period of preparation. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and lasts for
six weeks. Easter or Holy Week traces the last week of Christ‟s earthly life. Beginning with Palm Sunday (Christ‟s
arrival in Jerusalem) it includes Maundy Thursday (his Last Supper), Good Friday (his crucifixion), Holy
Saturday (the Easter vigil) and Easter Sunday the greatest day in the Christian calendar. As with Christmas,
Easter has attracted many non-Christian elements, mainly linked with fertility, however, the most significant
theological themes of Easter are those of redemption and reconciliation the twin ideas that in Jesus‟ death
human beings can be brought back to God.
There is no doubt that Harvest presents a problem for contemporary city dwellers. Harvest has its biblical origins
in the idea that God the creator provides for all life, and that all life is dependant upon God. However, despite
obvious precedence in the biblical celebrations of first fruits of harvest (Pentecost) and ingathering
(Tabernacles), harvest has a relatively recent origin (perhaps arising from Ember Days).
Dipavali/Divali (Hi): For many Hindus Divali marks the beginning of the financial year. Business people
change over to new account books for the new year. Puja to bless the account books and Lakshmi, the goddess
of wealth, are celebrated. She is said to visit devotees homes and rows of divas are kindled to honour and
welcome her. This time may also focus on new hopes and resolutions. For many Hindus, the festival also
focuses on the story of Lord Rama‟s return to Ayodhya after victory over Ravanna. On his return he takes up his
golden sandals which his half-brother placed on the throne in his absence. This was a sign of Lord Rama being
the true ruler of Ayodhya and of the continuing power of righteousness or dharma.
Divali (S) : Divali is celebrated as the day Guru Hargobind was released from prison. In India, there are often
processions and fairs and the Adi Granth may be taken out on a decorated lorry. In Britain there is usually an
Akhand Path, an unbroken reading of the whole of the Guru Granth Sahib.
New Year : Naw Ruz (Ba) (Iranian) (Zoroastrian) : The festival of Naw Ruz is more than 5000 years
old. It starts on 21st March every year. It is also the first day of spring when nature is imbued with new life. The
Iranians prepare a table covered with seven items of food, the name of each starts with the letter „S‟ in Iranian,
with a mirror on top of the table. One of the items is a green vegetable and Iranian children plant some lentils or
wheat in a small container a few weeks before, which grow until they are green for the table that day. The Baha‟is
have a double celebration on this day. It is the start of their new year and the end of their fasting period which
starts at sunrise on March 2nd and ends on sunset on March 20th. During this time 15 to 70 year olds abstain from
food and drink from sunrise to sunset.
Id-ul-Fitr (I): The festival marks the end of the month of Ramadan during which Muslims have been fasting for
the hours of daylight. The fast is broken as soon as the new moon is sighted; then the celebrations begin.
Everyone gathers at the mosque for prayers wearing new clothes. Zakat-ul-fitr, a generous offering of food or
money is given to the poor, is made before Eid prayers. People will greet each other saying „Eid Mubarak‟. The
first meal during daylight is usually a big breakfast.. Families will visit each others homes and exchange gifts and
cards. The day creates a strong feeling of community, togetherness and belonging.
19
Hannukah and Sukkot (Ju): Hannukah is called a minor festival: there are no regulations about not working
as with the main festivals. It has become an important festival, particularly in families with young children. And
particularly in America, as a counterbalance to the focus on Christmas. Judah Maccabee, a Jewish leader,
regained control of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 BCE following Jewish persecution and desecration of the
Temple by the Syrians. Hanukkah means „dedication‟: the festival is a celebration of the rededication of the
Temple. Most Jewish festivals have a special food: on Hannukah something hot and crispy is eaten which for
may Jews are traditional potato pancakes, latkes. This is also a time for play and games: the dreidel game is one
that has been played by generations of Jews at Hannukah.
In the past when the harvest had to be gathered in quickly farmers built little booths or huts in the fields where they
worked. One of these booths is called a sukkah, several are called Sukkot, and give their name to this festival
when farmers used to go to Jerusalem to give thanks for the harvest. The festival is also a reminder of the time
when the Israelites wandered in the desert, without supplies of food, and built huts to protect themselves at night.
The festival is a reminder for Jews on their reliance on God and of the temporary nature of life. During the festival
time Jewish families build a sukkah in their garden or balcony. The children take part, decorating the sukkah with
fruit and vegetables.
Wesak (Bu): Wesak is a celebration of the birth, death and enlightenment of the Buddha. It is held on the Full
Moon day of the month of Visakha which is usually in May or June. A large puja, act of worship, is held and extra
hospitality is shown to the monks. Homes and temples are decorated with flowers and flower offerings are placed
before the images of the Buddha. Lanterns are made as a symbol of the Buddha‟s Enlightenment, and in the
evening processions go around temples with incense sticks, lanterns and flowers.
Humanist Festivals: Humanists value the freedom to choose when to celebrate and what to celebrate.
Increasingly some religious festivals are becoming opportunities for celebration even for people who do not follow
that particular religion e.g. Christmas, Diwali, Chanukah and others. Christmas is now also a secular festival with
ritual television programs, celebration meals and parties. Joining in with Christmas festivities does not indicate to
anyone that you are a Christian. Some Humanists may nonetheless avoid religious festivals, sometimes because
of their commercialisation, while others see no problem in joining in.
The timing of many religious festivals match with the natural rhythms and cycles of the world, midwinter, harvest
time etc. Many Humanists also enjoy, along with others, the annual carnivals, music and drama festivals, local
fetes and fairs that occur regularly in spring, summer and autumn.
Key terms and concepts: blessings, prayer, community, giving, sharing, celebration, festival
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: wonder, thankfulness, sense of specialness, enjoyment,
sharing
Contribution to citizenship: community, tradition, belonging, diversity, culture
20
Myself and Others
Who am I?
How am I important to others?
How do my beliefs and values begin?
Learning objectives
To increase self-awareness
To be aware of how different traditions value each person in the community
To become aware that identity includes name, language, race, gender, culture and
beliefs
To become aware of being part of communities
To become aware of the way infants are welcomed into religious and non-religious
communities with ceremonies which may include naming
To become aware that these ceremonies express beliefs of these communities
To consider the effect which they have on others
bedtime prayers by parents to infant (Ba)

infant dedication or baptism (Ch)
baptism and naming ceremony (Ra)
4th samskara, Gayatri mantra (Hi)
welcoming and naming ceremony (Hu)
whispering the adhan (I)
parable of the lost sheep (Ch)
naming ceremony of Prince Siddhartha (Bu)
Use the circle time structure for children to share stories about their home, their name, beliefs, language
and things which are special to them.
Make a protected display of objects which are special to the children.
Provide opportunities for children to make handprints and make into a display.
Play ‘hide and seek’ with the ‘lost sheep’ and discuss why the sheep was worth finding. Explore Jesus’
teaching in the parable about the value of each person, particularly those who are usually excluded, to
God and to their community. Discuss how they feel they are important to others.
Read and explore ‘Welcoming Babies’ : Margy Burns Knight ISBN 0 88448 123 9.
Invite parents to demonstrate welcoming and naming ceremonies and provide opportunties for children
to listen to each other’s accounts of welcoming ceremonies and why they think they are important.
Make use of opportunities to tell and discuss stories about effects we can have on each other.
21
Background information Myself and Others
Bedtime prayers by parents to infants (Ba): The Baha‟is believe that the soul is given to every child at the
time of conception. Therefore the parents pray for the unborn baby and after the child is born, every evening
before they put the child to bed. There are many prayers written by the founder, Baha‟u‟llah, and His son, Abdul-
Baha, for every occasion. Here is part of one written for a child: „O my Lord! I am a child of tender years… Deliver
me from darkness. Make me a brilliant light. Free me from unhappiness and make me a flower in Thy rose
garden. Make me a bounty to the human race…Verily Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty, the Seer, the Hearer.‟
Baha‟i prayer book.
Infant dedication or baptism (Ch): Christians differ on Baptism. Some (typically Roman Catholics,
Anglicans, Orthodox) baptise (not „christen‟) children on whose behalf parents express faith. The intention is that
the child will later confirm the faith for themselves. Other Christians (typically Baptists and Pentecostal
Christians) believe that people can only be baptised „on profession of faith‟. These Christians practise, not adult
baptism (as age is not an issue) but believers baptism. However, they do not neglect the parental instinct to give
thanks for a child and offer infant dedication as a service of thanksgiving. Christians baptise „In the name of the
Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit‟.
4th samskara (Hi): Sixteen rituals or samskaras are prescribed in Vedic culture. The first three take place at
conception and during pregnancy. The fourth takes place soon after the baby is born. The baby is first washed
and then some sweet substance is placed on the baby‟s tongue as a sign of „sweetness‟ and the divine in the
baby‟s life. The baby is also blessed
Welcoming and naming (Hu): Increasingly, registry offices are offering naming ceremonies as a non-
religious alternative ceremony for those who want to mark the naming of their child. The British Humanist
Association has years of experience in preparing inclusive ceremonies. Most parents hold the ceremony at the
start of a party, either in their home or at a special venue. Parents may choose relatives or friends to become
„guide parents‟, „supporting adults‟ or „special friends‟. They may join in the ceremony, saying how they will be
there for the child as he or she grows up. There are many ways to make the ceremony unique and truly
memorable. The occasion can be marked by everyone present writing a special message in a book for the child to
read in later years. A tree may be planted to grow along with the child. Brothers and sisters can join in the
ceremony. There is no one sort of Humanist welcoming or naming ceremony
Whispering the adhan (I): When a Muslim family has a child it is seen as a gift from Allah. To celebrate this
and to affirm the importance of Allah and Islam right from the beginning of the baby‟s life it is bathed shortly after
birth and the father or close male relative whispers the Adhan, the call to prayer, in each of the baby‟s ears. In
Britain this may often take place in the maternity unit of the hospital. The Adhan is a declaration of the oneness of
Allah and that the Prophet Muhammad* is his messenger. (* The words „Salla-illahu alaihi wa sallam‟, peace and
blessings of Allah upon him‟ are used by Muslims every time The Prophet Muhammad‟s name is mentioned)
The parable of the lost sheep (Ch): Luke 10:1-7 The parable is linked by Luke with that of the lost coin and of
the lost (Prodigal) son, which carry the idea of retrieving the lost, what one commentator calls the Gospel for the
outcast. Jesus is criticised by the Pharisees for associating with „tax collectors and “sinners”‟. His apparently
harmless story justifies his action, and illustrates his message that God‟s love is not directed towards the self-
righteous but to the oppressed and that God‟s love is for each individual.
Naming ceremony of Prince Siddhartha (Bu): On the fifth day after the prince's birth he was named
Siddhartha which means "wish fulfilled". His family name was Gautama. In accordance with the ancient Indian
custom, many learned brahmins were invited to the palace for the naming ceremony. Amongst them there were
eight distinguished men. Examining the characteristic marks of the child, seven of them raised two fingers each,
indicative of two alternative possibilities, that he would either become a Universal Monarch or a Buddha. But the
youngest, Kondanna, who excelled others in wisdom, noticing the hair on the forehead turned to the right, raised
only one finger and convincingly declared that the prince would definitely retire from the world and become a
Buddha.
Key terms and concepts: importance, value, community, ceremony, welcome.

Contribution to spiritual and moral development: self-awareness, listening to others, awareness of value and
relationships, awareness of important moments and ceremony.
Contribution to citizenship: self-awareness, sense of belonging, awareness of others.
22
Contents: Key Stage 1
Programme of study 24
Caring for Each Other 27
Caring for Our World 30
Food 34
Light 36
Water 38
23
Programme of study: religious education
Key stage 1
Knowledge, skills and understanding
During key stage 1 pupils learn about

Understanding questions of purpose and meaning
features and beliefs of theistic and non-
1 Pupils should be taught to identify things which are theistic religions and other spiritual and
important to people and what influences human actions ethical traditions, recognising that, while
including their own. there are differences, they also share a

common ground. Pupils begin to question
and respond to significant aspects of
Knowledge and understanding of beliefs, practices and their effect human experience. They learn about and
on the life of the believer respond to the significance of spiritual and
religious stories, artefacts and symbols.
2 Pupils should be taught:
They learn to express feelings, values and
a about aspects of spiritual, ethical and religious traditions beliefs and to respond sensitively to the
and to identify some features of religious practices needs and feelings of others.
contributing and responding in the light of their own views
and experiences 1 links with other subjects
This requirement links with PSHE & Cit 1a,b
b to recognise some ways of belonging to a religion or
2a links with other subjects
community of beliefs and to recognise choices they can This requirement links with PSHE & Cit
make, reflecting on their own personal experiences 1g, 2a
c to recognise similarities and differences between aspects of

2b links with other subjects
religions and belief systems, contributing and responding This requirement builds on Cit 2c, f
in the light of their own experience

2c links with other subjects
d to be aware of human interdependence This requirements links with PSHE & Cit 4b

This requirement builds on En
Interpretation 2/3a, f
a about the significance of stories, symbols and artefacts
which express beliefs and values and respond to these in
24
the light of their experience
Enquiry and investigation 5a links with other subjects

This requirement builds on
4 Pupils should be taught: PSHE & Cit 2e, 4a,b, c
a to ask and explore questions, including those of purpose,
which stimulate their imagination and broaden their vision
and awareness
Empathy

a to consider the needs, views, cultures and beliefs of others,
showing respect and sensitivity
Evaluation

This requirement builds on a to express personal values and commitments
PSHE & Cit 1a
Expression and communication

a to be aware of the variety of forms which can express ideas
7a links with other subjects and feelings
This requirement builds on En b to communicate their own knowledge, ideas, feelings and
personal responses using a range of techniques and a
7c links with other subjects variety of media
This requirement relates to En 3
c to take part in group and class exploratory discussions
Breadth of Study
8 During the key stage, pupils should be taught the

Note for Breadth of study knowledge, skills and understanding through the following
Not all the aspects of the units:
knowledge,
25
skills and understanding need be
developed in each study
Caring for Each Other
Caring for Our World
Food
Light
Water
Key
(Ba) Baha’i
(Bu) Buddhism
(Ch) Christianity
(Hi) Hinduism
(Hu) Humanism
(I) Islam
(Ja) Jainism
(Ju) Judaism
(Ra) Rastafarianism
(S) Sikhism
26
Caring for Each Other
How do different traditions teach that people should care for each other?
What happens when people don’t care about each other?
Learning objectives
To consider who we care for and who cares for us
To consider the interdependence of people in a community
To understand and respond to the practices of some traditions which express
beliefs and promote caring for others
To respond to stories from some traditions which express ways of caring for
others
To reflect on the effects of not caring for others

The langar (S)
Rakshabandhan and Bhai Dhuj(Hi)
Aesop‟s fables (Hu)
The parable of the good Samaritan (Ch) (Ra)
The miracle of the feeding of the five thousand (Ch)
The story „A true bargain‟ (S)
The story „Be my Guest‟ (I)
The story of the Monkey King (Bu)
The story of Lua, the American woman (Ba)
The story of the Elephant and the Rabbit (Ja)

Role play ways that we show that we care for others through the things we say and do, including
showing hospitality. Tell the story ‘Be my Guest’ and discuss why hospitality is important for Muslims.
Make a meal which is suitable for everyone in the class and discuss how children would feel if they
couldn’t join in the meal. Show a video of Sikhs preparing food for and serving at the langar. Discuss
why it is important to Sikhs that everyone takes turns at serving.
Watch the section about Rakshabandhan from the programme ‘Water : Hinduism’ from the series
‘Water, Moon, Candle, Tree and Sword’ : Channel 4. Discuss ways of showing thanks to others.
Children make a rakhi for someone important to them.
Contribute drawings and writings for a display to show the relationships between people in the school
community and the wider community and what they do for each other. Reflect on what daily life would
be like if they ignored each other or behaved in negative ways.
Tell the story of the good Samaritan. Get the children to enact a contemporary version. Discuss how
they think the parable answers the question ‘Who is my neighbour?’
27
Background information Caring for Each Other
Sikhism:
Sharing a meal is important for Sikhs. Like Guru Nanak, Guru Amar Das, the third Guru, felt that eating together
promoted harmony and showed the equality of all people. He set up the first langar, an open dining room, where
everyone was welcome. Anyone who wanted to see the Guru had to go first to the langar and eat happily with
whoever was there. The meal itself is also called langar. Every gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship, has a langar
and it is very important in the worshipping life of Sikhs. In the langar Sikhs take turns to help and serve others.
The story of „The True Bargain‟ expresses the importance Sikhs give to serving others. As a boy Guru Nanak
was given some money to spend at the market and find a bargain for his father. However, he spends his money
on what he believes is a „true bargain‟: he gives it to some hungry holy men.
Hinduism:
Rakshabandhan is a festival when families remind each other of how much they care about each other. Sisters
put a rakhi, a thread or plaited bracelet, on the wrist of their brothers as a mark of love and affection as well as
good wishes for his present and future. Brothers give their sisters a gift or money and are expected to afford them
protection in times of need.
Humanism:
Humanists believe that the world could be a better place. There is much that can make human beings unhappy
and it does not take a lot of imagination to think what some of them are: thirst and hunger when not having enough
food or water, being cold and wet and unable to get warm and dry, not being loved, being punished for something
you didn‟t do, being unwell. Something else that one may not think of straight away is having any of these things
happen to someone we care about. Humanists believe that being able to feel pain and suffering in such
circumstances is common to us all. If our friends or family were suffering we would care. Humanists believe this
life is the only one there is and we should make the most of it. We should appreciate our good fortune if we are not
suffering in these ways. However part of the enjoyment of our circumstances should be to help and care for
others. In making other people less sad we actually make ourselves happier. If a good friend, or close family
member is suffering it is difficult to be very jolly even if they are not in the same room with you
Christianity:
Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37
Jerusalem to Jericho this narrow, winding road was a notorious haunt for bandits.
Levites were descendants of Moses‟ brother Levi, who earned their living from temple service. Priests, also
descendants of Levi, officiated in the temple.
For Jesus‟ audience the idea that a Samaritan could be „good‟ was a contradiction. The hated Samaritans were
descended from the northern tribes of Israel, sharing basic beliefs in God and Moses as his prophet. But they
became heretics in Jewish eyes when they combined worship of the true God, Yahweh, with worship of fertility
gods. Later, under Greek occupation, the Samaritans capitulated and dedicated their temple on Mount Gerizim to
Zeus Xenios. In 6 & 9 CE Samaritans scattered bones in the Jerusalem temple, desecrating it during Passover.
Some of these issues surface in Jesus conversation with the Samaritan woman (John 4) In telling this story,
Jesus‟ main point seems to be that caring for other people is more important than religious duty and that people
should help others regardless of their identity, community or background (See also Matthew 23:15-32).
Feeding the 5,000: Matthew 14:13-21
There is evidence that some Jews expected the Messiah would repeat the miraculous Exodus feeding when
people ate manna in the desert (Exodus 16). Here, Jesus‟ feeding of the people in the wilderness has echoes of
Moses (Jesus as the new Moses) and anticipates the feeding of the Christian community in the Eucharist (see Key
Stage 1: Food). Many interpretations have been offered: a literal miracle has taken place; it is a tale about people
sharing their lunches after Jesus‟ example; it is a myth intended to express faith in Jesus as the Messiah. William
Barclay suggests: „If ... this was not the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes; it was the miracle of the
changing of selfish people into generous people at the touch of Christ. It was the miracle of the birth of love in
grudging hearts‟ (Gospel of Matthew vol 2, pp 114-5). However the story is read, there is a clear indication that
Jesus took seriously the physical needs of his followers.
Buddhism:
28
About five hundred jataka tales can be found in Buddhist texts. These stories are traditionally said to be accounts
of the past lives of the Buddha on his path to Enlightenment. Buddhists do not necessarily take the stories as
being literally true; they look for a deeper meaning in them. In the texts the Buddha is often shown telling a jataka
tale to illustrate a point. All the jataka tales illustrate the law of karma, that actions cause reactions or have
consequences. In the story of the monkey king, the monkey king makes a bridge with his own body so that his
fellow monkeys can escape from the greedy King of Benares. He risks his own life to save others and the King of
Benares learns about putting others first.
Islam:
Hospitality and looking out for the needs of others are promoted in Islam. The story „Be My Guest‟ tells of the the
sacrifice cunningly made by Abu Talha and his wife. Abu Talha offers, at the request of the Prophet Muhammad*,
to take a poor and hungry man home and give him food. On reaching his house he finds out from his wife that
there is only enough food for his children. He insists that they go to bed without food, that a meal is served for the
visitor with the lamp turned down so low that the visitor is spared the embarassment of seeing that Abu Talha and
his wife have no food on their plates.
*The words „Salla-illahu alaihi wa sallam‟, peace and blessings of Allah upon him‟ are used by Muslims eevry time
the Prophet Muhammad is mentioned.
Baha‟i:
One hundred years ago, in the city of Akka (in today‟s Israel), there were many poor people who had no one to
look after them. Abdul-Baha, the son of the founder of the Baha‟i faith, bought warm clothes every winter and
gave them away. Some of the people were blind or hurt and Abdul-Baha would gently put the cloaks around their
shoulders and fasten them up. When people were ill, he would help them too and take food and medicine to their
houses.
An American Baha‟i lady called Lua, who was visiting the holy land asked Abdul-Baha what she could do for him.
Abdul-Baha asked her to visit a man who was ill. She was very happy to do this and she went at once. But when
she went into that sick man‟ house, it was so dirty and there was a horrible smell. She quickly left and came back
to tell Abdul-Baha how bad it was. Abdul-Baha looked very sad and stern. He said that he had been to the house
many times, cleaned the house and attended to the man‟s needs. Could she not go just once? If a house was
dirty she must clean it: if someone was hungry she must give hime food; if someone is ill she must attend to his
needs; if we want to serve God then we must serve each other. Stories of Abdul-Baha: J.Mughrabi
Key terms and concepts: caring, relationships. serving, sharing, hospitality

Contribution to spiritual and moral development: awareness of the needs of others
Contribution to citizenship: introduction to human interdependence
29
Caring for Our World
Why should we care for the natural world?
What motivates faith communities to care for the natural world?
What happens if we don‟t care for our environment?
Learning objectives
To become aware of pattern and cycles in the natural world
To consider what we find beautiful in the natural world
To become aware that many faiths experience God in the beauty, pattern and order of
the natural world
To know in what ways faith communities express reverence and gratitude for the
world‟s resources and for its beauty
To know of some beliefs about human responsibility for the environment
To respond to what the teachings and stories of different traditions say about how
people should care for living things and the environment
To reflect on ways in which humans can damage the natural world and the
environment but that most try to make it better not worse

Genesis creation stories ( Ch)(Ju)(Ra)
Harvest Festival (Ch) Holi (Hi)
Zakah and the story „The Holy Man and the Magic Bowl‟ (I)
Tu B‟Shevat (Ju)
Tree shrines (Bu)(Hi)
Francis of Assisi/Celtic peace blessing (Ch)
The story of Prophet Muhammad and the camel-driver (I)
The story of Siddhartha and the swan (Bu)
Go for a walk in a nature reserve and collect natural objects – let the children reflect on aspects they
may think are beautiful. Let the children touch and explore a tree. Discuss how trees help the natural
world and how people should treat them.
Read the story Dawn : Uri Shulvitz ISBN 0 374 41689 3 and reflect on the experience of a sunrise and
the ‘path’ of the sun everyday.
Use broken twigs and leaves of different types to sort and make into a pattern with an ordered design.
Perform the Genesis creation ‘poem’ using simple instruments, drawing out its pattern and order.
Prepare for presentation of the Celtic peace blessing for an assembly – paint aspects of the natural
world for the lines each group will say and discuss.
Play ‘We went shopping and bought a…’. Tell and explore the Muslim story ‘The Holy Man and the
Magic Bowl’. In pairs, make lists of things we really need and things which are extra pleasures.
Discuss their lists and relate to zakah in Islam.
30
Background information Caring for Our World
The beauty of a blazing sunset experienced even in the harshness of the inner city stuns most of us. The
pervading presence of pattern, order and rhythm in the natural world evokes wonder and curiosity which can lead
to scientific investigation, aesthetic pleasure and spiritual enrichment . For some this presence of pattern, order
and rhythm is a sign of the presence of God and is mirrored in literature, as in the poetic and rhythmic account of
Genesis, and art, as in the geometric order of Islamic patterning. And for some the whole of the natural world is
experienced as the presence of God.
Christianity:
The first chapters of Genesis, the first Bible book, contains contradictory theologies about the relationship
between humans and the planet. On the one hand the familiar injunction to „Be fruitful and increase in number; fill
the earth and subdue it‟ (Genesis 1:28) has been interpreted by some as a mandate to exploit, and has
eclipsed the description of humans as „put ... in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it‟ (Genesis 2:15).
Biblical research suggests that Genesis contains two creation stories. The first (1:1-2:4a) comes from the Priestly
Code, composed during Israel‟s exile in Babylon (around 550BCE). This code is marked by it and is concerned
with preserving Israelite identity. The second account (2:4b-25), from the Yahweh tradition, is much older, and
more rooted in the traditions of an agrarian culture.
Minority voices within the Christian tradition have understood the idea of connectedness to creation. Celtic
Christians such as Columba, Hilda, Caedmon, etc had a radical commitment to finding God in creation. Within the
Catholic tradition Hidegarde of Bingen (1098-1179) was a doctor, pharmacist, playwright, poet, painter musician,
mystic, prophet and abbess with a profound ecological concern; St Francis of Assisi (1181-1225) is often
associated with caring for the environment and particularly for animals. Francis saw created things as objects of
love that point to their Creator. Contemporary Christians have begun to rediscover their God-given mandate to
care for the planet.
Harvest, as a celebration of human connectedness, presents a problem for contemporary city dwellers. Harvest
has its biblical origins in the idea that God the Creator provides for all life, and that all life is dependant upon God.
(See also Foundation Stage: Festivals and Celebration)
Hinduism:
Planting and caring for trees is important for personal gain as well as for the environment. The Pippal tree is
„worshipped‟ as „Vishnu‟s tree‟. The Pippal and Neem trees together represent male and female: they are often
grown together, intertwining, showing the fundamental unity and strength of these two aspects of the physical
world. The Tulsi plant (like basil) is considered sacred – its leaves are offered to all deities in puja as well as with
offering of prashad. It also has some medicinal uses, taking the water from a leaf soaked overnight or chewing a
leaf in the morning.
Holi is the main spring festival for Hindus: it takes place in February or March when Hindus look forward to a good
harvest. The word „holaka‟ means half-ripe corn. In India growing crops is an important part of many people‟s
lives and Holi gives Hindus a chance to give thanks for the harvest to come. There are several customs
associated with Holi: those which stand out most are the bonfire and the jokes and games with coloured water. .
Fire is important for farmers because, when it is used in a controlled way, it helps to renew land so that crops can
grow afresh. The bonfire also connects with the story of Holika, a female demon whose remains are consumed by
a bonfire. Offerings of coconuts, wheat and other grains are thrown into the fire.
Buddhism:
The Buddha achieved his Enlightenment under a Pipal tree. The tree was later known as the Bodhi tree, Bodhi
meaning Enlightenment. After his Enlightenment he paid gratitude to the tree for giving him shade and for its
beauty by gazing at it in meditation. Pipal trees are often planted by Buddhist temples and stupas as a symbol of
the Buddha‟s Enlightenment. They are also venerated following the example of the Buddha, in silent prayer and
meditation, by lighting oil lamps and garlanding with prayer flags.
The story of Prince Siddhartha and the swan provides Buddhists with an example of tenderness and concern for
animals which they should emulate. When the Buddha was still a young prince he claimed a swan which had
been injured by his cousin while hunting. This caused a dispute between the cousins but Siddartha was given the
31
swan and set it free after it had recovered.
Islam:
The story of „The Holy Man and the Magic Bowl‟ teaches that human beings‟ „wants‟ are unending, that however
much we have we will always feel we don‟t have enough and want more. The obligation to give 2% of income in
excess of that needed for basic living, zakah, has several functions. It is a way of „purifying‟ wealth by making the
individual conscious of the distinction between need and greed. It also evokes gratitude and appreciation for what
an individual, removing the focus from what one might not have. It is important in Islam that all people have the
basic necessities for life and zakat spreads wealth and helps to provide the funds to ensure this for the whole
community.
The importance in Islam of attending to the needs of all Allah‟s creatures is expressed in the story of the Prophet
Muhammad and the camel driver. The Prophet hears a camel wailing, and goes to care for it tenderly. He
reprimands the owner of the camel saying, „Allah places animals in our care so that we can love and protect them.‟
The Prophet(pbuh) always ensured that animals were comfortable before himself.
Judaism:
The Torah teaches that trees should be protected. It also says „And when you come into the land and have
planted trees, you shall count the fruit as forbidden for three years. In the fourth year the fruit shall be holy, for
giving praise to God, but in the fifth year you may eat the fruit.‟ Leviticus 19 For this reason it has been important
to keep track of the age of trees: a date was assigned to keep this record. It became Tu b‟Shevat, the New Year
for trees. To celebrate it, trees are planted in Israel particularly, but also in other parts of the world, and money is
given to support tree planting projects. The Tu B‟Shevat Seder, order of the evening meal, includes eating parts
of fifteen different fruits from trees.
Key terms and concepts: natural, managed and built environment, order, pattern, care, reverence, gratitude,
responsibility
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: wonder, respect, care, sensitivity, self-control
Contribution to citizenship: discussion and simple debate, making choices, care for the environment, uses of
money
32
Food
Where does food come from?
How do different communities express beliefs and values through food?
Learning objectives
To consider where food comes from
To know about the ways in which many traditions express their belief and thanks that
God is the ultimate source of life and food
To become aware of how food is used to express community and interdependence
To become aware of how we are affected by food
To become aware of the teachings of some traditions regarding meat, alcohol and
harmful drugs
To begin to understand that foods can have symbolic meaning

Family meals, social gatherings, special meals, birthday parties
Prashad (Hi) (S)
Saying grace at mealtimes (Ch)
Blessings at meal times (Ju) (Ra)
Harvest festivals
Ramadan – fasting and the iftar meal (I)
Abstaining from alcohol (Ba) (Hi) (I) (Ra) and from meat (Bu)(Hi)(Ra)(Veg)
Rosh Hashanah – apples and honey (Ju)
Communion – bread and wine (Ch)

Children plan and prepare a celebratory meal for the whole class, focusing on special foods, setting the
table and offering foods to guests. Discuss how making a special meal and sharing food together
makes them feel.
Role play the iftar evening meal after a day of fasting during Ramadan, savouring each piece of food,
thinking about the taste and where the food came from. Invite Muslim children in the class to share their
experiences and discuss the appreciation and thanks for food during Ramadan. Draw their favourite
foods on a paper plate.
Read Honey Biscuits : Meredith Hooper ISBN 0 7534 0289 0 and explore children’s beliefs about the
source of life and food. Discuss ‘graces’ and thanks made by some communities and Hindu prasad.
Write their own words they might say before a meal.
Stick photographs of different foods, including bread, around the room and ask the children to go to the
picture of the food they feel they couldn’t do without. Discuss their responses.
Make a collection of different sorts of breads and share bread with the children. Invite a church leader to
tell the story of Jesus and the Last Supper and demonstrate different traditions of Communion. Explore
how this would help followers remember Jesus.
33
Background information Food
Hinduism:
All food and drinks are offered first to the Lord and thus becomes consecrated, prashad. In the temple it is then
available for worshippers for whom it is a much desired blessing. This also implies that you would not take
food/drink that you would not offer to the Lord.
In order to become more spiritually developed it is important to refrain from taking alcohol, other intoxicating
substances and smoking. Many Hindus also belief that abstaining from eating meat is also important for spiritual
development. Beef is never eaten by Hindus because of the respect and protection given to the cow. In the
Vaishnava tradition garlic and onion are also often avoided.
Sikhism:
Sikhs also offer food to God which is then called prashad, indicating that it is now blessed. This takes place
during worship at the gurdwara when a member of the Sikh community, during the end of the Ardas prayer, marks
the specially prepared sweet semolina with the kirpan, a special sword. It is served after the daily reading from the
Guru Granth Sahib. It is important that no favouritism is shown when distributing prashad and that those receiving
it show no greed. It is a reminder of equality and unity within the Sikh community. It also reminds Sikhs of the
common brotherhood of the people of the world and that no one should remain hungry.
Christianity:
In the early Church food played a central part in Christian worship. Not only did they „break bread‟ in Holy
Communion, they used to share a common meal. This love feast or agapé was not simply symbolic, it was a
practical expression of their lives in common (1 Corinthians 11). Even so, the central element of this common meal
was the Eucharist, or thanksgiving for bread and wine. Today, Christians differ in their understanding of the
Eucharist. Some regard it as a participation in Christ‟s sacrifice -- not as a re-enactment but a kind of simultaneous
participation that connects the worshiper with Christ‟s actual sacrificial death. For these Christians, the bread and
wine somehow become the actual body and blood of Christ. Others regard the Eucharist more symbolically, the
„elements‟ remain as bread and wine, the change taking place in the worshipper as they remember the events of
the passion.
All Christians see themselves as dependent upon God as the provider of all human needs. The practise of
mealtime grace is one way in which Christians express their thankfulness to God for his provision.
Judaism:
Every Friday evening kiddush is recited, at the end of the Friday service in the synagogue and as part of the
Shabbat meal in the home. It is a special blessing for Shabbat telling everyone that Shabbat is a holy day:
kiddush means holiness. At home, it is the man who recites the prayer unless there is no man present in which
case a woman performs this role. The second part of the kiddush is the blessing for the sweet red wine which is
sipped. If there is no wine some other drink can be substituted but not plain water since a distinctive drink is
needed to make life out of the ordinary at this time. There is either one large kiddush cup which is passed around
or else everyone has their own. In this case the man making the kiddush has a different one to show the
distinctiveness of the holy day.
On Rosh Hashanah the challah loaf is round loooking like a crown as a reminder that God rules the world. Rosh
Hashanah means „head of the year‟ and focuses on God as Creator and sustainer of the universe. It is also a time
of looking forward to the year to come with hope. As a symbol of this hope for a sweet year sweet foods are eaten
particularly apples dipped in honey.
Islam:
Sawm, fasting, is the fourth pillar of Islam. Muslims who have reached puberty are required to fast from dawn to
sunset everyday during the month of Ramadan. This means abstaining from eating, drinking and smoking.
Fasting develops self-control and helps overcome selfishness, greed, laziness and other weaknesses. It is an
annual training programme for Muslims to refresh themselves for carrying out their duties to Allah. Fasting also
provides the experience of hunger and thirst so that it is more possible to identify and think of those without food.
It also heightens appreciation and awareness of the importance and delight of food. Every evening family
members come together to break the fast at the iftar meal. This begins with eating dates following the example of
the Prophet Muhammad. Special foods are prepared which are savoured with heightened pleasure. This is also
an important time for the community when relationships and bonds are strengthened.
34
Baha‟i:
The use of intoxicants, except as remedies in case of illness, is strictly forbidden by Baha‟u‟llah (the founder of the
Baha‟i faith), as it destroys the mind. The use of every other type of food, vegetable, fruit or meat, is allowed as
long as it is clean and healthy. But Abdul-Baha says: „The food for the future will be fruit and grains. The time will
come when meat will no longer be eaten. Medical science is only in its infancy, yet it has shown that our natural
food is that which grows out of the ground‟.
Baha‟is fast from 2nd March to 21st. They abstain from taking food or drink from sun rise to sun set from the age of
fifteen to the age of seventy. In places where the day is much longer than twelve hours they fast from 6am to
6pm.
Key terms and concepts: source, thanksgiving, community, interdependence, waste, greed, fasting, God, grace,
prashad, kiddush, iftar, symbol
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: sensitivity, savouring, appreciation, awareness of
interdependence, recognising and making personal choices
Contribution to citizenship: making choices, recognising similarities and difference between people and their
traditions.
35
Light
Why is light such a powerful symbol?
How is light used in some religious traditions?
Learning objectives
To consider the qualities and effects of light and darkness
To reflect on the changing seasons from autumn to winter and winter to spring
To become aware that some traditions have festivals which relate to seasonal change
of light
To know about and respond to some ways that light and fire play an important part in
the teachings and practices of many religions
To understand how light is often used to symbolise positive values e.g. good, truth,
wisdom, etc
To reflect on what brings „light‟ into their own lives

Bonfires and fireworks
Lighting deepas/divas at Deepavali/Divali (Hi) (S)
Christingle service at Christmas (Ch)
Pascal candle at Easter (Ch)
Hannukah (Ju)
The use of candles and lamps : birthday candles, votive candles (Ch),
divas (Hi), oil lamps (Bu), Shabbat candles (Ju),
Allah as Light (I) Watching the moon for Id-ul-Fitr(I)
Light of the intellect (Ba)(Ra)
Halo around the Buddha‟s head (Bu)

Darken the room, discuss what happens in darkness – sleep, rest etc – and feelings in the dark. Light
the candles and allow children to reflect on the candle light. Explore feelings. Write descriptions,
inside an outline of a candle for light, outside the candle for dark.
Collect autumn leaves and allow the children to explore their colours. Make a class collage of the
leaves in the shape of a bonfire surrounded by darkness. Discuss feelings of the changing seasons
and the impact of autumn leaves and bonfires.
Make a display of different kinds of candles and lights and discuss the ones children recognise. Show
programme 3, Light and Dark : BBC Festivals. Draw different lights seen on the video. Make divas,
hanukiahs, Buddhist oil lamps and Christingles and make labels to describe them .
Children make up sketches to show people who are lost in the dark and are then shown the way by
someone with a torch. Discuss how key figures are guiding ‘lights’ for different traditions. Explore and
compare Holman Hunt’s painting ‘The Light of the World’ and the picture of the Last Supper from the
Cameroons Mafa series. Make Christingles, draw them and label them with the meaning of the
different parts. Write about people who are ‘lights’ for them.
36
Background information Light
In December, in the northern hemisphere, the days are short and the nights are long. For many there does seem
to be an enthusiasm to celebrate with trees, candles and lights. There is something satisfying in celebrating in the
depths of winter knowing that the New Year will soon bring the revival of nature as the warming days of spring
arrive.
Baha‟i:
There are two kinds of light. There is the visible light of the sun, by whose aid we can see the beauties of the
world around us. Nevertheless, though it is the function of this light to make things visible to us, it cannot give us
the power to see them or understand what their various charms may be, for the light has no intelligence, no
consciousness. It is the light of the intellect which gives us knowledge and understanding, and without this light
the physical eyes would be useless. Paris Talks : Abdul‟ Baha, p. 64.
Buddhism:
The halo around the Buddha‟s head symbolises his nature as an enlightened being. At Wesak lanterns are lit
which also represent the powerful force of enlightenment and the capacity of all humans to raise their
consciousness and behaviour to an enlightened state.
Christianity:
The dualistic theme of cosmic conflict regards light as good and dark as evil. In this way, light is used in the Bible
in connection with God‟s blessing, and signifies God‟s favour. In the gospel of John, light symbolises the revelation
of God‟s love in Christ and the coming of that love into lives darkened by sin. To this end Jesus declares: „I am the
light of the world‟ (John 8:12).
In recent years Christingle services have become popular. Adapted from a Christmas custom of the Moravians,
children are given candles (representing „the light of the world‟) inserted in to oranges (representing the world) with
sweets on four cocktail sticks (representing the fruit of the earth).
At Easter, Christians light the Paschal Candle to represent Christ‟s victory over the darkness of death. Christians
also light small candles as aids to prayer, the rising flame of the votive candle symbolising the prayer rising to
God.
Hinduism:
Deepavali/Divali means row of deepas/divas and is celebrated during the season of growing darkness to mark
the victory of good over evil, signifying the welcome of enlightenment and banishment of ignorance. A famous
Vedic prayer says, „Lead us from darkness to light‟.
Judaism:
Hanukkah is the mid-winter festival of lights. It celebrates a time when Jews kept the flame of their faith alight. In
the face of Greek oppression. It is, therefore, also a celebration of the right for individuals and groups to have the
right to uphold their own traditions and make a stand against oppression.
When the Jews regained control of the Temple in Jerusalem they found only enough oil to keep the Ner Tamid,
the Everlasting Light, burning for one day. However, it miraculously lasted for eight days until the High Priest
could consecrate more oil. The eight candles of the hanukiah represent these eight days. This is also why
Hannukah lasts for eight days when, on each night, one of the candles is lit.
Islam
An-Noor, Light, is one of the ninety nine names of Allah. Humans have not seen his real light: it is a holy light that
is not part of this world. To help people understand what His Light is like the Qur‟an says „Allah is the light of the
heavens and earth‟. The Qur‟an is light and the Prophet Muhammad is called „a light giving lamp‟ in the Qur‟an
because he told people about the powerful light of Allah.
Key terms and concepts: light, darkness, seasons, festival, deepa/diva, Christingle, hannukiah, pascal candle,
enlightened, divine, guide, goodness, truth, wisdom.
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: sensitivity to light and darkness, reflection on what brings
light into their lives.
Contribution to citizenship: awareness of natural world and of guidance for behaviour.
37
Water
Why is water important?
How do different communities express beliefs and values through water?
Learning objectives
To explore and express personal responses to the importance of water for life
To consider the qualities of water
To reflect on the unifying nature of water
To begin to understand and respond to the way cleansing with water is used by
individuals in some religious traditions to prepare themselves physically and mentally
for prayer
To begin to understand and respond to the way cleansing with water is used to express
the sanctity of a place of prayer
To become aware that water is used to symbolise new beginnings in some traditions
To recognise how respect and gratitude is shown for water at focal places special to
some faith communities

Washing before prayer (I) (Ba)
Preparation of the shrine (Hi)
Jesus‟ baptism and Christian baptism (Ch)
Blessing and baptism (Ra)
The story „The Prophet Muhammad washing‟ (I)
The descent of the River Ganges (Hi) Lourdes (Ch)
Scriptures as the „water of life‟ (Ba)

Read ‘One World’ : Michael Foreman ISBN 0 86264 289 2 and reflect on how the oceans join the world
and their importance. Write poems to express thoughts and responses.
Go out to the school pond/visit a pond/take the children on a guided fantasy to sit calmly round the pond,
drop a stone in the water and observe the ripples and reflections. Reflect on the feelings and responses
the water evokes. Children select images of their responses to waterand what it means to them from the
image search on www.google.com Make a circular collage of the pictures leaving space around the
edge for pictures of use of water in religions. Add words to describe qualities and sensations of water.
Explore how we prepare ourselves for different activities or events. Ask a Muslim child or parent to
demonstrate wudu and discuss how this prepares the mind and body. Demonstrate washing a Hindu
shrine area before prayer. How does this show that it is special and helps a person to be ready for
prayer? Draw pictures and write some description for the display.
Tell and explore the story of Jesus’ baptism. Visit a Baptist church to watch a demonstration of a
believer’s baptism and and compare with Jesus’ baptism. Discuss with the minister/host what the
baptism means and why babies are not baptised in Baptist churches. Draw pictures with captions for
the display and discuss connections with thechildren’s initial responses to water.
38
Background information Water
Humanism :
There is no particularly humanist view of water and its uses. However water is very special to humanists as it is to
everyone. It is the most essential and basic daily need of every human being for their survival. According to
evolutionary evidence it is in water that life on Earth began. Clean drinking water is beautiful, get a little thirsty and
see how attractive it becomes. It is no surprise that this unique substance with so many wonderful properties has
come to symbolise so much; purity, clarity, cleanliness, and so on. It is also great fun and it can make all humans
(even adults) feel playful.
Christianity:
Although Christians do not practise ritual washing as a regular part of their worship, water plays an important part
in Christian thinking. Baptism was commanded by Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20), and probably carried some idea of
a cleansing preparation of those who were joining the Christian community. This was understood by some to be a
washing, not of the body but of the conscience (1 Peter 3:21). After his death and resurrection baptism was
reinterpreted as a unique participation in that death and resurrection. So Paul, the first Christian theologian
understood baptism as baptism into Jesus‟ death: „We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death
in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life‟
(Romans 6:4). Water is also a symbol of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39).
Some Christian traditions use Holy Water for rituals and private devotions. This is water that has been blessed by
a priest, or that has come from a place with sacred associations such as Lourdes or Israel. These Christians may
use holy water to bless themselves when they enter a church, or may use it to bless, or dedicate objects to God.
In this case, water is used not so much as a sign of life, but for its cleansing and purifying properties.
Islam:
Muslims must prepare themselves before they are ready for prayer. As well as making sure that they are clean,
they have to get into the right frame of mind. This needs mental preparation, a few quiet moments to create calm
and commitment to prayer. Muslims prepare through a special washing ritual, wudu or wuzu, before each prayer
time. It is very much part of worship. If possible, it must be done with pure running water. Mosques will have
special fittings to facilitate this. Muslims put a lot of emphasis on hygiene to show consideration for others as well
as for personal purity. Cleanliness is built into the religion.
In the story of the Prophet Muhammad washing, he and his companions stop on their journey to rest by a stream
and refresh themselves with its water. While his companions splashed themselves with water Muhammad(pbuh)
took a small bowl to use a small amount of water, showing the value of what Allah has provided, that even if there
is plenty it is important to appreciate what there is and not to waste it.
Baha‟i:
The daily obligatory prayers for the Baha‟is are three in number and the Baha‟is are entirely free to choose any
one of these three prayers. For the medium obligatory prayer (3 times a day) and the long obligatory prayer (once
in twenty-four hours), there is the requirement to wash the hand and face before prayer, and say certain verses.
When washing the face she or he should say: „I have turned my face unto Thee, O my Lord illumine it with the light
of Thy countenance. Protect it then from turning to anyone but Thee.‟
Hinduism:
Water is one of the five basic elements. It is essential to life, cleanses and purifies places and bodies. Bathing
each morning, and before puja, and washing of hands and feet before meals as well as after visiting the toilet is
part of daily ritual. It is recommended that the place of worship, at home or at the temple, should be cleaned
and washed with water before worship. This is most appropriate where floors are of stone or cement. Water, as
a symbol of purity, is also sipped and offered to the deity and sprinkled around the shrine.
The Ganges is the holy river. Bathing in it gives you the strength to awaken your self and nourishes your spirit.
Key terms and concepts: essential, life, unity, sanctity, spiritual strength, baptism, symbol, ritual washing, wudu
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: awareness and appreciation of what is essential for life,
sense of unity, sensitivity to natural world
Contribution to citizenship: sensitivity to the natural world
39
Contents: Key Stage 2
Programme of study 41
Christianity 46
Hinduism 48
Islam 51
Judaism 54
Birth and Death 57
Buddhism 60
Community 63
People of Faith 65
Pilgrimage 69
Places of Worship 72
Prayer and Worship 76
Rules for Living 79
Sacred and Special Books 83
Sikhism 87
Symbol 89
40
Programme of study: religious
education
Key stage 2
During key stage 2 pupils extend their
Knowledge, skills and understanding learning about theistic and non-theistic
religions and other spiritual and ethical
traditions so that they understand key
Understanding questions of purpose and meaning
features and beliefs. Pupils explore
9 Pupils should be taught to recognise different types of significant aspects of human
purpose which motivate humans and inform human actions experience and concepts which are
the focus of religious teachings and
including their own.
practice. They learn about and
respond to interpretations of spiritual
Knowledge and understanding of beliefs, practices and their effect on and religious texts, practices and
the life of the believer symbols. They learn to express beliefs

and views with reasoned comments
10 Pupils should be taught: taking into account the views of others.
a to understand key beliefs, teachings and practices of
spiritual, ethical and religious traditions and to contribute
and respond to these in the light of their own views and 2a links with other subjects
This requirement links with PSHE & Cit
experiences 2b,e, 4f
b to be aware of the spectrum of ways of belonging to a

religion or community of beliefs, and describe ways in which This requirement builds on PSHE & Cit
1c,2d,4e,f and Hist 2b
individuals make choices in belief and behaviour including
and reflecting on their own personal experiences
2d links with other subjects
This requirement builds on Hist 2b,d
c to make connections between aspects of religions and belief and PSHE & Cit 4b
systems considering both similarities and differences,
2e links to other subjects
contributing and responding in the light of their own This requirement relates to PSHE & Cit
2j,4a
experience
3a links with other
d about historical links between religious traditions and about subjects
cultural differences within traditions at local, national and This requirement builds on
En 2/2 b
41
global levels, and to contribute and respond to this in the
light of their own views and experiences
e to recognise human interdependence
Interpretation

a to explore meanings of stories, symbols and artefacts and to relate these
to their own experiences, contributing their own interpretations
Enquiry and investigation

a to ask and explore questions, including those of purpose,
which stimulate their imagination and broaden their vision
and awareness
b to find out about aspects of ethical and religious traditions

