Hindu Scripture Classes

Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia Inc. (VHP) is authorised by the Department of Education to teach Hindu dharma classes in Public Schools.

Hindu Dharma classes in New South Wales public schools program in over 50 schools in Sydney suburbs reaching to nearly 2,000 children weekly. This is the largest weekly program of VHP NSW with over 150 volunteers providing services through the educational wing of VHP of Aust (NSW).

To become a volunteer teacher, one must meet the requirements of Department of Education and Training. Only VHP volunteers can be given approval letters to teach Hindu Dharma classes. VHP seeks more volunteers to help in this cause.

Hindu Dharma –SRE PROVISION

NSW PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Teaching Resource

Curriculum

Outline

Hindu Culture and Heritage Teaching Programme

Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia Inc.

(World Hindu Council of Australia Inc)

(ABN: 78862155168, Reg No: Y2898719, Charity No: CFN10709)

-WWW.VHP.ORG.AU

For Beginners Term 1

Term outcomes

Concepts God is one, but has many forms

Religious symbols Aum, Swasthika, Siva Linga, Dipa

Festivals Pongal, Ugadi, Shivrathri, Rama Navami

Values Respect for parents, elders,guru , laws,Bhagwan and environment

General Notes to Teachers:

Hindu Dharma Evolved in Bharat is one of the ancient surviving civilization of the world with the continuity of culture, tradition and history.

Hindu is an unbounded word and symbolizes sanatan “ Eternal “

Dharma means that which sustains individual, family, community, Society ,Nation, Environment, living and non-living beings.

All the Hindus migrated from different countries and settled in Australia. We all have common forefathers and ancestors who lived in Bharat (India). The all share the history of the same land and in their holy books recognize Bharat as their motherland.(

Common mother land. Sharing the ancient Civilization)

The main philosophical ideas of all branches of Hindu Dharma are based on the Vedic literature which contains ethical values.

Hindus and the Environment: How we promote peace and harmony in the society

While teaching the river slokas we need explain these things.

Hindus and in Hindu culture: Respect the environment.

Hindus care for and protect the environment.

The rivers - we call river as our mother - Ganga Maatha.

Hindus offer lights /lamps in the river and do namaskarams and do Aarti to the rivers.

This practice proves that Hindus treat the river as a person and not as an object.

Mountains – like Kailash, . thiruvannamali

The whole universe is created by Bhagwan and everything has given to us.

In this world everything is holy and we respect each other.

We are all the same. The differences are to enjoy, create novelty in the world, like different colours of flowers in the garden.

Our motto "THE WHOLE UNIVERSE IS ONE BIG FAMILY"

Most of the time we need to take combined classes like k - year 2 and year 3 to 6

In these circumstances, please follow the curriculum

And general rule - K TO YEAR 2 - Ramayanam

YEAR 3 TO 6 Bhagavatam -all the classes Please go through the greatness of two authors, Rishi Veda Vyasa and Rishi Valmiki and their contributions to Hindu Culture and our literature.

Encourage the children to talk about various rishis in different language and the state (example Nayanmargal in Tamil Literature)Contributions of Hindus to the World.- Hindu rishis – Yoga , Ayurveda

Hindu Scripture Syllabus - Year 1 to 4

In year 1 and 2 we introduce the concept and in year 3 and 4 we build it strongly with more activities.

Term I	Kindy &Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4
Wk 1	Lord Ganesha â?? Prayer, Colouring, Chanting	Lord Ganesha â?? Prayer, Colouring, Chanting	Lord Ganesha â?? Prayer, Colouring, Chanting	Lord Ganesha â?? Prayer, Colouring, Chanting
Wk 2	Slokas chanting Lord Ganesha's family -Lords Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Muruga - Introduction	Slokas chanting Lord Ganesh's family -Lords Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Muruga - Introduction	Slokas chanting Lord Ganesh's family -Lords Shiva, Goddress Parvathi, Lord Muruga - Introduction	One God, many forms of God- Slokas chanting Lord Ganesha's family -Lords Shiva , Goddess Parvathi, Lord Muruga.
Wk 3	Many forms of God & Importance of Guru _ Slokam. Respect to teachers- Learn to do namaskarams	Many forms of God & Importance of Guru _ Slokam. Respect to teachers- Learn to do namaskarams	Many forms of God & Importance of Guru _ Slokam. Respect to teachers- Learn to do namaskarams	Many forms of God & Importance of Guru _ Slokam. Respect to teachers- Learn to do namaskarams
Wk 4	Many forms of God & Importance of Guru _Glory of Teachers- Slokam. Respect to teachers- Learn to do namaskarams-encourage the children to do to their class room teachers	Many forms of God & Importance of Guru _ Slokam. Respect to teachers- Learn to do namaskarams	Many forms of God & Importance of Guru _ Slokam. Respect to teachers- Learn to do namaskarams	Many forms of God & Importance of Guru _ Slokam. Respect to teachers- Learn to do namaskarams
Wk 5	Chanting. Respect for father, mother, elders	Respect for father, mother, elders	Respect for father, mother, elders	Respect for father, mother, elders
Wk 6	Chanting. Respect for father, mother, elders Stories - Lord Ganesha and Mango story	Chanting. Respect for father, mother, elders Stories - Lord Ganesha and Mango story	Chanting. Respect for father, mother, elders Stories - Lord Ganesha and Mango story	Chanting. Respect for father, mother, elders Stories - Lord Ganesha and Mango story
Wk 7	Festivals – Shivarathri. Spot the difference sheets.	Festivals – Shivarathri. Spot the difference sheets.	Festivals – Shivarathri. Spot the difference sheets. Introduce art and music	Festivals – Shivarathri. Spot the difference sheets.
Wk 8	Festivals – Shivarathri. Spot the difference sheets.	Festivals – Shivarathri. Spot the difference sheets.	Festivals – Shivarathri. Spot the difference sheets.	Festivals – Shivarathri. Spot the difference sheets.
Wk 9	Religious symbols - Aum, Swastika. Lord Shiva chanting slokam	Religious symbols - Aum, Swastika. Lord Shiva chanting slokam	Religious symbols - Aum, Swastika. chanting Lord Shiva slokam	Religious symbols - Aum, Swastika. Lord Shiva chanting slokam
Wk 10	Revision, chanting, others	Revision, chanting, others	Revision, chanting, others	Revision, chanting, others

