What do Hindus believe about God Aim To
What do Hindus believe about God? • Aim: To understand the Hindu belief in Brahman (L 4/5). • Goal: To consider the role of the Trimurti and deities (L 6). PLTS: team worker
Keywords Monotheism: The belief in one God Polytheism: The belief in many gods
Hinduism is. . . ? Over the next 2 lessons we are going to find out why!
Brahman Ice has shape but water does not, yet they are both the same thing. Hindus believe that God can be thought of as a person (with shape) or not as a person (without shape). Hindus can choose which way they think about God. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Think, Pair, Share G – Generator O – Operator D – Destroyer Why might a Hindu use these words to describe God (what do they mean)? Can you think of any Christian examples where these words could be used to describe God?
DAVID BECKHAM What different roles does he have? Does he always look the same? Is he always called the same thing? So…although David Beckham is one person he can be known in many different ways……
How does this help us? In Hinduism, God (Brahman) is known by different names and appears in different forms. Hindus believe that if they worship Brahman through a form they understand, or which has meaning to them, they will find it easier to worship. This is why there are many different gods and goddesses (deities) in Hinduism.
Hindu deities Some Hindus believe that there are over 33 million Hindu deities. Each deity has a special role to perform in the universe. Hindus produce visual images of the deities – these are called murtis. They often have superhuman features and may carry objects that symbolise important Hindu ideas about the nature of God.
The Trimurti Hindus believe that these three deities are very important. Together they are known as the Trimurti. Brahma Vishnu Shiva The Creator The Preserver The Destroyer Generator Operator Destroyer
Activity 1 Stick the pictures of the Trimurti into your book, label each one and describe their qualities: ~Brahma (Generator) ~Vishnu (Operator) ~Shiva (Destroyer) – use p 15 -17 in MWRH to help you. Activity 2 Write a paragraph in your book explaining what Hindus believe about Brahman. What key words do you need to include?
Team Challenge! Match up the deity with the correct description. Remember to read the descriptions carefully.
Extension • Does the idea of the Trimurti remind you of another religion? • Explain in your own words the similarities and differences between Hindu beliefs in God another religion we have looked at.
Hinduism Christianity
Team Worker Task • Part of being a good team worker involves getting involved in discussion and sharing your ideas with other people. • This helps us to learn from each other, develop our listening skills and challenge our own ideas.
Plenary: Discussion “It is helpful to have an image of God to focus on when praying. ” Do you agree? YES NO
- Slides: 15