4b links with other
subjects using a range of sources of information including oral
This requirement builds on accounts, artefacts, pictures, photographs, music, places of
En and En and ICT/1a-1c worship and ICT-based sources
Empathy

a to consider issues from other points of view and take
5a links with other
subjects different views, beliefs and values into account
This requirement builds on b to consider the integrity, feelings, ideas, beliefs and
En and Cit 4a
experiences of others showing respect and sensitivity
5b links with other

subjects
Evaluation
This requirement builds on
42
Cit 4a 14 Pupils should be taught:
a to consider what they can learn from the wisdom of spiritual
and religious traditions
b to respond to the views of others while justifying their own

with reasoned comments
c to develop and express personal values and commitments

This requirement builds on Expression and communication
En 1/ 3c
and Cit 1a
a how beliefs, ideas and feelings are conveyed through
spiritual and religious texts, ritual, symbolism and the arts
This requirement relates to b to communicate their knowledge, understanding and
Cit 1a
personal responses using a range of techniques and a variety
of media
c to contribute to exploratory group and class discussions
d to construct simple reasoned arguments
7c links with other

subjects
This requirement relates to Eng 1/3
43
Breadth of study Note for Breadth of study
Not all of the aspects of the
16 During the key stage, pupils should be taught the knowledge,
knowledge, skills and
skills and understanding through the following core units: understanding
need be developed in each
study.
Christianity
Hinduism
Islam
Judaism
and through a minimum of six of the additional units:
Birth and Death
Buddhism
Community
People of Faith
Pilgrimage
Places of Worship
Prayer and Worship
Rules for Living
Sacred and Special Books
Sikhism
Symbol
Key
(Ba) Baha’i
(Bu) Buddhism
(Ch) Christianity
(Hi) Hinduism
44
(Hu) Humanism
(I) Islam
(Ja) Jainism
(Ju) Judaism
(Ra) Rastafarianism
(S) Sikhism
45
Christianity
How is Jesus central to Christianity?
What are the key beliefs and practices of Christianity?
Learning objectives
To be aware that Christianity is a world religion with local and global differences
To be introduced to the idea that Christians experience God as Father, Son and Holy
Spirit
To be introduced to the Christian belief in Jesus as both divine and human through an
understanding of Christmas
To recognise that Jesus is an example for Christians in the way he chose disciples and
friends and the way he related to ordinary people
To know about and respond to some main events in the life of Jesus and how beliefs
about his death and resurrection are expressed and celebrated through Easter
To reflect on personal responses to light and dark and experiences of loss and hope
To understand how Christians worship as a community and as individuals

Jesus‟ birth, Matthew 1, 2, Luke 2;
Jesus‟ baptism, Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1;
Jesus‟ death and ressurection, Matthew 27, 28, Mark 15, 16, Luke 23, 24, John 19, 20
Call of the disciples : Luke 5:1-11, 6: 12-16
Different types of Sunday worship eg. church/cathedral, house church, holy communion, Bible study,
Quaker meetings

In groups, investigate pictures of the birth of Jesus from different cultures to explore expressions of his
divinity and humanity, and his importance for all Christians worldwide now. Feed back and discuss
findings with the whole class. Explore the carol ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ and express views about ‘the
most important gifts’.
Groups read a story from the life of Jesus including his baptism. Each group to make connections
between their story and a related painting and explain to the class how their story conveys the special
nature of Jesus.
Compare the baptism of Jesus to that of Christians using the story, paintings, photos, a visit to a church
and extracts from services of infant and believers’ Christian baptisms to explore the significance of the
different baptisms. Design a card to celebrate a Christian’s baptism including symbols and a message
which draw on this learning.
Use Unit 4 of ‘The Miracle Maker’ BBC to explore and respond to the significance of the type of people
Jesus chose to spend his time with.
Explore the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. In groups, sort cards of Good Friday and Easter
objects. Label to express their significance.
46
Background information Christianity
As the figure central to Christianity (see Key Stage 3: Focal Figures), Jesus, the person, is as important as his
teaching. There are two central elements to Jesus‟ teaching: the Kingdom of God (understood as the rule of God
in people‟s lives) and an understanding of God as Father. In claiming a relationship to God as the Son of God
Jesus was not suggesting God had a sexual relationship with another being. Instead, Jesus expressed the
intimate nature of his relation to God, and of God‟s way with all people. Christians came to think of Jesus as one
with God, and developed a way of speaking about God and Jesus as of the same „substance‟.
The idea of the Holy Spirit led to the belief in the Trinity: one God in three „persons‟. The terms „substance‟ and
„persons‟ are technical terms that attempt to express theological ideas about God. Christians believe in One God,
and understand God‟s unity as Trinity, an idea that developed as Christian theology struggled to understand Jesus
as both fully human and divine, and retain the belief in one God. This way of thinking helps Christians to pray to
God the Father, through Jesus, the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus‟ birth, baptism, death and resurrection: In thinking about his birth, celebrated at Christmas,
Christians understand that in Jesus God is found in human form. The key idea here is that of Incarnation, a
theological idea that should profoundly affirm human experience as valued by God. Jesus preached the good
news of the Kingdom, God‟s rule breaking into people‟s lives in an unmediated and intimate way by the power of
the Spirit. Many were expecting a Messiah, and at his baptism by John the baptist (Mark 1:1-20; John 1:19-51)
Jesus associated himself with those who were seeking to serve God. Jesus can be seen as radical reformer of
Judaism, and his work was marked by confrontation with the religious leaders of his day. Jesus‟ arrest, trial and
death should be seen in its political context (see Key Stage 3: Focal Figures), the events of which are retraced by
Christians each year as they celebrate Easter and Holy Week: Palm Sunday (Christ‟s arrival in Jerusalem);
Maundy Thursday (his and the apostles‟ Last Supper); Good Friday (his crucifixion); Holy Saturday (the Easter
vigil); and Easter Sunday the greatest day in the Christian calendar.
Jesus was executed by crucifixion as a religious and political radical, and Christians have understood his death in
different ways: as sacrificial atonement; example of love; as victory over Satan and evil. The most significant
theological themes of Easter are those of redemption and reconciliation the twin ideas that in Jesus‟ death
human beings can be brought back to God. His resurrection is understood as the ultimate vindication of Jesus by
God. The resurrection has inspired generations of Christians to find hope in the darkest of situations, for example
in contemporary Latin America with people like Oscar Romero (see Christianity: KS3).
Sunday Worship: From the simple unity of Jesus and his followers the Christian Church now expresses its
worship in a wide variety of forms. From Cathedral to Chapel , from High Church to Quaker, from Brethren to
Pentecostal the contrast of forms reflects both differences of interpretation and emphasis within Christianity and
differences of cultural expression. Many young Christians prefer informal, less structured worship than offered in
traditional liturgies. The many new forms of worship include Charismatic and Alternative worship of which the
Spring Harvest Bible Week and the Greenbelt Arts Festival are examples. (Many local churches will welcome
school visits.)
Prayer: One prayer used in most churches is the Lord‟s Prayer. This prayer, taught by Jesus to his followers
(Luke 11:2-4; Matthew 6:9-13) is a prayer about the Kingdom. It begins by calling God Father, and includes a
request that God will provide, and that God will forgive the sins of the person praying. All traditions encourage
Christians to practise prayer as a regular, if not daily activity. Some parts of the Church use a Daily Office, known
as the Prayer of the Church. This unites all those of a particular tradition in shared prayer. Others prefer private
devotional practice of reading a passage from the Bible and praying for the needs of others. In each case the aim
is to encourage the faith of the individual and to strengthen the unity of the Church. Some Christian traditions offer
prayer to Mary (Jesus Mother) and to the Saints (Christian men and women who have died and are considered by
the Church to be holy, eg St Patrick). Christian prayer can happen anywhere and at any time: it is about
relationship rather ritual.
Key terms and concepts: Christmas, Easter, divinity, God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, disciple, baptism,
resurrection, loss, hope, forgiveness, prayer, worship
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: understanding of loss, hope, and new possibilities,
consideration of rule of God in the life of Christians
Contribution to citizenship: appreciation of range of religious and ethnic identities, community responsibilities
47
Hinduism
What does it mean to be a Hindu?
What are some key beliefs and practices shared by Hindus?
Learning objectives
To understand the development of the term „Hindu‟
To be aware that the term Hinduism covers a wide spectrum of traditions and that
Hindus respect the path chosen by others including that of other religions
To understand and respond to the Hindu belief that the divine is in everyone
To be clear that Hindus believe that God is One and Formless but may be understood
and approached in different ways
To be aware that some Hindus approach God with attributes through certain main
traditions : Vaishnavite, Shaivite and worship through the Goddess
To recognise that some Hindus believe God becomes present in human form at times of
great need
To explore, respect and respond to the way puja and stories about different deities help
many Hindus to understand and get close to God
To know that there are different types of worship
To know that, for most Hindus, puja, the worship of their family or community deity, is
their main approach to God
To explore how puja draws on all the senses

The term „Hindu‟
The greeting „namaste‟
Uddalaka‟s explanation about God, „salt and water‟
The story of Lord Rama‟s yajna to Lord Shiva before going to Lanka
The story of Lord Krishna eating earth
The story of how Lord Shiva‟s son, Lord Murugan came to Palani
Navaratri and the Godesses, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Durga
Forms of worship (yajna) : Puja, havan and meditation

Use a ‘mystery’ (see ‘Thinking Skills in Primary Schools’) to explore and understand the development of
the term Hindu. Use a map of India to locate important temples of different Hindu traditions.
Invite the Hindu children to demonstrate and share their understanding of the ‘namaste’ greeting with
the rest of the class, drawing out the Hindu belief about the divine in every person. Invite the children to
take turns explaining whether they agree or disagree with this belief and with each other’s views.
Discuss how they might prepare their home for a special visitor and how they might show that someone
is special. Compare with aspects of the home shrine in a Hindu household. Invite a Hindu parent to
share watching the video ‘Coming Together : the Hindu Way of Life’ and discuss the video and why they
have a shrine in their house.
Visit a temple and watch some people performing puja. Ask the host to explain about the deity which is
important to him/her. Write a poem about their visit based on the five senses – I saw…I heard…I ….
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Background information Hinduism
The term „Hindu‟ was coined by visitors to India several centuries ago. It is derived from references to the river
that flows in the Northwest of India. The name of that river, the Indus, has been pronounced as „Sindhu‟ and
'Hindu'. Hence the people who lived in that part of the world were called 'Hindus'. The knowledge of God that
comes from this part of the world is called 'Hinduism'. Some practitioners prefer to call it „Sanatan Dharma‟,
sanatan meaning eternal and indicating that dharma (see Key Stage 3 Hinduism unit) was not founded by one
specific person or book but was and is „seen‟ and understood by many highly developed spiritual individuals, rishis
and rishikas. Most Hindus still live in India but a large number now live in many other parts of the world.
Hindus are generally proud of the tolerance of their faith. At the core of Hinduism is the idea that many paths,
including those of other religious traditions, lead to the Truth. Hinduism itself offers its followers several different
paths. A Hindu may feel that the one he or she has chosen is the best but will usually acknowledge that there are
also other ways to find God. Hinduism, therefore, recognises and encorporates pluralism. There are as many ways
to God as there are people. Everyone has to find his/her own way to God. We have to make the best use of our
own abilities. Four major ways, yogas or margs, are developed in the Hindu tradition (see KS3 : Hinduism).
Hindus can pick and choose any of these ways, or a combination of any of these major ways.
However, the very term Sanatan Dharma does point to the presence of some central truths which are common to
the whole Hindu tradition. The ultimate Hindu goal is to find God. Individuals can only be free from the cycle of
rebirth when they have reached God. This is called moksha. That is the final destination. Hindus believe that
God is everywhere and in everyone so that when they greet another person they salute them with their hands
together saying the word „Namaste‟. This can be translated as „May that which is of God in me salute that which
is of God in you‟. In Uddalaka‟s (one of the early teachers, rishis) explanation about God, he dissolves salt in
water to help his son, Svetaketu, understand the nature of God. Once the salt is dissolved he asks his son to
taste the water several times after emptying some of the water from the cup each time. „Just as every drop of
water in the glass was salty, so God is everywhere.‟ This account comes from the Upanishads, texts recounting
philosophical and spiritual teachings, 600-400BCE. They include speculations on material in the Vedas, the
fundamental sacred texts of Hinduism, composed from approximately 1500-500 BCE. Together the Vedas and
Upanishads express the truths of Sanatan Dharma as „seen‟ by the rishis and rishikas. The Upanishads often
recount the dialogue between a rishi and a disciple, where the latter‟s questions are explored and answered.
The Upanishads refer to God as the ultimate reality -'Brahman'. It teaches that this ultimate reality 'appears' as the
physical universe. It adds that this same ultimate reality also 'appears' in a more clear form as all living things.
Hence they are sacred as they represent an image of God. Humankind is the most sacred image of God as it
represents the most transparent manifestation of God. What sparkles in all of us as the 'I', say Hindus, is a clear
reflection of God. The name given to God as our true self is 'Atman'.
Since moksha is the final goal, Hindus say that it is not enough just to think about or believe in God. We have to
make an effort to find God. Some Hindus like to think of God as being formless. The best way that they can
describe God is as Truth and Love. They say that if we try and find out the real nature of these qualities, we can
find God. They do not like to think of God with form.
Most Hindus are not very keen to think of God as being formless. The best explanation of God as being both with
and without form came from a recent Hindu prophet called Ramakrishna (1836-1886). He explained why there is
no contradiction in thinking of God as being both with and without form. He gave the example of ice and water. It
is the same thing with and without shape. He says that the love of the devotee freezes the formless God into the
form of his choice. Hence any approach to God is fine. Any form of God we decide to worship is fine. He said God
is both with and without form and much more.
So for many Hindus the most effective way to find God is to think of him/her as a person. This allows us to build a
relationship with him and thus allows us to get closer to him. Many Hindus have found God in this manner. The
form of God they choose then becomes very special because it is a tried and tested path used by a person to
reach God. This is why we see God being portrayed in so many different ways in Hinduism. These are all different
ways used by different people to reach the same God. Many people including some Hindus get confused when
they see so many different forms of God. Vedas - the scriptures of Hinduism - teach: "There is only one God but
there are many different ways to reach him".
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When Hindus approach God in this way, through a personal form, they usually follow one of three main traditions:
Vaishnava, Shaiva and Shakta. They will usually refer to themselves using these terms. The forms of God for
Vaishnava followers are all related to Lord Vishnu, those for Shaiva followers are related to Lord Shiva and those
for Shakta followers are related to the Goddess, Devi. However, this does not mean that the worship of a form of
God or deity from one tradition is exclusive of any others. It means that the chosen form will be dominant and the
others complementary. In the Ramayana, before Lord Rama builds the bridge to the island of Lanka he makes
an offering to Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu is usually worshipped in human form, such as Lord Rama or Lord
Krishna. When righteousness is at a low ebb Vaishnavas believe that God takes on human form to re-establish
order and reinstate goodness. While Lord Rama, therefore, is a form of God in the Vaishnava tradition his
worship of Lord Shiva expresses the complimentary relationship of all the forms of Gods and that worship of one is
not exclusive.
Each deity has its own particular characteristics which help the devotee to reach God but at the same time is
clearly an approach to One God. There are many stories about Lord Krishna which develop his personality,
making him more accessible and approachable for those who have chosen him as their main deity. The story of
Lord Krishna eating earth as a young boy is one of many about his cheeky and naughty childhood. In this
same story, when his mother asks him to open his mouth so that she can clean out the earth she is awed by the
vision of his true nature as God which she sees there.
Shaiva Siddhanta is one of the dominant strands of the Shaiva tradition and is very popular in South India,
particularly among Tamil communities. It also became popular outside India with the move of Tamil communities
to Sri Lanka and recently to Britain. Lord Shiva had two sons, Ganesh and Murugan, otherwise known as
Kartikeya or Skanda in the north of India. Murugan became one of the major forms of God for the Shaiva
Siddhanta tradition and he is the central deity of major temples in South India, Sri Lanka and Britain. One of the
most important in India is that at Palani. The story of his arrival there conveys the significance of Murugan for
South India.
Hindus also approach God through female form as the Goddess, Devi. The festival of Navaratri celebrates
energy, Shakti, through nine forms of the goddess for nine nights. Some of the best known forms of the Goddess
are Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvati. The form chosen for worship will partly depend on the purpose of the worship.
If a devotee is embarking on an educational project, for example, he or she may worship through Sarasvati, the
goddess of learning, to help focus their mind and work.
The chosen deity, then, is the focus of many Hindus‟ path through which they try to find and get close to God.
They worship God through the deity using the rituals of puja. This type of worship takes the form of showing care
and devotion to the deity through prayer and offerings. The presence of God is invoked through these rituals. The
extent and complexity of the puja varies from simply lighting incense and saying prayers to more lengthy washing,
dressing and adorning of the deity, making offerings and performing prostrations.
Hindus who like to think of God as formless may worship through meditation and yoga using nothing but the
mind and spiritual awareness to get close to God. Others may worship God through the ancient fire ritual, havan,
to reduce their attachment to desires, negative impulses and achieve moksha. The all-pervading quality of the
element of fire makes the connection between the core of the earth and the sun, is an important element of prayer
and transforms offerings, physical, emotional and spiritual. To other Hindus, performing their duties in life and
living according to dharma is a form of worship and their ritual may consist of lighting a joss stick, saying a quick
prayer and making an occasional visit to a temple for special occasions such as festivals.
Hindus say any activity we do that takes us closer to God is called worship. There are no hard and fast rules about
worship. The best times for worship are considered to be dusk and dawn when everything seems to be peaceful.
Key terms and concepts: unity of God, worship through deities, puja, havan, meditation
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: exploration of spiritual paths
Contribution to citizenship: awareness of diversity, tolerance, mutual understanding
50
Islam
How is God revealed to Muslims?
What are some of the key beliefs and practices of Islam?
Learning objectives
To understand and respond to Muslim belief in the revelation of Allah through the
pattern and order of the natural world
To know about and respond to Muslim belief in Allah as One, infinite and without
partners
To consider why „the five pillars‟ of Islam are fundamental requirements for Muslims
To know about the revelation of the Qur‟an to the Prophet Muhammad, its significance
as the Word of Allah
To explore and respond to the way Muslims know about Allah and the world through the
Qur‟an
To be introduced to and respond to the example of the Prophet Muhammad as a source
of guidance for Muslims

The unity of Allah, Tawhid : Surah 112
Signs of Allah : Surah 2 : 118
Islamic geometric designs
The „five pillars‟ : Shahadah, salah, sawm, hajj, and zakat
The importance of the Qur‟an : Surah 96 : 1-8
The story of the revelation of the Qur‟an
The story of the Prophet Muhammad and the woman at the gate of Makkah

Colour in a patch on a sheet of Islamic pattern for a few minutes. Stop and reflect on why they chose
that patch, on their thoughts as they follow the pattern, where one pattern begins and ends, whether
there is any division in the pattern. Introduce the children to the unity of Allah for Muslims and how they
see this reflected in the pattern and order of the natural world and express it in decorative designs.
Show slides or pictures of mosques with patterned decoration. Connect these with the Shahadah as the
daily prayer and the first pillar of Islam. Explore how it expresses the core beliefs of Islam.
In groups, explore the connection between a selection of artefacts and one of the five pillars of Islam.
Feed back to the rest of the class about your findings and use a writing frame to explain connections.
Invite the children to come in to the room particularly quietly as a tape of a recitation of the Qur’an is
playing. Show a poster of the cave where the Qur’an was revealed and tell the story of its revelation. In
pairs, draw a ‘living graph’ to show the Prophet Muhammad’s responses and feelings during the lead up
to, during and after the revelation of the Qur’an. Invite a Muslim visitor to read the Qur’an and speak
Arabic with any Arabic speaking children in the class.
Choose from a selection of examples from the life of the Prophet, and write explanations about choices
and about the way the example relates to their life and might or might not inspire them.
Use the Shahadah as the centre for a mind map to recall and collate learning about Islam.
51
Background information Islam
The word Islam can be translated as that peace which Muslims believe is found when we realise that nothing
which happens on earth is independent of God. Muslims believe that we are totally dependent on Allah and that if
we forget this and imagine we can lead independent lives we will lose our sense of peace. At the root of the word
Islam is salaam, used in the traditional Muslim greeting, As-Salamu-Alaykum, peace be upon you.
Islam is, for Muslims, the way of peace and harmony. The Qur‟an describes how everything – including the moon
and the stars, the hills and the oceans – obeys a law, the law of Allah. Superb harmony and perfect order are
to be discerned in the system of nature: the sun rises in the east and sets in the west and there has been no
change to this rule; the moon and the stars shine at night, day passes and night comes. These are the signs of
Allah in the natural world, as is the ordered geometry of a snowflake and the perfect ratio of the spiral of a nautilus
shell.
Muslims believe that encompassing and transcending everything within creation, including time and space, is
Allah. The rich diversity of animate and inanimate creation has its origin in Allah. This is Tawhid, the Muslim belief
in the oneness of Allah, the sustainer of the universe and the sole source of its guidance. The effect of Tawhid
on human life is that a Muslim is aware of that same direction and purpose in her/his life as is to be seen in nature.
Islamic pattern, on walls, carpets, tiles or in the design of a mosque, attempts to express the infinite variety of the
natural world while reflecting the order and harmony underlying it. The use of geometric patterns with their infinite
permutations reflect the greatness of Allah, whom nothing can equal and no one can represent. A border confines
the pattern but where does it really begin and where does it end?
Muslims believe that humans are not mere physical structures that need only physical nourishment. The essence
which makes us specifically human is the soul and the soul finds life only in communication and attachment to
Allah. The worship of Allah is the daily provision and nourishment of the soul. Worship is also a divine test that
edifies humans. The Qur‟an teaches that this life is not the final destination for humans: it is a transitional period
for the life of eternity. Humans have instincts, desires and a will as well as a soul which need the purification of
worship. What are known as the „five pillars of Islam‟, shahadah, salah, sawm, hajj and zakat, are part of
Islamic worship. They remind Muslims of their dependence on Allah, help them to communicate and remain
attached to Allah, and work to purify human instincts and desires, preparing them for life after death.
The shahadah, the statement of faith, expresses the unity and supremacy of Allah; through salah, prayer, a
Muslim refocuses on Allah throughout the day through a ritual in which the whole body is involved; through sawm,
fasting during the month of Ramadan, physical desires are controlled, the spiritual strength and faith of the Muslim
is tested, and s/he enters a heightened period of spiritual awareness; hajj, pilgrimage, necessitates detachment
from worldly desires and emotions and a focused attachment to Allah with an awareness of life after death; zakat,
obligatory donation of 2 ½ % of wealth, is a process of purification of money and greed.
At the same time, the whole of a Muslim‟s life is worship when actions and behaviour are motivated by the
intention to please Allah. Indeed there must be this consistency and uniformity of purpose in the life of a Muslim
who is following Islam. If a person follows the commands and guidance of Allah, Islam teaches that the way will
be easier for her/him, without distractions, doing more works which are beneficial to the individual and to the
community.
Muslims believe that the Qur‟an is the complete book of guidance for humankind, every word being revealed by
Allah. The subject matter of the Qur‟an is humanity and its ultimate goal in life. Its teachings cover all areas of life
and it teaches about life after death. Muslims see the revelation through the Prophet Muhammad, recorded in
the Qur‟an, as the final revelation but they do not claim that it is the only one. They see it as the completion of
God‟s revelation which started with Adam. Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Dawud (David) and Isa
(Jesus), among others, are prophets or messengers of Islam and what was revealed through them is true.
Muslims regard the accuracy with which these revelations have been preserved and the way they have been
interpreted as questionable.
Muslims look to the Shari‟ah, Islamic law, for the interpretation and application of the guidance of the Qur‟an to
particular situations. The Shari‟ah is the code of conduct for Muslims and has been developed over the
centuries as new situations, which are not specifically addressed in the Qur‟an, arise. The validity of any
interpretation or application is based on whether it agrees with the Qur‟an.
52
The Shari‟ah is also derived from the sunnah, the life example of the Prophet Muhammad. There are many
sayings of the Prophet and examples of his actions or actions which he approved of : each one is known as a
hadith. These have been collected very carefully and compiled since his death. Each reliable hadith can be
traced through an authentic chain of transmission; there are six collections which are regarded as the most
authentic.
The story of „The Woman at the Gate of Makkah‟ describes the Prophet‟s kindness and the way he considered
the needs of others before his own. It also shows the impact his behaviour had on the people he came into
contact with, in this case the woman at the gate of Makkah, who was about to leave the city because of negative
rumours about him. However, because of the way he helps her and patiently listens to her account of these
rumours she realises they are untrue and turns back to the city with his help.
Key terms and concepts: order, Allah, Tawhid, unity, revelation, Qur‟an, guidance, shahadah, salah, sawm, hajj,
zakat, spiritual nourishment
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: responses to order in the natural world, understanding of
guidance for behaviour and actions, reflection on meaning of spiritual nourishment
Contribution to citizenship: awareness of different beliefs about basis for actions and behaviour
53
Judaism
How is the home central to the continuity of Jewish traditions?
What are key beliefs and practices of Judaism?
Learning objectives
To explore the way practices in the home transmit the importance of Jewish faith,
values and history : the mezuzah, Shabbat and Pesach
To consider how living according to God‟s commandments demonstrates the love of
God
To respond to some Jewish expressions of God as Creator
To understand and reflect on the meaning of atonement, forgiveness and new
beginnings for Jews expressed by Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
To understand and respond to ways Jews express and celebrate the importance of the
Sefer Torah

Rituals beginning and ending Shabbat in the home
The Shema and the mezuzah
Exodus 7-40, the haggadah and the Pesach seder meal
Genesis 1 and Psalm 8
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
The Sefer Torah

Watch the section on ‘Shabbat in the home’ from the programme on Judaism in ‘Places of Worship’ :
BBC. Pass round a Havdalah spice box which still smells of spices. Invite children to speculate on its
use. Use the spice box to focus on the importance of Shabbat to Jews for getting close to God and the
family to sustain them through the week. Write a diary entry, in the role of a Jewish child, about the
ending of a particular Shabbat and their thoughts about the week to come.
Prepare a table for the seder meal and play some Pesach songs. Watch the video ‘Moses : Testament,
the Bible in Animation’. Read ‘the four questions’ from the haggadah for the seder meal and ask the
children to imagine they are Israelites who have recently come out of slavery in Egypt. Invite the
children to take turns to talk about the way something on the table reminds ‘them’ of the events of ‘their’
freedom from slavery and deliverance by God. Write poems to express responses to ‘freedom’.
Discuss the effect it may have for Jewish children that Shabbat and Pesach are based in the home.
Discuss why the Israelites were not ready to receive the Torah the first time. Write in thought bubbles,
for display, why it is sometimes hard for any of us to hear when someone is asking us to do something.
Ask children to try blowing the shofar and then play a recording. Discuss what the sound of the shofar
is calling Jews to do and why they have a time in the year to ‘return’ to God. Darken the room and show
an OHP of planet earth. Read Psalm 8 and reflect on David’s feelings about God as Creator. Give
children a square of paper on which to write one word or phrase expressing their feelings about the
world for display. Discuss why it is important for Jews to be reminded of God as Creator on Rosh
Hashanah.
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Background information Judaism
Judaism understands the relationship between God and humankind in terms of a covenant, agreement, both
having responsibilities to each other. Human needs are supplied by God through the pattern and balance of the
world he has created. In return Jews are required to live moral lives and to make the world a fit place for God‟s
presence. Laid down in that covenant, made by their ancestors at Sinai, are 613 commandments which
constitute God‟s will for the Jews and embrace every aspect of daily life. In this way every action can be seen to
have significance as a service to God, as an act of worship, bringing God into every aspect of life.
Shabbat, or Sabbath, has at its heart beliefs about God as Creator and Provider. The Kiddush, the blessing
given over a goblet of wine during the Shabbat meal, is a reminder of this. Observing the Sabbath is a also a sign
of the covenant, an expression of commitment and belonging. It is a profound and constant testimony to God‟s
sovereignty over the world.
There are thirty nine categories of work which are prohibited. Although these restrictions would appear to impinge
on personal freedom, they actually open up the possibility of devoting effort and energy to activities of a different
nature. The Sabbath is a celebration of holy time, not only dedicated to rest, but also to study, conversation,
walks, and visiting friends. All the rituals of the Sabbath highlight the social dimension: conviviality and meeting
with others.
The way in which the Sabbath will be marked will depend on the way in which the Jewish family or the individual is
observant of their faith. Orthodox Jews will observe the commandments about prohibition of work precisely.
Reform and Liberal Jews will observe those commandments in the present day context. Some Jews may go to
synagogue regularly and observe the Sabbath rituals in total. Others may go to the synagogue occasionally or
may perform only a part of the rituals.
When Shabbat is observed in full, the beginning is marked by the ritual lighting of two candles. Everything
should be ready by the time the Sabbath begins just before sunset on Friday. Two or more candles, but usually
two, are placed in candlesticks. It is usually the woman of the house who gives the blessing as she lights each
candle to welcome the Sabbath. Blessings transform everyday events into acts of holiness. The Jewish mother
plays a central role in the religious nurture of the children and in performing ceremonies in the home. She
beckons with her arms, symbolically welcoming the holy day into her home, covers her face with her hands and
recites the blessing for her family. Uncovering her eyes the first things she sees are the candle flames. The
candlesticks, often finely crafted, are a basic symbol of attachment to traditional values.
Just as it is welcomed with religious ceremony, so at the time of its departure, at sunset on Saturday, Shabbat is
bidden farewell with the lighting of candles and with blessings. This ritual of separation from Shabbat is the
Havdalah. The first blessing is given over the wine; then another blessing over the spices whose smells
represent the sweetness of Shabbat; and the last blessing over the flame of the distinctive plaited Havdalah
candle. The perfume from the spices or plant are inhaled as the box containing them is passed around, to carry
the memory and impact of the Sabbath into the week to come. Great care and creativity is often involved in
making these boxes, most commonly in the shape of turrets but sometimes in the form of fruit, or flowers.
While the family goes out of the home to the synagogue, to walk or to visit friends or relatives on Shabbat, its
beginning and ending in the home conveys the central importance of the home and family in Judaism. It is where
children learn about being Jewish. During the Shabbat meal the father will bless his children and thank God for
his wife who has created a home where God is always present.
Jews also emphasise the presence of God in the home and remind themselves to follow the ethical path of
Judaism by fixing the mezuzah to the doorway to the home. The mezuzah is a piece of parchment on which the
first paragraphs of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6 : 4-9) are written and is rolled up and enclosed in a specially
designed cover. The Shema is usually the first prayer a Jewish child learns. It summarises the Jewish belief in
the oneness of God, their relationship with God and their responsibilities. When the mezuzah is put in place
women and men must take part. It should be at a reachable level and is often touched as the occupants enter the
house as a reminder of the presence of God. The mezuzah is not meant to be opened up and read. The only part
which can be read easily when it is rolled up is the word Shaddai, one of the names of God, which is written on the
outside of the parchment. The first letter of this word, Shin, is usually on the cover for the mezuzah, sometimes
the three letters which form the whole word.
From very early times, the Seder meal of Passover, Pesach, has been an occasion for families and friends to
55
gather together to celebrate. It is also used as an opportunity for parents to teach their children about the Exodus
and pass on their tradition. The Haggadah, narration, is the book containing the order of the meal, the story of the
Exodus as well as appropriate prayers, songs and explanations. It is read during the Seder meal so that every
generation of Jews can relive the experience of the Exodus and understand its implications. It is customary to
interrupt the reading with discussions of the text and its relationship to contemporary events.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a two day holiday which start off a ten-day period leading to Yom
Kippur, known as the Ten Days of Penitence. This is a very important time in the Jewish year, providing an
opportunity to assess one‟s actions and thoughts over the past year and to question one‟s motives, choices and
options in life. Rosh Hashanah encourages people to pull themselves out of daily routine and habits and look for
ways of moving forward. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is like a confirmation of the decisions made
during Rosh Hashanah. The day is spent in prayer and fasting, asking forgiveness for sins committed and turning
towards God.
The shofar, a ram‟s horn, is blown several times every morning during prayer at the synagogue like a wake up call.
Special dishes are prepared for the two evenings of Rosh Hashanah, expressing good wishes for the New Year. It
is a custom of Ashkenazic communities, Jews originating from Eastern Europe, to dip slices of fresh apple into
honey while wishing sweetness for the year to come. After the bread is blessed it is also dipped in honey, not in
salt as on Shabbat. Sephardic Jews, from Spain and Portugal and their descendants, organize a true seder with a
table decorated and laid out with sweet dishes and others suggesting different aspects of the year to come: a
small bowl of sesame seeds mixed with granulated sugar, „may we be as numerous as the grains of sesame‟;
pomegranates, „may our merits be as numerous as pomegranate seeds‟; a dish with one fish, „like the fish, may
we always have our eyes open, be on the look-out and flourish in great number‟.
Judaism is a practical religion emphasising „correct action‟ more than „correct beliefs‟. The terms of the covenant
between God and the Jewish people are set out in the Torah as a guide to their lives. Jews believe that because
of this covenant they have a special duties and responsibilities, to try and set an example and work to make the
world a better place. For Jews belief in God without righteous actions is not an option.
The Sefer Torah is the scroll of the Torah, the actual parchment on which are written the Five Books of Moses,
always in Hebrew. If even one letter is written incorrectly the scroll is unfit for use. The Sefer Torah is considered
the holiest object in Judaism and its importance is also conveyed in its adornment. It is the focal point of Jewish
worship and the source of Jewish teaching, custom and practice. Every synagogue will have an ark to contain
the Sefer Torah on its wall facing Jerusalem, and a bimah, platform, from which the Torah is read. If a scoll is
worn out or damaged it is not destroyed; it is buried in a section of a Jewish cemetery, or grouped with others in an
area in or near the synagogue.
Key terms and concepts: tradition, home, holy time, God as Creator, blessings, ritual, forgiveness, atonement,
new beginnings, guide
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: awareness of time for reflection, consideration of impact of
actions
Contribution to citizenship: the role of the family in developing values, relationship of the individual with the
wider community
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Birth and Death
Why do humans have ceremonies associated with birth and death?
What do different communities believe about the relationship between
life and death?
Learning objectives
To explore what it means to be alive or dead
To consider the beginnings and endings of life and the relationship between life and
death
To know how birth and naming ceremonies introduce beliefs and values into the child‟s
life
To know how birth ceremonies can express beliefs about the source of life
To reflect on the possibilities of life for a growing baby
To understand the ways some faith communities respond to loss
To introduce questions and express beliefs about what, if anything, happens after death

Hindu creation story : the Cosmic egg and Vishnu on the waters (Hi)
Taoist creation story : Panku (T)
Prayers for the child in the womb (Ba)
Infant baptism or dedication (Ch)
Whispering the adhan at birth and the prayer at death(I)
Naming ceremonies (Hi)(S)(Hu)
Memorial lights (Ju)
The story of Kishagotami and the mustard seed (Bu)

Tell the creation stories of Panku and the Hindu version which includes the cosmic egg. Discuss the
symbolism of the egg in each story. Groups paint the beginning and ending of each story. Perform a
dance/drama expressing ideas of birth and death.
Read ‘Welcoming Babies’ : Margy Burns Knight. ISBN 0 88448 123 9. Invite a Muslim parent to
demonstrate ‘whispering the adhan’. Explore with the class and the parent why the call to prayer is said
at birth and the prayer itself is said at death. Make zigzag books of someone’s life with the adhan at the
beginning and the prayer at the end. Discuss what this expresses about someone’s life.
Read ‘Badger’s Parting Gifts’ : Susan Varley ISBN 000 664 317 5 or extracts from ‘Charlotte’s Web’ : EB
White . Discuss what helped Badger’s friends/Walter after Badger/Charlotte had died. In groups make
a memorial for Badger/Charlotte including objects to symbolise their character and events in their lives
and represent memories.
Show the children a Jewish memorial light and discuss yearly remembrance of relatives who have died.
Read Hannah Senesh’s poem ‘Blessed is the Match’ and explore what the flame represents.
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Background information Birth and Death
Taoism:
Creation stories stimulate thought and questions about the origin of life itself as well as presenting different beliefs
about aspects of life and the universe. The story of Panku uses two main metaphors: the egg and the human
body. The story begins with all life being contained in an egg, a metaphor of potential and compressed energy.
The giant Panku then breaks out of the egg with different parts of his body finally becoming different parts of this
world, a metaphor for the Taoist belief in the organic and interelated nature of all aspects of the planet.
Hinduism:
There are several Hindu stories about creation, a measure of the diversity of the Hindu tradition. Across the Hindu
tradition, however, there is a belief in the cyclic nature of time and existence, that there have been and will be
many universes, not just this one. The beginning of a cycle may be thought of as a creation event. The story of
the Cosmic or Golden Egg and Vishnu lying on the waters is the beginning of another cycle when Lord Vishnu
drops, into the waters, a seed which becomes a golden egg. Out of this grows elements of this world and a
Cosmic man whose body is the basis of all living things. As in the Panku story, this expresses the organic
interelated nature of all life. When the world decays the giant snake, the residue of the world, floats on the waters
until the next universe is reborn. „Creation – sustenance – death/ending‟ is a cyclical phenomenon.
Christianity:
Infant dedication or baptism: Christians differ on Baptism. Some (typically Roman Catholics, Anglicans,
Orthodox), adopting a covenantal theology, understand that in Christ God has made a covenant with not only
those who believe, but with their children (Acts 2:39). Typically, these Christians baptise (not „christen‟) children on
whose behalf parents express faith. The intention is that the child will later confirm the faith for themselves. Other
Christians (typically Baptists and Pentecostal Christians) believe that people can only be baptised „on profession
of faith‟. These Christians practise, not adult baptism (as age is not an issue) but believers baptism. However, they
do not neglect the parental instinct to give thanks for a child and offer infant dedication as a service of
thanksgiving. Christians baptise „In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit‟.
Islam:
The Sunnah of the Prophet teaches that when a baby is born it needs to be cleansed and dressed. A male adult,
father or some one close in the family, should recite the Adhan, the ritual call for collective prayer, in the right ear.
The first sound to reach a baby's ear should thus be the declaration of Allah's greatness, so that the sound always
reverberates in his memory and settles in his soul. The sense of hearing begins and is operative when the child is
still within its mother‟s womb, and it has recently been discovered that it is able to remember things heard whilst
still in the womb. Then after birth, it is ready to take in and store in its memory things which it hears. Therefore,
Islam prescribed that the first message to reach the newborn child‟s hearing should be the words of the Adhan.
Muslims believe the effects of the Adhan will reach the newborn even if s/he does not comprehend it. Ibnul-
Qayyim said, "One should not deny the effect of the Adhan upon the hearts and intellect of the newborn - even if
one does not perceive it."
When a Muslim is at the point of death firstly he is faced in the direction of the Ka'bah. This is done by placing him
on his right side with his face towards the Ka'bah or by placing him on his back with his feet in the direction of the
Ka'bah and his head raised slightly so that his face is towards the Ka'bah. Secondly he should be prompted to say
the profession of faith by someone saying it out loud, so that he can hear, "There is no God but Allah and
Muhammad is the Prophet of God". A Muslim‟s life begins with hearing the call to prayer and ends with the
statement of faith, reminders that human life is dependent on Allah and, from beginning to end, should have Allah
as its focus.
Baha‟i:
According to the Baha‟i teachings, a soul will be given to each child at the time of conception and Baha‟i parents
pray every day for the healthy development of the body and the soul of the child in the mother‟s womb. „O God!
Rear this little babe in the bosom of Thy love, and give it milk from the breast of Thy providence. Cultivate this
fresh plant in the rose garden of Thy love and aid it to grow through the showers of Thy bounty. Make it a child of
the kingdom….Thou art the powerful and kind…‟ According to Baha‟i teachings the human body serves a
temporary purpose in the development of the soul, and when that purpose has been served, is laid aside; just as
58
an egg shell serves a temporary purpose in the development of the chick, and when that purpose has been
served, is broken and discarded. But the soul continues to progress in the next world which is unknown to human
beings.
Hinduism:
Sixteen samskars, rites of passage, are prescribed in Vedic culture covering the whole span of life from
conception to death. Three are prenatal and the last is cremation. The samskars not only mark different stages in
a person‟s life but are also intended to invoke goodness, promote domestic harmony and personal success and
provide an important outlet for emotional expression at significant times of life such as birth, marriage and death.
Celebration is an important element of many samskars, sharing pleasure, having a good time or sharing sorrow
and receiving help and consolation.
Namkara samskar is the fouth samskar when the baby‟s name is chosen. Traditionally naming a child has had
great importance for Hindus. It is thought to have beneficial effects to associate the child with a family deity or the
constellation under which the child was born. It has also been believed that a person‟s personality can be
influenced by a name so choosing a name which suggests desirable attributes is important.
Sikhism:
According to the Sikh faith all people are equal so all Sikhs should value the birth of a girl as much as a boy.
When a baby is born Sikhs often give sweets to their neighbours and friends whether they are Sikh or not, to
celebrate the birth. A fortnight later the baby is taken to the gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship, for his or her
name to be chosen. The baby is laid down on the floor in front of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, and
the person who reads the book opens it at random and reads the first new verse on the left hand page. The letter
which the verse begins with is to be the first letter of the baby‟s name. The family chooses a name beginning with
that letter. Most names can be given to boys or girls. The close connection between the child‟s name and the
Guru Granth Sahib expresses its importance as a guiding factor in the child‟s life.
Humanism:
Increasingly, registry offices are offering naming ceremonies as a non-religious alternative for those who want to
mark the naming of their child. The British Humanist Society has years of experience in preparing ceremonies
which express Humanist beliefs and values. Many parents hold such a ceremony at the start of a party, either at
their home or at a special venue to recognise and celebrate the birth of their child and express their hopes for its
life in the future. Parents may choose relatives or friends to become „guide parents‟ or „special friends‟. The
occasion can be marked by everyone writing a special message in a book for the child to read in later years. A
tree may be planted to grow along with the child.
Judaism:
Many Jews observe the anniversary of the death of a member of the family or others who have been close friends
or significant in some way. Some people fast on this day or visit the graves of those being remembered. In
Jewish tradition the flame of a candle symbolizes the essence of a person. So, on all occasions when the dead
are remembered, memorial candles are lit. The candle must burn for a period of twenty-four hours, starting at
dusk on the day before the anniversary.
Buddhism:
One of the main teachings of Buddhism concerns impermanence. The Buddha taught that suffering or a sense of
unsatisfactoriness can only be reduced by recognising the impermanent nature of everything and thereby also
letting go of attachment. The story of Kisagotami and the mustard seed is an account of the Buddha‟s
response to Kisagotami‟s distress at the death of her baby child. Kisagotami asks the Buddha for medicine for her
dead son and he sends her to find mustard seeds from a household which has not known death. Using practical
activity, the Buddha teaches Kisagotami about the impermanence of life and helps her to accept the death of her
child.
Key terms and concepts: life, beginnings, potential, wishes, growth, change, loss, impermanence, memorial,
celebration.
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: reflection the possibilities of life, develop beliefs about what
happens after death
Contribution to citizenship: understanding of the diverse ways different communities celebrate new life and the
importance of this for communities
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Buddhism
Why did the Buddha seek Enlightenment?
What are his main teachings?
Learning objectives
To consider what made the Buddha give up his home, family and wealth
To know about and respond to the way the Buddha achieved Enlightenment
To reflect on his teachings about a Middle Way
To introduce the teachings of the Eightfold Path
To consider his teachings about impermanence
To explore the symbolism of key Buddhist objects

The story of the Buddha‟s life in the palace, the „four sights‟ and his departure
The story of the Buddha‟s asceticism in the forest and adoption of the Middle Way
The story of the Buddha‟s Enlightenment
The story of Kisagotami and the mustard seed
The Eightfold Path
Postures of Buddha images, the Wheel, the lotus

Watch the video about the life of the Buddha : KS2 Clearvision Trust. In groups, devise drama sketches
of the Buddha in the palace, going outside the palace and the ‘four sights’ and his first teaching after
Enlightenment to express his thoughts and feelings at each stage. Perform to the rest of the class and
discuss personal responses to and viewpoints about each stage.
Paint a triptych of the three stages of the Buddha’s enlightenment: the Buddha in the palace, as an
ascetic in the forest and becoming enlightened under the Bodhi tree, with the final event in the middle of
the triptych. Add a speech bubble to express his responses at each stage. Paint an accompanying
triptych to show contemporary examples to explain the Middle Way.
Make a collage to display different forms of dissatisfaction and suffering with speech bubbles for
responses from the Buddha. Discuss Buddhist ways of dealing with dissatisfaction or unhappiness.
Write a reflective diary entry to express personal thoughts about ways of dealing with dissatisfaction or
unhappiness.
Draw pictures for display of changes in the natural world e.g. growth, weather, seasons, night and day,
etc, in objects e.g. rust, wearing out, fashion, and in themselves. Introduce the word ‘impermanence’.
Can they think of anything which is permanent? Reflect on change which they find difficult or makes
them sad. Tell the story of Kisagotami and the mustard seed. Draw a ‘living graph’ of Kisagotami’s
feelings during the story. Why did the Buddha send her in search of the mustard seed rather than just
tell her that everyone dies? Did this help her?
Make a class mural of the Eight Spoked Wheel with pictures and descriptions of examples from their
lives, from books and newspapers for each stage of the path.
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Background information Buddhism
It is generally held that the Buddha was born about 560 BCE in a village called Lumbini in the foothills of the
Himalayas, now in southern Nepal. He grew up as a prince with the name Siddhartha Gautama, protected from
life outside the palace walls. He felt a deep dissatisfaction with his life which was focused on material pleasure
and became curious to find out what life was like outside the palace. When he went out he saw old age, sickness,
death and a holy man for the first time. Following this experience he felt compelled to go in search of the causes
for the suffering he had seen and a way in which it could be overcome. When he was twenty nine years old he
decided to leave his family, his life of luxury and comfort to become a wandering holy man, like the one he had
seen, as a way to find the answers to his questions.
Siddhartha Gautama went into the forest and followed the path of many traditional Hindu ascetics who renounced
attachments to family and material pleasures in search of truth. He tried many strict religious disciplines in the
attempt to develop control of his body and purify his mind, finally eating so little that he collapsed. He realised
that this was not the way for him to find the truth he was seeking. He decided to take a „Middle Way‟ between
extreme ascetism and indulgence in worldly pleasure, ensured his body was sufficiently nourished and strong and
began his deep meditation seated under the shade of a pipal tree. He had resolved not to leave his meditation
until he had discovered the cause of dissatisfaction and suffering and the way to reduce them.
During Siddartha‟s meditation his mind became very bright and alert and as he concentrated more he was able to
look into the innermost recesses of his mind, to observe the comings and goings, his thoughts and feelings. He
awoke to the true nature of things. This was his Enlightenment and from now on he was called the Buddha,
literally the one who has woken up. There are different images of the Buddha with various postures which
depict significant points in his life and his path to Enlightenment.
The Buddha discovered that feelings of dissatisfaction and experiences of suffering are part of human life and that
this is because humans are always craving for something more than they have or to hold onto things which must
pass. He discovered that everything changes and that nothing lasts for ever and that the difficulty humans have in
accepting impermanence contributes to their suffering. The Buddha taught that suffering or a sense of
unsatisfactoriness can be reduced by recognising the impermanent nature of everything and thereby also letting
go of attachment. The story of Kisagotami and the mustard seed is an account of the Buddha‟s response to
Kisagotami‟s distress at the death of her baby child. Kisagotami asks the Buddha for medicine for her dead son
and he sends her to find mustard seeds from a household which has not known death. Using practical activity, the
Buddha teaches Kisagotami about the impermanence of life and helps her to accept the death of her child.
The Buddha also realised that the way to reduce suffering is to reduce craving and transform human
consciousness and that people can learn to do this by following the Eightfold Path. The Buddha perfected himself
through his own efforts. He fully realised his potential as a human being, went beyond the ordinary human state
and became the Buddha. Buddhists believe that Buddha nature is in all human beings and that they all have the
potential to become enlightened. By teaching the Eightfold Path the Buddha gave people guidelines for
transforming life and the experiences of suffering. The first two elements of the Path, Right Knowledge and Right
Attitude, are concerned with ways of seeing the world. The next three, Right Speech, Right Action and Right
Living, are concerned with behaviour. The last two, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, are concerned with
mental discipline. By using the Eightfold Path as a guide a person‟s consciousness can be transformed, and
eventually lead to the state of Nirvana, a transformed mode of human consciousness. The Buddhist goal of life is
Nirvana whereby there is no more rebirth and an end to the cycle of suffering.
The Buddha‟s insights into the nature of reality and his teachings about the way to improve life are known as the
Dharma. The Dharma is the second „jewel‟ of Buddhism, the first being the Buddha. When he first started
teaching he is described as turning the wheel of Dharma. The eight-spoked wheel is one of the most important
symbols of Buddhism, representing the Dharma and the eight elements of the Eightfold Path. The third „jewel‟ is
the Sangha, the community or fellowship of Buddhists who can be of support to each other in following the
Eightfold Path.
Key terms and concepts: luxury, dissatisfaction, asceticism, „Middle Way‟, meditation, Enlightenment,
impermanence, craving, change
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: awareness of reasons for personal dissatisfaction, possibility
of change
Contribution to citizenship: personal actions effect others, locally and globally
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Community
How do children become part of their communities?
What makes a strong community?
What is the dialogue between different faith communities?
Learning objectives
To become aware that we are all part of communities
To consider the positive and negative aspects of belonging to a group
To consider the home and faith communities which the children are part of, what makes
it a community and what part the children play in it
To be aware that major faith traditions are global communities
To understand that communities are strong and achieve by working together
To consider why sometimes different communities are against each other
To be aware of present dialogue between faith communities
To reflect on how shared human community can overcome barriers

Family, neighbourhood and social gatherings
Regular Church worship and activities (Ch), children‟s role at 19 day Feast (Ba), Shabbat, child‟s
questions at Pesach (Ju), stories and puja at home (Hi), Full Moon days (Bu), watching and participating
in Friday prayer (I), children‟s plays at festival times (Ra)
The story „Unity is Strength‟ from Panchatantra (Hi) „the Rope‟ : Surah 3: 103 (I)
The „Drop the Debt‟ campaign
The story „Working Together‟ (Ba)
Brent Interfaith
The story „Why Noah Chose the Dove‟ (Ju)
Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (Ch)

Ask the children to share their experiences of how they are included and learn about the values of their
tradition. Compare with examples of traditions not represented by the class.
Use a long rope tied in a circle for the class to pull themselves up/do co-operative jigsaws. Explore
responses to the activity and connections with Surah 3:103 and the story ‘Unity is Strength’
Tell the Baha’i story ‘Working together’. In groups to represent different traditions make a class
monument, each group contributing one decorated box to represent the tradition – the children must
agree about what colour they are going to paint it and how they are going to decorate it. Stack the
boxes and discuss how the children think they all go together. What does the monument express about
each group co-operating and the groups coming together. Role play members from different groups
talking to each other about one similarity and one difference between their traditions.
Write a story which expresses the relevance of Jesus’ response to the Samaritan woman at the well to a
present day situation.
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Background information Community
Christianity:
Love your neighbour: Greek, the first language of the New Testament, has several words for love: philos is the
love between brothers; eros is sexual love; agapé is love given freely, without thought for anything in return (self-
generating love). When Jesus was asked by an expert in religious law which is the greatest commandment his
answer was direct and simple: „ “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” ... and ... “Love your neighbour as
yourself” ‟ (Matthew 22:37-39). Jesus was being tested on his attitude to the Law. Contemporary rabbis taught all
commandments were equally important. Here Jesus sets the commands to love God (Deuteronomy 6:5) and our
neighbours (Leviticus 19:18) on a par. In Luke‟s gospel this exchange leads into the Parable of the Good
Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) (see Key Stage 1: Caring for each other). Jesus‟ intention to make love the defining
mark of the Christian community is brought home on the occasion of his final meal before his trial and death, the
Last Supper. In John‟s gospel Jesus describes the command to love as „a new commandment..by which all people
will know you are my disciples‟ (John 13:34-35). The theme recurs strongly in the letters of John (1 John 4:7-21).
Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well: John 4

The meeting between Jesus and the Samaritan woman was the encounter of two communities and the defeat
of prejudice. As a Samaritan, she belonged to a community hated by the Jews; as a woman, she lacked status
within her community; as one co-habiting, she was an outcast. For this reason she came to the well during the
hottest part of the day, when others would not venture out and she could expect to be alone. As a Jew, he was a
minority in an alien community; as a man, he had status, enhanced because he was a teacher, a rabbi. While she
saw the barriers between them („Our fathers worshipped on this mountain [Mount Gerizim], but you Jews claim
that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem‟ John 4:19), Jesus‟ message was that true worshippers
„worship the Father in spirit and truth‟.
This thought is picked up later in the New Testament, when Jesus is announced as „our peace, who has made the
two [Jews and Gentiles] one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility‟ (Ephesians 2:14). This
passage has become important to the Corrymeela Community, a community of reconciliation in Ballycastle,
Northern Ireland. This community has done much to breakdown barriers between Protestants and Catholics.
Baha‟i:
The centrepiece of the Baha‟i community is the Nineteen Day Feast. Held once every 19 days, it is the local
community‟s regular worship gathering and more. Open to both adults and children, the Nineteen Day Feast is the
regular gathering that promotes and sustains the unity of the local Baha‟i community. Although its programme is
adaptable to a wide variety of cultural and social needs, the feast always contains three elements:
- spiritual devotion in which children usually take part singing Baha‟i songs and saying prayers,
- administrative consultation, allowing every member, including Baha‟i children, a voice in community affairs,
- fellowship, in which the Baha‟is, including children, socialise and take simple refreshment and non-alcoholic
beverage.
Occasionally the children prepare and execute the whole programme of a Feast.
The story „Working Together‟ was recorded by a Baha‟i child in the 1998 Brent Interfaith Exhibition. Through
using the metaphor of the hand, it expresses the Baha‟i view of all communities and faith traditions being one in
working for a better world.
Judaism:
Shabbat plays an important part, as does the yearly festival of Pesach, Passover, in transmitting the values,
beliefs and traditions of Judaism. As well as being a time for the whole family being together, children also
participate actively during the shabbat meal and and have specific roles during the Pesach Seder. At the
beginning of the shabbat meal daughters usually join their mother in lighting the candle and saying the
accompanying prayers and all the children are blessed. At the end of shabbat during the havdalah (the
separation) ritual children eagerly await their turn to hold the special plaited havdalah candle and to smell the
sweet smelling spices which carry the memory of shabbat into the week to come. Preparing for Pesach is a busy
time for the whole family. Because there must be no hametz, foods that contain leaven, in the house parents play
the game „hunt the hametz‟ with their children. During the Pesach Seder, the order of the Pesach meal it is the
children‟s role to sing the Four Questions, asking why the seder night is different to any other. The children are
encouraged to ask other questions of their own throughout the meal.
The story „Why Noah Chose the Dove‟ tells of the argument between all the animals as to who should go into the
ark. The various animals extol their own virtues as reasons for being included while the dove says nothing. Noah
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choses the dove to search for a sign of land because of its humility, a virtue needed for a strong and cooperative
community on land.
Hinduism:
Children take an active part in looking after the home shrine. Prayers are part of the daily routine in most Hindu
households, often in the morning and evening. Children may also perform puja at the family shrine, lighting the
incense, lamps and adorning the images with flowers. Some Hindu families begin the day with meditation or yoga.
Passing on the stories which express Hindu values and which create closeness and familiarity with the family‟s
chosen deity, ishtadev, has been an important role of grandparents and parents. As families become more mobile
and as children have less time this has begun to decline.
The Panchatantra is a collection of moral fables from which Aesop‟s fables are derived. The story „Unity is
Strength‟ shows how a flock of birds, caught in a net, must co-ordinate their flight in order to escape while still in
the net. Once they have flown to safety they also then rely on the help of a mouse to gnaw through the rope of the
net so that they are released. Communities can only be successful through this kind of co-operation. A Hindu
should live for the benefit of others. Initially this rule may mean to live for the benefit of the extended family
members but then it has to be extended further to mean: "Lead a life that is for the good of the community; for
the good of the society we live in‟. When we live for ourselves we still live like animals or insects, it is only when
we live for others that we exhibit our human qualities.
Buddhism:
All the main events in the Buddha‟s life such as his First Sermon took place on the night of a full moon. A full
moon on a clear night makes moving around easier. For both these reasons every full moon night is a special
occasion called upasatha or Poya days. These are important for children as they join with the rest of the
community taking gifts of food to the monks, going to the local temple, to stupas and listening to teachings.
Islam:
Friday prayer develops cohesion of the Muslim community through its ritual (all individuals pray in physical contact
with those either side) and through role of its leader. The sermon usually concentrates on the way individuals may
be positive citizens and benefit the world they live in, locally, nationally and globally. The supplication at the end is
not just for Muslims but for all people, beseeching God to shower his grace, mercy and blessings on all.
Surah 3:103, „The Rope‟, uses the simile of people struggling in deep water to whom Allah stretches out a strong
and unbreakable rope of rescue. If all hold fast to it together, their mutual support adds to the chance of their
safety. This is set in the context of the tribal discord at the time of the Prophet Muhammad when he strove to
establish the united community, ummah, following Islam.
Drop The Debt:

Jubilee 2000 was a coalition of many aid agencies, religious organisations, community groups and individuals
campaigning globally to cancel the unpayable debt of the world‟s poorest countries in the year 2000. The
campaign assembled the largest petition in history to support its goal. The campaign has now become Jubilee
plus and is now campaigning even more vigorously than ever. Many of the aid agencies now work towards
achieve a more even spread of wealth globally and a trade system which encourages this so that the world can
become a more equal, peaceful and unified community.
Key terms and concepts: community, co-operation, participation, unity, support, tradition, values
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: understanding of relationship, co-operation and supporting
others, awareness of personal values and home tradition
Contribution to citizenship: global and localcommunity, justice, co-operation
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People of Faith
What is faith?
How does someone‟s faith give them strength?
Learning objectives
To explore the meaning of faith
To understand how different types of faith have motivated some key figures and
influenced their lives and social action
To investigate and respond to the life and work of some key figures
To explore how different types of faith have inspired the funding and work of
organisations
To consider the part that faith plays in children‟s own lives

Abraham/Ibrahim and the idols – Midrash, Qur‟an (Ju) (I)
Abraham/Ibrahim‟s departure from Haran – Tenakh, Bible (Ju) (Ch)
King Harishchandra (Hi)
Mother Theresa (Ch) Hannah Senesh (Ju) Dalai Lama (Bu)
Harriet Tubman (Ch) Martin Luther King (Ch) Julian Huxley (Hu)
Swami Vivekananda (Hi) Mahatma Gandhi (Hi) Bob Marley (Ra)
Fatima Zahrah (I) Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Ch) Leonard Howell (Ra)
Tahirih „the Pure‟ (Ba) Dr Ambedkar (Bu)
Christian Aid (Ch) Cafod (Ch) Unesco
Jewish Care (Ju) Muslim Aid (I) Greenpeace
Sewa International (Hi) Aga Khan Foundation (I)
Karuna Trust (Bu) Islamic Relief (I)

Make clear to the children that there are stories about Abraham/Ibrahim in the Tenakh, the Bible and the
Qur’an, that there are similarities and differences. Tell the stories of Abraham and the idols, and his
departure from Haran. Discuss what made Abraham respond as he did. Explore his faith and responses
through ‘hotseating’.
Dramatise the story of King Harischandra and perform it as a class. Ask the children to draw a picture of
the part of the story that they think is most important and give it a caption. Find others who have chosen
the same part of the story, make a group and discuss why you have chosen it. Feed back reasons to
the class.
Prepare a table with two candles in candlesticks. Light the candles and allow the children to reflect for a
moment on what the candles remind them of. Make the connection between the candles, Shabbat and
Hannah Senesh. Draw the pupils’ attention to the lighting of a match and watching it burn. Light
another match and say the poem ‘Blessed is the Match’ by Hannah Senesh. Discuss the poem,
focusing on the phrase ‘a heart with strength to stop’. Explain that Hannah Senesh was a Jewish
woman who died trying to help other Jews to escape during the Second World War.
Write to aid agencies with specific questions about their work, motivation and workers. Present
responses to the rest of the class.
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Background information People of Faith
Abraham/Ibrahim:
Abraham began his journey of faith while still at his home town. Both the Qur‟an and Jewish midrash, elaboration
of the Torah, describe Abraham‟s confrontation with his father who was an idol maker. He smashed his father‟s
idols except for the largest one. When his father asked who did it Abraham points to the remaining idol. His
father and others of the local people remark that the idol is only stone so how could it have smashed the idols and
Abraham has proved his point.
Abraham demonstrates that faith does not mean proceeding without doubts, it means proceeding in spite of
doubts. We ask questions but we still go forward. Abraham‟s journey to Canaan was a great test: leaving his
parents behind and venturing into a foreign land was always dangerous.
While Abraham was in Haran, a voice speaks to him, telling him to go forth from his safe and sumptuous existence
– leave his kindred and his father‟s house- so that God may build, through him, „a great nation‟. It is clear that if
Abraham responds to the call he will start on a journey of no return, a journey without maps, without itinerary,
without even landmarks. The words „Abraham went‟ are important because they signal a complete departure
from all previous thinking and belief. In leaving Haran Abraham lived by trust. He believed that his life had a
purpose, that it had a meaning. When „Abraham went‟ two things came into being : vocation and hope. Because
he went Jews, Christians and Muslims are no longer a people of fate but a people of faith. Abraham had faith.
Faith in Hebrew comes from the word aman which means „be firm‟; in Arabic the word iman, faith, means
unshakeable conviction . In Greek, faith and belief is most often translated from pistis, more accurately translated
as trust. Thus Abraham, in spite of his doubts, remains firm in trust. Abraham‟s faith was tested often. In Canaan
there was a drought in the land and he has to go to Egypt to find food, struggles with the Pharoah and has
difficulties with Lot.
Though this journey was for Abraham‟s benefit Jewish midrash makes clear it was also for the world‟s benefit.
The midrash likens Abraham to a bottle of perfume; once it is opened everyone can benefit. Similarly it was only
by Abraham making his journey that others could share in the three religious traditions, Judaism, Christianity and
Islam, which came after him.
King Harishchandra:
King Harishchandra and his family suffered many ordeals because of his faith in Truth, his adherence to his ideals
of truth and duty. He is the model of integrity and his story is well known by Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs as well as
Hindus. His example has been a support through the ages for countless men and women who have suffered on
account of their integrity and their striving for truth. As a schoolboy, Gandhi once saw a play depicting the life of
King Harishchandra and was so deeply moved that it left a lifelong impression about the importance of truth in life.
Because the king tried to help a woman he hears crying out in distress he, unwittingly, disturbs the great sage
Visvamitra in his meditation. To placate him he offers all his kingdom and riches. He leaves the kingdom with his
wife and child but, due to a technicality, still has to give more to the sage to honour his placating offer. He,
therefore, sells his wife and child. This is still not enough and he himself must be sold to a keeper of cremation
grounds where he then lives. He is tested even further when his son dies and his wife brings the boy‟s body to the
cremation ground asking for him to be cremated. The king and his wife recognise each other and decide to die on
their son‟s pyre. At this point it is clear that the king has passed all the tests of his integrity, is true to his word and
is not swayed by self-interest: their son is brought back to life. The king is restored to his kingdom, lost glory and
grandeur.
Christianity:
Mother Teresa. She was born in Serbia in 1910. She went to India to train as a nun and to learn to teach. After
joining a convent in Calcutta she was deeply effected by poverty and sickness around the convent and began to
work with street children and the sick and dying. She was given a building by the City Council which she called
„place of the heart‟. She founded the order of nuns called the Missionary Sisters of Charity. In 1979 she was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Active in anti-Hitler resistance, the German Lutheran clergyman was imprisoned in 1943
and executed only weeks before the war ended. Bonhoeffer rejected the chance to escape to US, being convinced
he had to face the difficulties ahead with other German Christians. His arrest in 1943 arose from his involvement in
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smuggling Jews to Switzerland. Bonhoeffer‟s literary legacy includes Christian classics such as The Cost of
Discipleship.
C S Lewis (1898-1963): Author of the Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis had a long intellectual battle before being
converted to Christianity and eventually becoming the leading Christian apologist of the mid-twentieth century.
Martin Luther King (1929-68): US Civil Rights leader was brought up in the black evangelical tradition, and
influenced by the social gospel movement. King believed Christianity could transform both individuals and
society, and employed Gandhi‟s non-violent resistance as a means of achieving social justice. King‟s message
was simple: „We shall match your capacity to inflict suffering with our capacity to endure suffering. We will meet
your physical force with soul force‟. This non-violent strategy ended in King‟s assassination, but his legacy was his
conviction of the power of Christian love over hate.
Harriet Tubman: After she escaped slavery in the Southern states of America, she became a leading abolitionist.
She led hundreds of slaves to freedom along a route known as „The Underground Railroad‟, an elaborate network
of safe homes.
Joni: As a young woman, Joni Eareckson had a swimming accident that left her paralysed from the neck down.
Her book, Joni (also available on video), tells of her struggle to accept her disability and to make sense of her
Christian faith.
Bono: Lead singer in the band U2, Bono‟s faith has influenced not only the lyrics of his songs, but also in his
committed involvement in the Jubilee 2000 campaign.
Jonathan Edwards: Olympic Champion and Gold Medallist triple jumper, whose faith inspires his sporting
achievements.
Christian relief agencies: Throughout the Christian era, from the early monks to present day relief agencies,
Christian faith has inspired people to the relief of suffering. Christian Aid, Cafod, TEAR Fund are some
contemporary examples whose basic motivation is Christian, but whose interpretation of that motivation shows
different emphases.
Baha‟i:
Tahirih, the pure: Tahereh, the champion of women‟s rights, lived in Iran in the middle of the 19 th century. At
that time the women in Iran were poorly educated and were not allowed to take part in any important affairs.
Tahirih was an exception. She was a brave and knowledgeable person. During the first Convention organised by
Bah‟u‟llah for the followers of the Bab in 1848, she discarded her veil (which all women in Iran wore at that time) in
an assemblage of 81 men, he fellow-believers, and raised the call to emancipation from man-made traditions. She
was given the title „Tahirih the pure‟ by Baha‟u‟llah.
Buddhism:
Dr. Ambedkar: A lawyer, politician and educationalist, he was India‟s first law minister. He fought on behalf of
Untouchables in India and initiated mass conversion to Buddhism, partly as a way for Untouchables to become
free of the stigma and suffering associated with untouchability.
Dalai Lama: The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the head of state and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people.
He describes himself as a "simple Buddhist monk". Every Tibetan has a deep and inexpressible connection with
the Dalai Lama. To the Tibetans, he symbolizes Tibet in its entirety: the beauty of the land, the purity of its rivers
and lakes, the sanctity of its skies, the solidity of its mountains and the strength of its people. The Dalai Lama is a
man of peace. In 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for the liberation of
Tibet. He has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. He also
became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental problems.
Hinduism:
Swami Vivekananda ( 1863-1902) A recent day 'sage' of modern India who revitalised and revived the spiritual
fabric of Hinduism and gave back dignity and self-respect to the people of India. He was one of the principle
figures who influenced figures like Gandhi. He emphasised 'divinity within' as perhaps the most suited method to
approach God in this age. He emphasised the idea that science and religion are both really searching for the
same unity in diversity, one in the external world and the other in the internal world. At some stage they have to
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meet as the demarcation of what we describe as 'external or internal' is arbitrary. Hence science will be the main
ally of spirituality in this age.
Mahatma Gandhi: After studying law in England he visited South Africa and was shocked by the racial
discrimination he experienced there and took non-violent action in protest. When he later led the Indian
Nationalist Movement against British rule he developed his use and philosophy of non-violent protest further. He
influenced Martin Luther King and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in their use of non-violent action to achieve political
or social progress.
Humanism:
Julian Huxley: He was a biologist, philosopher, educator and author. He is notable for being the first director
general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1946-48. He also
became the first president of the British Humanist Association.
Islam:
Fatima Zahrah: Fatima‟s mother was Khadija, the Prophet‟s first wife. Fatima was nurtured in the heart of the
Islamic movement, in the centre of revelation and the ardent struggle against ignorance and oppression. She
witnessed, as a child, how the Prophet tirelessly sought to awaken and enlighten the people. After his death she
continued to work, with complete dedication, to ensure that Islam would flourish.
Judaism:
Hannah Senesh: Hannah Senesh is one of modern Judaism's heroes, a figure whose extensive diaries and poetry
symbolize the courageousness of the fighters of the underground who voluntarily devoted their lives to Jewish
self-defence, with the knowledge that they would likely die.
Key terms and concepts: faith, motivation, doubt, truth, integrity, courage, perseverance
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: reflection on personal motivation
Contribution to citizenship: understanding of motivation of those who work for the common good, knowledge
about non-governmental organisations
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Pilgrimage
Why do some places have special meaning for some
traditions?
How does pilgrimage change the pilgrim?
Learning objectives
To reflect on life as a journey with experiences which change us
To share experiences of journeys to special places and reflect on places which are
special to the children or have had significant impact
To understand how some places are particularly special to different traditions
To understand and respond to the way pilgrimage often entails special preparation and
that this can be part of spiritual preparation
To know about the way pilgrimage often expresses central beliefs of a tradition
To be aware that pilgrimage is important for the community as well as the individual
To be aware of the difference in importance of pilgrimage within traditions
To reflect on how someone is affected by going on a pilgrimage

Journeys to places of family origin, important events and memories
Lourdes, Iona, Walsingham, Jerusalem (Ch)
The Ganges, Kumbha Mela, important temples (Hi)
Mecca – the hajj (I)
Important sites of the life of the Buddha : Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinara (Bu)
Mount Carmel (Ba)

Make ‘treasure’ boxes to take on an outing to the Welsh Harp, ‘Swan Island’. Ritualise preparation for
the outing and take the children on a route through the Welsh Harp with specific stages and stops at
different environments ending at ‘Swan Island’. Encourage children to focus on sounds, smells and
touch as well as sight and to collect ‘treasures’ in their boxes.
Take the children through a guided fantasy out of the city to the island of Iona. Gently let them return to
the classroom. Discuss whether Christians always worship in buildings like churches – why might they
also worship out of doors. Show them photographs of Iona and read the prayer ‘A place of hope’ from
‘An Iona Prayer Book’. Give groups an A3 sheet with the poem in the middle. Ask them to ‘attach’
questions or comments to phrases or lines in the prayer which stand out for them. Feedback some of
the questions and comments to the class to discuss.
Explore the contents of a hajj suitcase which belongs to ‘Imran’. Discuss why there is an image of the
Ka‟aba on his prayer mat. Draw out spiritual preparation for pilgrimage. Let the children put on the two
white pieces of cloth and ask them what difference it makes if everyone was dressed like that. Connect
with Muslim beliefs about equality and simplicity before Allah. Draw pictures of pilgrims in ihram or plain
white clothes for women, for a display.
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Background information Pilgrimage
Christianity:
While the idea of pilgrimage is strong in Christianity, its contemporary practice is not as strong as in the past. In
Europe of the Middle Ages popular devotion was a mixture of Christian faith and pagan practice. So, whereas
people had been used to visiting spirit shrines, they now visited the shrines of saints. Although theologians made
clear distinctions between the saints and the Trinity, saints were popularly thought of in similar terms to pagan
gods. Consequently, relics of the saints were seen as powerful momentos of revered religious figures. The result
was that visits, or pilgrimages to shrines became quests for spiritual benefit. Pilgrimages to Jerusalem in the
„Holy Land‟ (Israel) were the most dangerous and reserved for the most devout. More popular shrines included
Rome (Italy), Canterbury (England) and Santiago de Compostela (Spain). Modern day pilgrimages combine
elements of tourism and education with devotion. Travel is easier, and traditional shrines remain popular. But new
places of pilgrimage include (in the UK) Lindisfarne and Iona, and (in France) Taizé. A contemporary variation on
pilgrimage to a shrine is a stay in a retreat house or centre. A retreat is a period of quiet reflection and prayer.
This may be in a group or individually with a prayer guide.
Iona regained importance in 1938 when the Iona Community was founded, committed to one Christian church
without divisions, to rediscovering spirituality and to social justice. Today many groups and individuals, Christian
and non-Christian, make their way to this island on the west coast of Scotland for a few days or weeks of spiritual
renewal. When Roman rule in Britain ended in 410 CE non-Christian invaders virtually crushed Christianity. In
563 CE St Columba came from Ireland to the little island of Iona „to become a pilgrim for Christ‟, reconverting
Britain to Christianity. The Iona Community has also renewed connections with this Celtic Christian tradition which
values worship of God out of doors, beyond the church building as well as within it, feeling the power of God‟s
presence everywhere in the beauty of creation.
Hinduism:
The act of paying respect to sacred places, associated with the divine, has been common in India. The river
Ganga, which flows through the breadth of India, is revered along its whole length by Hindus. Its sanctity reflects
an intimate relationship of Hinduism with nature, awe and respect for the river‟s life-sustaining and destructive
powers. This is expressed by the mythology of its origins.
The Goddess Ganga resided in the sphere of the gods. The King Bhagirath had been told that its waters could
revive his 60,000 ancestral relatives, mistakenly killed in a dispute. He therefore continued the efforts of his
predecessors to bring the Goddess down to earth. His prayers were rewarded and the Ganga rushed to earth
but with too great a force. He prayed to the great Lord Shiva who held out his matted hair to catch the river as she
descended and softened her journey so that her flow did not devastate the earth.
There are many sites along the banks of the Ganga which are important places of pilgrimage, often performed
individually: Rishikesh and Hardwar, near the source in the Himalayas; Kashi, Benares, the holiest city and seat
of learning; or the mouth of the Ganga in Bengal. The river is held in high regard all over India, is referred to in
ancient south Indian literature and depicted in a famous sculptural relief at the south Indian shore temple of
Mahaballipuram, near Madras.
Many Hindus also travel significant distances to and through India to visit important temples connected with their
ishtadev, chosen form of God, and to other spiritual centres to benefit from the presence of spiritual teachers and
receive teachings or for spiritual practices such as meditation or yoga. For example, Chhapaiya, the birthplace of
Lord Swaminarayan, near Ayodya, and other associated places and temples in Gujarat, are important for
devotees of Lord Swaminarayan.
Buddhism:
The main sites connected with the life of the Buddha are important for Buddhists from all over the world, the most
important being Bodhgaya, the place of his Enlightenment. This is the spiritual home of Buddhists and it
attracts thousands of visitors every year. Most countries with a large Buddhist population have a temple or
monastery at Bodhgaya: Chinese, Tibetan, Sri Lankan, Burmese and Thai, for example. The main temple located
next to the Bodhi tree itself, said to be a descendant of the original, was built by the Burmese in the 12 th century.
A great 25m Buddha statue in Japanese style was unveiled by the Dalai Lama in 1989. When pilgrims visit
Bodhgaya they become connected with the global Buddhist community as well as focusing on their own spiritual
development. The sacred site of the Buddha‟s birth, Lumbini grove, is a small village in Nepal. At Sarnath,
where the Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer Park, there are remains of outstanding stupas, of a
monastery and there is also a modern temple. A beautiful statue of a reclining Buddha expresses the significance
of Kushinagar, the place where the Buddha died and finally attained Mahaparinirvana.
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The April-May full moon is observed as the anniversary of the Buddha‟s birth, Enlightenment and death. The July-
August full moon is observed as the anniversary of his first sermon.
Islam:
It is an obligation for Muslims to perform the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, the hajj, once during their
lifetime if health and wealth permits. This takes place during the twelfth month of the Muslim calendar. All
pilgrimage has an outward and inward aspect. Inner preparation for the hajj is aided by outer preparation, leaving
behind all unnecessary items and entering the state of ihram, part of which includes putting on two simple pieces
of white cloth for men and simple clothing, usually white, for women. This focuses the Muslim on God alone,
stresses the unity of all Muslims and is a reminder of the Great Day of Judgement to come. The white cloth is
usually kept to be the person‟s burial shroud.
One of the most important moments of the hajj is arriving at the Ka’aba, the first house of God, built by Ibrahim
and restored to its true state when the Prophet Muhammad removed the idols placed there by the Meccans. For
Muslims the Ka’ba in Mecca is the centre of the world: this is the place towards which all Muslims turn when they
pray.
Baha‟i:
The Bab, the fore-runner of Baha‟u‟llah, the founder of the Baha‟i faith, is buried in a shrine on Mount Carmel,
Israel, its golden dome making it the best known landmark in the area. Mount Carmel is the site of significant
events of several traditions. During one of his visits, Baha‟u‟llah pointed out to his son the spot where the remains
of the Bab should be laid to rest and instructed him to build a befitting sepulchre over it. In 1987 plans were drawn
to create a beautiful approach to the shrine of the Bab, one of the holiest places of pilgrimage for the followers of
the Baha‟i faith. Eighteen breath-takingly beautiful terraces were built, nine from the sea to the shrine, and nine
above the shrine. The project took ten years and was completed in December 2000.
Key terms and concepts: shrine, devotion, retreat, spiritual renewal, spiritual development, sanctity, reverence,
community, preparation
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: awareness of places with special meaning, personally and
for others, inner as well as outer change
Contribution to citizenship: relationship between the individual and the community, global communities
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Places of Worship
How are places of worship important for religious
communities?
How do significant features of a place of worship express its use?
Learning objectives
To be aware of the way a place of worship and its features express the identity and
beliefs of its community
To be aware that there are different types of places of worship within one religion, that
some may be temporary or housed in other buildings
To understand ways in which a place of worship provides for the needs of its
community and helps the community follow its tradition
To explore the range of uses for places of worship : celebrations, services, educational
and social activities
To know how these uses are expressed by the significant features of a place of worship
To be aware that there are appropriate ways to behave and show respect in places of
worship
To articulate aspects of their own tradition or beliefs through external forms
Suggested teaching materials

Churches (Ch) (Ra)
Synagogues (Ju)
Mosques (I)
Gurdwaras (S)
Temples (Ba) (Bu) (Hi) (Ja) (Ra)

In pairs, investigate the information on churches in the Brent directory of places of worship on the Brent
RE website, www.brentre.abs2net.com and try to devise categories for different types of
buildings/settings and suggest some reasons for them. Write to different churches to find out what kind
of activities take place in the church and about other ways the church provides for its community.
Use a poster showing the parts of a mosque or Islamic cultural centre which serve different purposes, to
discuss what the mosque or centre is. Prepare questions for a visit. After the visit make a mural to
illustrate activities they saw there. Discuss how they think these activities would help Muslims in
following Islam.
Make a leaflet describing rules for behaviour in different places of worship.
Visit a selection of places of worship and imagine what they would be like with people present
worshipping. Write a report contrasting the place of worship as visited and as it might be in use.
In groups, make models of different places of worship to show areas for different activities which take
place.
Use art software to design a place of worship which would help them and their family to follow their
beliefs. Explain about their place of worship to the rest of the class.
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Background information Places of Worship
Christianity:
Although Christian worship does not require a particular building, the way Church buildings are constructed, the
way space is used within the building, has a theological effect on the worshippers. The first Christians found
themselves outside the law. Meeting, often secretly in homes, their worship was based on Jewish patterns. When
the Church became the state religion under Constantine large building based on civic meeting halls were built with
naves, aisles and galleries, the worship being conducted from the semi-circular, often raised apse. This
segregation of the now professional leaders of worship from the laity (the people) served the development of the
priestly class. In classic Gothic churches of traditional Anglican parishes, the laity worship in the nave, separated
by a screen from the sanctuary where the priests minister. These churches are usually built in the shape of a cross
(cruciform), with the worshippers facing east. Reformed churches, such as Baptist and other Free Churches,
which emphasise preaching, traditionally give prominence to the pulpit, with the seating arranged to advantage
the listeners. Modern church buildings are often more creative and inclusive in their style, with perhaps the focus
of worship located among the people.
Baha‟i:
Although the Baha‟is do not need to have a special place for prayer the Baha‟is are building Baha‟i Temples or
Houses of Worship. Each temple is outwardly in line with the culture of the people and place where it is built. The
first Baha‟i temple was built in Eshqabad, in Russia, in the time of Abdul-Baha. The corner stone of the first
Baha‟i temple in the west was laid in Wilmette, Chicago, USA, in the time of Abdul-Baha. Today there are Baha‟i
temples in every continent. All Baha‟i temples have nine entrances as a symbol for the followers of all religions to
join together in prayer for universal peace and unity of humankind. The latest and largest temple is built in
Bahadur, India, near New Delhi, and is known as the Lotus Temple.
Buddhism:
Worship in a Buddhist context does not mean worshipping a personal God or Creator; for this reason some
Buddhists are uneasy about using the term „worship‟ and may prefer to speak of acts of devotion to the Buddha
and his teachings and of meditation. A Buddhist temple or shrine room may be part of a monastery or part of a
pagoda/stupa complex and therefore either indoors or outside. The shrine area will usually contain one or more
image of the Buddha although pipal trees, called Bodhi trees as symbols of the Buddha‟s Enlightenment, are also
the focus of devotion. There may also be a meditation room which is much less elaborate than a shrine room and
with a deliberately calm atmosphere and possibly with space for walking as well as sitting meditation.
Hinduism:
Temples can facilitate worship and discourses which strengthen faith and culture. Outside India, they can work as
community centres. There are different types of temple. Firstly, Hindus consider all Hindu homes to be temples.
Hence each home will have a shrine or a shrine room where the family deity is worshipped daily. The family may
come together for a short period not only to carry out rituals of worship but also to discuss religion. In addition
individual members of the family may come to perform their own puja, rituals of worship, thus cultivating their
personal relationship with God. In addition, there are temples which are converted buildings where devotees may
come at any time of the day for individual worship or for more communal worship at times when the temple priest
is performing daily rituals and ceremonies. Finally, there are temples which are traditionally built, in stone with
domes and pinnacles, according to the ancient treatises on temple architecture. Sculptured images of deities are
installed in the temple. At the time of their installation there will be a ceremony whereby the head of the
organisation will install „life and spirit‟ into the images. The sanctity of the temple and its images will be maintained
by regular rituals and ceremonies throughout the day by temple priests or monks. This type of temple is
considered to be the living body of God, the building representing prakriti, Cosmic Nature, and the deity within,
Divine Being. Shoes are removed before entering any temple as a mark of respect and men and women often sit
separately on the floor. There are no hard and fast rules about visiting a temple on a regular basis.
Islam:
The mosque is the place where Muslims pray collectively and, as such, is the physical symbol of Islam. However,
the mosque has a much vaster and complex role than that of a place of prayer. It is the place in which religious
instruction is given, in its side rooms or outbuildings, in which social activities such as marriage take place and,
especially after prayer, the meeting-place in which community life is discussed. Disputes between Muslims are
also settled in the mosque.
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There are several types of mosque, usually classed according to their size. Friday prayers, together with the
important Friday sermon, are held in the great mosque. In addition to the large prayer hall and sometimes a
mezzanine at the back of the hall set aside for women, there are several features which distinguish the purpose-
built mosque The manara, minaret, is the most prominent feature externally. It both allows the muezzin to project
the call to prayer, adhan, reminding the community of the hours of prayer and acts as a symbol of meditation,
linking the mosque to higher spheres in contrast to the ritual of kneeling and prostration during prayer. The mihrab
is the focal point of the mosque internally, the hollow alcove in the wall which indicates the direction of Mecca
(qibla). The minbar is the preacher‟s pulpit which in some mosques is ornately carved or decorated. Sometimes,
however, it is as modest as a mound or other raised object. An ablutions hall is provided so that each person can
prepare themselves for prayer by performing wudu, the ritual ablutions.
While there may be some typical forms of the mosque which come more readily to mind the construction of
mosques reflects the diversity and breadth of the whole Muslim community as they draw on local materials, culture
and landscape. The red earth mosques of sub-saharan Africa such as those in Mali, the mosques of the Indian
sub-continent and of Indonesia and now those being built in this country, are all distinctive in style. Throughout
the histroy of Islam Muslims have often made use of what was available, converting an existing building into a
mosque where one has been needed. Since Islam prohibits the presence of any figurative or representational
forms of art in a place of worship any such work must be removed from a building which is being adapted. Often
exquisite geometrical and calligraphic designs decorate the mosque reminding worshippers of the infinite and
eternal presence of Allah and of his revelation through the Qur‟an.
Judaism:
The architectural design of a synagogue is usually simple and sparse. In fact, it is not the building itself that is
important but the act of gathering together. Along with the House of Study, the synagogue is the central location
of Jewish communal life. Respect for the synagogue is required and behaviour within its walls must therefore be
proper. Drinking, eating and sleeping are not permitted inside the synagogue.
The most important object inside the synagogue is the Sefer Torah which sits in the Aron Hakodesh, the Holy Ark.
This is located at the end of the synagogue facing Jerusalem. Representations of the Ten Commandments have
become a popular decorative motif, sometimes made of wood or stone, mounted above the Ark or on the outside
of the synagogue building. These two tablets of the Law were brought down by Moses from Mount Sinai and
placed in the transportable Ark which accompanied the Jewish people during the entire post-exodus period.
Just in front of the Ark is the bimah. In most synagogues this takes the form of a raised platform for the reader of
the Torah and the prayers. In most Conservative and Reform synagogues the bimah is a simple pulpit in front of
the Ark. The congregation sit on chairs or benches around the bimah. The location of women in the synagogue
differs from one community to another. In orthodox synagogues women sit separately from men, either on another
floor in a balcony area or separated by a screen or curtain either behind or on the opposite side of the synagogue.
In reform and progressive communities women sit where they like and have the same roles in synagogue liturgy
as men.
The requirement that a synagogue have windows is mentioned in the Talmud where it is suggested that the sky
inspires reverence. Rabbi A. Kook, former Chief Rabbi of Israel, explained that while praying the individual must
be aware of the world outside. In early times synagogue windows were rarely decorated. In more recent times,
however, artistically designed stained glass windows have become part of synagogue décor to add warmth and
beauty. Following the mandate of the second of the Ten Commandments, that no sculptured image be made for
worship, only decoration and art that is not three dimensional is allowed in a synagogue.
Sikhism:
Gurdwara means door or house of the Guru which points to one of its main functions as the place in which the
Guru Granth Sahib, the most holy of Sikh scriptures, is installed. This anthology of writings was complied by the
fifth Guru, Arjan and installed in the Harminder, the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Sikhs believe that there was a
unity between the ten Gurus, that as one Guru succeeded another their physical form changed but the Guru‟s
„spirit‟ remained the same; that spirit finally inhabits the Guru Granth Sahib. The book is treated like a living Guru.
The prayer hall of a gurdwara is arranged like a formal court of an Indian emperor and the Guru Granth Sahib, Adi
Granth, occupies a throne beneath a canopy. People sit on a lower level than the book, cross legged on the
floor to exemplify the Guru‟s teaching that all are equal before God. During worship men and women sit
separately to avoid unnecessary distraction. Once inside the prayer hall of the gurdwara everyone is expected to
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remove their shoes and cover their head to show that this is a holy place.
It is possible to set up a gurdwara anywhere, even in a home or public hall. More usually a gurdwara is a special
building with a prayer hall, a kitchen and dining hall for the langar, the communal meal served daily in the
gurdwara and open to all. The hall is usually very plain with little ornamentation or pictures. A gurdwara can be
recognised by the flagstaff flying the yellow triangular flag of Sikhism, nishan sahib, which is a statement of a Sikh
presence in the community. A new flag is flown every year in April with great affection and enthusiasm. It is also
a symbol of the freedom to worship that the particular community enjoys and a sign that hospitality is close to
hand for all who need it. Large gurdwaras will also have rest rooms where any traveller can stop to rest for a day
or more free of charge.
Besides being a place of worship a gurdwara is a place where Sikhs meet to discuss matters which are important
in their lives. There may also be rooms which serve as a school for children to learn about Sikhism.
Key terms and concepts: sanctity, worship, devotion, preaching, community, identity, respect
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: appreciation of silence, respect for places sacred to others,
understanding of codes of behaviour
Contribution to citizenship: community cohesion, serving others, religious freedom, diversity
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Prayer and Worship
What is the difference between prayer, reflection and
meditation?
What does worship mean in different traditions?
Learning objectives
To consider the value of taking time to reflect on the wonder or specialness of a person,
place or experience
To explore what prayer, reflection and meditation mean to different people and in
different traditions
To explore the importance of prayer and meditation in worship
To know that prayer and worship can be public or private, communal or individual
To explore and respond to the significance of worship
To be aware that worship can be the whole of life for many traditions
To consider how different stimuli and senses are used in acts of worship in different
traditions
To understand how rituals of worship take a variety of forms

Jesus‟ teaching about prayer (Ch)
Prayer shawl (Hi) (Ju), prayer beads (Ch) (Hi) (I), prayer wheel (Bu)
Gestures of greeting and contact which show concern, importance and support
Salah positions (I)
Meditation postures (Bu) (Hi)
Reflection through psalms (Ra)

Explore the children’s experiences and ideas about prayer. What are people doing when they pray?
Are there different types of prayer? How is prayer different to reflection? What about people who don’t
believe in God? Can people from different traditions pray together? What if you don’t come from a
religious background? Prepare questions to ask visitors from different faith communities about prayer.
Give each group a different artefact : Jewish prayer shawl, Muslim prayer beads, Hindu prayer beads,
rosary, prayer mat, Buddhist prayer wheel. Devise questions about the artefact and ways of finding the
answers to the questions. Use a variety of resources to answer the questions. Are there any questions
unanswered? How could they be answered? Each group feed back to the class what it has learnt
about its object and what it tells them about prayer.
Give the children copies of the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father. Ask them to mark any different types of prayer
on the page and give the types names. Introduce the children to Jesus’ teaching about prayer. What
did he mean when he told people not to pray on street corners?
Ask a Muslim child to demonstrate salah and explain what the different positions mean and how they
affect prayer. Show the video : ‘Places for worship, Islam’ : BBC. Paint a picture of Muslims praying
together and give it a title. Discuss what is expressed by the way Muslims pray together. What
difference does praying five times a day make to daily life for a Muslim?
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Background information Prayer and Worship
Christianity:
The Lord’s Prayer: One prayer used in most churches is the Lord‟s Prayer. This prayer, taught by Jesus (Luke
11:2-4; Matthew 6:9-13) is a prayer about the Kingdom. It begins by calling God Father, and includes a request
that God will provide, and that God will forgive the sins of the person praying. All traditions encourage Christians to
practise prayer as a regular, if not daily activity.
Private prayer and devotion: Some parts of the Church use a Daily Office, known as the Prayer of the Church.
This unites all those of a particular tradition in shared prayer. Some Christian traditions offer prayer to Mary (Jesus
Mother) and to the Saints (Christian men and women who have died and are considered by the Church to be holy,
e.g. St Patrick). Evangelical Christians encourage the practice of a daily Quiet Time, a short time each day spent
in prayer and Bible reading. Various evangelical organisations produce daily Bible reading notes to help Christians
to understand and apply the Bible to their life. The aim of private devotion is to support the faith of the individual
and to strengthen the unity of the Church, as an integral part of the relationship of Christians with God.
Public prayer and worship: The immense variety of public worship, from High Church to Quaker, from Brethren
to Pentecostal, demonstrates the effect of culture on Christian (and religious) practice. In the mid-twentieth century
certain renewal movements have had a great impact on the forms public worship in „mainstream‟ churches.
Liturgical renewal helped to link modern Christians with the worshipping traditions of the past, and also affected
the design of modern Churches; Charismatic renewal brought new freedom and a more contemporary feel to
much across the denominations; while the renewal of worship instigated in Vatican II freed the Roman Catholic
Church from using Latin as the language of worship (a liberation that led to many other changes in Catholic life).
Many young Christians prefer informal, less structured worship than offered in traditional liturgies. The new forms
of worship include Charismatic and Alternative worship of which the Spring Harvest Bible Week and the Greenbelt
Arts Festival are examples (see KS3: Spritual Journeys)
Baha‟i:
Baha‟is believe that prayer and meditation are essential ingredients in people‟s every day life contributing to
improved spirituality. Encouraging people to develop the spiritual side of their nature is an important part of the
Baha‟i faith. However, as important as prayer is, it has to change the whole life of a believer to an attitude of
thankfulness and service to humankind.
Judaism:
The tallith, the Jewish prayer shawl, is a rectangular shawl usually made of wool, linen or silk. It is white and
usually has black or blue stripes running across it. It must have four corners from which fringes, tzitzioth, hang;
these represent the number of laws stated in the Torah. It is worn by male worshippers of the Orthodox
community as a reminder to observe all God‟s laws and as an inspiration of awe and reverence. Women of
Reform and other Progressive communities may also wear the tallith. Before wrapping oneself in the tallith a
blessing is said: „Blessed art Thou, O Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us by Thy
Commandments and hast commanded us to wrap ourselves in the fringed garments.‟ On some prayer shawls,
the blessing is embroidered in Hebrew across the top of the shawl.
Hinduism:
Worship is considered to be that process that takes one closer to God. There are no formal hard and fast rules
about how the worship should be carried out. It is love and devotion that counts. Krishna says in the Gita,
„Anything that is offered to Me with real love I readily accept‟. The Sanskrit word 'Prati' means „going towards‟.
From this word were derived two words: 'Pratima' meaning images of God and 'Pratik', symbols of God. Hindus
do not worship 'idols'. They use images in their worship as the images represent God. These are considered to
be very important and valid tools to reach out to God. They also use 'Pratik' or symbols like 'Aum' and the
Swastika as valid symbols to represent God. Prayers are defined as 'constant remembrance‟ of God. Prayers
express the innermost heartfelt desire for God.
Yoga is also an important aspect of Hindu worship and spiritual practice, a way to God and to achieve moksha,
liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Physical postures are only one part of yoga: self-restraint, self-discipline,
control of breath, control of senses are other aspects, in addition to meditation. The physical, often rigorous,
postures of yoga make the body a fit place for the spiritual development of the soul. A sitting posture is better for
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meditation than lying down in order to keep alert. Poised posture promotes the right state of awareness for
successful meditation where the mind is taken beyond concentration to open it to a deeper connection with its
object.
Buddhism:
Both public and private devotion is encouraged in all branches of Buddhism as a way of expressing and
developing commitment to the Buddha, the Dharma, the teachings, and the Sangha, the Buddhist community.
Worship of God as Creator or of a personal God does not form part of Buddhist belief or practice. In Tibetan
Buddhism devotion is paid to a range of „deities‟ which symbolise aspects of truth and qualities necessary for
enlightenment. The use of incense, lamps, bowls of water and offerings are symbolic of devotion in Buddhist
shrines, in the temple and at home. A statue of the Buddha is usually the focal point of a shrine and serves as an
aid to meditation.
Meditation is at the centre of Buddhist practice, and the heart of Buddhist meditation is mindfulness, a total
alertness to the present moment and its significance. The main posture for seated meditation is with a straight
spine and the legs crossed, giving the body a firm triangular base. Aids to focus meditation can vary from the
breath itself to special syllables, mantras, or the sound of a bell.
Prayer beads, theoretically 108 in number but often 27, quarter sized because of weight, are often used in
devotion or meditation. Prayer wheels are a particularly Tibetan device, a means of „turning the Wheel of the
Dharma‟, sending out prayers of devotion, expressing commitment to the Dharma and focusing the mind. Mantras
are written on the outside of the prayer wheel while the inside contains a scroll of printed texts, a devotional prayer
or section of a sutra.
Islam:
The Arabic word for worship is „Ibadah‟ which implies the submission to Allah resulting from the knowledge and
realisation of humankind‟s total dependence on Allah. Islam teaches that the primary requirement for humans is
to know and worship God dutifully and Muslims believe that Allah created this tendency as part of the human
disposition, to love and glorify God. There are two requirements that are vital to worship in Islam. The first is the
commitment to the laws of Allah and, secondly, that this observance of Allah‟s commandments emanates from
love of Allah. Worship is a comprehensive term that denotes every act which is commendable by Allah and
embraces all aspects of worldly life.
The Prophet once said that prayer was the joy of his life: he found in prayer a straight passage between his heart
and Allah. There is also a hadith which says, „Prayer is like a living stream that runs past your door. A Muslim
plunges into it five times each day.‟ Every particle in the Muslim‟s body and soul can be involved in worship: the
whole body is involved, muscles, tongue, mind and heart, in performing salah, the five prayers. Between two and
four rak’ahs are performed, creating a rhythm of movements, standing, kneeling and touching the head to the
ground, based on a pattern given by the Prophet. A rak’ah is the unit of prayer with its actions. Prayer is physical
as well as spiritual. Muslims try to pray together, especially for Friday midday prayer, and when praying together it
is important to be close together, side by side, to develop unity and the sense of community. For this reason
women and men pray in different areas: it would be inappropriate for them to be touching.
Additional personal prayers can also be made at any time; these are called du’a, supplication. During personal
prayer, reading the Qur‟an or just while walking, many Muslims use prayer beads, sebha or tasbih; some are
never parted from them. They consist of either 33 beads divided into sections of 11, or 99 beads divided into
sections of 33, one for each of the ninety-nine names of Allah. They express attachment to the faith and aid
concentration while reciting the names of Allah.
Key terms and concepts: worship, prayer, meditation, concentration, alertness, ritual, devotion, spiritulaity,
community
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: considering the role of stillness and reflection, awareness of
meaning of prayer and meditation
Contribution to citizenship: imagine other people‟s spiritual experience, consider the possible effect of prayer,
meditation or reflection on action and participation
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Rules for Living
How do rules for living reflect the values of a tradition?
How might following obligations in some traditions strengthen and
express commitment?
Learning objectives
To understand how rules for living reflect the values of a tradition
To consider the way that rules for living often present an ideal to be aspired to
To be aware that in some traditions there are no absolute rules but families and
individuals guide their actions by values such as compassion
To explore how a person‟s lifestyle reflects the way in which they are committed to a
tradition
To understand and respond to the way commitment to a tradition can involve
obligations
To understand how following obligations can strengthen commitment and an
understanding of a tradition

School rules and National Curriculum Values
Mitzvot : Leviticus 19 and Shabbat (Ju)
The ten commandments, and the two commandments of Jesus (Ch)
The Ten Commandments (Ra)
Kashrut (Ju) Halal (I) Ital (Ra)
Wearing the five Ks and the Rehat Maryada, the Sikh Code of Conduct (S)
The Five Pillars (I)
Ahimsa (Hi)
The five precepts (Bu)
The Golden Rule (Hu)

Watch the story ‘The Shabbat Lion’ from the programme on Judaism in ‘Places of Worship’ ; BBC.
Discuss why it was so important for Yosef to celebrate Shabbat that he stayed in the desert. Write a
diary entry for Yosef to express his feelings and thoughts in the story.
Visit a halal butcher or grocers. Ask the owner or manager to talk to the class about how and where they
get the meat, and how it is different from the way a supermarket gets its supply. Ask him also to discuss
the contents and origins of groceries. Design an advertisement to tell Muslims about a new halal food
shop opening, significant points about produce sold and why it is important for Muslims to eat and drink
halal. Discuss the wider meaning of halal with reference to other areas of behaviour specified as halal.
Ask the children to describe different dishes they eat at home. Discuss the difference between aspects
which are part of religious requirements and those which are part of a community’s local culture. Sort
phrases describing daily activities for different communities under the headings ‘rules’ and ‘custom’.
Perform the 1731 rhyming version of the ten commandments. In groups, decide on a further pair of
commandments.
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Background information Rules for Living
Communities can survive and work harmoniously and efficiently if the people who live in them accept certain rules
and values. Many rules that are followed are unwritten understandings between people and only come into sharp
focus when they are broken. Some unofficial school rules, for example, not telling on a friend, can be in
conflict with the official ones, tell a teacher if you see someone bullying, and resolving the conflict between them
is sometimes not easy: rules express important values. All schools and classrooms will have a set of rules to
provide for a shared code of behaviour. In order to provide a firm basis for school rules and the principles for
personal development and learning, a National Forum for Values in Education and the Community formulated a
statement of values which could be shared by all school communities. This was then given to MORI who polled
3200 schools, 700 organisations and 1500 individuals. 85-95% of people agreed with those values, showing that
even within a multifaith and multicultural society there is considerable agreement about some fundamental values.
This Statement of Values is now included as guidance within the National Curriculum . Different traditions also
have their own distinct values and rules or guidance for behaviour and how to live. They also vary in their beliefs
about the inclusion of laws as specific guidance for living or reference to principles to inform personal decision
making and behaviour.
Judaism:
The Torah does not contain just Ten Commandments but a total of 613 mitzvot or commandments which Jews
are responsible for keeping. These are divided into two categories: 365 commandments about things that Jews
should not do, like being dishonest or accepting bribes, and 248 ones about things Jews should do, like feeding
the hungry and being kind to animals. There are several commandments which relate to the commandment to
remember and keep the Sabbath holy, detailing what should and should not be done during this time. By fulfilling
the mitzvot Jews can bring God into every aspect of their lives. By observing Shabbat, the Sabbath, Jews
celebrate holy time.
By keeping kashrut, Jewish dietary laws, the act of eating is made holy. Observance of the laws of kashrut has
also been a unifying factor for the Jewish people throughout the ages, continually serving to remind Jews of their
roots. The primary dietary laws are prescribed in the Bible in the Book of Leviticus where a list of kosher and
nonkosher animals is given. The word „kosher‟ is an anglicization of the Hebrew word kasher which first meant
„good‟ or „proper‟. It later became used for ritual objects and meant „fit for ritual use‟.
There is considerable difference in adherence to mitzvot by the various Jewish communities and by individual
Jews. Orthodox Jews try to keep all the mitzvot, often making great effort to consult texts, rabbis and question
and answer pages of websites to understand how particular mitzvot should be upheld in the present day context.
Jews of Reform or Progressive communities, on the other hand, have decided that some mitzvot are not relevant
to contemporary life while other Jews may not identify closely with any community and keep only some of the
mitzvot, exploring the faith in a more individual way.
Christianity:
A popular misconception is that Christianity is a religion of „thou shalt nots!‟. Such an understanding puts
emphasis on the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17). However, this is a far cry from the liberating, reforming
vision of Jesus.
Jesus was very clear that the Law is eternally valid: „Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the
Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them‟ (Matthew 5:17). However, for Jesus the
commandments could be summed up very simply. When asked by an expert in religious law which is the greatest
commandment Jesus answered: „ “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” ... and ... “Love your neighbour as
yourself”. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments‟ (Matthew 22:37-40). In effect, Jesus
was giving his rule of life, and by reducing the Law to two simple commands -- to love God and one‟s neighbour --
he was underlining his conviction that true religion was not a matter of observing outward ritual but of inner attitude
(Mark 7:9-23). Jesus stressed that the Spirit indwells the believer and is the one who guides to truth (John 16:5-
15). This was the culmination of the prophet Ezekiel‟s vision that God would, „give you a new heart and put a new
spirit in you .... [and] put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws‟
(Ezekiel 36:26,27). In other words, Jesus taught that in the Kingdom of God, the Law would become internalised in
the believers by the indwelling power of God‟s Spirit. (Through the Christian era various leaders, particularly of
monastic communities, have felt the need to develop „rules of life‟: the Rule of St Benedict (480-547) filling a
short book.)
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Although the commandments of Jesus are simple, interpreting them to contemporary problems has always been
difficult. What does „love God, love your neighbour‟ mean in terms of care for the environment? bioethics? sexual
preference? economic exchange rates? Christians have always struggled to make sense of Jesus‟ commands in
the face of difficult questions. (See Key Stage 1: Caring for our world.)
Islam:
Shari’ah is the code of conduct for Muslims which they believe have been revealed by Allah. It is a complete set
of laws which provides a clear and straight path for human action in every aspect of life. Shari’ah does not
change with times and conditions: there are only new circumstances which have to be interpreted in terms of
Shari’ah.
Halal is the term used to describe any aspect of life which is lawful, haram describing that which is unlawful.
Everything is halal unless specifically prohibited in the Qur‟an or Sunnah. The term is most commonly associated,
by non-Muslims, with laws regarding food and drink. Islam aims at establishing a healthy society, spiritually,
morally and physically, and, therefore, gives regulations about food and drink to ensure mindfulness in all these
areas. Islam only allows eating the meat of animals which have been killed invoking the name of Allah. It forbids
eating animals which have died naturally or which have been devoured by wild beasts, animals which have been
strangled, carnivorous animals, pigs and also the eating of the blood of an animal. The „kosher‟ meat of Jews is
regarded as halal for Muslims. These food laws effect all foods which might contain animal products so that
Muslims will try to only buy processed foods, such as biscuits or sweets, which contain vegetable products unless
they are known to be halal or kosher.
Shari’ah also prescribes the first duties of a Muslim, the „five pillars‟ of Islam,. The first „pillar‟ of Islam,
Shahadah, is the declaration of faith that is the focus and foundation of the straight path: „There is no god but
Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah‟. The other four „pillars‟, salah, sawm, hajj and zakat, enable
humans to shape their lives around Shahadah, helping them to keep Allah in mind and act according to his
guidance. Salah, daily prayer, is meant to form self-motivation and form the religious conscience. It is a moral
support for the Muslim against the hardships of life. Zakat, 2 ½ % of personal wealth to be given to the poor, is a
way of developing morality based on generosity rather than greed and attachment. Through sawm physical
desires are controlled, the spiritual strength and faith of the Muslim is tested, and s/he enters a heightened period
of spiritual awareness whereby s/he can hold more firmly to the striaght path. The hajj, the Islamic journey of
pilgrimage, provides for an evaluation of the real worth of material luxuries and of life. The Muslim is demanded,
for the period of the hajj, to go into a life of simplicity, humility, peacefulness, seriousness and abstinence from
material luxuries.
These principal duties must be carried out with the correct intention. There must be consistency and uniformity of
purpose in the life of a Muslim who is following Islam. According to Islam, if a person follows the commands and
guidance of Allah the way will be easier for her/him, without distractions, doing more works which are beneficial to
the individual and to the community.
Baha‟i:
Baha‟u‟llah forbids killing, adultery and promiscuity, drug abuse, stealing, gambling, gossip and backbiting, lying
and alcoholic drinks. Baha‟is strive to uphold a high moral standard. Baha‟u‟llah stressed the importance of:
honesty, service to others, deeds over words, trustworthiness, purity of motive, unity, chastity, generosity and work
as a form of worship.
Sikhism:
There is no formal list of commandments anad prohibitions in the Sikh scriptures but the Gurus, by their words and
deeds, guided their followers to a holy purposeful life. In 1931 an attempt was made to produce an accurate
portrayal of Sikh conduct consistent with the principles of the Gurus. This Rehat Maryada, the Sikh Code of
Conduct, is the only official version authorized by the Akal Takht, the seat of supreme authority for Sikhs. It‟s
implementation has successfully achieved a high level of uniformity in the religious and social practices of Sikhism.
The Gurus considered truthful living to be better than only belief in „The Truth‟. Virtue, for the Sikh, means the love
of God and his creation; any action which takes one nearer to God is virtuous. Other guiding principles are:
performing one‟s duties to oneself, to the family, to society, to one‟s country and humanity at large, tolerance, self-
control, contentment, patience, detachment from material things, and humility.
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Khalsa Sikhs are those Sikhs who have been initiated into the Khalsa, the community of „The Pure Ones‟; they set
an example to other Sikhs and to society generally. While not all Sikhs become Khalsa Sikhs it is regarded as the
ideal which they still aspire and many may hope to reach at some time in their lives. There is no age limit to
becoming a Khalsa Sikh; anyone who is responsible and mature enough to realise the significance and
importance of the obligations and the solemn vows to lead a hard and disciplined Sikh way of life may be initiated.
Khalsa Sikhs wear the Sikh uniform which consists of the „Five Ks‟: kesh, the uncut hair, kangha, the comb,
kirpan, the sword, kach, the short trousers, and kara, the bangle. Most Sikhs wear the kara, the bangle, and
possibly some of the other symbols even if they are not a Khalsa Sikh, to show the importance of God in their lives
and the ideals to which they aspire. .
Hinduism:
Hinduism says everything is a manifestation of God. This manifestation is clearer in living things and most
transparent in mankind. Hence living should reflect reverence for everything. The highest reverence should be
reserved for mankind. The idea of sanctity of life is central in Hinduism. All moral laws take into account this
central teaching of Hinduism. Not to hurt harm or kill other living things is called the principle of Ahimsa.
This emphasises negation. The positive aspect suggests that a Hindu should live for the benefit of others. Initially
this rule may mean to live for the benefit of the extended family members but then it has to be extended further to
mean: "Lead a life that is for the good of the community; for the good of the society we live in‟. When we live for
ourselves we still live like animals or insects, it is only when we live for others that we exhibit our human qualities.
Humanism:
Humanists are guided by moral principles based on reason and compasssion rather than by clear cut rules and
believe that moral values are based on human nature, experience and society. All traditions seem to have come
up with a version of the „Golden Rule‟ : „Do as you would be done by‟, „Do not treat others as you would not like
to be treated yourself‟. Some people think the negative version is more realistic because it is easier to agree on
things we would not like done to us, and anyone can work out what would cause suffering to another person and
then avoid doing it. Humanists have been impressed with the apparently universal nature of this rule and with its
usefulness as a basic principle. It appears to be a principle based on our common humanity, using our need to be
treated well by others and our aspiration to live harmoniously with others as its foundation.
Buddhism:
Recognition of personal responsibility is central to Buddhism. It is also important to be aware of the way that
actions have consequences: that positive actions have positive consequences in the world and for oneself, that
negative actions have negative consequences. Therefore the Five Precepts are guidelines which may help
Buddhists understand types of positive and negative behaviours. They are not commandments but a set of
principles from which the individual can develop their own personal precepts as part of living in a better way and
living responsibly. They can be understood at many levels and in different ways and can be understood both
positively and negatively, doing or abstaining. For example, the first precept is a principle of cultivating loving
kindness, care and concern for all life and abstaining from harming living beings. The others focus on
generosity/not taking what is not given; simplicity, contentment/no sexual misconduct; truthful/false speech and
mindfulness/no drink or drugs to cloud the mind.
Key terms and concepts: values, morality, guidance, commandments, principles, precepts
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: understanding of what guides personal actions and
behaviour
Contribution to citizenship: awareness of shared values, the diversity of beliefs about sources of guidance,
understanding of the need for rules and the basis of their formulation
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Sacred and Special Books
How do „books‟ inspire us?
Why are some „books‟ believed to be sacred?
How do different faith communities show reverence for sacred books?
Learning objectives
To consider how „books‟ help people in life
To consider how „books‟ change the way people see the world
To begin to understand and respond to the way members of different traditions are
inspired and guided by writings which are sacred or important to them
To understand and respond to the meaning of „sacred‟ in relation to „books‟ and ways of
living
To know which key texts are associated with main faith traditions
To consider different beliefs about the authority of sacred texts
To explore the importance of oral texts for some traditions
To know that the Tenakh, Bible and Qur‟an have stories in common and that their
traditions have a shared heritage
To explore the importance of one of these stories for Jews, Christians and Muslims
To know and respond to the way reverence is shown to some holy books

Torah (Ju), Bible (Ch), Qur‟an (I), Vedas (Hi), Guru Granth Sahib (S), Tripitaka (Bu)
Old Testament, Gospels, Acts and Kebra Nagast (Ra)
The Origin of Species
Psalms e.g. 3, 8, 137 (Ju) (Ch) (I)
The story of Joseph/Yusuf (Ju) (Ch) (I)
Oral traditions : hadith(I), parables, epics, myths, fables (Ju) (Ch) (Hi) jataka tales (Bu)

Select and sort words which express qualities of Yusuf/Joseph’s character and match them to qualities
shown during episodes of the story. In groups, decide on an order of importance for these qualities and
create a character the group would admire. Class vote on one person from the groups’ created
characters to be the class rep for the school council.
Invite a Muslim visitor to read from the Qur’an in Arabic, to tell the story of its revelation to the Prophet
Muhammad and answer questions about its importance to her/him.
Listen to music ‘band’ Boney M’s version of Psalm 137 – draw a ‘living graph’ to show the emotions
expressed through the psalm. Discuss the importance for the community of expressing their feelings to
God. Write a song communicating important feelings e.g. to a parent, carer, friend, God
In groups, prepare and perform retellings of the Ramayana, stories about Ganesh and Panchatantra
fables elaborating with own detail and description. Discuss the impact of hearing and seeing stories
performed.
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Background information Sacred and Special Books
Christianity:
Understanding the Bible -- the historical context: All Christians regard the Bible as a Holy Book, having authority
for Christian living: „God breathed‟ and „useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness‟ (1
Timothy 3:16). Some Christians hold that if the Bible is inspired by God it must be correct in every detail and
without error (inerrant). Those who take this line reject any ideas of evolution (see KS 3: Religion and Science).
Some hold a type of dictation theory of inspiration, that the thoughts of God were somehow transferred directly to
the page through the writer‟s pen. Not all take this view, but many believe that the Bible contains truth that is
universal in its application. Thus, the historical context does not affect the biblical teaching for example on sex and
sexuality. Others believe that to treat the Bible with the proper respect means that the historical context must be
understood as fully as possible.
Understanding the Bible -- considering literary style: The Bible is divided into two parts: The Old Testament is a
collection of Jewish holy writings, the Law, the Wisdom writings (psalms and proverbs), and the Prophets. The
New Testament contains the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), pen pictures by early followers; letters
from leaders of the early Church (Paul, Peter, John); and the enigmatic book of Revelation. (Catholics also accept
those books known as the Apocrypha). The Bible is then not a single book, but a mini-library consisting of many
different types of literature: myths, histories, legal texts, poetry, visionary images, letters, first hand accounts and
codified oral tradition. When it comes to interpreting these texts, it is important to establish what type of literature
we are dealing with.
Understanding the Bible -- developments in interpretation: Origen, an early interpreter proposed three levels of
understanding a Bible passage: the plain literal sense, understood by the uneducated; the moral application to the
soul; and the allegorical or spiritual sense, referring to the mysteries of the faith. The Catholic tradition insisted that
the Bible needed to be interpreted, but that the interpretation was regulated by the magisterium, the Church‟s own
teaching authority. During the Renaissance a German monk, Martin Luther, objected to the regulation of the truth
by the Church and argued instead that God communicates his truth through the believer‟s reading of Scripture and
ability to reason. In the 19th and 20th centuries new forms of interpretation arose known collectively as literary
criticism: e.g. form criticism; redaction criticism. Lately, biblical interpretation has been informed by cultural theory
giving rise to: psychoanalytical criticism, feminist criticism, etc.
Judaism:
The Torah started as an oral tradition and, in time, scribes started to write it down. Today, scribes faithfully
preserve the tradition of making accurate copies of the text on the Sefer Torah, the Torah scroll. The Sefer Torah
is normally only kept in synagogues and is treated with great reverence. The Aron Hakodesh, the holy ark – the
wooden cupboard in which the Torah scrolls are kept – is the focal point at the front of the synagogue, showing
the importance of the Torah for Jews. A light hangs above the ark symbolising the presence of God and the light
of God‟s teaching. The Torah is kept in this special way because Jews believe it is God‟s word and that it offers
them the way to a relationship with God. The Sefer Torah is ornately dressed, though differently in the cultural
traditions of Askenazi and Sephardi Judaism. There is also a difference in the way the Torah is interpreted in
Orthodox or Progressive communities. Though all Jews believe the Torah is the word of God the way in which
they believe this to be the case effects the way they interpret it.
Some commentaries see the whole of Genesis as moralistic: the stories of the patriarchs and matriarchs are to be
read as examples of upright living while the further books give the commandments. But fulfilment of the
commandments cannot be separated from its affect on the person who observes them; if mitzvah observance is
the basic building material of Jewish life, character refinement is both its foundation and the air that fills it. The
Torah, through both its stories and its commandments shapes how Jews act and shapes the development of their
character. The ultimate aim for the Jew is not only to observe the teachings in the Sefer Torah but, as Rabbi Israel
Baal Shem Tov put it, "to make a Sefer Torah of oneself."
Islam:
Islam teaches that, due to human shortcomings, we need guidance to help us live effectively and to carry out our
duties as agents of Allah on earth. This guidance has been provided through prophets, messengers and books.
Muslims believe in all the revealed books mentioned in the Qur‟an: Tawrat, the Torah of Moses; Zabur, the psalms
of David; Injil, the gospel of Jesus; and the Qur‟an revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe that only
the Qur‟an exists in its original form and that the other books, because they were compiled by their followers many
years after they were revealed, have been modified so that Allah‟s message is incomplete or distorted. Muslims
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believe that each word of the Qur‟an is a revealed word, now written in the same Arabic through which it was
revealed. Muslims continue to memorise and recite it every day, wherever they are in the world, in Arabic. It is
vital, however, that it is recited or read with understanding or the person will not get the full blessings intended.
Because the Qur‟an is the sacred book of Muslims it is treated with utmost respect. Before starting to recite
Muslims need to be in a state of ritual cleanliness, wudu. Muslims recommend that a special position is adopted
for reading the Qur‟an, not just slumped in a chair. It is often read sitting cross legged on the floor with the Qur‟an
on a wooden stand. It must never be placed on the floor. When not in use the Qur‟an is usually wrapped in a
cloth to keep it dust free and placed on a high shelf. Muslims would not place anything down on top of a Qur‟an.
Hadith are sayings of the Prophet Muhammad collected orally and then written down in the third
century of Islam. There are prophetic hadith which are the words and actions of the Prophet and are
more concerned with the practical aspects of life. The sacred hadith offer further insights into the ways
of Allah; they are revelations from Allah which the Prophet explained in his own words. The reliability of
hadith is based on the reputation of those who recounted them. Each saying has been passed along a
chain of people, the most famous being the Prophet‟s wives.
Baha‟i:
The Baha‟is have many holy books written by the Bab, Bah‟u‟llah, Abdul-Baha and the Guardian of the
Baha‟i faith. These books have been preserved in the International Baha‟i Archives in Haifa, Israel.
Some of the books written by Baha‟u‟llah are: the Book of Aqdas (Book of Laws), the Book of Certitude
(explanation and proof of the claims of all the messengers of God), Proclamation of Baha‟u‟llah (letters
written from the prison in Akka, Israel, to the kings and rulers of the earth at his time) and Hidden Words
(the book of moral conduct).
The story of Joseph/Yusuf:

This is the most detailed and fascinating story in the Torah, the Bible and the Qur‟an, involving both human
weaknesses such as jealousy, hatred, pride, passion, deception, intrigue, cruelty, terror as well as noble qualities
such as patience, loyalty, bravery, nobility, and compassion. The story is also important for the Baha‟i
community. For all four religions Joseph is an exemplar, an idealized model of human conduct who combined
physical beauty and moral excellence, a symbol of righteousness. Each tradition also interprets and gives the
story its own emphasis.
In Judaism Joseph additionally exemplifies God‟s design for the Jewish nation. The Genesis story seems clearly
rooted in the memory of an actual encounter by the Hebrews with the Egyptian empire, conveying a vivid sense of
the culture of the time. It takes its place as part of Jewish history. At the same time Joseph is presented as a
chosen soul, gifted with special powers. He is the link in the chain between Jacob and Moses. „Can we find such
a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?‟ Genesis 41:38
For some Christians the story has taken on the added layers of allegorical interpretation where every incident in
the life of Joseph prefigures a corresponding episode in the life of Christ. The story of Joseph also gives
Christians a belief that there is a purpose in misfortunes and suffering, understood by God, guiding the individual
or community towards a deeper awareness and greater attention to spiritual messages. Few biblical figures have
inspired more extensive and more universal treatment than Joseph.
The story of Yusuf occupies a whole surah, chapter, in the Qur‟an and is described as „the fairest‟ of stories.
It inspires Muslims with a feeling for the depth of Allah's power and supremacy and the execution of His rulings
despite the challenge of human intervention, for it ends with comfort and marvels. The story begins with a dream
and ends with its interpretation. Every action by Yusuf is intended to demonstrate the unwavering fidelity to the
unity of God as Yusuf undergoes a testing of his spiiritual character and insight and his ability to remain firm and
united with God.
The surah of the Qur‟an about Joseph is also very important to the Babi faith, the forerunner of the Baha‟i faith.
The declaration of the Bab to his first follower, Mulla Hossein, took place on the evening of May 23rd 1844, at
which occasion a commentary to the Surah of Joseph was revealed by the pen of the Bab, uninterruptedly for
more than two hours. On that occasion God revealed a book the size of the Qur‟an through the pen of the Bab
within 48 hours.
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Buddhism:
For over 400 years the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted orally. Tradition says that they were first
recorded on palm leaves and stored in three baskets so that they became known as the Tripitaka, three baskets.
The word is used basically to refer to the literature whose authorship is directly or indirectly ascribed to the Buddha
himself. Each „basket‟ contains teachings of one type. Basket one is a collection of texts concerning the rules of
conduct governing the daily affairs within the Sangha, the community of monks and nuns, including a detailed
account of the Buddha's solution to the question of how to maintain communal harmony within a large and diverse
spiritual community. The second „basket‟ is a collection of discourses, attributed to the Buddha and a few of his
closest disciples, containing all the central teachings of early Buddhism. The third „basket‟ contains discussions
on how to understand and interpret the Buddha‟s teachings.
Hinduism:
Hinduism makes a clear distinction between books that reflect men and women‟s inspired experiences of God, the
Vedas, as being of primary importance, the Upanishads and scriptures that talk about God, or other scriptures
that tell stories about God, epics and narratives, as books with lower authority. The scripture that the majority of
Hindus consider most useful is the Bhagavad Gita which teaches how to use religion in a daily context. It is both a
philosophic text and a practical guide. It addresses the main issue of how to translate religious beliefs into
practice. The reason why it is readily adopted by all sectarian movements of Hinduism is because it invokes the
idea of 'pluralism', that the same one God can be thought of and approached in a variety of ways. This is not a
compromising statement but a statement asserting the validity of many different pathways to the same ultimate
reality. Hindus believe that the reason why there are so many different approaches is because we are different.
Hence we all have to find our own unique approach in spiritual matters. Many Hindus believe that these
teachings of pluralism have a great deal to offer to the world community of religions trying to live in peace with
each other.
And yet, despite the importance of sacred texts, the Hindu will humbly say that it is first hand experience of God
that counts and not some scribbles in any holy text.
Humanism:
Ideas provide us with the potential to free ourselves from some of the constraints of our biology. They enable us,
through our culture, to adapt to changing circumstances. Wisdom depends on knowledge and we have never
known more than we do right now. This accumulation of knowledge gives us the potential to be the wisest people
that have ever lived. There has been much human achievement (including considerable social co-operation) but
war and violence are still with us. Humanists believe that the extent to which we make use of books, internet, and
other sources of information, to improve our lives and those of generations to come, is up to us. The invention of
printing made it possible to preserve and communicate accurately people‟s thoughts and ideas beyond their own
lifetimes. Some books are very special, particularly those that have revolutionised the way we see ourselves and
the world. „The Origin of Species‟ is one such book. In it Charles Darwin, the 19th century naturalist, set out a
theory of how all life on this planet, including humans, has evolved. The plays of Shakespeare are also widely
regarded as very special. However, humanists believe that no book or theory should be considered an authority
beyond question.
Sikhism:
The Guru Granth Sahib is also known by Sikhs as the Adi Granth, „Granth‟ meaning book and „Adi‟ meaning
original. The anthology was first complied by the fifth Guru but Sikhs believe that there is a unity between the
Gurus. When one Guru went another came, the Guru‟s spirit remaining the same. That same spirit came to
inhabit the Sikhs‟ sacred book which is why it is also called the Guru Granth Sahib. Sahib is a term of respect for
a person one is addressing and the term Guru refers to the spiritual teacher. The book is treated as if it is a living
Guru; it is the spirit of the Guru which is treated with respect not the ink and paper. The Granth occupies a throne
beneath a canopy, is normally draped with embroidered cloths and shown respect by being fanned with a whisk of
yak hair.
Key terms and concepts: inspiration, understanding, wisdom, truth, sacred, revelation, authority, meaning,
reverence, respect
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: reflection on the meaning of wisdom and its place in people‟s
lives
Contribution to citizenship: think about the lives of people with different values and customs, where individuals,
families and groups can get help and support
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Sikhism
Why does the Guru Granth Sahib contain writings from other traditions
as well as Sikh?
What are some key beliefs and practices of Sikhs?
Learning objectives
To understand some Sikh beliefs about God
To be aware that Sikhs believe that, since God is One, other religions are also ways to
God
To know about and respond to some Sikh practices which express their belief in the
equality of all people
To understand how the spirit of Guru Nanak was present in the ten human Gurus
To understand how the spirit of Guru Nanak is present in the Guru Granth Sahib which
is revered as a source of spiritual authority
To identify and respond to key points in the life stories of Guru Nanak and Guru
Gobind Singh

The Mool Mantar
The Guru Granth Sahib
The story of the cremation or burial of Guru Nanak
Sikh names
The gurdwara and langar
The story of Guru Nanak, Malik Bhago and the bread
Stories of Guru Nanak‟s journeys

Darken the room and play some Sikh hymns. Project an OHT/Powerpoint of the Mool Mantar, slowly
showing one line at a time while the children consider its meaning. Discuss the meaning of each line.
Draw a kara and, using learning about the Mool Mantar, label it to explain what it expresses for a Sikh
about God. Draw an object which would express your own beliefs about God and explain what it
means to you.
Investigate a picture of the Guru Granth Sahib in worship. In small groups write questions about
noticeable features. Feedback questions to the class and discuss possible ways of finding answers to
the questions. Watch the video ‘God: Sikhism’ : Pathways of Belief BBC and see which questions can
be answered. How much have they learnt about the Guru Ganth Sahib? What further questions are
there?
In pairs, make a grid to note down what Guru Nanak discovers or says on each of his journeys.
Consider whether there is any similarity with the message of the story of his burial or cremation. Use a
writing frame to write about the comparison and what it shows about Sikh beliefs.
In groups, using information from the video,’The life of Guru Nanak : Quest Animated World Faiths’
Channel 4, make a frieze of the kind of village life Guru Nanak promoted. Add key words which sum
up his beliefs. Show and explain your frieze to the other groups.
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Background information Sikhism
Sikhs believe that no one religion has a monopoly of or on truth: different religions are seen as being different
paths leading to the same Reality. The Mool Mantar is a verse in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scriptures,
which consisely expresses Sikh beliefs about God as One. Sikhs are expected to recite it daily to continuallly
focus themselves, the reason for their actions and their behaviour on God. It is found on the first page and on
many other pages :
„This Being (God) is One; the truth; creator, sustainer, spirit pervading all things;
Without fear and without hatred.
Not subject to time. Beyond birth and death.
Self-existent and revealed by grace.‟
The Guru Granth Sahib is also known by Sikhs as the Adi Granth, „Granth‟ meaning book and „Adi‟ meaning
original. The anthology was first complied by the fifth Guru but Sikhs believe that there is a unity between the
Gurus. When one Guru went another came, the Guru‟s spirit remaining the same. That same spirit came to
inhabit the Sikhs‟ sacred book which is why it is also called the Guru Granth Sahib. Sahib is a term of respect for
a person one is addressing and the term Guru refers to the spiritual teacher. The book is treated as if it is a living
Guru; it is the spirit of the Guru which is treated with respect not the ink and paper. The Gurus were important
because Sikhs believe they were men through whom God‟s message was given. The Granth occupies a throne
beneath a canopy, is normally draped with embroidered cloths and shown respect by being fanned with a whisk of
yak hair.
The Guru Granth Sahib is unusual because it also contains the writings of people who were not Sikhs. This
material was collected by Guru Nanak on his journeys as well as by Guru Arjan, the main compiler of the Guru
Granth Sahib. Sikhs say that the reason for treasuring this material is to show that they believe that God did not
speak only through the Gurus, that people from other traditions were also messengers of God. Including and
treasuring this material also aimed to create unity and tolerance among different religious groups in India.
The Sikh belief in one God leads to the belief in one humanity without divisions motivating Sikhs to treat all people
with the same respect. The story of Guru Nanak and Malik Bhago conveys the Sikh view that it is a person‟s
way of life which commands respect, not their status in life. When the Guru refused to attend a feast held by a
powerful landlord, Malik Bhago, he demonstrated the reason for his refusal by taking a piece of bread from Malik
Bhago and also from a humble carpenter, Bhai Lalo. He sqeezed both pieces of bread: blood dripped from the
fine bread of the landlord and milk from the coarse bread of the carpenter. He showed that he had not eaten the
food of Malik Bhago because it was the result not of honest work but of the exploitation of other people.
The Sikh principle of the commonness and equality of all humanity is expressed and developed through the
practice of the langar. The langar means „free kitchen‟ and is a part of every gurdwara. It was first introduced by
Guru Amar Das, the third Guru. The food served at the langar is always vegetarian, ensuring that people from all
traditions, rich or poor, can share. All are welcome. When the langar was introduced anyone who wanted to see
the Guru had first to eat in the langar. Even the great Emperor Akbar had to wait and share food with others
before he saw the Guru, ensuring that he realised the equality of all people.
Sikhs value a daughter as much as a son and the naming of babies reflects the Sikh principle of equality as it
extends to the equality of men and women as well. Names are chosen from the letter of the first word of the page
of the Guru Granth Sahib opened. Most names can be given to boys or girls: you can‟t tell if a Sikh is male or
female from their name.
Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in north west India, in the Punjab. He taught in Punjabi which is why Punjabi is the
special language of the Guru Granth Sahib. When he was very young he became aware of God, spending much
of his time in meditation. He travelled for about 20 years within India, to Arabia, Iraq and Central Asia. He often
travelled with a Muslim friend from his village who was a musician anad used to play music when Guru Nanak
sang poetry expressing his experiences, messages from God and his teachings. He also learnt about other
religious traditions. There are many stories which describe his exchanges with other people which had a great
impact on them.
Key terms and concepts: God as One, different paths to God, equality, langar,
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: impact of values on actions
Contribution to citizenship: relationship between traditions, equality and non-discrimination
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Symbol
What has special meaning for us?
How do we express meaning without words?
Learning objectives
To consider what objects are special to the children and why

To understand that some objects express special meaning for different communities,
religious and non-religious
To become aware of the way that signs express meaning
To know the most recognised symbols of some traditions and begin to understand how
they represent those traditions
To become aware that some religions use colours to express meaning and feelings
To explore the way that colours can express meaning and feelings for others and
themselves
To understand that actions can express meaning and devotion

Personal objects
Key artefacts from different traditions (all including Hu)
Logos
Symbols for traditions (J) (Ch) (I) (Hi) (Hu)
Colours of religious year from some Christian traditions (Ch)
Saffron robes (Hi) (Bu) Saffron saropa (Si)
Red, gold and green (Ra)
Gestures and greetings of respect
Ritual gestures

Invite the children to bring in or describe objects which are special to them and discuss reasons for them
being special. Read The Very Special Sari : Feroza Mathieson ISBN 0 7136 3064 7 and discuss why
the sari is special. Explore the importance of key artefacts to different traditions.
Analyse commonly seen logos. Design a logo for themselves based on one thing they like about
themselves or something they can do well.
In groups of four do co-operative puzzles of symbols of different traditions and tell each other which
tradition the symbols belong to. The more able investigate why the symbol represents that tradition.
Discuss what ‘messages’ we get from colours. Is there something about certain colours that makes us
choose them for certain feelings?
Visit a Catholic or Church of England church and explore feelings associated with the colours of
vestments for different times of the year. Draw and colour vestments and label them with times of year
and feelings. Paint a picture using two colours to express a particular feeling.
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Background information Symbol
If a sign, for example a road sign, communicates an idea or concept by denotation, a symbol, such as a flag,
communicates by connotation. So, for example, a cross may denote an instrument of execution, but it can also
connote sacrifice, forgiveness, and even resurrection. In other words, symbols communicate at a deeper, perhaps
unconscious, level than signs. The psychoanalyst Carl G Jung regarded symbols as a bridge between the
conscious and unconscious, and the philosopher Paul Ricoeur suggests that symbols are capable of
communicating more than one meaning at a time.
Christianity:
The central symbol of Christianity is the empty Cross, denoting Jesus‟ death and resurrection. To Christians it
connotes the call to discipleship, to follow the example of Christ‟s sacrificial life. Christianity is highly symbolic in its
traditions. Its liturgies use symbolic elements such as candles (symbolising Christ as the light of the world),
incense (symbolising prayer), and bread and wine (body and blood of Christ); symbolic gestures such as
kneeling to pray. In many churches the congregation will stand for the reading of the Gospels, as a sign of respect
for their sanctity. During liturgies such as a Communion Service or Mass, the hands and arms often play an
important part.. The vicar, minister or priest may stretch his/her hands and arms out, for example, during the
Lord‟s Prayer, in an ancient posture of prayer found depicted in the catacombs from the earliest Christian times.
In Catholic churches, genuflexion is a requirement when passing in front of the Holy Sacrament, the wafer
consecrated during Holy Communion, whose presence is indicated by an ever-burning light.
Many churches also use symbolic or liturgical colours: red for Christ‟s passion (at Easter), violet or black for
preparation and penance (in Advent and Lent), gold or white for celebration (at Christmas and Easter) and green
for ordinary periods.
Baha‟i:
A simple nine pointed star is generally used by Baha‟is as a symbol of their faith. The number nine
has significance in the Baha‟i revelation:
- Baha‟u‟llah received the intimation of his mission in the prison dungeon of Tehran nine years after the
announcement of the Bab in Shiraz in 1844
- Nine, as the highest single digit number, symbolizes completeness
- Since the Baha‟i faith claims to be the fulfillment of the expectations of all prior religions, all Baha‟i temples
are nine sided and have nine entrances as a symbol for the followers of all major religions to enter and pray
for peace.
Islam:
While the crescent moon and star is an internationally recognised symbol of Islam it is not a sacred symbol of
the faith. It is rather a national, cultural, political, military or community symbol with its roots in pre-Islamic times.
The early Muslim community did not really have a symbol. It was only at the time of the Ottoman Empire that the
crescent moon and star became associated with the Muslim world, perhaps through growing use of the crescent to
distinguish Muslims from Christians. Now it is even used on the top of mosque domes and minarets. Perhaps
there is nothing wrong with this symbol as long as it is not treated as a sacred symbol. Many Muslims prefer to
represent themselves with an Arabic caligraphic form of the name of Allah, indicating the focal place of Allah in
their lives and in Islam.
Green is the colour of Islam since it was, firstly, the colour of the banner of the Prophet Muhammad. Arabic has
an extensive vocabulary for the different shades of green, perhaps because of the critical role which an oasis
played in the lives of Arabs. It flourishes in the Qur‟an and permeates the language of theology denoting the work
of the Creator. Since it symbolises hope and peace, mosques, house interiors, royal and family emblems are
often painted green.
Judaism:
The Magen David, the shield of David or Star of David as it is more commonly known, is the symbol most
associated with Judaism today but it is actually a relatively new Jewish symbol. It is supposed to represent the
shape of King David‟s shield, or perhaps the emblem on it. Scholars have attributed theological significance to the
symbol; for example, that the top triangle strives upward toward God while the lower triangle strives downward to
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the real world. The symbol of intertwined triangles is a common one in the Middle East and North Africa and
appears occasionally in early Jewish artwork but never as an exclusively Jewish symbol. The nearest thing to an
„official‟ Jewish symbol at the time was the menorah. The Magen David gained popularity as a symbol of Judaism
when it was adopted as the emblem of the Zionist movement in 1897 and today it is a universally recognised
symbol of Jewry.
Because of its use as an emblem for Zionism many Jews prefer to go back to the use of the menorah as a key
symbol of Judaism. This is the seven branched candelabrum used in the Temple at Jerusalem. It has been said
that the menorah is a symbol of the nation of Israel and the mission of Jews to be „a light unto the nations‟. (Isaiah
42:6) The lamp in today‟s synagogues, called the ner tamid, the eternal flame, replaces the menorah.
Buddhism:
The Dharmacakra, the wheel of teaching, is one of the most important symbols of Buddhism. The turning of the
wheel connotes the changes of mind caused by the Buddha‟s teaching. The eight spokes of the wheel suggest
the elements of the Eightfold Path, through which these changes are achieved. The wheel also connotes the
cycle of action and reaction and of impermanence, an understanding of which are central to Buddhism.
Buddhism shares with Hinduism the tradition of using hand gestures, mudras, to convey meaning. In sculptural
or painted images the Buddha is shown with different hand gestures connecting the image with one of the
important events in the Buddha‟s life or to evoke a particular attitude in the devotee. For example, there is a
specific hand gesture for the „turning of the wheel‟, his first sermon when he began his teaching. He holds his
hands above his lap, turning them upwards and making a circle out of his thumb and forefinger. Through another
gesture where he raises his right hand, showing his palm to the front, he reassures the devotee, „have no fear‟.
Hinduism:
Hinduism teaches that the creation somehow started as a vibration and that vibration sounds like the word
'Aum'. It is claimed that many seers and sages have heard this sound in deep meditation. Hence 'Aum' has
become the best representation (pratik) of God for the the Hindus. The second symbol often seen in Hindu
homes and temples is the Swastika symbol. This symbol with four arms represents 'invoking auspiciousness from
all corners of the world'.
Hinduism, like Buddhism, has a long tradition of using hand gestures, mudras, to express spiritual and religious
meaning. They are an integral part of traditional Hindu dance where the mythologies of various deities are told
and enacted. When a Hindu greets another person they salute them with their hands together saying the word
„Namaste‟ to express the Hindu belief that God is everywhere and in everyone. While the hands of Hindu
deities are often used to hold symbolic objects to express aspects of their nature they also use hand gestures to
convey meaning. When the great Lord Shiva is depicted in his cosmic dance within a circle of flames he holds
one of his hands upwards with the palm facing forward in the gesture of „have no fear‟.
Sikhism:
The Khanda perhaps has been the most widely recognised Sikh symbol. While, to many, it may denote a martial
aspect of Sikh culture its meaning is completely spiritual. Certainly Sikh fearlessness, central to their beliefs and
code of conduct, was promoted by the British in their use of Sikh soldiers in the Indian army. The double-edged
sword, the Khanda, which gives its name to the symbol, is present to connote the Sikh belief in One God. It is the
creative and sovereign power of God. The right edge symbolises freedom and authority governed by moral and
spiritual values. The left edge symbolises divine justice. The circle which surrounds the Khanda itself is a symbol
of God, without beginning or end, timeless and absolute.
The EK ONKAR conveys the intended meaning of the central belief in One God without ambiguity and is,
therefore, favoured as the principle symbol of Sikhism by many Sikhs. Like the Hindu „AUM‟, it is a seed formula
whose sound is used when meditating or invoking God. It is made up of two parts. EK is the numerical figure „1‟
and ONKAR is most probably derived from the Hindu syllable „AUM‟, and is the representation of the unity of all
existence and the holiest symbol of divinity. Guru Nanak placed EK, „1‟, before ONKAR to emphasise his firm
conviction in the unity of God.
The Saffron Colour:

The saffron colour has special significance to Hindus, Buddhist, Sikhs and Jains. For Hindus it is the colour of
renunciation, the simple clothing of the sannyasin, the person whose life, at the time, is dedicated completely to
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spiritual activity and detachment from material involvement, thereby associating them with a particular kind of
sanctity. It is often the colour of flags flown above temples and, interestingly the colour of the flowers most
associated with worship, marigolds. Buddhists monks wear saffron coloured robes, though the exact shade may
depend on the culture and activity of the monks. Saffron coloured material is also used in the decoration of the
cremation site of a Buddhist monk. The triangular flag which is the Sikh standard is also saffron coloured,
signifying the strength needed to stand up against injustice. Sikhs also offer a saffron coloured saropa, scarf, as
a sign of respect to important Sikh teachers and visitors.
The saffron pigment is traditionally derived from the saffron plant, the Autumn crocus, which grows in sub-
himalayan regions and is rare. This rarity could be a reason for this particular colour being highly valued and this,
along with its golden hue, perhaps raised it to the status of a sacred colour.
Humanism:
There are many objects big and small that in one way or another can and do symbolise some of the beliefs and
values of humanists. Consider, for example, a small fossil known as an ammonite. A rock is split in two and
reveals a secret from the past. The imprint of an extinct creature, a cephalopod, which once swam in shallow
seas over 65 million years ago. To know that this is what it is requires a great deal of knowledge. The beauty of
the spiral shape set within the stone is enhanced by this knowledge. What was simply a pattern in the rocks can
now be seen as evidence of part of the history of our amazing world: a window onto a time of dinasaurs and other
fabulous creatures. The idea that it is possible to uncover such secrets of the past and through understanding,
help, actively, to fashion a better future is core to humanist beliefs.
In 1965 the Public Relations officer of the British Humanist Association proposed that a competition be held to find
a symbol, logo, or icon to represent Humanists. More than 150 drawings were submitted from all around the world
including Australia, Mexico and one from a Canadian firm of undertakers! None were felt suitable until what
became known as the Happy Human arrived. There was a unanimous response from everyone who saw it for
the first time. The artist was Dennis Barington of north London. Today, wherever Humanism is to be found in the
world the Happy Human is to be found. It has become the link that identifies the internationalism of the Humanist
movement and highlights the Humanist teaching: „There is but one life that we know of and we should influence
that life by being happy, and the best way to do that is by making others so.‟
Key terms and concepts: sign, symbol, special meaning, gesture, communication
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: expression of personal values through symbols, ability to
recognise meaning expressed by others
Contribution to citizenship: appreciation and understanding of symbols as expressions of diverse identities
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Contents: Key Stages 3 & 4
Programme of Study 94
Christianity 100
Hinduism 101
Islam 105
Judaism 108
After Death 112
Baha‟i 115
Buddhism 118
Focal Figures 121
Humanism 126
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Programme of study : religious education
Key stage 3 & 4

Knowledge, skills and understanding During key stages 3 and 4 pupils learn
about theistic and non-theistic religions and
other spiritual and ethical traditions in the
Understanding questions of purpose and meaning broader context of history, culture and
17 Pupils should be taught to understand different types of purpose interfaith dialogue. Pupils engage with key
which motivate people, inform human actions and give meaning issues and concepts which are significant
aspects of human experience and the focus
to human life including their own.
of religious teachings and practice. They
learn about and respond to the way spiritual
Knowledge and understanding of beliefs, practices and their and religious texts, practices and symbols
effect on the life of the believer can be interpreted differently. They learn to
express beliefs and views with well argued
reasons, citing evidence, and to consider
a to discuss and reflect on issues of central concern, principal issues from the points of view of others.
beliefs, values, practices and actions of spiritual and
religious communities at local, national and global levels,
and to contribute and respond to these in the light of their This requirement links with Cit 1g,
2a
own views and experiences
b to explore and discuss the spectrum of ways of belonging

to a religion or community of beliefs, the range of views This requirement builds on Cit 3c
held and discuss ways in which individuals make choices
in belief and behaviour including and reflecting on their 2c, d and e links with other
subjects
own personal experiences
These requirements build on Cit 1b,
f
c to compare aspects of religions and belief systems
considering both similarities and differences, and to
2c links to other subjects
consider unity, diversity and pluralism, contributing and
This requirement builds on Hist 2b
responding in the light of their own experience
2d links with other subjects
d about the impact of historical and cultural contexts on This requirement builds on Hist 2c
beliefs, practices and religious institutions at local, national
and global levels, and to contribute and respond to this in
94
the light of their own views and experiences 2f links to other subjects
This requirement builds on Geog 3e
e to describe and evaluate historical links and dialogue and Cit 1i
between religious communities and between religious and
secular communities in relation to evidence and their own
experiences
f to recognise human interdependence and explore the idea

of global citizenship
Interpretation

Note for 3a
a why some spiritual and religious texts, practices and
Teachers and pupils need to be
sensitive to individuals‟ beliefs symbols are interpreted and presented in different ways
concerning interpretations of and to analyse and discuss alternative interpretations
religious texts, practices and
symbols. b to extract meaning beyond the literal, looking for the
wisdom contained in spiritual and religious stories,
3a, b links with other subjects sayings, symbols and customs, and to respond to these
This requirement builds on En 2/1a, suggesting their own interpretations
b
c to be aware of the way religion is portrayed in the media
Enquiry and investigation

a to ask questions, including those of purpose, which
stimulate their imagination and broaden their vision and
awareness
4b links with other subjects b to identify, select and use a range of appropriate sources of
This requirement builds on En 1/2 information including oral accounts, documents, printed
and En 2/1a-1f, 4, 5 and ICT/1a-1c sources, the media, artefacts, pictures, photographs, music,
places of worship and ICT-based sources as a basis for
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independent enquiries
5a links with other subjects Empathy
This requirement builds on En 1/3b 21 Pupils should be taught:

and cit
a to consider issues from other points of view and take
different views, beliefs and values into account
This requirement builds on Cit 3a b to consider the integrity, feelings, ideas, beliefs and
experiences of others showing respect and sensitivity
Evaluation

a to consider what they can learn from the wisdom of
spiritual and religious traditions
6a links with other subjects b to respond to the views of others with well argued reasons
This requirement builds on En 3/1m and cited evidence for taking one view rather than another
c to develop and express personal values and commitments

This requirement builds on En 3/1i
and Cit 2b
Expression and communication

a how meaning is conveyed through spiritual and religious
texts, ritual, symbolism and the arts
This requirement builds on En 2/5a
b to begin to recognise limitations of verbal language to
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express profound feelings, ideas and religious beliefs and 8c links with other subjects
experiences This requirement is the same as En
1/2e
c to recognise when a speaker is being ambiguous, uses and
abuses evidence and makes unsubstantiated statements
d to communicate their knowledge, understanding and

personal responses using a range of techniques and a
variety of media
8e links with other subjects
e to contribute to exploratory group and class discussions This requirement is shared with Cit
2c
f to construct a reasoned argument citing evidence
Breadth of study
24 During Key Stage 3, pupils should be taught the
knowledge, skills and understanding addressing the key
Note for Breadth of study
questions of the following core units:
Not all the aspects of the
Christianity knowledge,
Hinduism skills and understanding need be
Islam
developed in each unit
Judaism
And of a minimum of three of the following additional

units:
After Death
Baha’i
Buddhism
Focal Figures
Humanism
Interpreting Story and Symbol
The Natural World
Peace and Conflict
97
Religion and Contemporary Britain
Religion and Science
Responses to God
School designed unit
Sikhism
Spiritual Journeys
25 During Key Stage 4, pupils should be taught the

Knowledge, skills and understanding through the syllabus
of one of the GSCE Short of Full courses.
26 During both key stages teachers should ensure that pupils
study material from Christianity in thematic units in
addition to a unit which focuses on Christianity. Material
from a realistic and balanced range of other traditions
should also be studied.
Key
(Ba) Baha’i
(Bu) Buddhism
(Ch) Christianity
(Hi) Hinduism
(Hu) Humanism
(I) Islam
(Ja) Jainism
(Ju) Judaism
(Ra) Rastafarianism
(S) Sikhism
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Christianity
Where does love come from?
How do Christians believe God‟s love was expressed through the
Incarnation?
What part does transforming love play in the lives of Christians and
Christian institutions today?
Learning objectives
To know about the historical, political and religious context of Jesus as the Christ
To consider the relationship between love and justice
To explore humanity and divinity in Jesus as an expression of God as love
To understand the Christian experience of the resurrection as the presence of Jesus
and God with humanity now, and as the way towards reconciliation and new
possibilities
To understand Christian beliefs about the transforming effects of love
To investigate how these beliefs inform some of the ideals, choices and actions of
many Christians today
To reflect on and discuss personal views about the effects of love in the light of
Christian beliefs

The best way of all : 1 Corinthians : 13
The two commandments : Matthew 22 : 34-40
Love for enemies : Luke 6 : 27-39; The loving father : Luke 15 : 11-32
Washing of feet : John 13 : 1-18
Woman taken in adultery : John 8
Zaccheus : Luke 19 : 1-10
Contemporary visual images of Jesus e.g. „Jesus on the Tube‟ Antonia Rolls UK, Maria Cristina Gomez
Cross, El Salvador, The Laughing Christ, the „Rasta‟ Jesus
Martin Luther King, Sybil Phoenix, Chad Varah and the Samaritans, Dietrich Boenhoffer, International
Justice Mission, Christian Aid

Research the historical and political context of the time of Jesus and explore texts from the gospels to
prepare your role, as a contemporary of Jesus, for a presentation in debate : Jesus: human or divine,
love or rebellion? In role, present your views. Write up a response to the debate, still in role, referring
to the perspectives of other presentations, with clear arguments for the position you hold.
In groups, read the ‘The Touch of the Master’s Hand’ : Myra Brooks Welch, examine the painting of the
Tax Collectors : Marinus van Reymerswaele and tell the story of Zaccheus. In groups, on a large piece
of paper, make links between the three. Individually, write up explanations of the links including
responses from personal experience.
In groups draw up a brief for an advertisement for Christian Aid or the International Justice Mission
based on ‘to love is to seek justice’. Distribute the briefs to different groups who, as advertising
agencies, will produce a television advertisement, including a jingle and a slogan, for the Churches’
Advertising Network.
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Background information Christianity
Contemporary research reveals more detail about the context in which Jesus lived. The world of first century
Israel was a mosaic of beliefs and political aspirations, with many groups arguing about who controlled access to
worship, and how Jews should relate to the Roman oppressors. The community of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the
Zealots and the Pharisees illustrate the range of response.
Jesus‟ politics cannot be easily separated from his religious reforms. These are most clear in his teaching on the
Jerusalem Temple: Jesus‟ encounter with the Samaritan woman (John 4:1-25, especially 19-24); the Kingdom of
God is within you (Luke 17:20,21). Jesus emphasised knowing God as Father (Matthew 6:9-15); he taught that
true religion was not a matter of observing outward ritual but of inner attitude (Mark 7:9-23); he reduced the Law to
two simple commands of loving God and one‟s neighbour (Luke 10:25-37). His stress on the indwelling Spirit
(John 16:5-15) carries forward a reforming agenda from the prophets (Ezekiel 36:26,27), and is developed in St
Paul‟s accent on grace.
This agenda steers away from ritual observance and back to importance of inner attitude that underwrites the
biblical concept of God‟s covenant love (agape). Jesus embodied this love radically in his behaviour towards the
poor: spending time with social outcasts, touching lepers, and by including women among his followers. Jesus‟
radical approach to the oppressed has given rise to the contemporary theological emphasis of liberation
theologies: liberation, feminist, gay, animal theologies.
The new covenant, sealed in Jesus‟ self-giving death on the cross in crucifixion, is for Christians vindicated in his
resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus was explained by one scholar, Maltman as the ground of hope for the
world and a new promise that Jesus as the exalted Lord has a future history to fulfil in the world. It is also seen by
many as a sign of God‟s commitment to his creation. Christians look to the resurrection as the guarantee that
they will one day be with Christ in God. For many Christians the resurrection is the culmination of the greatest act
of love that God has shown to humankind. This began with the incarnation and led to the crucifixion, which is
seen not just as a political attack on the person and teaching of Jesus but more importantly as the self-giving
sacrifice of
God in the person of Jesus. John 3:16 explains that God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son,
not in condemnation but as an act of reconciliation to allow humans to be reconciled completely with God.
Jesus‟ teaching on love, the core teaching of Christianity, radicalises the teachings of the Hebrew Bible.
Matthew 22:34-40 Like all theologians, the religious leaders loved to debate the teachings. It would seem from
this story that a topical debate concerned how to rank the many laws, religious, moral, food. Jesus‟ response is
direct: „All the law and the teachings of the prophets hang on the commandments to love God and to love your
neighbour‟. Jesus‟ point is that, religious observance has value, it is in fact meaningless if it is done without love.
Luke 6:27-39 The radical nature of Jesus‟ teaching extends to loving our enemies.
Luke 15:11-32 In his parable of the lost son, Jesus indicates that his radical call to love is based in his
understanding that God loves all ppeople as a Father might love his children, i.e. unconditionally. The Greek word
used to express this idea of unconditional love is agape – love that loves even when it is rejected.
Jesus‟ teaching about love is mirrored in his actions.

Mark 1:40-45 Jesus was prepared to touch the „untouchable‟ leper.
John 8 Jesus was prepared to be thought immoral by siding with the „sinners‟ against those who were self-
righteous.
Luke 19:1-10 The story of Zacchaeus: As a tax collector, Zacchaeus‟ neighbours considered him a collaborator
with the Romans. He not only collected Roman taxes, but added his „cut‟ to the bill! Although Zacchaeus was an
outcast, Jesus recognised in his response that he had genuinely changed. The key thing was not so much what
Zacchaeus said, but what he did. His repentance issued in action. Love in action is the proof of Christian
discipleship.
John 13:34,35 At his last supper, Jesus said: „A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved
you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another‟.
Jesus teaching on love is taken up by St Paul.

1 Corinthians 13 The church in Corinth was divided: rich against poor, Jew against Greek believers, followers of
Paul against followers of Apollo. Writing to address this situation, Paul tries to explain what this self-giving love
might look like.
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This model of self giving love has always inspired Christians. In the 20th century, Maximillian Kolbe, Martin
Luther King, Oscar Romero, all provide examples of Christ‟s self-giving love in action.
Maximillian Kolbe (1894-1941): Born in Poland, when he was eighteen Kolbe went to Rome to study philosophy
and theology. In October 1917 he and six friends formed the Militia Immaculate, which promoted a powerful cult
of the Virgin Mary, and worked to secure converts and perform good works. Kolbe‟s movement developed, and
their community became established in Poland, and later in Japan. Kolbe was back in Poland when the war broke
out, and remained there. He was interned and sent to Aushwitz, where, at cost of his own health, he served other
prisoners by sharing his food, hearing confessions and saying mass. Late in July 1941 a prisoner escaped, and
Kolbe offered his own life to save a fellow prisoner condemned to death in place of the escapee
Martin Luther King Jnr. (1929-68): While King was pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Montgomery,
Alabama, a black woman, Mrs Rosa Parks, was arrested for refusing to move to the back section of a racially-
segregated bus. King was reluctantly thrust into leading, firstly, a bus boycott and subsequently, the campaign for
Black civil rights. King was brought up in the Black evangelical tradition and influenced by the Social Gospel, and
saw Christianity as a force for social change. His particular non-violent stance combined the love your enemies
message of Christ with the methods of Gandhi. King‟s message was simple: „We shall match your capacity to
inflict suffering with our capacity to endure suffering. We will meet your physical force with soul force‟. He was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and died by an assassin‟s bullet in 1968.
Oscar Romero (1917-80): Born in El Salvador, Romero declared his vocation to the priesthood when he was
thirteen. He was ordained in 1942, and built his reputation as a hard working priest. Impressed, though not
uncritical of the liberalising changes of the Second Vatican Council, when he became bishop of San Salvador in
1977, he was seen by many as conservative. But as archbishop he was faced by the corruption that existed in his
country: violent men held power, and they murdered with impunity; death sqauds murdered in the cities, while
soldiers killed at will in the countryside. Romero committed himself to the poor and persecuted, becoming a
catalyst for radical moral prophecy. Although he was attacked by the press as a revolutionary, his church began
to document human rights abuses. Politically isolated, threats and dangers mounted against him, and on 24th
March 1980 he was shot dead while celebrating mass in the chapel of the hospital where he lived.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: (1906-45) Active in anti-Hitler resistance, the German Lutheran clergyman was imprisoned
in 1943 and executed only weeks before the war ended. Bonhoeffer rejected the chance to escape to US, being
convinced he had to face the difficulties ahead with other German Christians. His arrest in 1943 arose from his
involvement in smuggling Jews to Switzerland. Bonhoeffer‟s literary legacy includes Christian classics such as
The cost of Discipleship.
Key terms and concepts: humanity, divinity, covenant, grace, sacrifice, forgiveness, reconciliation, resurrection,
Spirit, transformation
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: positive examples of self-giving love in action
Contribution to citizenship: examples of admirable people, resolving conflict fairly, the work of non-
governmental organisations
Hinduism
What holds everything together?
How is this known and expressed by Hindu Vedic Dharma?
How do Hindus discover their own dharma and be true to it?
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Learning objectives
To consider why there is order in the physical universe and in society
To know that all Hindus believe in One Ultimate Reality which holds the universe
together
To explore some of the different ways in which Hindus understand and approach this
Ultimate Reality, Brahman : jnana, karma, bhakti or raja yoga
To explore the place of family tradition or choice in devotion to the ishtadev (personal
deity) within bhakti
To understand the relationship between eternal dharma, unchanging laws and
principles, and personal dharma; and the place of choice in personal dharma
To explore how stories from the Hindu epics and puranas express dharma and the
struggle to understand and be true to it
To engage with these stories, reflecting on the struggles we may experience in deciding
the right thing to do and matching our actions with our beliefs

What is Brahman? : Brihadaranyaka Upanishad III : 7 : 3-23
Jnana, karma, bhakti and raja yogas
Popular personal deities e.g. Krishna and Radha, Rama and Sita, Shiva and Parvati, Murugan
Krishna revealing his true nature to Arjuna : Bhagavad Gita in the Mahabharata
Vivekananda‟s story „Each is Great in His Own Place‟
Yudhisthira telling his only lie to Drona : Mahabharata
Arjuna‟s decision to fight : Bhagavad Gita in the Mahabharata
Yudhisthira and the game of dice : Mahabharata

Use information from www.hinduism.fsnet.co.uk , Hinduism for Schools, Paths to God, to create a
magazine quiz/flow chart for Hindus to investigate which path suits them. Try it on friends!
In pairs, take a survey to find out the reasons why different Hindu students approach God through their
particular istadev. Sort the reasons under different headings and compare with other Hindu accounts.
Tell/animate/perform the story of Yudhisthira and his lie to Drona. Students move to different ends of
the room to show whether they think he should or should not have lied. Each end decide reasons for
point of view and present to other end. Students move ends who change their mind. Ends respond to
other’s presentation. Class discussion, following the Matthew Lipman ‘Philosophy in Schools’ protocol,
on a question about the story chosen by the class.
Prepare questions for Arjuna in the ‘hotseat’ about his dilemma before going into battle. Weigh up the
arguments for and against Arjuna going into battle, explaining the final outcome.
Use a framework to collate relevant parts of previous learning to prepare and complete an extended
piece of writing on what it means to be ‘true to yourself’.
Background information Hinduism

(See KS2 : Hinduism)
Some Hindus understand Ultimate Reality as an impersonal cosmic principle which was known by the term Rita
in the Rig Veda. Rita signifies natural laws and cosmic order, the regularity of cosmic processes, such as day and
night, the seasons, and also the intrinsic justice, moral law and order holding all things together.
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For most Hindus, however, this principle is understood as Dharma and Ultimate Reality is understood as One
God, whether personal or impersonal, with or without form. It is referred to as Brahman in the Upanishads, but
more popularly as Ishvara, Bhagwan or the name of the chosen diety through whom God is approached. Eternal
Dharma reflects the nature of Ultimate Reality or Brahman : its principles or laws are present throughout the
universe, the physical world and human society.
The Hindu tradition does not demand conformity. There is provision for different mentalities, starting points and
experiences, different interpretations and approaches to God. Hence the clarification of four major pathways in the
Bhagavad Gita :
Jnana yoga, the path of knowledge, intellectual insight and discipline
Karma yoga, the path of action performed without regard for reward or personal gratification
Bhakti yoga, the path of emotional involvement with God usually through personal deities
Raja yoga, the path of psychological and physical discipline
Pluralistic methods to reach God have been advocated by Hinduism and the Gita is a good example of this. We all
have different starting points in spiritual progress; hence the method we each adopt to reach the same destination
will necessarily be different. This essential freedom does not have to be sacrificed, says the Gita. The Bhagavad
Gita has been interpreted from the perspective of both of the main currents of the Hindu tradition, dualist or non-
dualist. Non-dualist, such as followers of Vivekananda or Shankaracharya, hold that the divine in each human is
part of God and moksha is becoming one with God. Dualists such as the Swaminarayan movement from
Gujarat, and Saiva Siddhanta, with followers in Kashmir and many in Tamil South India and Sri Lanka, hold that
moksha is communion, not merging, with God and that God‟s grace is necessary for spiritual liberation.
However, a belief in eternal principles or laws is shared by Hindus and gives the Hindu tradition its name, Sanatan
Dharma.
Everything that is born dies.
Everything that dies is re-created in another form.
Everything in the universe is directly or indirectly related to everything else.
Everything anyone says, does, or even thinks has an effect that reflects the original word, action, or
thought.
Everything in the external world is constantly changing.
The only lasting peace people experience happens when they have become unattached from personal
rewards and realise the divinity within themselves.
Dharma, in relation to human society, can be understood as the value system and way of life which upholds
individuals and society spiritually and morally. An individual‟s personal dharma, sva-dharma, is expressed also in
the personal code and religious practice of the family and, for many Hindus, the worship of the ishtadev, the
chosen form through which God is approached and understood. This is determined in various ways. Often family
tradition is followed; sometimes aspects of the locality or life circumstances play a part. Sometimes it may be
determined by individual spiritual experiences. Each person‟s code of religious, social and moral duty is of prime
importance and takes priority over the general practice in the wider Hindu community. In the Bhagavad Gita Lord
Krishna says that it is better to perform one‟s own dharma badly than to do another‟s dharma well.
Dharma is often translated as duty or righteousness but may be better understood as „behaving in accordance
with your essential nature‟. „Thus the Dharma of fire is to burn. The Dharma of water is to flow. What then is the
Dharma of a human being? To act in accordance with the spirit of God within. Hindus believe that everyone is
„Amritasya Putraah‟ a child of God and that we achieve righteousness by being what we are truly meant to be.‟
Mathor Krishnamurti
„Because we are all different, however, „right action‟ is not something abstract; it has to be what is right for me. In
that sense it could be translated „being the person you are meant to be‟. Only by being true to yourself, by fulfilling
the role that has been given to you, can you be of use to anyone else. Rajan Soni
Dharma, as one of the four goals of life, also means doing what you are meant to do, doing it ethically and to the
best of your capacity. Generally it refers to your various roles in life, son, daughter, brother, sister, student,
business person etc.
There are two types of Hindu text: sruti and smriti. The Vedas, Upanishads and Brahma Sutra are sruti: texts
which express fundamental and immutable truths perceived by rishis or rishikas, seers, inspired by God. For
many Hindus the Bhagavad Gita is also sruti, and for some this even extends to the whole of the Mahabharata
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which contains the Bhagavad Gita. For others these, together with other epics such as the Ramayana, are smriti,
texts which translate the perceived truths of sruti into popular and understandable forms and into codes of
conduct.
The rules of behaviour for different categories of people given in a smriti text can be altered to suit changing
circumstances. This enables Hindus to adapt their dharma or personal code of behaviour, according to the needs
of the times.
The Mahabharata illustrates in dramatic form how good Hindus should live. The characters are constantly facing
tough moral issues and having to make difficult choices. „ The Mahabharata has moulded the character and
civilzation of one of the most numerous of the world‟s people. How? By its gospel of dharma, which like a golden
thread runs through all the complex movements in the epic; by its lesson that hatred breeds hatred, that
covetousness and violence lead inevitably to ruin, that the only real conquest is in the battle against one‟s lower
nature.‟ C.Rajagopalachari
The Mahabharata is the story of a great war that ended one age and began another. The story has been passed
down in a classical canon of Sanskrit verses some 100,000 stanzas long, about twelve times the length of the
Bible. Scholarly evidence indicates that the earliest layers of the epic were composed between 2500 and 3000
years ago. The text had reached much of its present form by about 300-400 C.E. The term epic is used as the
easiest to describe this form of Hindu text though it is not wholly appropriate. The term implies a single focus on
the hero and his deeds and a division between the sacred and the profane that does not exist from the Hindu
perspective. The Mahabharata contains the great creation stories, the story of Manu‟s flood, the churning of the
milk ocean, the descent of the Ganges, codes of law, moral, ethical, and natural as well as the main story itself.
Every sub-story or text in the Mahabharata is there to shed light on the central story.
The core event of that story is the great battle that was fought on the field of Kurukshetra between the five sons of
King Pandu and their allies on the one side and the hundred sons of King Dhritarashtra, with their allies, on the
other side. The battle was the culmination of a long history of struggle and diplomatic manoeuvering, and it
involved virtually every tribal king and every powerful city-state in Central and Northern India at the time. The
battle was between cousins over who has the right to rule. Both sides claim legitimacy, and when they cannot
settle the issue peacefully, they prepare for war.
It was a tragic war, that pitted brothers against brothers, sons against fathers and uncles, brave noble men against
brave noble men. And it was devastating. Nearly all of the best men died in the long battle. The Pandavas, the
sons of King Pandu, survived, but there was no victory, for the war had destroyed the world that they knew. The
story of the Mahabharata war has cosmological significance in that it marks the end of one yuga and the beginning
of another and is a major source of wisdom within the Hindu tradition.
Before the Mahabharata battle began, Lord Krishna gave Arjuna and Duryodhana a choice. Krishna told them, 'I
can give My entire army to one of you but I will not come. Or, I can come without any weapons as your charioteer
and My army will help your foe. Which do you choose, Me or My army?' Without hesitation Arjuna said, 'I want
you, Lord. You alone are enough. I do not need the army.‟ Arjuna chose Lord Krishna to be the one to hold the
reigns of his life's chariot: he knew how to discriminate. He chose God alone to help him. Duryodhana and the
Kauravas were a much bigger and better army than Arjuna and the Pandavas. They had many great warriors and
were stronger in every way. Duryodhana and his army represent human power and strength without the aspect of
Grace. Thus, as a result of their arrogance, wickedness, and egotism, the Kauravas were ruined. However, Arjuna
and the Pandavas were able to win the battle through effort coupled with the grace of the Lord.
The Bhagavad Gita is one chapter in the Mahabharata and takes the form of a spiritual dialogue between Lord
Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The background is apt as the dialogue concentrates on the
use of spirituality in daily context. Arjuna is torn between his duty to fight for justice and his love for his kinsmen
whom he has to fight. He becomes dejected and debates with Lord Krishna that no war can be justified
on any grounds. Lord Krishna, through this dialogue convinces him that he has to fight; there is no other way. The
discussion brings into focus various interesting aspects of Hindu philosophy.
Krishna gave Arjuna numerous reasons to fight. If the prince refuses to fight, who else can be counted on to enter
the battle? Remember, he said, it is your dharma. You are a warrior, and a warrior must fight. You'll build up good
karma if you fight, because there is nothing better for a warrior than to protect dharma itself and ensure that the
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people are free from oppression. He reminded Arjuna of samsara. A person who is bom must die, and a person
who dies will be rebom; the wise do not grieve over that, he said. Dying is like leaving aside wom-out garments,
only instead, one is leaving aside a wom-out body. He instructed Arjuna that the only true essence is Brahman,
and that Brahman cannot be killed. Krishna explained four yogas, or methods, to achieve moksha. Arjuna was not
convinced, so Krishna finally revealed his true identity to the warrior. Krishna was really the Divine who had taken
the form of a charioteer to help the Pandavas re-establish righteousness. His revelation was like the light of a
thousand suns in the sky. As Arjuna looked at him, he saw all the world, all the gods, the universe, the One. Filled
with awe, Arjuna agreed to fight.
King Yudhisthira had earned a reputation as a dedicated champion of truth and was famous for his truthfulness.
He had never told a lie during his whole lifetime. During the Mahabharata war, a critical situation arose in which
Lord Krishna himself compelled Yudhisthira to make an ambiguous announcement against his will: 'Ashvatthama
is killed in the battle.' In fact, an elephant named Ashvatthama was killed and not the son of Dronacharya whose
name was also Ashvatthama. But on hearing this announcement from the mouth of a famously truthful person,
Yudhishthira, who had a spotless reputation as a synonym for Truth, Dronacharya took it to be the absolute truth
that his own son was killed. He immediately left the battle field which made it very easy for Yudhishthira to win
the war. If Yudhishthira had not made such an ambiguous and misrepresentative statement, there were would
have been no hope for him to win the war and defeat the kings who were a danger to society and the country. This
action of telling a lie on the part of Yudhishthira and Lord Krishna‟s encouragement was not considered bad
karma because it was done with the most bonafide and humanitarian intentions to rid the earth of a threat to
righteousness, to Dharma. Even so, because of Yudhisthira‟s integrity he found the situation a dilemma and
whispered under his breath, „…the elephant‟ to assuage his conscience.
Key terms and concepts: dharma, moral law, cosmic order, Ultimate Reality, choice, duty, bhakti, ishtadev,
integrity
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: understanding of personal integrity
Contribution to citizenship: diversity of beliefs, pluralism, use of imagination to consider other people‟s views
Islam
What is the relationship between equality and equity?
What is the Islamic belief in equity based on?
How is the Islamic belief in human equity expressed in Islamic
practices and institutions?
Learning objectives
To explore the relationship between equality and equity
To know about society and religion at the time of the Prophet Muhammad
To know about Islamic teachings about Tawhid, the diversity of the universe and the
oneness and interdependence of humanity
To understand how belief in human oneness and equality is expressed in Islamic rituals
To investigate how key female figures have expressed Islamic teachings about equity
and interdependence in their lives
To understand and respond to the way Islamic belief in equity affects Muslim practices
in sharing material resources and rules for trade
To evaluate personal beliefs about equality and equity with reference to Islamic
teachings and practices
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Qur‟an 5 : 51
The life and work of Aisha, wife of the Prophet Muhammad; of Humera Khan, resident of Brent and
founder of An-Nisa; and of Yusuf Islam, resident of Brent and founder of Muslim Aid
Contribution of zakah to mosque zakah funds, its distribution and the role of aid agencies
The eight categories for zakat : Qur‟an 9 : 60
Zakat al-fitr, Eid al Adha
Rules about interest on saving and lending money
Hajj : the story of Jamaal and Raju

In groups, using role cards and sample applications and a mosque’s criteria for priorities, role play a
meeting of a mosque zakah committee discussing and making its decisions about which applications for
funds it should grant. Feedback and discuss with the class reflections on the procedure and any
problems encountered, and on views about the criteria used and how they relate to equality.
Visit Brondesbury Park Hotel, set up by Yusuf Islam, and assess what features express Islamic
teachings about equity.
In pairs, discuss and write responses to a selection of photographs of life in contemporary Britain, from
image search www.google.com , in the voice of different Muslims, using and referring to different
resources expressing Islamic beliefs and values.
Read/tell the story of Jamaal, Raju and the hajj. In pairs, decide on a title for the story. Swap titles with
another pair and explain why you think the other pair chose their title. Write a response to the story in
the role of one of Jamaal’s neighbours or relatives, including references to the way both the hajj and
sharing resources express equality.
Background information Islam

The term „equality‟ is sometimes understood to mean absolute equality in every detail rather than overall equality.
For this reason some Muslims also use the term „equity‟ to emphasise justice and fairness in the way people are
treated and the opportunities they are given. Equality in terms of rights and responsibilities allows for variations
between individuals within the overall balance but stresses equality of opportunities. No one is inherently superior
or inferior and no one should be treated unfairly because of their social status. The differences between men and
women are recognised and valued while their equality is not doubted: their roles are understood as
complementary and co-operative rather than competitive. Following the belief in the unity of Allah, Tawhid, Islam
teaches that all people are created equal and stand as one before Allah. The only basis for the superiority of one
individual over another is in terms of a person'‟s moral and spiritual integrity.
Inherent in the belief in Tawhid, the Unity of Allah, is the understanding that the Universe is a single self-
consistent system and that life is Unity. All human beings, all animals, all plant life and the mineral kingdom are
parts of one whole. Since human beings consist of the materials, forces and laws that operate in the universe
they, too, are a unity in which all their faculties are interdependent. They are not independent of the Cosmos.
Human beings are a single species with a common origin but with differences and variety. Through the Ummah,
the community, Islam has aimed draw out the inherent unity within its diversity of male and female, race, ethnic
and cultural backgrounds, with the focus on Allah as One. The Prophet Muhammad set out the egalitarian
precepts of Islam; from the very outset Islam rejected any notions of discrimination that might be based upon such
differences.
The Prophet Muhammad gave the message of the Qur‟an in a period when violence, oppression, class wars
andracial strife were active. Unreasonable distinctions between people were prevalent. The weak and the poor
were deprived of human rights and social safeguard. The Prophet outlawed those differences and conflicts which
are believed in Islam to be illegitimate, superstitious and mistaken. He replaced them with the command that
equality and perfect equity should be observed for all individuals. Muslims believe that the Qur‟an contains God‟s
ideal blueprint for human behaviour. This governs not only women‟s and men‟s relationship with their creator but
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also their relationship with each other. This social blueprint begins with Tawhid. Society, then, should treat
everyone equally. Justice must be fair. Extremes of wealth and poverty are unacceptable. Society should strive
to achieve a balance between wealth and poverty. Much of this went against the norms of his day, certainly
against the ethos of the Arab nobility, and the Prophet‟s egalitarian message won, initially, more enemies than
friends. However, success followed, and Tawhid became the foundation principle of the whole Islamic social and
political system, as well as the foundation and first pillar of faith.
Certain principles and limits for economic activity are laid down in Islam so that the distribution of wealth can
conform to the Islamic standard of justice and equity. The basic aim of Islamic economic policies is to diffuse
wealth so that it does not circulate among the rich only. The right of the deprived and under-privileged to share in
the wealth of the rich is recognized in the Quran. This is effected through Zakah. Zakah should be given at the
rate of two and a half percent per annum on personal wealth and invested capital which has remained at or in
excess of the minimum limit established in the shari'ah for the entire lunar year up to the time of annual
assessment. The rules which govern the implementation of zakah are clearly established in the Qur'an, the
Sunnah and the practices of the first community. This system has provided a means of social insurance where by
everyone in an Islamic society is provided with at least the necessities of life. No worker should be forced, through
fear of starvation, to accept conditions of employment which may be unfairly imposed on him by employer.
Salah and zakah are coupled together in the Qur‟an nearly thirty times. Salah is the affirmation of the bond
between each Muslim and Allah, but it has an essential social dimension. Zakah is the affirmation of the social
bond between all Muslims, but it has an essential spiritual dimension.
Zakah is distinct from general sadaqah which can be in any amount or form the individual chooses, money,
material goods, time or gestures of kindness. Zakah is also distinct from the payment of government taxes.
Zakat al-fitr is obligatory at the time of breaking the fast of Ramadan. The amount of money is the equivalent of
one simple meal. The purpose of zakat al-fitr is to make the poor feel at least self sufficient on the day of Eid: the
Prophet impressed on his followers that they should make the poor feel in need of nothing on that day.
The festival of Eid al-adha recalls the Prophet Ibrahim‟s act of faith in his acceptance of Allah‟s call for him to give
up Ishmael. In celebrating this festival Muslims make the act of thanking God for sustenance and a personal
sacrifice of sharing possessions and valuable food with fellow humans.
Yusuf Islam, well-known for his charitable work in establishing Muslim schools in Brent, also founded Muslim Aid,
an international aid agency, in 1985 in co-operation with other Muslim organisations. His view is that, in addition
mosque zakah committees, Muslim aid agencies make „a very convenient channel for Muslims to direct their
zakah because the charities work on the basis of shariah in the spending of the zakah through the allowances
which are given in the Qur‟an.‟
One of the women most honoured and respected by Muslims, from the earliest days of the Muslim community to
the present day, is Aishah. She was a beloved and devoted wife to the Prophet Muhammad for the last ten years
of his life. She lived on almost fifty years after the Prophet died. As his wife and close companion she acquired
great knowledge and insight from him and provided guidance to the first Muslim Community. She was more
learned than many of the men at her time and the teacher of scholars and experts, influencing both men and
women and providing them with inspiration and leadership. She had a great knowledge of medicine and was so
well versed in mathematics that important figures used to consult her on the problems concerning inheritance and
the calculation of shares. She was among the great huffaz, memorisers, of Ahadith. She narrated 2210 Ahadith in
all. She was a famous jurist : „whenever we, companions of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), encountered any
difficulty in the matter of any Hadith we referred it to Aishah and found that she had definite knowledge about it‟.
A resident of Brent, Humera Khan is co-founder of the An-Nisa Society which works for the well-being of Muslim
families. The family is understood in Islam to be central in maintaining a healthy society. Humera makes the point
: „According the teachings of the Qur‟an and the Sunnah, women are not raised to be subservient but to be part of
a social and cultural group‟. The choices they make in relation to their career and family are relative to the
success of the wider community and informed by the value Islam puts on the family. Since the extended family is
central to the success of Muslim women both in terms of family and career, An-Nisa works to support the extended
family regarding shared domestic responsibilities, child nurturing and emotional support for all ages and both
genders. Humera has described the part of women in society as a whole: „Islam encourages women (and men) to
fulfil their potential and share their abilities with the wider society. Our past and present is full of women who have
excelled in all aspects of life. But their „success‟ was attained within a balanced understanding that there‟s a point
at which individual success can be detrimental to the well-being of the community.‟ An-Nisa is a member of the
Home Office Forced Marriage Working Party (Islam does not promote or condone forced marriages) and Humera
is active in presenting Islamic viewpoints at meetings with government ministers, conferences and development
projects.
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Key terms and concepts: Tawhid, diversity, unity, interdependence, equality, equity, justice, fairness,
community, distribution of wealth
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: sensitivity to the needs of others, appreciation of fairness and
justice
Contribution to citizenship: human rights and responsibilities, global community, relationship between secular
and religious law, role of voluntary groups
Judaism
Are we free to do whatever we like?
How does the Torah guide Jews in their freedom?
How is the Torah interpreted?
Learning objectives
To explore and reflect on the relationship between rights, duties and freedom
To consider why the Torah was received during the Exodus
To investigate a range of Jewish beliefs about the authority of the written and oral Torah
To explore Jewish traditions of interpreting the Torah
To consider ways in which Jews engage with Torah to understand and respect life and
freedom and to shape their lives
To understand how the Torah gives Jews the choice to follow ideals and duties which
inform their freedom and the freedom of others
To reflect on personal responses to the relationship between the Torah and freedom

Exodus 18, 20 - 23
The River of Torah : Rabbi Akiva risking his life for the Torah : Babylonian Talmud Berahot 616
Extract from life of Rashi and a sample page of gemara
Examples of contemporary Midrash : www.crosswinds.net/~midrashmaker
Kizzur Shulchan „Aruch (Short version of Laid Tables – Laws and Customs of Israel)
A spectrum of statements from Jews of different traditions about observing laws
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Create ‘frozen pictures’ of stages of the Exodus - in captivity, fleeing, in the wilderness – the teacher
leading the class through each stage. At each stage individuals make short comments/questions in role.
Discuss responses to the experience of the ‘frozen pictures’. Individually, extend the short
comments/questions into a piece of reflective writing.
Write a midrash on the connection between the blood painted on Israelite doorposts and the mezuzot
fixed to present day doorposts. Explore examples already written by Jewish pupils.
http://scheinerman.net/judaism/midrash/doorpostmidrashim.html
Try to sort a relevant selection of the 613 commandments under the headings of each of the ten
commandments. What other categories could you group them into? Do the categories represent
different values? Are rights implied in these responsibilities?
Watch a small section of the film of Rashi, one of the great commentators in the Talmud. In groups, take
part in the traditional process of Talmudic commentary on a passage from the Mishnah, the oral Torah.
After the first round, swap commentaries with another group and comment on their commentary.
Compare this process of interpretation with the response of Reform Jews to Jewish laws.
Compare designs for the Ark for the Torah in various synagogues e.g.
www.s2k.org/Tpictures/BnaiShalom. Make your own design for an ark using symbols and elements
which draw on previous learning.
Background information Judaism

Once the Israelites escaped from Egypt they were not only free from slavery but also from the pressures or
constraints of an existing culture: in the desert they were owned by no-one, free, thirsty and like a „blank canvas‟,
ready to receive the Torah. During this early period of their freedom God protected them physically through the
„clouds of glory‟ and sustained them nutritionally through supplying manna. They understood that as soon as they
entered the Promised Land they would be expected to direct their own destiny and provide for their physical
needs. Moreover, they would need to understand the terms of the Covenant, Brit, their special relationship with
God, and a guide to life teaching them the way to fulfill their duties and responsibilities, mitzvot (plural of mitzvah).
For this they were given the Torah. This is what Jews remember and reenact every Pesach so that they can
strive to fulfill their role as an example of free, just and righteous living and to make the world a better place. The
teaching of the Torah, while of particular importance for Jews, is also believed to be for everyone. According to
Rabbinic legend the Torah was given in the desert rather than in any particular country so that no one nation can
claim it as exclusive property but all who wish to accept it may do so.
The concept of mitzvah, obligation, goes hand in hand with the principles of justice and righteousness. Justice
demands the recognition of certain fundamental rights or duties and righteousness provides the ideals for human
conduct. The six fundamental rights which the principle of justice demands are the right to life, possessions, work,
clothing, shelter and leisure and liberty. The fundamental rights encapsulated within the principle of justice
emphasises humankind‟s right to the necessities of life. Interference with someone‟s livelihood, for example, is
forbidden, and this includes such conduct as enticing customers away, dishonest advertising and unfair
competition. The principle of righteousness provides the basis for all action, including the demands of justice.
There are various levels of observance of the 613 mitzvot, obligations/commandments, outlined in the Torah.
Orthodox Jews believe that the Torah was given by God and can never change. They try to follow all the mitzvot
exactly. Both Reform and Liberal & Progressive Jews believe that God‟s revelation continues to unfold in time,
and that different truths are discovered at different times. Several branches of Judaism, notably Modern
Orthodoxy, Mazorti or Conservative, Liberal & Progressive and Reform Jews attempt to relate traditional Jewish
practice and observances to the contemporary world.
While the mitzvot of honouring parents and performing acts of loving kindness are highly praised, the Talmud
concludes that the mitzvah of talmud torah, Torah study, is the greatest of mitzvot. Because study leads to action
and because understanding and information are prerequisites for performing mitzvot, talmud torah contains the
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potential for all the other mitzvot. Torah study has been an integral part of Jewish religious life for centuries.
Through study Jewish values and responsibilities are learnt.
When Jews talk about Torah in its wider sense they do not just mean the books from Genesis to Deuteronomy, the
five books of Mosaic law, nor just the books of the whole Tenakh, known as the „Written Torah‟, nor even the Oral
Tradition codified by the Rabbis in the Talmud. For Jews, Torah represents the whole Jewish teaching from its
beginning to the present day.
The Oral Tradition, the Mishnah, teases out the teaching of the written Torah in more detail. For three centuries
after the compilation and editing of the Mishnah, the Rabbis and their students discussed and analysed the
Mishnah. Their questions, discussions and solutions make up the Gemara, an extended commentary on the oral
tradition, Mishnah. It probes to apply teachings to every conceivable situation of the time. Mishnah and gemara
together form the main body of the Talmud. The aim of the Talmud is to seek out the truth. It has all the
characteristics of a living dialogue. Rashi (1040-1105), a French rabbi, was given the special title of Supreme
Commentator and each page of the Gemara has a specific section which contains his commentary. His
commentary became very popular because he explained difficult words and phrases in a simple way. They
unlocked meanings and ideas and helped to answer many of his students‟ questions. He had three daughters
and, though it was not usual in those days for girls to study the Torah, he taught his daughters and his
commentaries were also answers to their questions. The ordering of the Talmud was simplified and added to with
practical advice in the sixteenth century code of Jewish law, the Shulchan Aruch, for more everyday use. The
process of probing and interpretation continues as new situations and new questions arise. This results in many
different opinions. In any one case it is up to the individual or the group, e.g. the synagogue, to decide what feels
right for them.
Although not all Jews understand the origin of the Torah in the same way they share the belief that an awesome
event took place at Mount Sinai, an event that defies human understanding. They believe that in that wilderness
of Sinai the Jewish people came into possession of the Torah. The precise nature of its original form, how it was
received by Moses from God, and how it was transmitted by Moses to the people of Israel are left open to
speculation. Orthodox Jews believe that the Torah comes directly from God and was written down by Moses on
God‟s instruction, as a „perfect secretary‟. They assert that the Torah has been carefully guarded as it has been
passed down from the generations and that, therefore, it has not been changed. Reform and Liberal & Progressive
Jews believe that the Torah is divinely inspired and was written by God-inspired men of exceptional spirituality.
While they believe that the Torah is divine they do not necessarily believe that every word or sentence in the
Torah need be taken literally. Even the twelfth-century rabbi Moses Maimonides, while affirming that what took
place on Sinai is beyond human comprehension, insisted that all biblical anthropomorphic descriptions of God as
hearing, seeing, speaking, and making appearances must not be taken literally. For all groups, the Torah has
been read/studied as a way of connecting with the Divine voice and understand theTorah to be a record of the
ancient Israelites' encounter with the Divine.
The collective memory of the Jewish people is inscribed in the Torah. The scholar and rabbi Marc-Alain Ouaknin
has written, „The events recounted are experienced as mythical rather than historical events: the event is no
longer dated and its meaning becomes potentially infinite. The mythical tale recounts not only the meaning of the
facts at the moment of their occurrence, but also the sum of meanings these facts have had for past and present
generations, as well as the meanings they will have for generations to come. In this context, it makes no sense to
wonder „Did this event really occur as the story tells us?‟ or even „Did it actually occur?‟. The myth is not the
„account of a true event‟ but the „truthful account of an event‟. This „truthful account‟, collectively accepted by the
group, becomes a part of its memory, its „narrative memory‟, the individual and collective words forge the origins of
a group of people.‟
The Rabbis have extended and interpreted the narrative of the Torah through the Midrash, a method and genre of
literature where the single story will give rise to several more. Midrash is a characteristically Jewish way of
reading Torah. By creating Midrash, the Rabbis madeTorah relevant to their lives and expressed their
understanding of Israel and its place in history.
Torah is written with fire: with black fire on white fire.

The black fire is the text, the words themselves. The white fire is the page. White fire is the place of the
imagination, where Torah comes alive. Midrash lives in the white fire.
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Midrash Tehillim 90:12
The narrative dimension of the Bible, called Haggadah, like the narrative for Passover which is ritually read the
evening of the Passover seder, provides the fundamental link between all narrative and ritual. They fertilize each
other and assure the life of the commandments, the renewal of Judaic legislation and narrative. Narrative memory
is revived by gestural memory which is ritual. The festivities of Pesach, Passover, last for seven or eight days and
during this time it is forbidden to eat anything containing yeast. Unleavened bread, matzah, is eaten instead, a
symbol of freedom since it was prepared by the Hebrews the day before the Exodus from Egypt. During the
Pesach seder the story of the Exodus from Egypt is read from the Haggadah and food symbolizing the main
aspects of the story are laid out on a platter and served as the main dish of the meal. The ensuing discussion on
the freedoms and responsibilities contained in the events of the Exodus story reaffirms those very freedoms and is
cause for celebration. The haggadah shel Pesach has given rise to elaborate illustrations by noted Jewish artists.
A copy of the book is handed out to each participant at the meal. The text sets out the „order‟, seder, of the meal
and of the Exodus story itself. The idea of the evening is to dramatiseand re-enact for those present the main
elements associated with the Exodus story, to actualise the experience of slavery and liberation. Children play an
especially important part in the seder, for it is they who ask, „Why is this night different from any other night?‟ In
other words, why do we remember or Exodus from Egypt, Mizrahim? A commonly held view is that contained in
the repeated question, lies a previously ignored answer, interpretation or revelation; thus the question, even when
asked by an innocent child, is believed more important than the answer.
Key terms and concepts: freedom, responsibility, relationship, Covenant, mitzvah, Torah, authority, law,
interpretation, questioning, inspiration, guidance, gemara, midrash, tradition, community, identity, remembering
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: awareness of relationship and responsibility to others,
personal guidance and inspiration, questioning
Contribution to citizenship: Human rights and responsibilites, secular and religious law, process of participating
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After Death
Does anything happen after death?
Does it matter?
What do different traditions teach about this?
Learning objectives
To consider personal beliefs about what, if anything, happens after death
To understand the connections between the Abrahamic traditions and between Indic
traditions and their relationship with beliefs about life after death
To explore the different Jewish, Christian and Islamic beliefs about the soul
To explore the different Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist beliefs about karma
To understand humanist and materialist beliefs about what happens after death
To investigate and respond to different interpretations of heaven and hell
To consider what difference beliefs about death make to the way people live
To discuss the presence of different beliefs about death

John 11: 24-26 : eternal life in Christ (Ch)
Luke 16 : 19 –31 : the rich man and Lazurus(Ch)
Heaven – A Guide for Travellers : from the Winchester Churchman (Ch)
Surah 36 : 12, 39 : 70 : judgement, life after death and Paradise (I)
Again and again : Udaya Sutra (Bu)
„Whatever you shall do you shall reap‟ (Hi)
„Putting on new clothes‟ : Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 (Hi)
Yom Kippur memorial services (Ju)
LXXX, LXXXI Gleanings from the Writings of Bah‟a‟ullah (Ba)
Chopsticks : a story of heaven and hell
Death and other Big Questions – what happens when we die? BHA (Hu)
What‟s it like to die? Simon Hoggart

Give each group a situation card and the beliefs about what happens after death from three different
traditions. Brainstorm how people from each tradition might respond to the situation. What other factors
may be involved apart from their beliefs about death? Feed back and compare results with the rest of
the class.
Use the beginning and ending of the poem ‘An Old Jamaican Woman Thinks About the Hereafter’ :
A.L.Hendriks to write personal poems reflecting on beliefs about what happens after death.
Read the story about putting out the fires of hell by the Sufi Hazrat Rabia Basri in ‘Holy Cat and other
stories’ with a Muslim visitor. Explore the visitor’s response to the message of the story.
Compare writings and paintings of heaven and hell from different traditions, sorting into categories.
Prepare short reasoned contributions for a debate - ‘Heaven and hell are figments of the imagination’.
Use thoughts and information from the debate for an extended piece of writing weighing up opposing
points of view, concluding with a well argued opinion.
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Background information After death
Baha‟i:
When physical death comes, Baha‟is believe that the individual continues to grow and develop in a spiritual new
world. „Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it
attaineth the presence of God…It will endure as long as the Kingdom of God, His sovereignty, His dominion and
power will endure…Know thou of a truth that if the soul of man hath walked in the ways of God, it will assuredly
return and be gathered by the glory of the Beloved….The soul that hath remained faithful to the Cause of God and
stood firmly in His path, shall after his ascension, be possessed of such power that all the worlds which the
Almighty hath created can benefit through him.‟ Gleanings from the writings of Baha’u’llah – page 155 and
beyond.
Buddhism:
Death is the clearest example of anicca, the law of change. According to Buddhism, there is no unchanging
atman, soul or self in the divine sense of the word. At death, unless the individual has achieved enlightenment,
the energy, mind or consciousness which passes through a human being is still in the process of becoming and of
continual change. It is part of the cycle of birth, death and rebirth known as samsara. This is vividly depicted
by Tibetan Buddhists in paintings of the Wheel of Existence. The type and level of rebirth is determined by karma.
Karma is the effect of volitional activity; the law of karma is the law of action and reaction which underlies the
continually changing process of existence or samsara. Samsara is transitory and constantly in flux. There are
various realms which are part of that transitory world. Kamaloka, the lower universe of sensuality, includes
various hells and six lower heavens. The two other realms, rupaloka, the world of form, and arupaloka, formless
world, world of mind or consciousness, are only accessible to those accomplished in meditation and other spiritual
practices. It is possible to let go of samsara through sila, samadhi and prajna (see KS3 : Buddhism) and achieve
Nirvana, the state of unattachment and, therefore, of bliss.
Christianity:
When, in John 11:24-26, Martha links the ideas of „resurrection‟ with „the last day‟, her thought is about the day of
judgement. However, Jesus‟ response, „I am the resurrection and the life‟, reinterprets resurrection as a present
reality. John structures his gospel very carefully around a number of „signs‟ to show that Jesus‟ words and actions
witness to his very nature. This particular sign, the resurrection of Lazarus, and „I am ...‟ sayings, demonstrate
John‟s message that, for the believer, the source of eternal life is Christ. Jesus‟ earlier comment, „I have come that
they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10), underlines the idea that eternal life begins here, and that
death is a transition. As one New Testament scholar puts it: „The distinction that the evangelist makes plain is that
instead of the transition point being at the moment of the end, it is now at the point where a living trustful
relationship is established between Jesus Christ and this disciple.‟ John Marsh, Saint John, Pelican Gospel
Commentaries (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1968), p 429.
The parable of the Rich Man (aka „Dives‟) and Lazarus (not the Lazarus of John 11), in Luke 16:19-31, should
not be read as an accurate description of heaven and hell. It has an ethical rather than metaphysical intention,
which is to show that the way life is lived in the present will have an eternal dimension. Interestingly, in being
realistic about its own ability to affect the ethical influence it intends, the story is also realistic about the power of
sacred texts and story. (See KS 2 : Birth and death)
Humanist and materialist beliefs.

Humanists believe that after death there can be no more consciousness. They recognise that people have an
effect beyond their own death by : (i) parenting – passing on their unique genetic code to the next generation, (ii)
their relations with children and other people, (iii) their actions and work – even the apparently insignificant, and
(iv) conservation of matter /energy. Living things do not disappear into nothing. Life is an expression of the
transformation of matter which provides the energy for movement and growth. After death this matter is once
again transformed and broken down into simple chemicals and some heat – we consist of chemicals originally
manufactured in the stars. These chemicals may well become part of different life forms, plants and animals
(including people) before in billions of years time returning once more to the stars. (Impact of these beliefs on way
Humanists live – see KS3 Humanism)
How humanists beliefs about death affect their attitude to life: For humanists this life is all there is and
therefore they consider it to be incredibly precious. It is something of a paradox that what is so plentiful (there are
billions of us) can also be so rare (us as individuals). It is because humanists recognise what they have in
common with all other human beings that they want for others what they would like for themselves – a happy,
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healthy and productive life.
Hinduism:
Atman, the divine and animating energy which Hindus believe exists in every creature, continues to exist after the
body dies and is bound to the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth, known as samsara. The final Hindu aim is
to move out of this cycle and achieve moksha, liberation. There are different Hindu views about what happens to
atman when moksha is achieved: many Hindus believe that atman will unite with ultimate divine reality, others
that there is blissful communion with God but not complete identity. Moksha can be achieved through „freeing‟
from the bondage of karma.
Karma is the residue of the effects of thoughts, words and deeds. All action produces re-action, thought produces
rethought and feeling produces re-feeling. Free karma, Nishkama Karma, is the residue of action that is done
devotedly, sincerely and without any expectation of results being beneficial to oneself, or through other paths of
spiritual action.
Many people find „reincarnation‟ very interesting: it gives everyone a chance to live a better life and correct their
mistakes. There are many cases (studied scientifically) where some people believe that youngsters have
spontaneously remembered their past lives. The University of Virginia has done a great deal of work and found at
least 300 cases where the detailed information given by these young people has been independently verified.
Many Hindus believe that „reincarnation‟ gives a better explanation about phobias, associations with past life
traumatic experiences, and about why some children are born prodigies (because of disciplines they practised in
former lives).
Judaism:
What happens after death is not a major focus in Judaism: Jewish concerns are with the type of life we live now.
Some Jews believe there will be a physical resurrection of the dead at a future time; others are agnostic about
this; others may not believe this for themselves but respect the feelings of those Jews who do. Memorial
services focus on the life now and refer very little to what happens after death.
Key terms and concepts: heredity and the genetic code, scepticism, conservation of energy/matter, soul, spirit,
atman, karma, samsara, eternal life, heaven, hell
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: awareness of time, motivation for behaviour and actions,
clarification of personal beliefs
Contribution to citizenship: dialogue and understanding of beliefs of others, impact of beliefs about death on
present action and community
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Baha‟i
Should we see ourselves as global citizens?
How do Baha‟is express their belief in the importance of global
citizenship?
What are the implications of global citizenship for Baha‟is?
Learning objectives
To explore views on the relationships and connections between human beings locally
and globally
To explore how some key Baha‟i teachings on peace, human interdependence and
diversity of religions express the need for global citizenship
To understand the breadth and diversity of the Baha‟i community
To consider the democratic organisation, practices and buildings of the Baha‟i
community which express and develop global citizenship
To evaluate global action proposed by Baha‟u‟llah to develop global citizenship e.g.
global currency, a universal language

The World Order of Baha‟u‟llah : Proclamation of Baha‟u‟llah page 115
: World Order of Baha‟u‟llah page 203
The eleven principles : Paris Talks pages 129-175
19 day feast : Book of Laws (Aqdas) page 40 no.57
Local Spiritual Assembly, National Spiritual Assembly, Universal House of Justice : Book of Laws
(Aqdas) : page 29, No.30 and Will & Testament of Abdul-Baha
The Lotus Temple, Delhi (India) and the Baha‟i World Centre, Haifa (Israel)
Membership of Brent Baha‟i community
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In pairs, use a selection of extracts/versions of key Baha’i teachings and a sorting frame to find possible
reasons for global citizenship.
Design a suitable Baha’i House of Worship for the UK, possibly using Powerpoint or CAD, to express
Baha’i values and drawing on examples worldwide as seen at www.bahai.org .
Devise an imaginative and authentic programme for a nineteen day feast as practised by the Brent
Baha’i community and make a record of it in the form of a programme leaflet, diary entry of the event,
script of the event, or video of a dramatised version.
Use the Baha’i form of consultation to decide about an issue of importance in the school. Report on the
value of this type of consultation.
Make a pie chart showing the proportions of the different backgrounds of members of the Baha’i
community in Brent. Using quotes from Brent Baha’is list and categorise the reasons for different
members being part of the Baha’i community. Explore the link with global citizenship.
Background information Baha‟i

The Baha‟i faith was heralded in 1844 by the Bab, who announced the imminent appearance of a Manifestation of
God in Iran. His teachings, based on sound scriptural proofs, immediately attracted a large number of
knowledgeable adherents, but also the wrath of ignorant fanatics who in 1850 secured the matyrdom of the Bab
and, later, of over twenty thousand of his followers. The Baha‟i faith was founded in 1863 by Baha‟u‟llah.
The Baha‟i faith was expounded for the peoples of the East and West by Abdul-Baha, the eldest son of
Baha‟u‟llah, devoting his entire life, first as a prisoner, and later when free. Baha‟is believe they have a divinely
instituted administrative order, without clergy, which was nurtured to maturity by Shoghi Effendi, the grandson of
Abdul-Baha who appointed him as the Guardian of the Baha‟i faith. Shoghi Effendi toiled ceaselessly and
selflessly for 36 years in guiding the destiny of the world-wide community. The Baha‟i world community is
governed by a body of nine, elected every five years by secret ballots without candidature or canvassing, a body
Baha‟is believe is vouchsafed with divine infallibility, named by Baha‟u‟llah as the Universal House of Justice.
Baha‟u‟llah was banished from his native country of Iran to Iraq and then from city to city under house arrest until
he finally reached the prison of Akka in 1868. From that prison, he proclaimed in clear and unmistakable
language, to the rulers of the world, to its religious leaders and to humanity in general, that the long-promised age
of World Peace had at last dawned:
„The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men
will be universally realised. The rulers and the kings of the earth must needs attend it, and participating in its
deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundation of the world’s greatest peace
amongst men. Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the tranquillity of
the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled amongst themselves. Should any king take up arms against
another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. The day is approaching when all the peoples of the world will
have adopted one universal language and one common script. When this is achieved, to whatsoever city a man
may journey, it shall be as if he is entering his own home…. Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the
best interests of the people and kindreds of the earth…. It is not for him to pride himself that he loveth his country,
but rather for him who loveth the whole world…. The Earth is but one country and Mankind its citizens.’
The Proclamation of Baha‟u‟llah page 115
19 day feast : The 19 day feast is a blend of worship, fellowship, and grassroots democracy. It is the centre piece
of Baha‟i community life, is held once every 19 days, and is open to both adults and children, promoting and
sustaining the unity of the local Baha‟i community. Although its programme is adaptable to a wide variety of social
and cultural needs, the Feast always contains three elements : spiritual devotion, administrative consultation and
fellowship.
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Baha‟i Houses of Worship : At present there is one Baha‟i temple in every continent; the most recent and largest
was built just outside New Delhi, India, in the form of a lotus flower. Each temple is outwardly in tune with the
culture of the people and the place where it is built. All the temples have the unique feature of nine entrances as a
symbol for all the followers of the world‟s major religions to join together and unite in prayer.
Baha‟i administration : There are over 200 spiritual assemblies in the UK alone; the one in Brent was
established in 1967. A local spiritual assembly is elected annually on April 21st by every recognised Baha‟i
community. It exercises full jurisdiction over the affairs of the local Baha‟i community within the limits imposed by
the laws of Baha‟u‟llah. A National Spiritual Assembly is elected annually. The Universal House of Justice is
elected once every five years by members of the National Spiritual Assemblies. It represents the world community
as a whole. The essential laws are laid down by Baha‟u‟llah. The Universal House of Justice can enact auxiliary
laws.
Baha‟i consultation : It requires purity of intention, frankness and impersonality in discussion. No individual tries
to win others to his/her point of view by persuasion, none witholds remarks or opinions pertinent to the matter,
none should feel offended or affronted if his/her opinion is criticised or found to be untenable.
Key terms and concepts: citizenship, interdependence, diversity, unity, consultation

Contribution to spiritual and moral development: relationship with others, openness
Contribution to citizenship: nature of community, local and global, relationship between
laws and beliefs
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Buddhism
Are we responsible for the way we are and the way we live?
How do Buddhists interpret self-responsibility?
Why is control of the mind central to Buddhist practice?
Learning objectives
To consider their own views and those of others on what influences our character,
thoughts and actions
To know what the Buddha taught about karma and self-responsibility
To explore the relationship between sila, samadhi and prajna and understand how they
are all important for developing self-responsibility
To understand why control of the mind plays an important part in sila, samadhi and
prajna
To examine Buddhist practices for developing mindfulness and self-awareness
To consider Buddhist teachings on self-responsibility in the light of personal experience

Self as refuge: Dhammapada v.160; Be a lamp for yourself: : Mahaparinirvana sutra
Jataka stories e.g. The King‟s Elephant
www.fwo.org , www.foresthermitage.org.uk
haiku poetry, Tibetan Buddhist mandalas, meditations of Thich Ngat Hanh
the story of Angulimala
Angulimala Buddhist Prison Chaplaincy www.angulimala.org.uk

Use a stilling exercise to explore what the mind is, how it wanders and the ease/difficulty in directing it.
Use Matthew Lipman’s form of enquiry and discussion to articulate and develop personal ideas about the
mind.
Explore different aids for meditation e.g. breathing, the sound of the bell, walking meditation, mandala,
icons, visualisations for mettabhavana. Design your own mandala encorporating all features or write a
script for a meditation based on those of Thich Ngat Hanh. Write up a discussion of the benefits of using
different aids and types of meditation.
In pairs, read a selection of haiku poems ( http://www.toyomasu.com/haiku/ ) and select and copy the
ones you like most and explain why. Highlight the kigo in each poem. Why is there a kigo in each
poem? Discuss how the poems express and develop mindfulness. Write your own haiku.
Discuss the difference between the Five Precepts being guidance as opposed to commandments, and
devise a series of personal precepts which it would be particularly helpful for you to remember in
everyday life.
Read the stories of Angulimala and of Venerable Ajahn Khemadhammo, founder of the Angulimala
Prison Chaplaincy. Hotseat ‘Ajahn Khemadhamma’ to explore the Buddhist views of prison, human
nature and action which they both express.
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Background information Buddhism
Buddhism teaches that each person is responsible for their own liberation; this is reached by self-effort; "Be
lamps unto yourselves. Be a refuge unto yourselves. Do not turn to any external refuge.... Work out your own
salvation with diligence" (Mahaparinibbana-sutta 2.33; 6:10) Buddhism places great emphasis on self-reliance,
self discipline and individual striving. Although Buddhists seek refuge in the Buddha as a guide who indicates the
path, they do not think that they can become liberated merely by seeking refuge in the Buddha or by simply
believing in him. It is not within the power of a Buddha to do the work of others.
The concept of karma is fundamental to the Buddhist view of the world. Karma and karma force are examined and
explained very thoroughly in Buddhism. The term karma literally means action or doing. Any kind of intentional
action whether mental, verbal or physical is regarded as karma. Every intentional act is accompanied by its effect
or reaction; the effects may be mental as well as physical. These will shape the kind of person we are at any
stage in our life and will also influence our rebirth. Jataka (birth) tales are traditionally said to be accounts of the
past lives of the Buddha and provide engaging illustrations of the law of karma.
Buddhism holds that there is nothing in this world that happens by blind chance or accident. According to
Buddhism the variation between human beings is due not only to heredity and environment but also to our own
karma, the result of inherited past actions and present deeds. We ourselves are responsible for our own deeds,
happiness and misery. We build our own hells. We create our own heavens. We are the architects of our own fate.
We ourselves are our own karma. A Buddhist who is fully convinced of the doctrine of karma does not pray to
another to be saved but confidently relies on him/herself for their purification because it teaches individual
responsibility. Karma is one‟s own doing reacting on oneself, and therefore one has the power to divert the course
of karma to some extent. How far one diverts it depends on oneself.
Even the most vicious person can by their own effort, become the most virtuous. A person is always becoming
something and that something depends on personal actions. Angulimala, a robber and murderer, purged his
mind of all greed, hatred and delusion and realised for himself the Buddhist goal of Enlightenment following the
guidance of the Buddha. Angulimala, the Buddhist Prison Chaplaincy Organisation, was founded in 1985 as
the official representative of Buddhism in all matters concerning the Prison Service in England and Wales. It does
not favour any form of Buddhism over another and has the backing of most Buddhist organisations in the UK.
Since Buddhists believe that all determined actions have their results, karma, penalties will already be imposed in
a person‟s own life, making the institution of prisons questionable from a Buddhist point of view. However, it is
recognised that society demands something from those who offend. Based on the principle that the possibility of
Enlightenment can be awakened in the most extreme of circumstances and that people can and do change, in
prison as elsewhere the teachings and practice of Buddhism are made available.
In order to move towards Enlightenment, to awaken from a delusory state of being, Buddhism teaches that people
need to apply themselves; no one else can do it for them. The training to achieve this is sila, samadhi and
prajna, morality, meditation and wisdom, a process of self-transformation. They were taught by the Buddha as his
way of life, wise steps to be taken on the path to Enlightenment. They contain the Buddha‟s Noble Eightfold Path.
One aspect of the training cannot be isolated and taken on its own; there must be a balance between the three. It
is difficult to pursue wisdom against background of negative ethics. Developing an ethical ground or self-discipline
is very helpful for meditation. A person who harms themselves or others cannot be said to be wise. If you
increase personal wholesomeness through meditation then it follows that what you speak or do or the way you
think will become purified. Out of the wholeness of ethical living and a focused mind grows wisdom and integrity.
Wisdom is not necessarily something that is verbal or intellectual; it may simply be appropriate action. Morality, in
Buddhism, is not just a matter of being right or wrong. It starts from the position of looking to see what we may be
doing that harms others, what can be done to benefit them and oneself . But not hurting other people and not
harming oneself is not sufficient to be a fully-fledged spiritual person, according to Buddhism. Meditation allows
people to look into themselves and see the kind of person they are or have become, and the kind of person that
they may be able to become in the future. Without meditation it is practically impossible to develop wisdom or
insight. It is difficult to have wisdom if the mind is governed by powerful negative emotions, influenced by bias,
prejudice and dogmatism.
In the working of karma the most important feature is mind. All words and deeds are coloured by the mind or
consciousness experienced at the particular moment. „By mind the world is led, by mind is drawn: and all people
own the sovereignty of mind.‟ (Dhammapada V.1) The Buddha has said that the mind is the source of all mental
states, that all mental states are fashioned by the mind. It is also said that the mind is the source of all virtues, of
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all qualities. In order to attain these virtues, one must discipline the mind. Mind is the key to changing the nature
of experience. It was once said that if we had to cover the whole surface of the earth in order to protect our feet
from being cut by sticks and stones, if we had to cover the whole surface of the earth with leather, this would be a
very difficult undertaking. But by covering only the surface of our feet with leather it is as if the whole surface of the
earth were covered with leather. In the same way if we had to purify the whole universe of greed, anger and
delusion, it would be a very difficult task. Simply by purifying each mind of greed, anger and delusion it is as if the
whole universe were purified of these defilements. That is why in Buddhism the mind is the focus as the key to
achieving a change in the way we experience life, in the way we relate to other people.
Mindfulness is awareness or attention, avoiding a distracted and clouded state of mind. In regard to the practice
of the Dharma, mindfulness acts as a rein upon the mind. At almost every moment of life, our minds are running
after objects of the senses. The mind is never concentrated, or still. There are always causes of distraction. So in
order to control, to minimize this distraction, we need a kind of guard which can protect the mind from becoming
entangled with objects of the senses, from becoming entangled in unwholesome thoughts. This guard is
mindfulness.
Mindfulness simply entails being aware and attentive, watching your mind, seeing where it is going, seeing what it
is doing. If you are making a cup of tea, Buddhism means making a cup of tea well, focusing, concentrating the
mind on what one is doing. This is true no matter what one is doing - cleaning the house, going to school, or
cooking. No matter what one is doing, one can practise mindfulness, the practise of watching the mind, of keeping
an eye on the mind.
The practice of mindfulness traditionally has played an important role in Buddhism. At one place, the Buddha has
called the practice of mindfulness the one way to achieve the end of suffering. Specifically, the practice of
mindfulness has been developed to include four particular applications. These are application of mindfulness with
regard to body - awareness of the positions of one‟s limbs and so forth; mindfulness with regard to feelings
pleasant, unpleasant or neutral; mindfulness with regard to moments of consciousness; and lastly mindfulness
with regard to objects. These four stations of mindfulness have continued to play an important role in the practice
of Buddhist meditation. Because of the key role of the mind, meditation is at the heart of Buddhist practice.
Meditation is a means of transforming the mind. Buddhist meditation practices are techniques that encourage
and develop concentration, clarity, and emotional positivity. By engaging with a particular meditation practice one
learns the patterns and habits of the mind, and the practice offers a means to cultivate new, more positive ways of
being. There are several different types of meditation, some of which are practised more by some schools of
Buddhism than others. „Mindfulness of breathing‟ uses the breath as an object of concentration. Mettabhavana,
„loving-kindness‟ meditation, is a practice for developing positive feelings for others and the world. Metta means
love and bhavana means development or cultivation. The Friends of the Western Buddhist Order only teaches
these forms for lay members. Walking meditation is popular in Chinese Buddhism and associated developments.
The experience of walking is used as a focus. It is felt that it is easier to be aware of the body while doing walking
meditation. Vipassana meditation is also known as Insight Meditation, and the aim is to gain a better
understanding of one's nature, whether physical, mental, or spiritual.
Meditation and mindfulness develop awareness of the present moment, awareness of what is going on within and
around us. As an integral part of Zen Buddhism this awareness has had a significant impact on haiku poetry.
The writing of haiku poetry has been a popular pastime in Japan since the 17th century. It is not possible to call
the whole body of haiku „Zen literature‟. Nevertheless, Zen thought and experience have had a pervasive
influence. Haiku has been described as „the expression of a temporary enlightenment, in which we see into the
life of things.‟ Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), the most celebrated haiku poet, was trained as a Buddhist monk. He
then continued as a lay Buddhist monk-poet, since, in addition to wearing the garb of a monk, he continued to be
celibate, poor, virtually homeless, and single-minded in his pursuit of truth. Each haiku must contain a kigo, a
season word, which indicates in which season the haiku is set. For example, cherry blossoms indicate spring,
snow indicates winter, and mosquitoes indicate summer, but the season word is not always that obvious. The kigo
is important in making the haiku specific in time, emphasising an awareness of the moment.
Key terms and concepts: self-responsibility, karma, sila, samadhi, prajna, change
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: self-awareness, reflection on positive action, relationship
between inner development and behaviour
Contribution to citizenship: understanding of self-responsibility, relationship between inner and outer personal
change
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Focal Figures
Are there key people who exemplify our beliefs and values?
How have focal people expressed or embodied the essential teachings,
beliefs and values of a spiritual tradition?
Learning objectives
To consider which people are examples of our own beliefs and values
To understand the part played by focal figures in the development of a tradition
To reflect on how they searched for truth
To be aware that Abraham/Ibrahim and other major prophets are important for the three
Abrahamic faiths : Judaism, Christianity and Islam
To investigate and understand how they have inspired other important figures in spiritual
traditions who have embodied or transmitted its teachings and values
To reflect on what can be learnt from these figures and exemplars

Abraham/Ibrahim (Ju)(Ch)(I) Rishis and rishikas (Hi) Bah‟u‟llah (Ba)
Jesus as Christ (Ch) The Buddha (Bu) Epicurus (Hu)
Isa (Jesus) as prophet (I) Guru Nanak (S) Haile Selassie (Ra)
Prophet Muhammad (I)
Later figures inspired by those above
Oscar Romero (Ch) Yusuf Islam (I) Sir Edwin Arnold (Bu)
Terry Waite (Ch) Maryam Rajavi (I) Aung San Suu Kyi (Bu)
Sybil Phoenix (Ch) Vivekananda (Hi) Sangarakshita (Bu)
Rabbi HugoGryn (Ju) Pramukh Swami (Hi Abdul-Baha (Ba)
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (Ju) Pandurang Atavale (Hi) Lady Blomfield (Ba)
Julia Neuberger (Ju) Bhagat Puran Singh (S) Bertrand Russell (Hu)
Dr Zaki Badawi (I) Bibi Agya Kaur (S) Claire Rayner (Hu)
Empress Memem (Ra) Leonard Howell (Ra)

In groups, investigate an image of Jesus from ‘The Christ We Share’ pack. Select a range of sayings and
stories about Jesus and different types of images from the internet to create an evocative Powerpoint
presentation to show the class, expressing the significance of Jesus in the context of the chosen image..
Use props to tell students about the artist Michael Landy’s installation where he put all his possessions
through a mincing machine: discuss students’ reactions and relate to the life of the Buddha. Give groups
an image of the emaciated Siddhartha Gautama, an image of the Buddha and a short version of the life of
the Buddha to identify the significance of the images. Read the story ‘Practice is like Tuning a String’ :
Where is Your Buddha Nature ISBN 083480449 2. In small groups, choose ten words from above
learning and play the Concept Game: individually, pair any two words with a connecting idea, map the
connected pairs with explainations, report pairs, gain one point for pair and connection, two points if no-
one else has it.
Prepare a presentation, in role, for a conference on ‘Values for Living’ on the key values expressed by
the figure’s life and work. Write a response, in role, to another figure’s presentation.
Prepare a speech to the rest of the class in the role of one of the focal figures to persuade the class to
respond to specific issues and challenges of the 21st century.
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Background information Focal Figures
Abraham:
Abraham is a great Hebrew patriarch and is considered the common spiritual father of the Abrahamic religions:
Judaism, Christianity and Islam. He is believed to have lived around 2000 BCE. While there are no forms of
historical or archaeological evidence for his personal existence, there is sufficient evidence that the peoples and
regions we learn about existed during this time of history. Abraham is of great importance to Judaism because he
is the forefather of the Jews, through the line of his son Isaac. Known as the Prophet Ibrahim he is important to
Muslims because he is a prophet with the same message from God and the Prophet Muhammad. For Christians,
the importance of the Jewish genealogy is less important than in Judaism, even if there are two attempts to
construct kinship between Jesus and Abraham in the gospels (Matthew 1,1-16 and Luke 3, 23-38) where it is
actually Jesus‟ stepfather Joseph who is in family with Abraham, and not Mary, Jesus‟ mother. Faith, sacrifice,
commitment and patience are some of Abraham‟s qualities that contribute to his spiritual importance for all of
these three faiths.
In Judaism, Abraham (his name was at first Abram) is the first of the Hebrew patriarchs. A central theme in
Judaism is his departure from Ur in Mesopotamia to Canaan. In Canaan he and his tribe settled, and from this
stems the Jewish idea of the promised land. If Abram would leave his home and his family, then God would make
him a great nation and bless him. Abram accepted this offer, and the b'rit (covenant) between God and the Jewish
people was established. (Gen. 12). The idea of b'rit is fundamental to Judaism: a covenant, a contract, with God,
which involves rights and obligations on both sides. The terms of this b'rit became more explicit over time, until the
giving of the Torah (see Judaism KS3). Abram was subjected to ten tests of faith to prove his worthiness for this
covenant. Leaving his home is one of these trials.
While Christianity and Judaism share many of the same stories about Abraham, but he plays a different role for
Christians. Abraham belongs to the old religion but Abraham's total commitment to God is an element that
remains important in Christianity. St.Paul wrote of all those who have faith being children of Abraham (Gal. 3:7).
Abraham's faith and example is cited by many Christian authors.
Muslims must believe in all of the Prophets. This includes not just Prophet Ibrahim, but his sons Ismail, Ishaq
(Isaac), his grandson Yaqub (Jacob) and of course his descendant, Prophet Muhammad.
Central in the Qur‟an is the conflict between Ibrahim and his father, Azar. Azar worshipped idols and Ibrahim
turned away from him when he could not persuade his father to follow the message of God (19,42-49). Ibrahim‟s
mission has many parallels to the Prophet Muhammad‟s, and throughout the Qur‟an we hear about the scepticism
and hostility that Ibrahim faced when bringing the message of One God to his contemporaries.
During the five daily prayers Muslims ask Allah to send his blessings upon the Prophet Ibrahim. The direction in
which every Muslim must face when praying is towards a structure Ibrahim built with his son Ismail: the Ka‟aba, in
Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The Ka‟aba is the central structure around which the hajj takes place. No hajj is valid
without going around this structure in counterclockwise fashion seven times. Muslims who perform the hajj or
umra must run in the middle portion of the distance between Safa and Marwa (two hills close to the Ka‟aba) seven
times. This is a commemoration of the sacrifice of the wife of Ibrahim, Hajira, for her son Prophet Ismail. Prophet
Ibrahim had left his wife and son in the valley of Makkah by Allah's order to pioneer a civilization. It was from this
civilization that the Prophet Mohammed was born.
Prophet's Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail for the sake of Allah exemplifies his sincere
devotion to Allah. The commemoration of this sacrifice is practiced with the sacrifice of an animal and giving of
food during hajj and Eid-ul-Adha.
Christianity:
Contemporary research reveals more detail about the context in which Jesus lived. The world of first century Israel
was a mosaic of beliefs and political aspirations, with many groups arguing about who controlled access to
worship, and how Jews should relate to the Roman oppressors. The community of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the
Zealots and the Pharisees illustrate the range of response.
Jesus‟ politics cannot be easily separated from his religious reforms. These are most clear in his teaching on the
Jerusalem Temple: Jesus‟ encounter with the Samaritan woman (John 4:1-25[especially 19-24]); the kingdom of
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God is within you (Luke 17:20,21). Jesus emphasised knowing God as Father (Matthew 6:9-15); he taught that
true religion was not a matter of observing outward ritual but of inner attitude (Mark 7:9-23); he reduced the Law to
two simple commands of loving God and one‟s neighbour (Luke 10:25-37). His stress on the indwelling Spirit
(John 16:5-15) carries forward a reforming agenda from the prophets (Ezekiel 36:26,27), and is developed in St
Paul‟s accent on grace.
This agenda steers away from ritual observance and back to importance of inner attitude that is underwrites the
biblical concept of God‟s covenant love (agapé). Jesus embodied this love radically in his behaviour towards the
poor: spending time with social outcasts, touching lepers, and by including women among his followers. Jesus
radical approach to the oppressed has given rise to the contemporary theological emphasis of liberation
theologies: liberation, feminist, gay, animal theologies.
The new covenant, sealed in Jesus‟ self-giving death on the cross in crucifixion, is for Christians vindicated in his
resurrection. And this model of self-giving love has always inspired Christians. In the 20th century, Maximillian
Kolbe, Martin Luther King, Oscar Romero, all provide examples of Christ‟s self-giving love in action.
Jesus‟ radical approach to the oppressed has given rise to the contemporary theological emphasis of liberation
theologies: liberation, feminist, gay, and animal theologies. The ways in which the life of Jesus has inspired these
theologies can be seen from the variety of ways in which Christ is represented. From the cosmic Christ of „Green
Theology‟ to the radical gun carrying revolutionary (after „Che‟ Guevara); from the crucified female, the „Christa‟,
the Dread Jesus, Christ‟s image has been owned by and informed the political theological agendas of many
contemporary interest groups.
Islam:
Muslims believe in Isa as a prophet, not as the son of Allah. There is no idea of Trinity in Islam. From an Islamic
point of view Trinity is clear partnership with Allah, shirk, which is in opposition to the unity of Allah, Tawhid. Allah
sent the prophet Isa to set people on the right path. Muslims believe that the birth of Isa was a miracle as he was
born of virgin Maryam and that Isa himself was given miraculous powers. According to the Qur‟an Isa was not
crucified but was taken up by Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad was born in the year 569 in the city of Mecca, Arabia. His name means „highly praised.‟
His father, Abdallah, died several weeks before his birth and his mother, Aminah, died when he was six years old.
He was raised by his paternal grandfather, 'Abd al Muttalib, until the age of eight, and after his grandfather's death
by Abu Talib, his paternal uncle. Under the guardianship of Abu Talib, the Prophet began to earn a living as a
businessman and a trader.
In the year 610, the Prophet Muhammad, while on a retreat to Mount Hira for meditation during the month of
Ramadan, received his first revelation from the Archangel Gabriel. The Angel Gabriel visited him many times over
a period of twenty-three years. Gabriel taught the Prophet the verses and he instructed his scribes to record them.
All the revealed verses are compiled in the Qur'an. The Prophet's sayings and actions are recorded separately in
collections known as Hadith. Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad was a messenger of Allah and last of
the prophets sent by Allah to guide man to the right path.
The Prophet's mission was to restore the worship of the One God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, as
taught by Prophet Ibrahim and all prophets of God, and to demonstrate the laws of moral, ethical, legal, and social
conduct. He is the model of Qur'anic behavior for Muslims. Muslims try to follow the Qur'an and the Prophet's
example in every detail.
Baha‟i:
Baha‟u‟llah was born in 1817 in Tehran, Persia (now Iran). In his twenties he came into contact with the writings of
the Bab and became one of his most enthusiastic supporters. Many Babis looked to Baha‟u‟llah as their leader
after the execution of the Bab in 1850. Baha‟u‟llah is an Arabic word meaning „Glory of God‟. This was the title
given to him by the Bab.
In 1852 Baha‟u‟llah and some other Babis were arrested and imprisoned in the „Black Pit‟ in Tehran, an
overcrowded and disease-infested place. It was here and under these conditions that, according to the Baha‟i
faith, God intimated to Baha‟u‟llah that he was the present one chosen to bring God‟s message to humankind.
Baha‟u‟llah describes the mystical experience which he underwent as a rushing stream putting every limb of his
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body on fire.
By human standards Baha‟u‟llah should not have been able to endure the hardship and sufferings in his life. As
soon as he was released from prison he and his family were expelled from their native land. Destitute, they
travelled in the heart of winter over the snow-bound peaks of western Iran finally arriving, after many years, in the
penal colony of Akka. It was from this prison that Baha‟u‟llah sent his addresses to the kings and rulers of the
world, putting forward God‟s plan for the unification of humankind.
Buddhism:
The word 'Buddha' is a title and not a name. It means 'one who is awake' in the sense of having 'woken up to
reality'. It was first given to a man who was born as Siddhartha Gautama in Nepal 2,500 years ago. Scholars now
place the date of his birth around 480BCE.
The Buddha was a human being who, through tremendous efforts, transformed himself. Buddhists believe that he
attained a state of being that goes beyond anything else in the world. If normal experience is based on conditions -
upbringing, psychology, opinions, perceptions, and so on - Enlightenment is Unconditioned. It is a state in which
the Buddha gained Insight into the deepest workings of life and therefore into the cause of human suffering, the
problem that had set him on his spiritual quest in the first place.
During the remaining 45 years of his life he travelled through much of northern India, spreading his teaching of the
way to Enlightenment. The teaching is known as the Buddha-dharma - 'the teaching of the Enlightened One'.
Travelling from place to place, the Buddha taught numerous disciples, many of whom gained Enlightenment in
their own right. They, in turn, taught others and in this way an unbroken chain of teaching has continued, right
down to the present day. The Buddha is seen as an ideal and a guide who can lead one to Enlightenment.
Hinduism:
Rishis and Rishikas are both men and women who, after deep meditation, received the divine knowledge of the
Vedas (sruti) from around 1500 BC. 224 mantras in the Rig Veda were „seen‟ by twenty four rishikas and 198
Mantras in the Atharva Veda were „seen‟ by five rishikas. The rishis and rishikas preached their teaching in
various ways. Some ran large residential universities, others established monasteries (ashramas) and others
acted as advisers/priests to kings. The rishis also composed many books, including several of the Upanishads
which record discussions between a teacher and a disciple.
Sikhism:
Guru Nanak was born on April 15, 1469 in the Western Punjab village of Talwandi. He was born to a simple Hindu
family. His father Mehta Kalian Das was an accountant in the employment of the local Muslim authorities. From an
early age Guru Nanak made friends with both Hindu and Muslim children and was very inquisitive about the
meaning of life.
A prophetic communion with God led to his first statement „There is no Hindu, nor any Muslim‟, declaring the
brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God and heralding a new religion which avoided ritualism and
priestcraft. Accompanied by Mardana, a low class Muslim, he began his missionary tours. The offerings he
received during his tours, were distributed among the poor.
Guru Nanak had a distinct sense of his prophethood and that his mission was God-ordained. During his
preachings, he himself announced. "O Lallo, as the words of the Lord come to me, so do I express them."
Successors of Guru Nanak have also made similar statements indicating that they were the messengers of God.
He came to be called a Guru in his lifetime. In Punjabi, the word Guru means an enlightener or a prophet. During
his life, his disciples were formed and came to be recognised as a separate community. He was accepted as a
new religious prophet.
He chose his successor and in his own life time established him as the future Guru or enlightener of the new
community. This step is of the greatest significance, showing Guru Nanak‟s determination and declaration that the
mission which he had started and the community he had created were distinct and should be continued, promoted
and developed. By the formal ceremony of appointing his successor and by giving him a new name, Angad (his
part or limb), he laid down the clear principle of impersonality, unity and indivisibility of Guruship. At that time he
addressed Angad by saying „Between thou and me there is now no difference‟. In the Guru Granth Sahib there is
clear acceptance and proclamation of this identity of personality. This unity of the spiritual personality of all the
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Gurus has a theological and mystical implication. It is also endorsed by the fact that each of the subsequent Gurus
calls himself Nanak in his hymns.
Humanism:
Where did humanism come from? Modern humanism can trace its origins back to many ancient sources.
Humanists are free to pick and choose from religious or secular sources those insights which they find useful.
There is much in Confucianism, Buddhism and in some of Hinduism that a modern humanist would agree with.
Many humanists appreciate the beauty and poetry to be found in some religions whilst rejecting totally the idea of
revealed truth. However it is in the philosophy of people like Epicurus and his follower Lucretius and the Stoics
that many of the ideas that provide the foundations for modern humanism are first recorded.
Rastafarianism:
Rasta, as it is more commonly called, has its roots in the teachings of the Jamaican black nationalist Marcus
Garvey, who in the 1930s preached a message of black self empowerment, and initiated the „Back to Africa‟
movement which called for all black people to return to their ancestral home, and more specifically Ethiopia. He
taught self reliance „at home and abroad‟ and advocated a „back to Africa‟ consciousness, awakening black pride
and denouncing the white man‟s eurocentric woldview, colonial indoctrination that caused black people to feel
shame for their African heritage. „Look to Africa‟, said Marcus Garvey in 1920, „when a black king shall be
crowned, for the day of deliverance is at hand‟. Many thought the prophecy was fulfilled when in 1930, Ras Tafari
was crowned emperor Haile Selassie 1 of Ethiopia and proclaimed „King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the
conquering lion of the Tribe of Judah‟. Haile Selassie claimed to be a direct descendant of King David, the 225th
ruler in an unbroken line of Ethiopian Kings from the time of Solomon and Sheba. He and his followers took great
pride in being black and wanted to regain the black heritage that was lost by losing faith and straying from the holy
ways.
The prime basic belief of Rastafarians is that Haile Selassie is the living God for the black race. According to
Rastafarian philosophy, the scriptures phrophecied him as the one with „the hair of whose head was like wool
(matted hair of a black man), whose feet were like unto burning brass (black skin)‟. Rastas believe that Selassie
was the Jesus that Christianity speaks of; that the white man tricked the world into believing that he was a white
man.
Many Rastas do not believe Haile Selassie I is dead. They believe that it was a trick of the media to try and bring
their faith down because Rastas believe that true Rastas are immortal. To compensate for his death they believe
that his atoms spread through out the world and became part of new babies, therefore, his life is never ending.
Key terms and concepts: faith, commitment, sacrifice, covenant, prophet, „seer‟, rishi/rishika, guru, mission,
spiritual quest, teaching, tradition, ideal, guide, model
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: role models for values and behaviour, personal spiritual
Contribution to citizenship: relationship between diverse religious and ethnic identities, need for mutual respect,
impact of significant figures on influencing values and society
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Humanism
What do all humans have in common?
Why do humanists value reason so highly?
Can we make moral decisions using reason alone?
Learning objectives
To consider what characteristics, feelings and values all humans share
To explore the Humanist belief in the importance of reason in human thought and action
To understand why Humanists believe that this life is the only one
To consider the implications for Humanists of the belief that this life is the only one
To understand how Humanist morality and altruistic action is based on reason and
compassion
To reflect on the part that reason and compassion play in personal moral decisions

What is Humanism? A brief introduction BHA
Values in National Curriculum www.nc.uk.net/statement_values.html
The Golden Rule
BHA worksheet on the Golden Rule
Declaration of Human Rights, the Rights of the Child
BHA briefing on Human Rights
Hume, Nehru, Bertrand Russell, Claire Rayner, Richard Dawkins
Bertrand Russell‟s 10 commandments
„Thinking about Ethics‟ : BHA 2001
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Draw a diagram to show how school rules and the statement of values in the National Curriculum relate
to the Golden Rule. With a partner, compare diagrams and draw up a list of similarities. Join another
pair and compare lists. Discuss reasons for similarities or differences.
In groups, respond to a moral dilemma deciding what action to take from a humanist perspective using
only reason, compassion and the situation to guide you. Does this differ at all from the way you usually
think about moral issues? Feedback to the whole class about issues which arose during this process.
In pairs, take the table of different types of thinking from www.freeinquiry.com/critical-notes.html :

discuss and note when each different type would be useful. Are any positively harmful? Does it depend
on context? Decide which types of thinking would be necessary for assessing the phenomenon of crop
circles. Compare decisions with those of another pair and with quotes from a Humanist. Analyse an
argument for crop circles as the result of UFO’s or a supernatural force. Individually, write a speech to
persuade others of the need for critical thinking when considering the causes of crop circles.
Devise a leaflet for a ‘Golden Rule’ weekend school with a statement of values and programme of
activities.
Background information Humanism

What is Humanism?
Humanism is an ethical life stance and a non-theistic worldview. All Humanists would agree on some essential
beliefs without which it is difficult to see how you could call yourself a humanist. The minimum statement agreed
to by all the members of the International Humanist and Ethical Union states that: Humanism is a democratic
and ethical life stance which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning
and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethics based
on human and other natural values in a spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is
not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality.
There are no Humanist sacred texts. There are no special rituals or commandments. The words “humanism” and
“humanist” are not protected brand-names and their meanings have changed over time. In Britain today to be a
Humanist is understood to mean that, among other things, you are either an atheist or an agnostic. In the United
States the term Secular or Scientific Humanist is preferred.
You cannot be born a humanist. Either or both of your parents may have chosen to be humanists but humanists
believe that only you can decide for yourself what you believe. All humanists would defend the freedom of the
individual to hold and pursue their own religious or ethical beliefs; a right enshrined in various international
conventions and declarations.
Humanists believe that every person is unique but that we share a high level of biological similarity and as a result
all human beings have much in common. Humanists recognise that we are all confronted by contradictions,
uncertainties, dilemmas and paradoxes and that we are all subject to the powerful emotions and drives which are
a part of being a human animal.
Why is reason so important to humanists?

Crucial to the humanist approach is the ability of people to think logically: to assess present circumstances,
predict likely outcomes for actions taken and prepare strategies for the achievement of desired goals. It is also
important to review successes and failures and modify future behaviour accordingly. Scientists, historians,
philosophers and others carry out the necessary research and study to provide facts and analysis which are
essential for arriving at rational responses to complex situations. There are often common features to many moral
problems. For example the act of taking someone else‟s property occurs in a wide range of different
circumstances from armed robbery to borrowing a pencil without permission. Humanists accept the necessity and
usefulness of generalised codes and rules of behaviour but are always aware that there may be circumstances in
which a general rule may not (and possibly should not) apply. Most humanists also recognise the importance (in
addition to the sciences) of drama, poetry, music and the other arts in helping us to better enjoy, explore,
understand and cope with the human condition.
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Humanists believe that the pursuit of social justice and personal happiness is made possible by agreement on
rules, laws, conventions and constitutions arrived at in a democratic manner such that human beings (whatever
their beliefs) can have their behaviour regulated, their responsibilities defined and their rights respected. For
humanists these codes must always remain subject to revision and improvement in the light of changing
circumstances.
Some, probably most, humanists believe that theistic religion can and sometimes does promote an unthinking,
unquestioning acceptance of doctrine and belief. They see this as being in opposition to the freedom of thought
and imagination which characterises an open society. A society engaged in a search for greater knowledge and
understanding and with the aim of improving the condition of the individual and of human society.
Many humanists (including the person who wrote these notes) also believe that religions are a testament to
human creativity and imagination and that many contain within them profound insights and wisdom.
Humanists believe this life is all there is

The idea of a continuation of an individual‟s life in a form which has no material existence would seem to require a
supernatural explanation. Humanists reject the idea of the supernatural. This is far from saying that we understand
how everything happens. There are certainly many events that occur for which there is not a satisfactory scientific
explanation as yet. However where claims have been made for ghosts or spirits or disembodied souls having an
influence on the material world these have never been scientifically substantiated. Science cannot deny the
possibility of „things that go bump in the night‟ but humanists deny that „things that go bump in the night‟ do so
without natural causes. Believing that this life is all there is, humanists consider it to be incredibly precious. It is
something of a paradox that what is so plentiful (there are billions of us) can also be so rare (us as individuals). It
is because humanists recognise how much they have in common with all other human beings that they want for
others what they would like for themselves – a happy, healthy and productive life.
Humanist ethics
Humanists believe that the human ability to devise moral rules and codes of ethics came about through the
evolutionary process of natural selection. Humanist morality is not relativist but is dependent on the situation.
Behaviour can and often should vary according to the circumstances. It is a mistake to think that those who, like
humanists, reject revealed authority and tradition as absolute sources of morality and look instead to human
reason and human empathy must be moral relativists. It is also a mistake to suggest that some flexibility about
details and situations makes one a relativist – many would simply call this compassion. Humanists have very
clear values e.g. unselfishness and integrity, based for example on the Golden Rule (see KS2 : Rules for Living)
and the principles of avoiding harm to others and contributing to general happiness and welfare.
What do humanists do?

Some humanists join humanist organisations – local groups which provide a social setting for meeting like-minded
people, and national organisations such as the British Humanist Association (BHA) and the National Secular
Society (NSS) They may become active in the work and campaigns in which these organisations engage, or
simply show their support by joining and paying a subscription. Some humanists train as celebrants and officiants
to provide for the needs of humanists (and others) in the provision of humanist secular ceremonies; baby namings,
weddings, and funerals. Many humanists are active in public life and in a wide range of organisations and
charities where the only beliefs that matter are that it is a good thing to help others, to relieve suffering and to
combat injustice. These are of course beliefs also held by many religious people. Probably the vast majority of
humanists just quietly get on with their lives trying to be the best possible people they can.
Key terms and concepts: Atheism, agnosticism, revelation, scepticism, the open society, the scientific method,
reason, compassion
Contribution to spiritual and moral development: Sense of personal responsibility, spirit of imaginative enquiry
in the sciences and the arts, recogniition of the significance and value of the individual.
Contribution to citizenship: human right and responsibilities, think about topical spiritual and moral issues, justify
personal opinions, express and explain views of others
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Provision for religious education in years 12 and 13 can be integrated into other Post 16
subject areas. Alternatively, provision may be made through day conferences,
research and study days, day workshops and visits to museums, galleries and
places of worship. Provision for religious education can be planned to
incorporate opportunities to develop the key skills, particularly Communication
and ICT.
At least five hours per year must be allocated for religious education though it
is recommended that schools make provision for more time if possible. Schools
may wish to draw on the suggested topics below.
Different models for interfaith dialogue Interfaith

Perspectives of different faiths on the relationship between religions
Interfaith activity in the UK

Role of interfaith in preventing and resolving conflict
A Global Ethic
Christian perspectives and action on the distribution of wealth

Religion and economics
Jewish business ethics
Islamic banking
Expression of spirituality through architecture and the arts

Perspectives of different religions on expressing and experiencing beliefs
Spirituality, religion and the arts
through the arts
How spirituality and religion are represented in the media

Religious use of the media Spirituality, religion and the
A case for censorship? media
Manipulation of the truth
What are we seeking?

New Age movements
New spiritual movements, new
Spirituality and product design religions and conversion
Cult or religion?
Health warnings – how do we judge new movements?
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Medical ethics
Ethics and the Genetic engineering
use of science Application of new technologies
The Assisi declaration

Role of aid agencies in sustainable development
Religion and the environment Personal, national and religious identity

Rites of passage
Role of women and feminism within religious traditions
Religion and culture

Religion and the state
Role of motivation and belief in policy making and leadership
Forms of government
Religion and politics
Truth claims and nature of evidence
How does philosophy and religion help to lead „the good life‟?
Religion and philosophy
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Attainment Target for Religious Education : P levels
P1 P2 P3
Show simple reflex responses. ii) Communicate consistent i) Begin to communicate intentionally.
Purpose and
Participation is fully prompted. preferences and affective responses, Request events or activities.
motivation
e.g.showing they have enjoyed an ii) Use emerging conventional
experience or interaction. communication. Initiate interactions
and activities. Begin to respond to
options and choices with actions and
gestures.
Understanding Encounter activities and experiences, Recognise familiar people, events and Remember learned responses over
spiritual, ethical passively or with resistance. objects. Remember learned increasing periods of time
and religious responses over short periods of time.
traditions
Similarities
and
differences
within and
between
traditions,
locally,
nationally and
globally
Understanding of Encounter activities and experiences, i) Emerging awareness of activities i) Explore materials in increasingly
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and response to passively or with resistance. and experiences. Give intermittent complex ways. Observe the results of
stories, symbols, reactions. their own actions with interest.
artefacts and ii) Cooperate with shared exploration ii) Actively explore objects and events
practices and supported participation. for more extended periods giving
intermittent responses.
P4 P5 P6
Use single elements of communication Combine two elements of Express and communicate their
Purpose and
to express their feelings, likes and communication to express feelings, feelings, likes and dislikes in different
motivation
dislikes. likes, dislikes and choices. ways. Make simple comments about
themselves and people that they know.
Understanding Remember and begin to connect Begin to perceive pattern and order. Begin to make patterns and
spiritual, ethical different learned responses over Respond appropriately to simple sequences. Begin to sort objects or
and religious increasing length of time. questions about familiar or taught pictures to given criteria. Ask simple
traditions : religious events or experiences. questions to get information.
enquiry
Similarities and
differences within
and between
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traditions, locally,
nationally and
globally
Understanding of Listen to familiar rhymes and stories. Derive some simple literal meaning Listen to, and begin to respond to,
and response to Begin to respond to the feelings of from significant stories. Show curiosity familiar significant stories, poems and
stories, symbols, others. about artefacts and natural objects, music. Make simple comments about
artefacts and making simple responses. artefacts and natural objects.
practices
P7 P8
Communicate their feelings about what Identify what makes them happy, sad,
Purpose and
is special to them. Communicate their excited or lonely and what is special to
motivation
ideas about life events in simple them. Identify their part in some
phrases. important past and present events in
their own lives.
Understanding Express an awareness of different Communicate simple facts about their

spiritual, ethical identities in terms of belief and religion. own and others‟ traditions.
and religious Recall simple facts about traditions
traditions from stories, visitors and pictures.
Similarities and
differences within
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and between
traditions, local,
national and
global
Understanding of Listen to and follow significant stories. Listen to significant stories with
and response to Examine artefacts and natural objects. increasing attention and recall and
stories, symbols, begin to understand that they can carry
artefacts and meaning. Begin to retell stories. Begin
practices to realise the significance of artefacts.
Attainment Target for Religious Education : Levels 1 to EP
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Begin to question, talk and listen Question ,talk and listen about things Give simple examples to show how
Purpose and
about things which matter to them. Talk which matter to them and begin to beliefs and religion effect the way
motivation about important past and present identify what influences their actions. people live and compare with
events in their own lives, those of their Be able to talk about stories and experiences in their own lives,
families and others that they know. events where people express their identifying what influences them, and
belief through actions and respond to listening to the views of others.
these.
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Understanding Describe aspects of their own and Identify and talk about some features Outline the function and purpose of
spiritual, ethical others‟ traditions of belief and religions, of religious practice, beginning to use key symbols, objects, places and
and religious naming a few relevant objects, places, some technical terms correctly. Talk events and give simple reasons for
traditions people and events. about how they show what is important certain practices in their own and other
to them. people‟s lives, using some technical
terms correctly.
Similarities and Recognise that some features are Begin to make connections and
common to more than one tradition comparisons between features of
differences within
and that some features are distinctive traditions and begin to recognise local
and between and respond to these observations. forms, denominations and cultural
differences, and respond to this in the
traditions, locally,
light of their experience.
nationally and
globally
Understanding of Recount the outlines of significant Identify and be able to talk about Identify and begin to explain some
and response to stories and respond to their themes. some beliefs and values expressed by beliefs and values expressed by stories,
stories, symbols, Communicate simple meanings of stories, symbols and artefacts and symbols and artefacts and respond to
artefacts and artefacts and symbols, respond to these. Express some these. Begin to show how beliefs,
practices ideas and feelings in a variety of forms. ideas and feelings, including their own,
can be expressed in a variety of forms.
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Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Be able to describe ways in which Describe the influence of beliefs on the Explain ways in which beliefs and
Purpose and
people express their beliefs through lifestyles of individuals and values motivate individuals and
motivation
action making comparison with communities, suggesting what might communities and what might be learnt
themselves, beginning to explain what be learnt from them and evaluating the from them, evaluating what beliefs
influences them and responding to the influences on their own lifestyles and and values motivate them.
views of others. actions.
Understanding Describe and show understanding of Be able to discuss issues, principal Analyse issues, principal beliefs, and
spiritual, ethical some key beliefs, teachings and beliefs and values, understanding values, exploring technical terms,
and religious practices, using technical terms technical terms, with some references with some references to relevant
traditions : correctly in context. Consider the to relevant texts, practices, action and texts, practices, action and
place of these in their own lives. contemporary life, responding to these contemporary life, responding to
enquiry
in the context of their own experiences these in the context of their own
and developing beliefs. experiences and developing beliefs.
Similarities and Make connections with and some Explain comparisons between Describe the impact of historical and
differences within comparisons between features of aspects of religious and ethical cultural developments on
and between traditions, showing an awareness of traditions in terms of some beliefs, denominations and groups and
traditions, locally, local forms, denominations, cultural values and issues, and be able to discuss different ways of belonging to
nationally and differences, and historical links, and explore and describe different ways of a tradition, showing respect and
globally respond to this in the light of their understanding and belonging to a interest in the views of others.
experience. tradition showing respect for ways
other than their own.
Understanding of Explain some beliefs and values Demonstrate awareness of different Explain some different interpretations
and response to expressed by stories, symbols and interpretations of texts, practices and of texts, practices and symbols and
136
stories, symbols, artefacts and consider the relevance symbols and engage with these and explain how these and their own
artefacts and of these to their own lives. Show how their own interpretations to consider interpretations may throw light on their
practices beliefs ideas and feelings, including the way they may throw light on their own experiences. Explain how and
their own, can be expressed in a variety own experiences. Explore how beliefs, why beliefs, ideas, and feelings,
of forms. ideas and feelings, including their own, including their own, are expressed in a
are expressed in a variety of forms. variety of forms.
Level 7 Level 8 Exceptional performance
Explain ways in which individuals Analyse ways in which individuals Analyse the principles and values
Purpose and
make choices in belief and behaviour make choices in belief and behaviour underlying a range of human
motivation
and ways in which beliefs and values and ways that beliefs and values aspirations, actions and achievements
develop with reference to particular develop, evaluating these from including their own.
individuals and themselves. different viewpoints including their own.
Understanding Explain the influence of beliefs, Analyse the influence of beliefs, Evaluate the place of belief and values
spiritual, ethical practices, institutions and values on a practices, institutions and values on a
in human thought and activity, the place
and religious range of human concerns and actions, range of human concerns and actions,
traditions with detailed references to texts, with detailed references to texts, of religion and religious institutions in
practices, actions and contemporary life practices, actions and con-temporary
society and culture, from a range of
and with reasoned personal responses life and with reasoned personal
from their own and other points of view. responses from their own and other perspectives including their own, with
points of view.
reasoned personal responses.
Similarities and Describe and respond to some of the Explain some of the tensions and Debate questions and objections to
differences within tensions and opportunities which arise opportunities which arise from modern aspects of religious belief, from
and between from modern or conservative or conservative tendencies in religions individuals and communities, from
137
traditions, local, tendencies in religions and belief and belief systems and explain their outside the religious tradition and
national and systems. own position in response to this. within; and describe the way different
global traditions respond to them.
Understanding of Explain the influence of different Analyse the influence of different Evaluate the influence of different
and response to interpretations of texts and practices interpretations of texts and practices interpretations of spiritual and religious
stories, symbols, and the way different interpretations and the way different interpreta-tions, texts and practices on individuals and
artefacts and may throw light on their experiences. including their own, may influence communities and the way different
practices Explore the effectiveness of different them. Describe the effectiveness of interpretations, including their own, may
types of communication to express and different types of communication to influence them. Evaluate the
evoke beliefs, ideas and feelings, express and evoke beliefs, ideas and effectiveness of different types of
including their own. feelings, including their own. communication to express and evoke
beliefs, ideas and feelings, including
their own.
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The glossary of terms is reproduced by kind permission of the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority.
Buddhism Glossary
As Buddhism spread throughout the East, it came to be expressed in many different languages. Terms in
the Sanskrit and Pali of India are in most common use in the West, although Japanese and Tibetan terms
also occur frequently. Pali is the language of the texts of the Theravada school, whilst Sanskrit is used for
general Mahayana. Zen Buddhism uses terms expressed in Japanese, and Tibetan Buddhism, Tibetan.
There is no preferred form. For convenience, Pali terms appear in bold except in cases where the Sanskrit
or other alternative is the more usual form.
Abhidhamma (Pali) Further or higher teaching. The philosophy and psychology of Buddhism in abstract,
Abhidharma (Sanskrit) systematic form.
This is the third of the three principal sections of the canon of basic scripture. It is a
Abhidhamma Pitaka (Pali)
systematic, philosophical and psychological treatment of the teachings given in the
Abhidharma Pitaka (Sanskrit)
Sutta Pitaka.
Amitabha Amitayus
Also, Amida (Japanese). Buddhas having unlimited light and life respectively.
(Sanskrit)
Anapanasati (Pali) Mindfulness of the breath. The practice most usually associated with the development
Anapanasmrti (Sanskrit) of concentration and calm, but also used in the training of Vipassana (insight).
Anatta (Pali)
No self; no soul. Insubstantiality; denial of a real or permanent self.
Anatman (Sanskrit)
Anicca (Pali)
Impermanence; transience. Instability of all things, including the self.
Anitya (Sanskrit)
Arahat, Arahant (Pali) Enlightened disciple. The fourth and highest stage of Realisation recognised by the
Arhat (Sanskrit) Theravada tradition. One whose mind is free from all greed, hatred and ignorance.
Asoka (Pali)
Emperor of India in the 3rd century BCE.
Ashoka (Sanskrit)
Atta (Pali)
Self; soul.
Atman (Sanskrit)
Bhikkhu (Pali)
Fully ordained Buddhist monk.
Bhikshu (Sanskrit)
Bhikkhuni (Pali)
Fully ordained Buddhist nun.
Bhikshuni (Sanskrit)
Bodhi Tree (Pali)

The tree (ficus religiosa) under which the Buddha realised Enlightenment. It is known
as the Tree of Wisdom.
A Wisdom Being. One intent on becoming, or destined to become, a Buddha.

Bodhisatta (Pali)
Gautama, before his Enlightenment as the historical Buddha.
A being destined for Enlightenment, who postpones final attainment of Buddhahood in

Bodhisattva (Sanskrit)
order to help living beings (see Mahayana).
The four sublime states: loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and evenness of
Brahma Viharas (Pali)
mind.
Buddha (Pali) Awakened or Enlightened One.
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Buddha (Sanskrit)
Dalai Lama (Tibetan) Great Ocean. Spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people.
Dana (Pali)
Generosity; giving; gift.
Dana (Sanskrit)
Dhamma (Pali)
Universal law; ultimate truth. The teachings of the Buddha. A key Buddhist term.
Dharma (Sanskrit)
Dhammapada (Pali)
Famous scripture of 423 verses.
Dharmapada (Sanskrit)
Dukkha (Pali) Suffering; ill; unsatisfactoriness; imperfection. The nature of existence according to the
Duhkha (Sanskrit) first Noble Truth.
Gompa (Tibetan) Monastery; place of meditation.
Gotama (Pali)
Family name of the Buddha.
Gautama (Sanskrit)
Jataka (Pali) Birth story. Accounts of the previous lives of the Buddha.
Jhana (Pali)
Also Ch‟an (Chinese) and Zen (Japanese). Advanced meditation.
Dhyana (Sanskrit)
Kamma (Pali) Action. Intentional actions that affect one‟s circumstances in this and future lives. The
Karma (Sanscrit) Buddha‟s insistence that the effect depends on volition marks the Buddhist treatment of
kamma as different from the Hindu understanding of karma.
Karuna (Pali)
Compassion.
Karuna (Sanskrit)
Kesa (Japanese) The robe of a Buddhist monk, nun, or priest.
Khandha (Pali) Heap; aggregate. The Five Khandhas together make up the „person‟ (form, feeling,
Skandha (Sanskrit) perception, mental formation and consciousness).
Khanti (Pali)
Patience; forbearance.
Kshanti (Sanskrit)
Kilesa (Pali)
Mental defilment or fire, such as greet, hatred or ignorance.
Klesa (Sanskrit)
A technical term used in Zen Buddhism referring to enigmatic or paradoxical questions

Koan (Japanese)
used to develop intuition. Also refers to religious problems encountered in daily life.
Also, Kannon (Japanese), Bodhisattva of Compassion, depicted in female form.

Kwan-yin (Chinese)
Identified with Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.
Lama (Tibetan) Teacher, or one who is revered.
A scripture of major importance to various schools within the Mahayana tradition. It

Lotus Sutra (Sanskrit) describes the virtues of Bodhisattva, and emphasises that all sentient beings possess
Buddha-nature and can attain Enlightenment (Nirvana).
Magga (Pali)
Path, leading to cessation of suffering. The fourth Noble Truth.
Marga (Sanskrit)
Great Way or Vehicle. Teachings that spread from India into Tibet, parts of Asia and the
Mahayana (Sanskrit)
Far East, characterised by the Bodhisattva Ideal and the prominence given to the
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development of both compassion and wisdom.
Mala (Pali) Also, Juzu (Japanese). String of 108 beads used in Buddhist practice (like a rosary).
Metta (Pali)
Loving kindness. A pure love which is neither grasping nor possessive.
Maitri (Sanskrit)
Metta Sutta (Pali) Buddhist scripture which describes the nature of loving kindness.
Metteya (Pali)
One who has the nature of loving kindness. Name of the future Buddha.
Maitreya (Sanskrit)
Mudda (Pali)
Ritual gesture, as illustrated by the hands of Buddha images.
Mudra (Sanskrit)
Mudita (Pali)
Sympathetic joy. Welcoming the good fortune of others.
Mudita (Sanskrit)
Nibbana (Pali) Blowing out of the fires of greed, hatred and ignorance, and the state of secure perfect
Nirvana (Sanskrit) peace that follows. A key Buddhist term.
Nirodha (Pali)
Cessation (of suffering). The third Noble Truth.
Nirodha (Sanskrit)
Panna (Pali)
Wisdom. Understanding the true nature of things.
Prajna (Sanskrit)
Parami (Pali) A perfection or virtue. One of the six or ten perfections necessary for the attainment of
Paramita (Sanskrit) Buddhahood.
Parinibbana (Pali)
Final and complete nirvana reached at the passing away of a Buddha.
Parinirvana (Sanskrit)
Patimokkha (Pali)
The training rules of a monk or nun – 227 in the case of a Theravada monk.
Pratimoksha (Sanskrit)
Pitaka (Pali) Basket. Collection of scriptures (see Tipitaka).
Rupa (Pali)
Form. Used of an image of the Buddha; also, the first of the five Khandhas.
Rupa (Sanskrit)
Sakyamuni (Pali)
Sage of the Shakyas (the tribe of the Buddha). Title of the historical Buddha.
Shakyamuni (Sanskrit)
Samadhi (Pali)
Meditative absorption. A state of deep meditation.
Samadhi (Sanskrit)
Samatha (Pali)
A state of concentrated calmness; meditation (see Vipassana).
Samatha (Sanskrit)
Samsara (Pali) Everyday life. The continual round of birth, sickness, old age and death which can be
Samsara (Sanskrit) transcended by following the Eightfold Path and Buddhist teaching.
Samudaya (Pali)
Arising; origin (of suffering). The second Noble Truth.
Samudaya (Sanskrit)
Community; assembly. Often used for the order of bhikkhus and bhikkunis in
Sangha (Pali)
Theravadin countries. In the Mahayana countries, the Sangha includes lay devotees
Sangha (Sanskrit)
and priests, eg in Japan.
Sankhara (Pali)
Mental/karmic formation. The fourth of the five Khandhas.
Samskara (Sanskrit)
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Sanna (Pali)
Perception. Third of the five Khandhas.
Samjna (Sanskrit)
Satori (Japanese) Awakening. A term used in Zen Buddhism.
Siddattha (Pali)
Wish-fulfilled. The personal name of the historical Buddha.
Siddhartha (Sanskrit)
Sila (Pali)
Morality.
Sila (Sanskrit)
Sutta (Pali)
Text. The word of the Buddha.
Sutra (Sanskrit)
Sutta Pitaka (Pali) The second of the three collections – principally of teachings – that comprise the canon
Sutra Pitaka (Sanskrit) of basic scripture.
Tanha (Pali) Thirst; craving; desire (rooted in ignorance). Desire as the cause of suffering. The
Trishna (Sanskrit) second Noble Truth.
Tathagate (Pali)
Another epithet for the Buddha.
Tathagata (Sanskrit)
Theravada (Pali) Way of the elders. A principal school of Buddhism, established in Sri Lanka and South
Sthaviravada (Sanskrit) East Asia. Also found in the West.
Thupa/Cetiya (Pali)
Reliquary (including pagodas).
Stupa (Sanskrit)
Tipitaka (Pali) Three baskets. A threefold collection of texts (Vinaya, Sutta, Abhidamma).
Tiratana (Pali) The triple refuge. Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. Another way of referring to
Triratna (Sanskrit) the three jewels.
Tulku (Tibetan) Reincarnated Lama.
Upaya (Pali) Any skilful means, eg meditation on loving kindness, to overcome anger.
Upekkha (Pali)
Equanimity; evenness of mind.
Upeksa (Sanskrit)
Thunderbolt; Diamond Way. Teachings promulgated later, mainly in India and Tibet.
Vajrayana (Sanskrit)
Another term for esoteric Buddhism.
Vedana (Pali) Feeling. The second of the five Khandhas.
Vihara (Pali) Dwelling place; monastery.
Vinaya (Pali) The rules of discipline of monastic life.
The first of the three collections of the canon of basic scripture, containing mostly the
Vinaya Pitaka (Pali)
discipline for monks and nuns, with many stories and some teachings.
Vinnana (Pali)
Consciousness. The fifth of the five Khandhas.
Vijnana (Sanskrit)
Vipassana (Pali)
Insight into the true nature of things. A particular form of meditation (see Samatha).
Vipashyana (Sanskrit)
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Viriya (Pali)
Energy; exertion.
Virya (Sanskrit)
Wesak (Pali) Buddha Day. Name of a festival and a month. On the full moon of Wesak (in May or
Wesak (Sanskrit) June), the birth, Enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha took place, although
Vesak (Sinhalese) some schools celebrate only the birth at this time, eg Zen.
Zazen (Japanese) Meditation while seated, as in Zen Buddhism.
Meditation. Derived from the Sanskrit „dhyana‟. A school of Mahayana Buddhism that
Zen (Japanese)
developed in China and Japan.
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Christian Glossary
Unlike the other five world faiths included in this glossary, most of the terms given below are in English and
will be familiar to many people. The historic languages of the Christian scriptures are Hebrew, Greek and
Latin. The Old Testament was written largely in Hebrew, with some texts in Aramaic and Greek (Apocrypha).
The whole of the Old Testament was translated into Greek, although many words and passages have their
origin in Aramaic. Latin became increasingly the language of the Western Church from the 5th century AD
when the Bible was translated into Latin.
Absolution The pronouncement by a priest of the forgiveness of sins.
In the Year of our Lord. the Christian calendar dates from the estimated date of the birth
AD (Anno Domini)
of Jesus Christ.
Coming. The period beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (40 days before
Advent Christmas in the Eastern Orthodox tradition). A time of spiritual preparation for
Christmas.
The love of God. New Testament word used for the common meal of Christians; a Love
Agape
Feast.
Altar (Communion table, Holy Table used for Eucharist, Mass, Lord‟s Supper. Some denominations refer to it as
Table) Holy Table or Communion Table.
Churches in full communion with the See of Canterbury. Their origins and traditions are
Anglican
linked to the Church of England, and are part of the Anglican Communion.
(i) Revelatory, of God‟s present purposes and of the end of the world. (ii) Used of a
Apocalyptic
literary genre, eg the Book of Revelation.
Books of the Old Testament that are in the Greek but not the Hebrew Canon. Some
Apocrypha
Churches recognise the Apocrypha as part of the Old Testament Canon.
Apocryphal New Testament A modern title for various early Christian books which are non-canonical.
Apostle One who was sent out by Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel.
The event, 40 days after the Resurrection, when Jesus „ascended into heaven‟ (see
Ascension
Luke 24 and Acts 1).
The first day of Lent. In some Churches, penitents receive the sign of the cross in
Ash Wednesday
ashes on their foreheads.
Atonement Reconciliation between God and humanity; restoring a relationship broken by sin.
Baptism Rite of initiation involving immersion in, or sprinkling or pouring of, water.
(i) A member of the Baptist Church, which grew out of the Anabaptist movement during
Baptist
the 16th century Reformation. (ii) A Christian who practises Believer‟s Baptism.
(i) Building or pool used for baptism, particularly by immersion. (ii) Part of a church,
Baptistry
where baptism takes place.
BC (Before Christ) Period of history before the estimated birth of Jesus Christ.
Believer‟s Baptism The baptism of people who are old enough to understand the meaning of the rite.
Blessing at the end of worship. Also, late afternoon or evening service including the
Benediction
blessing of the congregation with the consecrated host (usually in a Roman Catholic
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context).
Bread and wine which have been consecrated and set aside for future use (usually in
Blessed Sacrament
the Roman Catholic Church).
Canon (Scripture) The accepted books of the Bible. The list varies between denominations.
Catholic (i) Universal. (ii) Often used as an abbreviation for Roman Catholic.
A modern movement within the Church, emphasising spiritual gifts, such as healing or
Charismatic
speaking with tongues.
(i) The Orthodox second sacrament of initiation by anointing with chrism (a special oil).
Christmation
Performed at the same time as baptism. (ii) Anointing with oil, eg healing or coronation.
The anointed one. Messiah is used in the Jewish tradition to refer to the expected
leader sent by God, who will bring salvation to God‟s people. Jesus‟ followers applied
Christ (Messiah)
this title to him, and its Greek equivalent, Christ, is the source of the words Christian and
Christianity.
Christmas Festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ (25 December, in most Churches).
(i) The whole community of Christians. (ii) The building in which Christians worship. (iii)
Church
A particular denomination.
Contrition; penance. (i) One of seven sacraments observed by some Churches

Confession whose priest confidentially hears a person‟s confession. (ii) An admission, by a
Christian of wrong-doing. (iii) A particular official statement (or profession) of faith.
Member of a Christian body which believes that each local church is independent and
Congregationalist
self-governing under the authority of Christ.
Doctrine of the Eucharist associated with Luther, which holds that after consecration,
Consubstantiation the substances of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and of the bread and wine co-
exist in union with each other.
Summary statement of religious beliefs, often recited in worship, especially the Apostles‟
Creed
and Nicene Creeds.
Roman method of executing criminals and traitors by fastening them to a cross until they
Crucifixion died of asphixiation; used in the case of Jesus Christ and many who opposed the
Romans.
Central Christian festival which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
Easter
dead.
Ecumenism (Oikoumene) Movement within the Church towards co-operation and eventual unity.
Episcopacy System of Church government by bishops.
From the Greek word for letter. Several such letters or epistles, from Christian leaders
Epistle (Letter)
to Christian Churches or individuals, are included in the New Testament.
Thanksgiving. A service celebrating the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus

Eucharist
Christ, using elements of bread and wine (see Holy Communion).
Group, or church, placing particular emphasis on the Gospel and the scriptures as the
Evangelical
sole authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
Evangelist A writer of one of the four New Testament Gospels; a preacher of the gospel.
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Font Receptacle to hold water used in baptism.
Free Churches Non-conformist denominations, free from state control (used of 20 Churches).
Good Friday The Friday in Holy Week. Commemorates the day Jesus died on the cross.
Gospel (Evangel) (i) Good news (of salvation in Jesus Christ). (ii) An account of Jesus‟ life and work.
(i) The freely given and unmerited favour of God‟s love for humanity. (ii) Blessing. (iii)
Grace
Prayer of thanks before or after meals.
Heaven The place, or state, in which souls will be united with God after death.
Hell The place, or state, in which souls will be separated from God after death.
Central Liturgical service observed by most Churches (see Eucharist, Mass, Lord‟s
Holy Communion Supper, Liturgy). Recalls the last meal of Jesus, and celebrates his sacrificial and
saving death.
The third person of the Holy Trinity. Active as divine presence and power in the world,
Holy Spirit
and in-dwelling in believers to make them like Christ and empower them to do God‟s will.
Holy Week The week before Easter, when Christians recall the last week of Jesus‟ life on earth.
Painting or mosaic of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, a saint, or a Church feast. Used
Icon/Ikon
as an aid to devotion, usually in the Orthodox tradition.
Screen, covered with icons, used in Eastern Orthodox churches to separate the
Iconostasis
sanctuary from the nave.
The doctrine that God took human form in Jesus Christ. It is also the belief that God in
Incarnation
Christ is active in the Church and in the world.
Jesus Christ The central figure of Christian history and devotion. The second person the Trinity.
The doctrine that God forgives („treats as just‟) those who repent and believe in Jesus
Justification by Faith
Christ.
Kerygma The central message about Jesus proclaimed by the early Christians.
Kyrie (Greek) O Lord. Addressed to Jesus, as in „Kyrie eleison‟ (Lord have mercy).
Lectern Stand supporting the Bible, often in the shape of an eagle.
Lectionary List of scriptural passages for systematic reading throughout the year.
Lent Penitential season. The 40 days leading up to Easter.
(i) Service of worship according to a prescribed ritual such as Evensong or Eucharist.

Liturgy
(ii) Term used in the Orthodox Church for the Eucharist.
Logos Word. Pre-existent Word of God incarnate as Jesus Christ.
Lord Title used for Jesus to express his divine lordship over people, time and space.
Lord‟s Supper Alternative term for the Eucharist in some Churches (predominantly Non-conformist).
A major Protestant Church that receives its name from the 16th century German
Lutheran
reformer, Martin Luther.
Mass Term for the Eucharist, used by the Roman Catholic and other Churches.
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Maundy Thursday The Thursday in Holy Week. Commemorates the Last Supper.
A Christian who belongs to the Methodist Church which came into existence through the
Methodist
work of John Wesley in the 18th century.
Missal Book containing words and ceremonial directions for saying Mass.
The title given to the Virgin Mary, mainly in the Orthodox and Roman Catholic
Mother of God Churches, to underline the Trinitarian belief that Jesus was truly God (in this context,
God refers to God incarnate as seen in Jesus Christ).
Collection of 27 books forming the second section of the Canon of the Christian
New Testament
Scriptures.
Protestant Christian bodies which became separated from the established Church of
Non-conformist
England in the 17th century.
That part of the Canon of Christian Scriptures which the Church shares with Judaism,
Old Testament comprising 39 books covering the Hebrew Canon, and in the case of certain
denominations, some books of the Apocrypha.
In Episcopal Churches the „laying on of hands‟ on priests and deacons by a bishop. In

Ordination non-episcopal Churches, „the laying on of hands‟ on ministers by other representatives
of the Church.
(i) The Eastern Orthodox Church consisting of national Churches (mainly Greek or
Slav), including the ancient Eastern Patriarchates. They hold the common Orthodox
Orthodox
faith, and are in communion with the Patriarchate of Constantinople. (ii) Conforming to
the creeds sanctioned by the ecumenical councils, eg Nicaea, Chalcedon.
The Sunday before Easter, commemorating the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem when he
Palm Sunday
was acknowledged by crowds waving palm branches.
Paraclete (Comforter) Advocate. Term used for the Holy Spirit.
Parousia Presence. The Second Coming or return of Jesus Christ.
Passion The Sufferings of Jesus Christ, especially in the time leading up to his crucifixion.
Title for principal Eastern Orthodox bishops. Also used for early Israelite leaders such
Patriarch
as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.
The Greek name for the Jewish Festival of Weeks, or Shavuot, which comes seven
Pentecost (Whitsun) weeks („fifty days‟) after Passover. On the day of this feast, the followers of Jesus
received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
A Christian who belongs to a Church that emphasises certain gifts which were granted
Pentecostalist to the first believers on the Day of Pentecost (such as the power to heal the sick and
speak in tongues).
Pope The Bishop of Rome, head of the Roman Catholic Church.
A member of a Church that is governed by elders or „presbyters‟; the national Church of

Presbyterian
Scotland.
That part of the Church which became distinct from the Roman Catholic and Orthodox
Churches when their members professed (or „protested‟ – hence Protestant) the
Protestant
centrality of the Bible and other beliefs. Members affirm that the Bible, under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, is the ultimate authority for Christian teaching.
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Pulpit An elevated platform from which sermons are preached.
In some traditions, a condition or state in which good souls receive spiritual cleansing
Purgatory
after death, in preparation for heaven.
A member of the Religious Society of Friends, established through the work of George
Quaker
Fox in the 17th century.
(i) Sacrament of the (Roman) Catholic Church, consisting of Contrition, Confession of

Reconciliation (Confession)
sins, and Absolution. (ii) The human process of reconciling Christians with one another.
Derived form the practice of paying the price of a slave‟s freedom; and so, the work of
Redemption
Jesus Christ in setting people free through his death.
A 16th century reform movement that led to the formation of Protestant Churches. It
Reformation
emphasised the need to recover the initial beliefs and practices of the Church.
(i) The rising from the dead of Jesus Christ on the third day after the crucifixion. (ii)
Resurrection The rising from the dead of believers at the Last Day. (iii) The new, or risen, life of
Christians.
That part of the Church owing loyalty to the Bishop of Rome, as distinct from Orthodox
Roman Catholic
and Protestant churches.
Sacrament An outward sign of an inward blessing, as in baptism or the Eucharist.
A member of the Salvation Army founded by William and Catherine Booth in the 19th
Salvationist
century.
Sanctification The process by which a believer is made holy, to become like Jesus Christ.
(i) Act of rebellion or disobedience against the known will of God. (ii) An assessment of
Sin
the human condition as disordered and in need of transformation.
Having a common viewpoint. It is applied to the presentation of Jesus‟ life in the first
Synoptic three gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke in contrast with that given in the Gospel of
John.
(i) A receptacle for the Blessed Sacrament, not immediately consumed but set aside or
„reserved‟ (mainly in Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches). The
Tabernacle
presence of the consecrated elements is usually signalled by a continuously burning
light. (ii) Term used by some denominations of their building.
Roman Catholic doctrine concerning the Mass, defined at the Lateran Council of 1215
and confirmed at the Council of Trent in 1551. This states that in the Eucharist, at the
Transubstantiation
words of consecration, the substance of the bread and wine becomes the substance of
the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and that he is thus present on the altar.
Three persons in one God; doctrine of the three-fold nature of God-Father, Son and
Trinity
Holy Spirit.
Unction (Sacrament of the sick) The anointing with oil of a sick or dying person.
A Church formed by the union of English Congregationalists with the Presbyterian

United Reformed Church Church of England, and subsequently the Reformed Association of the Churches of
Christ.
The residence of the Pope in Rome, and the administrative centre of the Roman
Vatican
Catholic Church. The chief building of the Vatican is St Peter‟s Basilica, built on the
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traditional site of St Peter‟s tomb.
The doctrine of the miraculous conception of Jesus Christ by the Virgin Mary through
Virgin Birth
the power of the Holy Spirit and without the agency of a human father.
Hinduism Glossary
The main references are to Sanskrit terminology, although variants are found and used in other Indian
languages. Lakshmi, Laksmi, Vishnu or Visnu type variants are not always included because of the
frequency. Many of these terms will also be found in books on Buddhism and Sikhism, but with somewhat
different meanings.
Proper name and place names are only included in this list if variant forms are commonly used.
One who teaches by example. Usually refers to a prominent or exemplary spiritual

Acharya (Acarya)
teacher.
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Non-dual. Refers to the impersonalistic philosophy which unqualifyingly equates God,
Advaita (Adwaita)
the soul and matter.
Agama, Ahimsa (Ahinsa) Not killing. Non Violence; respect for life.
Artha Economic development. The second aim of life.
Welcoming ceremony in which auspicious articles such as incense and lamps are
Arti (Arati)
offered to the deity or to saintly people.
Noble. Refers to those who know the spiritual values of life. Scholars say it refers to the
Aryan
original inhabitants of the Sindhu region in India.
Ashram (Asram) A place set up for spiritual development.
Ashrama (Asrama) A stage of life (of which there are four) adopted according to material considerations, but
ultimately as a means to spiritual realisation.
Atharva Veda The fourth of the Vedas.
Self. Can refer to body, mind or soul, depending on context. Ultimately, it refers to the
Atman (Atma)
real self, the soul.
The sacred symbol and sound representing the ultimate; the most sacred of Hindu
Aum (Om)
words.
One who descends. Refers to the descent of a deity, most commonly Vishnu.
Avatar (Avatara, Avtara) Sometimes it is translated as incarnation which, although inaccurate, may be the best
English word available.
Ayodhya Birthplace of Rama.
The Song of the Lord. Spoken by Krishna, this is the most important scripture for most
Bhagavad Gita Hindus. Tradition dates it back to 3,000 years BCE, though most scholars attribute it to
the first millennium BCE. Considered an Upanishad.
Bhajan (Bhajana) Devotional hymn or song.
Bhakti Devotion; love. Devotional form of Hinduism.
Bhakti-yoga The path of loving devotion, aimed at developing pure love of God.
A Hindu deity, considered one of the Trimurti, and in charge of creative power; not to be
Brahma
confused with Brahman or Brahmin.
Brahmachari (Brahmacari,
One in the first stage of life, a celibate student of Vedic knowledge.
Brahmacharin, Brahmcarin)
Brahmacharya (Brahmacarya,
The first ashrama or stage of life.
Brahma ch(c)ari, Brahma ch(c)arin)
The ultimate reality, or the all-pervading reality; that from which everything emanates, in
Brahman
which it rests and into which it is ultimately dissolved.
The first of the four varnas, the principal social groupings from which priests are drawn.
Brahmin (Brahman, Brahmana) Some writers, rather confusingly, use the spelling „brahman‟, and the meaning only
becomes clear in the context of a few sentences (see also Brahman and Brahma).
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Six systems of Hindu philosophy – Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Vedanta and
Darshan Shastras
Meemansa.
Ten days. Also called Vijay Dashami. Celebrates the victory of Rama on the tenth day
Dassehra (Dussehra, Dassera, of the bright half of the lunar month of Jyeshtha. As is often the case with Hindu
Dashara) festivals, followers may interpret the festival differently, eg in connection with Durga (see
Navaratri).
Religion or religious duty is the usual translation into English, but literally it means the
Dharma
intrinsic quality of the self or that which sustains one’s existence.
A garment made of natural fibre (usually cotton or silk), worn by males, which covers the
Dhoti
lower body and legs.
Dhyana Meditation.
Festival of lights at the end of one year and beginning of the new year, according to one
Divali (Diwali, Dipavali, Deepavali)
Hindu calendar.
Durga Female deity. A form of the goddess Parvati; wife of Shiva.
Dual. Refers to the personalistic philosophy that differentiates between God, the soul
Dvaita (Dwaita)
and matter.
Dwarka (Dvarka, Dvaraka,

Pilgrimage site on the west coast of India.
Dwaraka)
Ganesha (Ganesh, Ganupati, A Hindu deity portrayed with an elephant‟s head – a sign of strength. The deity who
Ganapati) removes obstacles.
Ganga The Ganges. Most famous of all sacred rivers of India.
Gangotri Source of the river Ganges.
Gotra Exogamous group within Jati.
The second stage of Hindu life; one who belongs to that stage, ie the householder
Grihasta (Gristhi, Grhastha)
(grihasti).
Rope; quality. Specifically refers to the three qualities of sattva (goodness), rajas
Guna
(passion) and tamas (irnorance), which permeate and control matter.
Guru Spiritual teacher, preceptor or enlightener.
Hanuman The monkey warrior who faithfully served Rama and Sita. Also called Pavansuta (son of
the wind God).
Also known as Agnihotra. The basis of many Hindu rituals used at weddings and on
Havan other ceremonial occasions; the ceremony or act of worship in which offering of ghee
and grains are made into fire.
Havan kund The container, usually square or pyramid-shaped, in which the havan fire is burned.
Hitopadesh Stories with a moral.
Holi The festival of colours, celebrated in Spring.
Homa Term often used interchangeable with havan.
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The International Society for
A religious group of the Vaishnava tradition.
Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
Janeu (Jenoi) Sacred thread worn by Hindus who study under a guru.
The birthday of Krishna, celebrated on the eighth day of the waning moon in the month
Janmashtami (Janmashtmi)
of Badra.
Japa (Jap) The quiet or silent repetition of a mantra as a meditative process.
Jati Caste is the usual translation, meaning occupational kinship group.
Jnana (Gyan) Knowledge.
Jnana-yoga (Gyan-yoga) The path of knowledge, that aims at liberation.
Name given to that power of God which delivers justice – often represented by the
Kali (Kaali)
Goddess Kali (a form of Durga).
Kali yuga The fourth of the ages; the iron age or the age of quarrelling and hypocrisy.
Kama The third of the four aims of life – regulated sense of enjoyment.
Karma Action. Used of work to refer to the law of cause and effect.
Karma-yoga The path of self-realisation through dedicating the fruits of one‟s work to God.
Songs of praise; corporate devotional singing, usually accompanied by musical

Kirtan
instruments
Usually considered an avatar or Vishnu. One of the most popular of all Hindu deities in
Krishna
contemporary Britain. His teachings are found in the Bhagavad Gita.
Kshatriya (Khatri) Second of the four varnas of traditional Hindu society, the ruling or warrior class.
Lakshmi (Laksmi) The goddess of fortune.
The Hindu epic that relates the story of the five Pandava princes. It includes the
Mahabharata
Bhagavad Gita.
Mala (Maala) Circle of stringed beads of wood or wool used in meditation.
Mandala (Mandal) A circle, area or community/group.
Mandir Temple.
That which delivers the mind. Refers to a short sacred text or prayer, often recited
Mantra
repetitiously.
The laws of Manu. An ancient and important text on Dharma, including personal and
Manusmriti
social laws.
Marg Path (see Jnana yoga, Karma yoga and Bhakti yoga).
Mata Mother. Often associated with Hindu goddesses who represent shakti (power).
Mathura Holy place connected with Krishna.
Not this. Usually, it refers to illusion, particularly where the permanent soul identifies
Maya
itself with temporary matter, eg the body, etc. It can also mean power.
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Ultimate liberation from the process of transmigration, the continuous cycle of birth and
Moksha (Moksa)
death.
Mundan The head-shaving ceremony. Performed in the first or third year of life.
Form. The image or deity used as a focus of worship. „Idol‟ should definitely not be
Murti (Moorti)
used, and „statue‟ may also cause offence.
The Nine Nights Festival preceding Dassehra, and held in honour of the Goddess
Navaratri (Navaratra)
Durga.
Nirvana The cessation of material existence.
Panchatantra Part of the supplementary Vedic scriptures, composed of animal stories with a moral.
Parvati The consort of Shiva, also know by other names such as Durga, Devi, etc.
Prahlada (Prahalada) A great devotee of Vishnu, connected with the festival of Holi.
Pranayam (Pranayama) Regulation of breath as a means of controlling the mind.
Prashad (Prasad, Prasada,

Sacred or sanctified food.
Prashada)
Pravachan A lecture or talk, usually based on the scriptures.
Puja (Pooja) Worship. General term referring to a variety of practices in the home or Mandir.
Ancient. Part of the Smriti scriptures. Contains many of the well-known stories of
Purana
Hinduism.
Raja Yoga (Raj Yoga) Path of self-control and meditation to realise God.
Rajas Passion or creative potency, one of the three gunas (qualities of material nature).
A bracelet, usually made out of silk or cotton, tied to give protection and to strengthen
Rakhi (Raakhi)
the bond of mutual love.
Raksha Bandhan The festival when women tie a decorative bracelet on their brothers‟ wrists.
The incarnation of the Lord, and hero of the Ramayana (avoid using the variant “Ram”
Rama
for obvious reasons).
The Hindu epic that relates the story of Rama and Sita, composed by the sage Valmiki
Ramayana (Ramayan)
thousands of years ago.
Ramnavami (Ramnavmi) The birthday festival of Rama.
Rig Veda (Rg or Rc Veda) The first scripture of Hinduism, containing spiritual and scientific knowledge.
A spiritually wise person. More specifically, one of the seven seers who received the
Rishi (Rsi, risi)
divine wisdom.
Sadhana (Sadhan) One‟s regulated spiritual practices or discipline.
Sadhu (Saddhu) Holy man, ascetic.
The Veda of chanting; material mainly from the Rig Veda, arranged for ritual chanting in
Sama Veda
worship.
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The world – the place where transmigration (the soul‟s passage through a series of lives
Samsara (Sansara)
in different species) occurs.
Sacraments designed to initiate a new stage of life. There is usually a total of sixteen
Samskar (Sanskar, Samskara)
such rites of passage (though many schools of thought do not practice them all).
The eternal or imperishable religion; also known as Vedic Dharma. Adherents often
Sanatan Dharma prefer this term to Hinduism since it characterises their belief in the revealed and
universal nature of religion.
Sannyasa The state of renunciation, the fourth stage of life.
A renunciate who, having given up worldly affairs and attachments, has entered the
Sannyasin (Samyasin, Samnyasin)
fourth stage of life, often as a mendicant.
Sanskrit Sacred language of the Hindu scriptures.
The power of knowledge, often represented by the goddess Saraswati, the goddess of
Saraswati
learning.
Sattva (Sattwa) Goodness, or the potency to sustain and nourish; one of the three gunas.
Seva (Sewa) Service, either to the divine or to humanity.
Shaivism (Saivism) The religion of Hindus who are devotees of Shiva.
Shakti (Sakti) Energy or power, especially of a Hindu feminine deity.
Shiva (Siva – many variants – even

A Hindu god. The name means kindly or auspicious.
Civa – have been found)
The annual festival celebrated in February/March in honour of Shiva. Also called

Shivaratri (Sivaratri)
Mahashivaratri.
Ceremony in which sanctified food is offered to the poor and needy in memory of
Shraddha (Sraddha)
departed ancestors.
Illustrious. Used as a title of respect, eg Shri Krishna. Also a respectful title for men.
Shri (Sri) The feminine form is Shrimati (Mrs).
Shruti (Srti) That which is remembered. Applicable to Hindu scriptures other than the Vedas.
Sita (Seeta) The divine consort of Rama.
That which is heard. A term specifically applied to the four Vedas, including the
Smriti (Srti, Shruti) Upanishads. Some Hindus believe that Smriti is subservient to Shruti, but other
Hindus consider them to have equal importance.
Short sayings or verses relating to various rituals, or encapsulating profound

Sutra (Sutta)
philosophical meaning.
Controller. Sometimes more specifically, Goswami (one who can control his/her
Swami (Svami) senses). An honorific title applied to a religious teacher or holy person, particularly the
sannyasi.
From the Sanskrit for the well-being; a mark of good fortune. The four arms signify the
Swastika (Svastika) four directions (space), the four Vedas (knowledge), and the four stages (time) in the life
cycle. Not to be confused with the Nazi symbol.
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Tamas Ignorance or destructive potency; the lowest of the three gunas.
The three deities. Refers to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, who personify and control the
Trimurti three gunas. They represent and control the three functions of creation, preservation
and destruction. „Trinity‟ should be avoided.
Upanayana Ceremony when the sacred thread is tied – to mark the start of learning with a guru.
To sit down near. A sacred text based on the teaching of a guru to a disciple. The
Upanishad (Upanisad)
Upanishads explain the teachings of the Vedas.
Vaishnavism (Vaisnavism) The religion of Hindus who are devotees of the God Vishnu.
Vaishya (Vaisya) The third of the four varnas of Hindu society, composed of merchants and farmers.
Vanaprastha The third stage of life, typified by retirement and asceticism.
Vanaprasthi (Vanaprastha) Forest dweller. One who is in the third stage of life.
Varanasi (Banares, Benares, Kashi, City on the river Ganges, sacred to Shiva. It is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites and
Kasi) also an ancient centre of learning.
Colour. The four principal divisions of Hindu society. It is important to note that the word
Varna
„caste‟ refers strictly to sub-divisions within each varna, and not to varnas themselves
Varnashrama (Varnasrama The system whereby society is divided into four varnas (divisions), and life into four
Dharma) ashramas (stages).
Varsha Pratipada The day of Creation, celebrated as New Year‟s Day by many Hindus.
Knowledge. Specifically refers to the four Vedas, though any teaching which is
Veda
consistent with the conclusions of these scriptures is also accepted as Vedic.
Vijay Dashmi (Vijaya Dashami) Another name for Dassehra.
Vishnu (Visnu) A Hindu God. With Brahma and Shiva forms the Trimurti.
Vrat (Vratam) Vow. Often including abstention from certain foods.
Vrindavan (Brindavan, Brindavana,

The sacred village connected with Krishna‟s pastimes a youth.
Brindaban)
Yajur Veda One of the four Vedas, dealing with the knowledge of karma.
Tributary of the river Ganga (Ganges), considered by many Hindus to be the most
Yamuna (Jamuna, Jamna)
sacred of all holy rivers.
Yatra (Jatra) Pilgrimage. Usually to important sacred places in India.
Communion; union of the soul with the Supreme, or a process which promotes that
Yoga
relationship. The English word „yoke‟ is derived from yoga.
Yuga Age, or extended period of time, of which there are four.
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Islam Glossary
The phrase „Salla-llahu alaihi wa sallam‟ – in English „peace and blessings of Allah upon him‟, is used by
Muslims every time the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is mentioned. Similar respect is accorded to the other
Prophets.
The Qur‟an was revealed in Arabic, therefore Arabic is the language of Islam, Islamic worship, theology,
ethics and jurisprudence. Islam is inextricably linked with the Arabic language despite the variety of
languages spoken by the believers.
For British teachers and pupils who have not encountered Islamic terms, this transliteration is a simplified
version of that used by contemporary scholars. As apostrophe is used to indicate a pause. The reader will
note that the words salah and zakah end in „h‟ when they appear alone. When part of a phrase, these words
are written with a „t‟ at the end, eg Salat-ul-Zuhr, Zakat-ul-Fitr, as a guide to pronunciation.
Abd Servant. As in Abdullah, servant of Allah.
The first Khalifah, successor to the leadership of the Muslim community after the death
Abu Bakr
of the Prophet Muhammad.
Adam Adam. The first man, and first Prophet of Allah.
Adhan Call to prayer. From the same root, Mu‟adhin (one who makes the call to prayer).
Aishah One of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad, and daughter of Abu Bakr.
Akhirah Everlasting life after death – the hereafter.
Akhlaq Conduct, character, attitudes and ethics.
The Trustworthy. The name by which Prophet Muhammad was generally known, even
al-Amin
before the revelation of Islam.
Masjid-ul-Aqsa (The Farthest Mosque) in Jerusalem, often known as the Dome of the
al-Aqsa
Rock.
The Opener. Surah 1 of the Qur‟an. Recited at least 17 times daily during the five
al-Fatihah
times of salah. Also known as „The Essence‟ of the Qur‟an.
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al-hamdu-li-Llah All praise belongs to Allah. Frequently used as an expression of thanks to Allah.
The title of the books of Hadith compiled by Muhammad ibn-Yaqub Koleini, a Shi‟ah
al-Kafi
scholar.
The Rightly Guided Khalifahs. The first four successors to the leadership role of the
al-Khulafa-ur-Rashidun
Prophet Muhammud. They were Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali.
Madinatu‟n-Nabi (The City of the Prophet). The name given to Yathrib after the Prophet
al-Madinah
Muhammad migrated there in 622 CE and founded the first Islamic state.
Cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammud; husband of Fatima Zahrah; father of
Ali Hassan, Hussein, and Zainab; the fourth of „al-Khulafa ur-Rashdun‟ according to
Sunnis, and the first successor accepted by Shi‟al Islam.
The Islamic name for God in the Arabic language. Used n preference to the word God,
Allah this Arabic term is singular, has no plural, nor is it associated with masculine, feminine or
neuter characteristics.
Allahu Akbar Allah is most great.
Beings created by Allah from light. They have no free will and are completely obedient
Angels
to Allah.
Supporters. The Muslims of al Madinah, who welcomed, helped and supported the
Ansar
Muslims who migrated from Makkah.
A plain, a few kilometres from Makkah, where pilgrims gather to worship, pray and ask
Arafat for forgiveness. This takes place on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah,
the day before Id-ul-Adha.
Mid-afternoon salah which may be performed from late afternoon until a short while
Asr (Salat-ul-Asr)
before sunset.
As-Salamu-Alaykum Peace be upon you. An Islamic greeting.
Ayah (sing) A unit within a Surah of the Qur‟an.
Barakah Blessings.
The first Mu‟adhin of Islam (see Adhan), a companion of Prophet Muhammad, formerly
Bilal
an Abyssinian slave.
Bismillah In the name of Allah.
In the name of Allah – All Gracious, All Merciful. The preface to all Surahs of the
Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim Qur‟an except the ninth one. It is usually said by Muslims before eating or beginning
any action.
Dar-ul-Islam House or abode of Islam. Sometimes used to refer to lands ruled by Islamic Shari‟ah.
Call. Inviting people to Islam, whether by literal invitation and preaching, or by the
Da‟wah
example of good actions.
David (peace be upon him). A Prophet of Allah to whom the Zabur (the Book of
Dawud
Psalms) was given.
Remembrance. Remembrance of Allah in one‟s heart or by reciting His names or

Dhikr
sections from the Qur‟an.
Dhimmi A non-Muslim living freely under the protection of an Islamic state.
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Dhul-Hijjah The month of the Hajj, last month of the Islamic year.
Din Way of life, religion together with its practices.
Din-ul-Fitrah A description of Islam as the natural way of life.
Du‟a Varying forms of personal prayer and supplication.
Fajr (Salat-ul-Fajr) Dawn salah which may be performed from dawn until just before sunrise.
Fard Obligatory duty according to divine law, eg offering salah five times a day.
Fatihah See al-Fatihah.
Daughter of the Prophet Muhammad; wife of Ali; mother of Hassan, Hussein and
Fatimah (al-Zahrah)
Zainab.
The legal guidance of a pious, just, knowledgeable Muslim scholar and jurist, based on
Fatwa
the Qur‟an, Sunnah and Islamic Shari‟ah.
Fiqh Understanding. Islamic Jurisprudence.

Ghusl Greater ablution. Formal washing of the whole body prior to worship (see Wudu).
Saying; report; account. The sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, as recounted by his
household, progeny and companions. These are a major source of Islamic law. Some
Hadith
Hadith are referred to as Hadith Qudsi (sacred Hadith), having been divinely
communicated to the Prophet Muhammad.
Hafiz Someone who knows the whole Qur‟an by heart.
Hajar Hagar. Wife of the Prophet Ibrahim, and mother of the Prophet Isma‟il.
Annual pilgrimage to Makkah, which each Muslim must undertake at least once in a
Hajj lifetime if he or she has the health and wealth. A Muslim male who has completed Hajj
is called Hajji, and a female, Hajjah.
Halal Any action or thing which is permitted or lawful.
Haram Anything unlawful or not permitted.
The grand mosque in Makkah, which encompasses the Ka‟bah, the hills of Safa and
Haram Sharif
Marwah and the well of Zamzam.
Veil. Often used to describe the head scarf or modest dress worn by women, who are
Hijab required to cover everything except face and hands in the sight or anyone other than
immediate family.
Departure; exit; emigration. The emigration of the Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to
Hijrah
Madinah in 622 CE. The Islamic calendar commences from this event.
The name of a place near Makkah, where the Prophet Muhammad went for solitude and
Hira
worship. It was there that he received the first revelation of the Qur‟an.
Ibadah All acts of worship. Any permissible action performed with the intention to obey Allah.
The Jinn who defied Allah by refusing to bow to Adam, and later became the tempter
Iblis
of all human beings (see Shaytan).
Ibrahim Abraham. A Prophet of Allah to whom „the scrolls‟ were given.
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Recurring happiness. A religious holiday; a feast for thanking Allah and celebrating a
Id
happy occasion.
Id Mubarak Id blessings! Greeting exchanged during Islamic celebrations.
Celebration of the sacrifice, commemorating the Prophet Ibrahim‟s willingness to

Id-ul-Adha sacrifice his son Isma‟il for Allah. Also known as Id-ul-Kabir – the Greater Id – and
Qurban Bayram (Turkish) – feast of sacrifice.
Celebration of breaking the fast on the day after Ramadan ends, which is also the first
Id-ul-Fitr day of Shawal, the tenth Islamic month. Also known as Id-ul-Saghir – the Lesser Id –
and Sheker Bayram (Turkish) – sugar feast.
The state or condition entered into to perform either Hajj or Umrah. During this period,
many normally permitted actions are place out of bounds to Muslims. Also, the name of
Ihram the two plain white unsewn cloths worn by male pilgrims to indicate the brotherhood,
equality and purity of the pilgrim. For women the dress of Ihram consists of their normal
modest clothing.
Ijma General consensus of scholars, expressed or tacit, on matters of law and practice.
Leader. A person who leads the communal prayer, or a founder of an Islamic school of
Imam
jurisprudence. In Shi‟an Islam, Imam is also the title of Ali and his successors.
Office and function of an Imam. Religious authority in Shi‟ah Islam; successor to the
Imamah
Prophet Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community.
Iman Faith.
Injil Gospel. A book given to Prophet Isa.
Iqamah Call to stand up for salah.
Isa Jesus. A Prophet of Allah, born of the virgin Mary.
Evening salah which may be performed from just over an hour after sunset, until
Isha (Salat-ul-Isha)
midnight.
Islam Peace attained through willing obedience to Allah‟s divine guidance.
Isma‟il Ishmael. A Prophet of Allah. Son of the Prophet Ibrahim and Hajar.
Isnad Chain of transmission of each Hadith.
Jibril Gabriel. The angel who delivered Allah‟s messages to His Prophets.
Personal individual struggle against evil in the way of Allah. It can also be collective
Jihad
defence of the Muslim community.
Jinn Being created by Allah from fire.
The weekly communal salah, and attendance at the Khutbah performed shortly after
Jumu‟ah (Salat-ul-Jumu‟ah)
midday on Fridays.
A cube-shaped structure in the centre of the grand mosque in Makkah. The first house
Ka‟bah
built for the worship of the One True God.
Khadijah First wife of the Prophet Muhammad. Mother of Fatimah Zahrah.
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Khalifah
Successor; inheritor; custodian; vice-regent (see al-Khulafa-ur-Rashidun).
Khilafah The institution of the Khalifah.
Contribution (additional to zakah) of one fifth of surplus annual income paid by Shi‟ah
Khums
Muslims. Sunni Muslims only apply Khums to booty.
Khutbah Speech. Talk delivered on special occasions such as the Jum‟uah and Id prayers.
The Night of Power, when the first revelation of the Qur‟an was made to the Prophet
Laylat-ul-Qadr
Muhammud. It is believed to be one of the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Madinah See al-Madinah.
Maghib (Salat-ul-Maghrib) Sunset salah wich is performed after sunset until daylight ends.
The (rightly) guided one who is awaited and will appear towards the end of time to lead
Mahdi, al-Muntazar the Ummah and restore justice on Earth. The one who is promised in the Judaic,
Christian and Islamic traditions.
Makkah City where the Prophet Muhammad was born, and where the Ka‟bah is located.
Maryam Mary. The virgin mother of the Prophet Isa.
Masjid Place of prostration. Mosque.
Niche or alcove in a mosque wall, indicating the Qiblah – the direction of Makkah,
Mihrab
towards which all Muslims face to perform salah.
Place near Makkah, where pilgrims stay on the 10th, 11th and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah and
Mina
perform some of the activities of the Hajj.
Rostrum; platform; dais. The stand from which the Imam delivers the khutbah or
Minbar
speech in the mosque or praying ground.
Miqat Place appointed, at which pilgrims enter into the state of Ihram.
Mi‟raj The ascent through the heavens of the Prophet Muhammad.
Mu‟adhin Caller to prayer (see Adhan). Known in English as „muezzin‟.
Muhammad Praised. Name of the final Prophet.
First month in the Islamic calendar, which is calculated form the time the Prophet
Muharram
Muhammmad migrated to Yathrib (Madinah).
Musa Moses. A Prophet of Allah to whom the Tawrah (Torah) was given .
Faithful. A believer, a practicing Muslim who wholeheartedly yields to Allah‟s guiding

Mumin wisdom and is thus in harmony with His will and at peace with himself and fellow
creatures.
Muslim One who claims to have accepted Islam by professing the Shahadah.
Place where pilgrims on Hajj stop for a time during the night of the day the spend at
Muzdalifah
Arafat.
Nabi Prophet of Allah.
Intention. A legally required statement of intent, made prior to all acts of devotion such
Niyyah
as salah, Hajj or sawm.
160
Qadar Allah‟s complete and final control over the fulfilment of events or destiny.
Direction which Muslims face when performing salah – towards the Ka‟bah (see
Qiblah
Mihrab).
That which is read or recited. The Divine Book revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Qur‟an
Allah‟s final revelation to humankind.
Rak‟ah A unit of salah, made up of recitation, standing, bowing and two prostrations.
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which fasting is required from just before
Ramadan
dawn until sunset, as ordered by Allah in the Qur‟an.
Rasul Messenger of Allah.
Walking and hastening between Safa and Marwah, as part of the Hajj, in remembrance
Sa‟y
of Hajar‟s search for water for her son Isma‟il.
Sadaqah Voluntary payment or good action for charitable purposes.
Two hills in Makkah, near the Ka‟bah, now included within the grand mosque (see
Safa and Marwah
Sa‟y).
The title of the books of Hadith compiled by Muhammad ibn Isma‟il al-Bukhari, a Sunni
Sahih al-Bukhari
scholar. The collection is described as Sahih (authentic).
The title of the books of Hadith compiled by Abul Husayn Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, a Sunni
Sahih Muslim
scholar. The collection is described as Sahih (authentic).
Prescribed communication with, and worship of, Allah, performed under specific
Salah conditions, in the manner taught by the Prophet Muhammad, and recited in the Arabic
language. The five daily times of salah are fixed by Allah.
Fasting from just before dawn until sunset. Abstinence is required form all food and
Sawm
drink (including water) as well as smoking and conjugal relations.
Declaration of faith, which consists of the statement, „There is no god except Allah,
Shahadah
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah‟.
Shari‟ah Islamic law based upon the Qur‟an and Sunnah.
Shaytan Rebellious; proud. The devil (see Iblis).
Followers. Muslims who believe in the Imamah, successorship of Ali after the Prophet
Shi‟ah
Muhammad and 11 of his most pious, knowledgeable descendants.
Association. Regarding anything as being equal or partner to Allah. Shirk is forbidden

Shirk
is Islam.
Consultation of the people in the management of religious and worldly affairs. A duty
Shura
prescribed in the Qur‟an to leaders at all levels, from family to government.
Sirah Biographical writings about the conduct and example of the Prophet Muhammad.
Subhah String of beads used to count recitations in worship.
Model practices, customs and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. This is found in
Sunnah
both Hadith and Sirah.
Sunni Muslims who believe in the successorship of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali.
161
Surah Division of the Qur‟an (114 in all).
Takbir Saying „Allahu Akbar!‟ Recited during salah, Id and other celebratory occasions.
Walking seven times around the Ka‟bah in worship of Allah. Also, a part of Hajj and
Tawaf
Umrah.
Tawhid Belief in the Oneness of Allah – absolute monotheism as practiced in Islam.
Tawrah The Torah. The book given to the Prophet Musa (Moses).
Ulama Scholars of Islamic law and jurisprudence (sing. Alim).
Umar ibn ul-Khattab Second Khalifah of Islam.
Ummah Community. World-wide community of Muslims; the nation of Islam.
Umrah Lesser pilgrimage which can be performed at any time of the year.
Uthman The third Khalifah of Islam.
Wudu Ablution before salah.
Yathrib Town to which the Prophet Muhammad migrated from Makkah (see al-Madinah).
Zabur The Book of Psalms given to Prophet Dawud (David).
Zakah Purification of wealth by payment of annual welfare due. An obligatory act of worship.
Zakat-ul-Fitr Welfare payment at the end of Ramadan.
Name of the well adjacent to the Ka‟bah in Makkah. The water first sprang in answer to
Zamzam
Hajar‟s search and prayers (see Hajar and Sa‟y).
Zuhr (Salat-ul-Zuhr) Salah which can be performed after midday until afternoon.
Afikomen (Greek) Dessert. Portion of a matzah eaten near the end of the Seder.
Agadah (Aggadah) Telling. Rabbinical teachings on moral values.
Aleinu Key prayer at the conclusion of each service.
To go up. (i) Being called to read the Sefer Torah in the synagogue. (ii) The migration
Aliyah
of Jews to Israel.
Amidah Standing. The standing prayer.
Aron Hakodesh Holy Ark. The focal point of the synagogue, containing Torah scrolls.
Ashkenazim Jews of Central and Eastern European origin.
Son of Commandment. A boy‟s coming of age at 13 years old, usually marked by a

Bar Mitzvah
synagogue ceremony and family celebration.
Daughter of Commandment. As above, but for girls from 12 years old. May be marked
Bat Mitzvah (Bat Chayil)
differently between communities.
162
Bet ha Knesset
House of Assembly. Synagogue.
(Beit ha Knesset, Shul)
Bimah Dais. Raised platform primarily for reading the Torah in the synagogue.
Brit Milah Circumcision.

((Berit Milah, Bris)
Challah (Hallah) Enriched bread used particularly on Shabbat and during festivals.
Chazan (Hazzan, Cantor) Leader of reading, singing and chanting in the services of some synagogues.
Chumash Five. The Torah in book form, used in the synagogue and the home.
Religious rite of Brit Milah, performed by a qualified mohel on all Jewish boys, usually
Circumcision
on the eight day after birth.
Gemara (Gemarah) Commentary on the Mishnah included in the Talmud.
Genizah Storage place for damaged religious texts.
Completion. Passages from Nevi‟im (Prophets) read in the synagogue (linked to

Haftarah
weekly Torah and festival readings).
Hagadah (Haggadah) Telling. A book used at Seder.
Halakhah (Halacha) The Way. The code of conduct encompassing all aspects of Jewish life.
Hanukiah Nine-branched Hanukkah lamp used at the festival of Hanukkah.

(Chanukiah, Menorah)
Dedication. An eight-day festival of lights to celebrate the re-dedication of the temple

Hanukkah (Chanukha)
following the Maccabean victory over the Greeks.
Hasid (Chasid, Hasidim (pl.)

Pious. Member of the Orthodox movement of Hasidism.
Chasidim)
A religious and social movement formed by Israel Baal Shem Tov (from the 18 th century
Hasidism (Chasidm)
onwards).
Havdalah Distinction. Ceremony marking the conclusion of Shabbat.
Ancient Semitic language; language of the Tenakh (Hebrew Scriptures) and used by
Hebrew (Ivrit)
Jews for prayer and study. Also, everyday language in Israel.
Huppah (Chuppah) Canopy used for a wedding ceremony, under which the bride and groom stand.
One who struggles with God. The phrase refers to the world-wide Jewish community;
Israel
the land of Israel and the modern state of Israel.
Kabbalah Jewish mysticism.

(Cabala)
Kaddish Prayer publicly recited by mourners.
163
Kashrut Laws relating to keeping a kosher home and lifestyle.
Ketubah (Ketubbah) Document that defines rights and obligations within Jewish marriage.
Ketuvim Writings. Third section of the Tenakh.
Kibbutz (kibbutzim (pl.)) Israeli collective village based on socialist principles.
Kiddush Holy. A prayer sanctifying Shabbat and festival days, usually recited over wine.
Head covering worn during prayers, Torah study, etc. Some followers wear it
Kippah (Yamulkah, Capel)
constantly.
Knesset Assembly. Israeli parliament.
Kol Nidrei (Kol Nidre) All vows. Prayer recited on the evening of Yom Kippur.
Korach Name of the leader who defied Moses in the wilderness.
Kosher (Kasher) Fit; proper. Foods permitted by Jewish dietary laws.
Ladino Language used predominantly by Sephardim.
Magen David Shield of David, popularly called Star of David.
Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (1135 – 1204), a leading Jewish philosopher, medical writer
Maimonides
and codifier of Jewish law.
Mashiach (Moshiach, Messiah) The anointed one who will herald in a new era for Judaism and all humankind.
Matzah (Matzot (pl.)) A flat cracker-like bread which has been baked before it rises; used at Pesach.
Menorah Seven-branched candelabrum which was lit daily in the temple.
A scroll placed on doorposts of Jewish homes, containing a section from the Torah and
Mezuzah
often enclosed in a decorative case.
Midrash Collection of various Rabbinic commentaries on the Tenakh.
Mikveh Ritual bath used for the immersion of people and objects.
Quorum of ten men, over Bar Mitzvah age, required for a service. Progressive
Minyan
communities may include women but do not always require a minyan.
First writing down of the Oral Tradition. An authoritative document forming part of the
Mishnah
Talmud, codified about 200 CE.
Dwelling. The original travelling sanctuary used prior to the building of the permanent
Mishkan
Temple in Jerusalem.
Commandment. The Torah contains 613 Mitzvot. Commonly used to describe good
Mitzvah (Mitzvot (pl.))
deeds.
Mohel Person trained to perform Brit Milah.
Moshav (Moshavim (pl.)) Collective village or farm in Israel.
Ner Tamid Eternal light. The perpetual light above the Aron Hakodesh.
Nevi‟im Prophets. Second section of the Tenakh.
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Seven laws given to Noah after the flood, which are incumbent on all humankind. These
Noachide Laws
laws form the foundation for a just society.
Parev (Parveh) Neutral foods, which are neither milk nor meat, eg vegetables, eggs, fish.
Festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. One of the three biblical pilgrim
Pesach (Passover)
festivals. Pesach is celebrated in the spring.
Pikei Avot (Pirke Avoth) Sayings of the Fathers. Part of the Mishnah containing ethics of Rabbinical sages.
Pikuakh Nefesh Save a soul. The setting aside of certain laws in order to save a life.
Organised attack on Jews, especially frequent in 19th and early 20th century Eastern
Pogrom
Europe.
Purim Festival commemorating the rescue of Persian Jewry as told in the book of Esther.
My teacher. An ordained Jewish teacher. Often the religious leader of a Jewish

Rabbi
community.
Rabbi Shlomo ben Yitzhak (1040 – 1105). A Frenc rabbinical scholar and leading
Rashi
commentator on the Torah and Talmud.
Rebbe Rabbi. The term used by Hasidism for their religious leader.
Rosh Hashanah
Head of the Year. Jewish New Year.
(Rosh Ha-Shanah)
Order. A home-based ceremonial meal during Pesach, at which the Exodus from Egypt
Seder
is recounted using the Hagadah.
Torah scroll. The five books of Moses handwritten on parchment and rolled to form a
Sefer Torah
scroll.
Jews originating from Mediterranean countries, especially Spain, North Africa and the
Sephardim (Sefardim)
Middle East.
Day of spiritual renewal and rest commencing at sunset on Friday, terminating at

Shabbat (Shabbos)
nightfall on Saturday.
Shatnez (Shaatnez) Garments containing a forbidden mixture of wool and linen.
Weeks. One of three pilgrim festivals. Shavuot is celebrated in the summer, seven
Shavuot
weeks after Pesach.
Shekhina The divine presence.
Shema Major Jewish prayer affirming belief in one God. The Shema is found in the Torah.
Shemot Names. Seven holy names of God.
Seven days of intense mourning following the burial of a close relation. During this
Shiva
period, all ordinary work is prohibited.
Desolation. The suffering experienced by European Jews at the hands of the Nazis,
Shoah
including the systematic murder of six million Jews between 1933 and 1945.
Shofar Ram‟s horn blown at the season of Rosh Hashanah.
Siddur Order. Daily prayer book.
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Rejoicing of the law. Festival celebrating the completion and recommencement of the
Simchat Torah
cycle of the weekly Torah reading.
Sukkah (Sukkot (pl.)) Tabernacle; booth. A temporary dwelling used during Sukkot.
Sukkot One of three biblical pilgrim festivals, Sukkot is celebrated in the Autumn.
Synagogue (Shul, Bet Haknesset,

Building for Jewish public prayer, study and assembly.
Bet Hamidrash)
Tallit (Tallith) Prayer-shawl. Four cornered garment with fringes.
Talmud Mishnah and Gemara, collected together.
Tefillah (Tefila) Self-judgement. Jewish prayer and meditation.
Tefillin (Tephilin, T‟filin, Small leather boxes containing passages from the Torah, strapped on the forehead and
Phylacteries) arm for morning prayers on weekdays.
The collected 24 books of the Jewish Bible, comprising three sections: Torah, Nevi‟im,
Tenakh (Tanakh)
and Ketuvim (Te; Na; Kh).
Teshuva Repentence. Returning to God.
Tikkun Olam (Tikun) Care for the world and environment.
Torah Law; teaching. The Five Books of Moses.
Tzedaka Righteousness. An act of charity.
Fringes on the corners of the Tallit. Also commonly refers to the fringed undervest worn
Tzizit (Tzittzit)
by some Jewish males.
Yad Hand-held pointer used in reading the Sefer Torah.
Yahrzeit Year-time. Anniversary of a death.
Yeshiva College for study of the Torah and Talmud.
Yiddish Language used predominantly by Ashkenazim.
Yishuv Ingathering. The Jewish community of Israel.
Yom Hashoah Day to commemorate the Shoah.
Day of Atonement. Fast day occurring on the tenth day after Rosh Hashanah; a solemn
Yom Kippur
day of Tefillah and Teshuva.
Zionism Political movement securing the Jewish return to the land of Israel.
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Sikhism Glossary
Sikh terms are drawn from the Punjabi language, and the versions below are based upon that
language. Many of these terms will also be found in books on Hinduism and Buddhism but with
somewhat different meanings. As with all transliterations, there are problems which are difficult
to resolve. This is particularly true when moving from the Gurmukhi script which has an
alphabet of 35 letters, to the Roman alphabet which has only 26 letters.
Names of persons and places are only included in this list if variant forms are commonly used.
Akal Purakh The Eternal One. A designation frequently used of God by Guru Nanak.
Throne of the Eternal; throne of the Timeless One. Building facing the Golden Temple in
Akal Takht (Akal Takhat)
Amritsar, where Sikhs gather for political purposes.
Akhand Path Continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib from beginning to end.
Amrit Nectar. Sanctified liquid made of sugar and water, used in initiation ceremonies.
Amrit ceremony (Amrit Sanskar,

Amrit Pahul, Khande di Pahul or The Sikh rite of initiation into the Khalsa. „Baptism‟ should not be used.
„Taking Amrit‟ („Amrit Chhakna‟)
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Anand karaj (Anand Sanskar) Ceremony of bliss. Wedding ceremony.
Ardas Prayer. The formal prayer offered at most religious acts.
Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) A major Sikh festival celebrating the formation of the Khalsa, 1699 CE.
Bangla Sahib The site of the martyrdom of Guru Har Krishan (Delhi).
Bhai Khanaya A Sikh commended by Guru Gobind Singh for serving water to the enemy wounded.
A humble carpenter who opened his house to Guru Nanak. The Guru preferred Bhai
Bhai Lalo
Lalo‟s simple food to the offering of a local rich merchant.
Chanani (Chandni) Canopy over the scriptures, used as a mark of respect.
Symbol of the authority of the Guru Granth Sahib. Fan waved over scriptures, made of
Chauri (Chaur)
yak hairs or nylon. It should not be called a „fly wisk‟.
Collection of compositions, some of which are attributed to the tenth Sikh Guru,
Dasam Granth
compiled some years after his death.
Giani A person learned in the Sikh scriptures.
Granthi Reader of the Guru Granth Sahib, who officiates at ceremonies.
Gurbani (Bani, Vani) Divine word revealed by the Gurus. The Shabads contained in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Gurdwara (Gurudwara) Sikh place of worship. Literally the „doorway to the Guru‟.
Gurmat The Guru’s guidance.
Gurmukh One who lives by the Guru‟s teaching.
From the Guru’s mouth. Name given to the script in which the scriptures and the
Gurmukhi
Punjabi language are written.
A Guru‟s anniversary (birth or death). Also used for other anniversaries, eg of the
Gurpurb (Gurpurab)
installation of the Adi Granth, 1604 CE.
Teacher. In Sikhism, the title of Guru is reserved for the ten human Gurus and the Guru
Guru
Granth Sahib.
Guru Arjan The fifth Guru who was the first Sikh martyr (1563 – 1606).
Guru Gobind Singh (Guru Govind Tenth Sikh Guru. It is important to note that the title „Guru‟ must be used with all the
Singh (original name: Guru Gobind Gurus‟ names. Sikhs usually use further terms of respect, eg Guru Gobind Singh Ji or
Rai)) Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Guru Granth Sahib (Adi Granth Primal collection of Sikh scriptures, compiled by Guru Arjan and given its final form by
(Granth‟ by itself shoud be avoided)) Guru Gobind Singh.
Guru Har Gobind (Guru Hargobind,

Sixth Sikh Guru.
Guru Hargovind)
Guru Har Krishnan

Guru Harkishan Eighth Sikh Guru.
(Gura Harkrishan)
Guru Nanak The first Guru and founder of the Sikh faith (1469 – 1539).
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Guru Tegh Bahadur The ninth Guru who was martyred for the principle of religious tolerance (1622 – 1675).
Haumai Egoism. The major spiritual defect.
Hukam God’s will.
Hukam (Vak) Random reading taken for guidance from the Guru Granth Sahib.
There is only One God. The first phrase of the Mool Mantar. It is also used as a
Ik Onkar
symbol to decorate Sikh objects.
Janamsakhi (Janam Sakhi) Birth stories. Hagiographic life stories of a Guru, especially Guru Nanak.
A morning prayer, composed by Guru Nanak, which forms the first chapter of the Guru
Japji Sahib
Granth Sahib.
Enlightened while in the material body; a spiritually enlightened person, freed from
Jivan Mukt (Jivan Mukht)
worldly bonds.
Kachera Traditional underwear/shorts. One of the five K‟s (see panj kakke).
Kakka (Singular of the Punjabi letter

See panj kakke.
K (- plural „Kakke‟))
Kangha (Kanga) Comb worn in the hair. One of the five K‟s (see panj kakke).
Kara Steel band worn on the right wrist. One of the five K‟s (see panj kakke).
Karah parshad (Karah Prasad) Sanctified food distributed at Sikh ceremonies.
Kaur Princess. Name given to all Sikh females by Guru Gobind Singh (see Singh).
Kesh (Kes) Uncut hair. One of the five K‟s (see panj kakke).
Khalsa The community of the pure. The Sikh community.
Double-edged sword used in the initiation ceremony. Also used as the emblem on the
Khanda
Sikh flag.
Kirat karna Earning one‟s livelihood by one‟s own efforts
Kirpan Sword. One of the five K‟s (see panj kakke). „Dagger‟ should be avoided.
Kirtan Devotional singing of the compositions found in the Guru Granth Sahib.
A prayer said before retiring for sleep. It is also used at the cremation and when the
Kirtan Sohila
Guru Granth Sahib is laid to rest.
Kurahit Prohibitions, eg intoxicants.
Langar (Guru ka Langar) Guru‟s kitchen. The gurdwara dining hall and the food served in it.
Mela Fair. Used of Sikh festivals which are not gurpurbs.
Manji (Manji Sahib) Small platform on which the scripture is placed.
Manmukh (Munmukh) Self-orientated (as opposed to gurmukh).
Basic teaching; essential teaching. The basic statement of belief at the beginning of the
Mool Mantar (Mul Mantar)
Guru Granth Sahib.
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Nam Simran (Nam Simaran, Naam
Meditation on the divine name, using passages of scripture.
Simran)
Nankana Sahib Birthplace of Guru Nanak. Now in Pakistan.
Nishan Sahib Sikh flag flown at gurdwaras.
Nit Nem The recitation of specified daily prayers.
Panj kakke The five K’s. The symbols of Sikhism worn by Sikhs.
Panj piare (Panj Pyare (- other The five beloved ones. Those first initiated into the Khalsa; those who perform the rite
forms may also be found)) today.
Panth The Sikh community.
Patases (Patashas) Sugar bubbles or crystals used to prepare Amrit.
Punjab (Panjab) Land of five rivers. The area of India in which Sikhism originated.
Ragi Sikh musician who sings compositions from the Guru Granth Sahib.
Rahit Sikh obligations, eg to meditate on God.
Rahit Maryada (Rehat Maryada) Sikh code of discipline.
Sadhsangat (Sangat) Congregation or assembly of Sikhs.
Sewa (Seva) Service directed at the sadhsangat and gurdwara, but also to humanity in general.
Shabad (Sabad, Shabd) Word. Hymn from Guru Granth Sahib; the divine word.
Learner; disciple. A person who believes in the ten Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib,
Sikh
and who has no other religion.
Singh Lion. Name adopted by Sikh males (see kaur).
Sis Ganj Sahib The site of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Delhi).
Vak (Vaak) A random reading taken for guidance from the Guru Granth Sahib.
Vand chhakna Sharing one‟s time, talents and earnings with the less fortunate.
Waheguru Wonderful Lord. A Sikh name for God.
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Baha‟i Glossary
As the Founder of the Baha‟i Faith and the other Central Figures were born in Persian, and as the universal cultural
language of the Middle East was Arabic, the Baha‟i sacred scriptures were revealed in Persian and Arabic, and
some of the names and titles below are of Persian or Arabic origin.
(Most references adapted from “A basic Baha‟i Dictionary” ed: Wendi Momen, George Ronald,
1989)
Eldest son of Baha‟u‟llah and his successor (1844 – 1921). Knighted by King George V.
Abdu‟l-Baha
The perfect exemplar of the Baha‟i way of life.
The „next world‟, the spiritual realm beyond the grave into which the soul passes after
Abha Kingdom
death.
The structure of Baha‟i institutions, both elected and appointed, as set out in the Baha‟i
Administrative Order, Baha‟i
writings.
A long prayer of Baha‟u‟llah specially revealed to one of the Baha‟is and often recited in
Ahmad, Tablet of
times of difficulty.
The city on the coast of Israel where Baha‟u‟llah was imprisoned by the Ottoman Turkish
Akka
authorities from 1868 – 70 and where he was kept under house arrest from 1870 – 77.
Ali Muhammad, Siyyid The actual name of the Bab.
A secretary. In Baha‟i terms, the person who wrote down the words of revelation as they
Amanuensis
were spoken by Baha‟u‟llah and the Bab.
Arc, the The section of a circle on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, where the buildings of the
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Baha‟i World Centre are erected.
Appointed individuals who assist in either protecting the Baha‟i community from external
Auxiliary Board
attacks or internal problems, or in promoting the teaching of the Faith.
The Intercalary Days, falling on the last four days of February, five in a leap year, before
Ayyam-i-Ha the last month of the Baha‟i year, and given over to preparation for the annual fast,
hospitality feasting and gift-giving.
The Gate. Title assumed by Siyyid Alli Muhammad (1819 – 1850) the Forerunner of
Bab, the
Baha‟u‟llah and Prophet-Founder of the Babi Faith.
Babi A Follower of the Bab.
Saying mean or spiteful things about a person behind their back. Forbidden by
Backbiting
Baha‟u‟llah in his book of laws.
Baha‟i A follower of Baha‟u‟llah.
The period of the Baha‟i dispensation, beginning with the Declaration of the Bab on 23rd
Baha‟i Era May 1844, and ending with the appearance of the new Manifestation of God at some
date at least 1,000 years in the future.
The Glory of God, Title of Mirza Husayn-Ali (1817 – 1892). Prophet-Founder of the
Baha‟u‟llah
Baha‟i Faith and the Manifestation of God for this Day.
Breakwell, Thomas The first Baha‟i Englishman, died 1902.
A Cambridge orientalist (1862 – 1926) who studied and wrote about the Babi and Baha‟i
Browne, Edward G.
Faiths and who met Baha‟u‟llah in 1890 in a residence outside Haifa.
A solar calendar of nineteen months, each of nineteen days with four intercalry days
(five in a leap year) preceding the nineteenth month. It begins in 1844 and New Year‟s
Calendar, Baha‟i
Day (Naw Ruz) falls on the Spring Equinox, usually 21st March. The Baha‟i day begins
and ends at sunset.
The mountain spoken of by Isaiah as the “mountain of the Lord”. Site of the Baha‟i
Carmel, Mount World Centre, including several Baha‟i Holy Places such as the Shrine of the Bab. Also
the location of the Baha‟i world administrative institutions.
Centre of the Covenant One of the titles of „Abdu‟l-Baha‟.
Concourse on High The gathering of the Prophets and holy souls in the next world or spiritual realm.
A form of discussion between individuals and within groups. It is the method by which
Baha‟is make decisions within their administrative bodies. According the Baha‟i writings,
Consultation it requires the “….subjugation of all egotism and unruly passions, the cultivation of
frankness and freedom of thought as well as courtesy, openness of mind, and
wholehearted acquiescence in a majority decision”.
An institution created in 1968 by the Universal House of Justice as a means of

Continental Board of Counsellors developing “the institution of the Hands of the Cause with a view to extension into the
future of its appointed functions of protection and propagation”.
A gathering of delegates for the purpose of electing an administrative body or for

Convention electing delegates who will in turn elect that body. Conventions are held at regional,
national and international levels.
Binding agreement between a Messenger of God and His followers that they will accept
Covenant
and follow the coming Manifestation who will be the reappearance of his reality. Also
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Baha‟u‟llah‟s covenant with Baha‟is that they should accept „Abdu‟l-Baha after
Baha‟u‟llah‟s passing.
One who publicly denies the line of succession (i.e. Baha‟u‟llah, Abdu‟l-Baha, Shoghi
Covenant-breaker Effendi, the Universal House of Justice) or who actively works to undermine the
Covenant. It is forbidden for Baha‟is to associate with Covenant-breakers.
Declaration A statement of belief made by one who wishes to become a Baha‟i.
Deepening The study of the Baha‟i Faith in all its aspects.
A Scotsman who became a Baha‟i in 1914 and who wrote one of the most widely used
Esslemont, Dr J.E. introductory books on the Baha‟i Faith; “Baha‟u‟llah and the New Era”. He was made a
Hand of the Cause after his death in 1925.
This takes place every year in the last month of the Baha‟i year from 2nd – 20th March
Fast, the and involves abstinence from food and drink between sunrise and sunset. It is a period
of meditation, prayer and spiritual renewal.
The principal gathering of Baha‟is of a particular locality. The Nineteen Day Feast is,
ideally, held on the first day of every Baha‟i month and brings together the members of
Feast, Nineteen Day the Baha‟i community for three clearly defined purposes: devotion and worship,
administration and consultation and fellowship and hospitality. Attendance is not
obligatory but considered important and generally only Baha‟is are permitted to attend.
Fireside A meeting held in one‟s home for the purpose of teaching the Baha‟i Faith.
The monies contributed by the Baha‟is to the different institutions of the Faith for the
Fund, the express purpose of promoting the interests of the Cause throughout that locality or
country.
„Abdu‟l-Baha appointed His eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi to be Guardian of the

Baha‟i Faith in His Will and Testament. Shoghi Effendi served in this capacity from
1921, following the passing of „Abdu‟l-Baha, to his own death in 1957. The Guardian
Guardian
was sole interpreter of the Baha‟i scriptures and guided the Baha‟is in the spread and
development of the Baha‟i Faith throughout the world. His voluminous writings
constitute an invaluable source of guidance for present and future generations.
City by which Baha‟u‟llah was first brought to Israel as a prisoner in 1868, which he
Haifa visited three times in later life and where he revealed the instructions for the
establishment of the World Trade Centre of the Baha‟i Faith.
Individuals appointed first by Baha‟u‟llah, then „Abdu‟l-Baha and later by Shoghi Effendi,
who were charged with the specific duties of protecting and propagating the Faith.
Hands of the Cause of God
Shoghi Effendi referred to them as the “Chief Stewards of Baha‟u‟llah‟s embryonic world
Commonwealth”.
The Sacred Fold. The “official and distinctive title” of the headquarters of Baha‟i
Haziratu‟l-Quds administrative activity, whether on a local or national level. The national Haziratu‟l-Quds
is the seat of the National Spiritual Assembly in each country.
A Collection of short, verse-like passages revealed by Baha‟u‟llah in Baghdad in 1858,

Hidden Words of Baha‟u‟llah, the some in Arabic and some in Persian, concerning such subjects as the relationship
between God and humanity.
Nine days in the Baha‟i calendar when work is to be suspended. They are the births,
Holy Days, Baha‟i declarations and deaths of the Bab and Baha‟u‟llah, the Baha‟i New Year and two further
days associated with Baha‟u‟llah‟s declaration.
Holy Land The land of Israel, holy to four religions, including the Baha‟i Faith.
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A spiritual obligation in the form of a monetary payment instituted by Baha‟u‟llah in the
Huquq‟u‟llah Kitab-i-Aqdas, by which 19% of a Baha‟is capital or possessions after deduction of
(The Right of God) expenses, and excluding such thing as their residence, should be given to the Universal
House of Justice.
Husayn-Aliy-i-Nuri, Mirza The actual name of Baha‟u‟llah.
Letters written from 1868 – 1870 by Baha‟u‟llah to the various kings and rulers of the
Kings, Tablets to the time, including Queen Victoria, proclaiming His advent and instructing them in how to
achieve the Most Great Peace.
Book of my Covenant. Baha‟u‟llah‟s Will and Testament, written entirely in His own hand
Kitab-i-Ahdi and designating „Abdu‟l-Baha as Baha‟u‟llah‟s successor and the one to who all should
turn after Baha‟u‟llah‟s death
Most Holy Book. Baha‟u‟llah‟s book of laws, revealed in Akka in 1873, which He
Kitab-i-Aqdas commanded to be implemented gradually with tact and wisdom, as some of its
provisions clearly point to a future society very different from that of today.
Book of Certitude. Volume revealed by Baha‟u‟llah in Baghdad two years before his
Kitab-i-Iqan declaration. Revealed in two days and two nights, it proclaims the oneness of God and
the unity of his Manifestations.
Title first given to Shoghi Effendi to those Baha‟is who arose from 1953 onwards to open
Knight of Baha‟u‟llah
new territories to the Faith.
The first eighteen followers of the Bab who independently searched for and found the
Letters of the Living
Bab and became believers in His revelation.
The local administrative body of the Baha‟i community. The nine members are directly
Local Spiritual Assembly elected from among the body of the believers in a community every Ridvan and serve for
one year.
The great Prophets of God, his chosen Messengers, who appear in each age. They are
Manifestation of God not incarnations of God but perfect mirrors of his attributes. Baha‟u‟llah is the most
recent, though not the last.
Originally, in both English and Arabic, witness; one who bears witness to a belief by
submitting to death rather than renouncing their faith. There ware many thousands o f
Martyr
martyrs in the time of the Bab and Baha‟is are still put to death today for refusing to
recant.
Dawning-place of the praise of God. The Baha‟i House of worship or Temple and the
Mashriqu‟i-Adhkar dependencies clustered around. Also refers to any building or room reserved for
devotion and the devotional meetings themselves.
Most Great Prison, the Baha‟u‟llah‟s designation for the prison at Akka where He was kept from 1968 – 1870.
The national administrative body of the Baha‟i Faith, composed of nine members elected
National Spiritual Assembly
annually from among all adult Baha‟is in a country.
New Day. The Baha‟i New Year. It occurs on the Spring Equinox, usually 21st March.
Naw Ruz This Festival marks the end of the Fast and is a joyous time of celebration. It is one of
the nine Baha‟i Holy Days on which work is to be suspended.
A fundamental principle of Baha‟i social teaching the achievement of which is the

Peace, world
primary mission of the Baha‟i Faith.
Pilgrimage A journey made to a Shrine or Holy Place. At the present time Baha‟i pilgrimage
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consists of visiting the shrines of the Bab and Baha‟u‟llah in and around Haifa, Israel.
Any believer who arises and leaves their home to journey to another country or area for
Pioneer
the purpose of teaching the Baha‟i Faith.
Organised campaigns of a local, national or international scope, in which Baha‟is are

Plans, teaching encouraged to take the Baha‟i message to particular countries, territories or peoples. All
such plans are based on „Abdu‟l-Baha‟s “Tablets of the Divine Plan”.
Term used to describe the initial presentation of the Baha‟i teachings to those unfamiliar
with them. This may take a number of forms e.g. public meetings or talks, advertising,
Proclamation
exhibitions, stalls at fairs, or presenting books to dignitaries, libraries and educational
institutions.
The concept that Divine Revelation is not final, but continuing, progressively unfolded in
Progressive Revelation each age according to human capacity, but promoting further developments toward the
next stage centuries hence.
The twelve-day Festival commemorating Baha‟u‟llah‟s Declaration of His Mission to His

Ridvan companions, and celebrated annually from 21st April – 2nd May. Elections of Baha‟i
administrative institutions to take place during this period.
First Baha‟i Englishwoman (1858 – 1930). Becoming a Baha‟i in 1899, she later served
Rosenberg, Ethel Jenner on the first National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles from 1923. She is buried in
the Gap Road Cemetery in the London Borough of Merton.
The Guardian of the Baha‟i Faith. Born in 1897, he was the eldest grandson of „Adul‟l-
Baha. He was studying English as an undergraduate at Balliol College, Oxford, when he
Shoghi Effendi was informed of his grandfather‟s passing and that he was to be the successor as Head
of the Baha‟i Faith. He passed away in 1957 while visiting London and is buried in the
New Southgate Cemetery.
The Black Pit. The subterranean dungeon in Tehran where Baha‟u‟llah was first
imprisoned in 1852 as a prominent follower of the Bab. It was here that Baha‟u‟llah
Siyah Chal
received His divine revelation when the Holy Spirit appeared to Him in the form of a
Maiden of Heaven.
Divinely revealed scripture. Used in the title of certain Writings revealed by Baha‟u‟llah
Tablet
and „Abdu‟l-Baha.
Sharing the Baha‟i message with others. This is an obligation placed on Baha‟is by
Teaching
Baha‟u‟llah but must be carried out with kindness, dignity and good will.
The establishment of an international language to be taught in all the schools of the

world, in addition to the native tongue, is ordained by Baha‟u‟llah in the Kitab-i-Aqdas.
Universal Auxiliary Language
Although learning Esperanto was encouraged by Shoghi Effendi, as the choice is to be
made by international agreement.
Supreme administrative body of the Baha‟i Faith, ordained by Baha‟u‟llah in the

Kitab-i-Aqdas. With its seat on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel, it is elected every five years
Universal House of Justice
by the members of all the world‟s National Sprirtual Assemblies. It is infallible and is the
ultimate authority on any matter not expressly recorded in the Baha‟i Writings.
The glossary of terms is reproduced by kind permission of the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority and a
Basic Baha‟i dictionary.
175
Appendix 1
The legal basis for teaching religious education
The details in this appendix are correct at the time of writing. Schools will be informed of any
subsequent changes in advice, regulation or legislation. This appendix gives a summary of the
legal basis for religious education. Full details are given in the Education Act of 1996. This
should be consulted if any specific questions of detail or legality arise.
Collective worship, a separate and discrete subject in law, has not been included in this
appendix. Guidance is provided in Brent SACRE's Brent Recommended Approach.
Religious Education in the basic curriculum
Religious education, as part of the basic curriculum, should be provided for all registered
pupils attending a maintained school except where they have been withdrawn at parental
request.
This includes those in reception classes and sixth forms, and is not confined to pupils of
compulsory school age.
This does not apply to nursery schools or to nursery classes in primary schools.
It is the headteacher's duty to secure this provision. The governing body must exercise
their functions with a view to securing this provision.
The headteacher and governing body must ensure that sufficient time and resources are
given to religious education in school to meet the statutory requirements.
In community and foundation schools without a religious character, religious education

must be taught according to the agreed syllabus of the local education authority.
In schools with a religious character, religious education must be determined by the

governors in accordance with the trust deed or the religious character of the school.
The right of withdrawal
If a parent asks that a pupil should be wholly or partly excused from attending any
religious education at school, then the school must comply. This right to withdrawal should
be freely exercisable. Parents are not obliged to state their reasons for seeking
withdrawal.
In certain cases, the child can receive religious education elsewhere, or be provided with
religious education according to the tenets of a particular religious denomination on the
school premises.
176
A school continues to be responsible for the supervision of any child withdrawn by its
parent from religious education, unless the child is lawfully receiving religious education
elsewhere.
Withdrawal from religious education will not cause problems where it is taught as a
separate subject. Particular care will be needed where religious education is taught in an
integrated form with National Curriculum subjects, from which there is no right of
withdrawal.
There will be occasions when spontaneous enquiries made by pupils on religious matters
arise in other areas of the curriculum. Responses to such enquiries are unlikely to
constitute religious education within the meaning of the legislation and a parent would not
be able to insist on a child being withdrawn every time issues relating to religion and
spiritual values were raised.
Teachers cannot be required to teach religious education.
Teacher and headteachers should not be disqualified from employment or discriminated

against in terms of pay or promotion on the grounds of their religious opinions or practice in
participating or not participating in acts of worship or religious education.
These provisions do not prevent the governing body from taking account of a candidate's
willingness to teach religious education in drawing up job descriptions for particular posts
and in recommending and appointing teachers. Willingness to teach religious education
should not however be a requirement of a post except when advertising for specialist
religious education teaching posts.
The provision of information
The headteacher is required to make readily available to parents and others the
appropriate LEA agreed syllabus for religious education or a copy of that part of the trust
deed which governs the provision of religious education and any other written statement
which may have been prepared about arrangements for religious education.
The school prospectus should include information about:
- the ethos of the school which underpins pupils' spiritual, moral, cultural and social
development;
- the religious education provided at the school;
- parents rights to withdraw their children from religious education;
- the complaints procedure for the school curriculum, including religious education.
Unless a pupil has been withdrawn from religious education, reportsd must contain details
of the pupil's progress in religious education.
177
Appendix 2
Membership of the Brent Statutory Conference for the revision of the
Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education
Group A: Christian denominations and other religions and religious denominations
Baha'I: Mr Hassan Afnan
Buddhism: Mrs Rupa Monerawela
Free Churches: Revd Geoff Cornell, Methodist (to March 2001)
* Revd Steven Nolan, Baptist
Hinduism: Mr Deva Samaroo, Brent Hindu Samaj
Mr Bipin Patel, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (from March 2001)
Dr Navin Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan Hindu Mission
(from March 2001)
Mr Jay Lakhani, Vivekananda Centre - London (from March 2001)
Islam: Mrs Fatma Amer, Sunni
Mrs Humera Khan, Sunni
Mr Mohahammud Sabur, Shi'a (to March 2001)
Judaism: Mrs Marilyn Nathan (Orthodox)
Pentecostal Churches: Mr Henderson Springer
Mrs Rhona Millwood (to March 2001)
Rastafarianism: Revd L Connage, (from May 2002)
Roman Catholicism: Mrs Liz Wilson, (to March 2001)
Sikhism: Mr Param Sandhu, (from March 2001)
Group B: Church of England Mr Geoffrey Edwards

Revd Fergus Capie
Revd Eileen Lake (to July 2001)
Revd Fran Papantoniou,
Ms Mavis Hazell, (to November 2000)
Revd Mark Poulson, (from November 2001)
Group C: Associations representing teachers

Ms Marlene Downer Braintcroft Primary School
Ms Michelle Anderson Oakington Manor Primary School
Mrs Dorothy Njoku Leopold Primary School
Michael Hibbs Sudbury Junior School (to February 2001)
Mrs Anne Yep Lyon Park Infants School (from November 2001)
Mrs Valerie Pope Kingsbury High School (to July 2001)
+ Mr Hassan El Maghrabi Copland Community School & Technology Centre
Ms Sarah Black Kingsbury High School (from November 2001)
Ms Elicia Lewis Preston Manor High School (from November 2001)
Nominated by Brent Headteachers Group:
Mrs Carol Munro Salusbury Primary School, Headteacher (to April 2001)
Mrs Judith Bijlani Roe Green Infants School, Headteacher
Mr Mike Maxwell Lyon Park Junior School, Headteacher
Mrs Kathy Heaps John Kelly Girls' Technology College (Principal)
*Chair
+Vice Chair
178
Group D: The Authority Cllr Michael Lyon
Cllr Kantibhai S Patel, (to May 2002)
Cllr Mohammad Zakriya
Cllr Ramesh S Patel (from May 2002)
'Alternative' members appointed May 2001
Cllr Colum Moloney
Cllr Abdul Sattar-Butt
Cllr Peter Lemmon
Co-opted member: Mr Josh Kutchinsky (Humanism)
Servicing Officers: Ms Catherine Ross, Senior School Improvement Officer

Ms Beth Stockley, Advisory teacher for religious education
Ms Dina Brown, Clerk to conference
Working party members from September 2000 - July 2002
Revd Geoff Cornell

Revd Steven Nolan
Revd Eileen Lake
Mr Hassan Afnan
Mrs Rupa Monerawela
Dr Navin Swaminarayan
Mr Jay Lakhani
Mrs Fatma Amer
Ms Marlene Downer
Ms Michelle Anderson
Mr Hassan El Maghrabi
Ms Elicia Lewis
Mrs Kathy Heaps
Mr Josh Kutchinsky
179

Agreed Syllabus For Religious Education

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What is the aim of religious education according to the document?

What is the aim of religious education according to the document?

What groups are represented in the revision of the Agreed Syllabus?

What groups are represented in the revision of the Agreed Syllabus?

Brent Agreed Syllabus for

1 Brent Agreed Syllabus for Religios Education

2. Special needs and inclusion 10

3. The Foundation Stage 13

6. Key Stages 3 and 4 93

8. Attainment Target 131

10. Appendix 1 : Legal requirements for religious education 176

Appendix 2 : Membership of the Brent Statutory Conference 178

2 Brent Agreed Syllabus for Religios Education

The Reverend Steven Nolan

3 Brent Agreed Syllabus for Religios Education

This will include helping children and young people to:

Understand and respect different theistic and non-theistic religious traditions

Develop knowledge and understanding of beliefs, values, traditions and

Understand how meaning is conveyed through religious texts, ritual,

Religious education, provided in accordance with the Brent Agreed Syllabus,

4 Brent Agreed Syllabus for Religios Education

In Brent the majority of students are active members of religious communities.

Foundation Stage (Reception) : 36 hours per year

At Key Stages 3 and 4 schools may find it appropriate to integrate religious

Good inclusive teaching of religious education:

Aspects of spiritual appreciation

Making sense Meaning

Time Ritual Celebration Remembering

Rules of conduct Response to environment

Everyday and special celebrations Personal events

Personal, social, emotional and spiritual development : dispositions and attitudes

Show increasing independence in

Tell stories which focus on significant experiences about

Provide materials and support for making masks and puppets to

Model questioning and give children time to ask and discuss

Set up collaborative tasks such as cooking foods from different

Stepping stones What should the practitioner do?

Provide opportunities for children to sequence events in their

Suggested learning objectives

Suggested teaching material

Examples of learning experiences

Suggested teaching material

bedtime prayers by parents to infant (Ba)

Examples of learning experiences

Make a protected display of objects which are special to the children.

Key terms and concepts: importance, value, community, ceremony, welcome.

Caring for Each Other 27

Caring for Our World 30

During key stage 1 pupils learn about

including their own. there are differences, they also share a

c to recognise similarities and differences between aspects of

in the light of their own experience

3a links with other subjects

Enquiry and investigation 5a links with other subjects

5 Pupils should be taught:

6 Pupils should be taught:

Expression and communication

7 Pupils should be taught:

8 During the key stage, pupils should be taught the