Term II	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4
Wk 1	Ramayanam. Sri Rama Slokams	Ramayanam. Sri Rama Slokams	Ramayanam. Sri Rama Slokams	Ramayanam. Sri Rama Slokams
Wk 2	Ramayanam. Sri Rama Slokams	Ramayanam. Sri Rama Slokams	Ramayanam. Sri Rama Slokams	Ramayanam. Sri Rama Slokams Quiz+ Cradle Games
Wk 3	Stones - King Dasaratha	Stones - King Dasaratha	Stones - King Dasaratha	Stories, story telling -Discussion
Wk 4	Good habits – kindness. Lord Rama’s life. Compassion	Good habits – kindness. Lord Rama’s life. Compassion	Good habits – kindness. Lord Rama’s life. Compassion	Good habits – kindness. Lord Rama’s life. Compassion
Wk 5	Good habits – kindness. Lord Rama’s life. Compassion. Value based Stories. Truth - Harichandra story	Good habits – kindness. Lord Rama’s life. Compassion. Value based Stories. Truth - Harichandra story	Hindus and the Environment. Chanting River slokams.	Hindus and the Environment. Chanting River slokams.
Wk 6	Religious symbols. Hindu greetings	Religious symbols. Hindu greetings	Religious symbols. Hindu greetings	Religious symbols. Hindu greetings
Wk 7	Rangoli	Rangoli	Rangoli	Rangoli
Wk 8	Festivals -Holy - Colour festivals	Festivals-Holy Colour festivals	Festivals -Holy- Colour festivals	Festivals _holy Colour festivals
Wk 9	Chanting – Saraswati Slokas	Chanting – Saraswati Slokas	Chanting – Saraswati Slokas	Chanting – Saraswati Slokas
Wk 10	Sum up, quiz, trivia

Term III	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4
Wk 1	Dharma	Dharma	Dharma	Dharma
Wk 2	Hindus and the Environment. Chanting River slokams.	Hindus and the Environment. Chanting River slokams.	Hindus and the Environment. Chanting River slokams.	Hindus and the Environment. Chanting River slokams.
Wk 3	Values - truth	Values - truth	Values – truth	Values - truth
Wk 4	Values - honesty	Values - honesty	Values – honesty	Values - honesty
Wk 5	Ganesha	Ganesha	Ganesha	Ganesha
Wk 6	Festivals - Ganesh Chathurthi	Festivals - Ganesh Chathurthi	Festivals - Ganesh Chathurthi	Festivals - Ganesh Chathurthi
Wk 7	Festival - Janmashtami- Lord Krishna's story- colouring picture	Festival - Janmashtami- Lord Krishna's story - colouring picture	Festival - Janmashtami- Lord Krishna's story- colouring picture-children can write the story half page	Festival - Janmashtami- Lord Krishna's story- colouring picture- Baby Krishna and Vasudeva- children can write the story from the picture
Wk 8	Hindu worship - family altar, rangoli, lamp, garland, puja	Hindu worship family altar, rangoli, lamp, garland, puja	Hindu worship family altar, rangoli, lamp, garland, puja	Hindu worship family altar, rangoli, lamp, garland, puja
Wk 9	Tcmples -show the picture of temples -visual	Temples. Importance	Temples. Request the children to share the temple they visited recently	Temples. Different country Temples. SriLanka, Malaysia, Fiji.
Wk 10	Temples. sum up, party, trivia etc	Temples. sum up, party, trivia etc	Temples. sum up, party, trivia etc	Temples. sum up, party, trivia etc

Term IV	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4
Wk 1	Values - healthy food, good habits bhojan mantra, (prayer before food) meditation etc	Values - healthy food, good habits, bhojan mantra, meditation etc	Values - healthy food, good habits bhojan mantra, meditation etc	Values - healthy food, good habits bhojan mantra, meditation etc
Wk 2	Goddesses - Lakshmi	Goddesses - Lakshmi	Many names of Lakshmi	Many names of Lakshmi
Wk 3	Goddesses Saraswathi	Goddesses Saraswathi	Many names of Saraswathi	Many names of Saraswathi
Wk 4	Goddesses Parvathi	Goddesses Parvathi	Many names of Parvathi	Many names of Parvathi
Wk 5	Family, community - Unity in diversity - Variety of Traditions, custom of Bindhi, bangle, saree etc-common mother land - Show the photos of saree, bangles, jewellery etc to the children
Wk 6	-do-	-do-	-do-	-do-
Wk 7	Festivals - Navarathri	Festivals - Navarathri	Festivals - Navarathri	Festivals - Navarathri
Wk 8	Deepavali	Deepavali	Deepavali	Deepavali
Wk 9	Group discussion How the children celebrated Deepavali	Group discussion How the children celebrated Deepavali	Group discussion How the children celebrated Deepavali	Group discussion How the children celebrated Deepavali
Wk 10	Celebration, party etc	Celebration, party etc	Celebration, party Etc	Celebration, party etc

Primary School Hindu Scripture Syllabus - Year 5 & 6

Term I:

Concepts, truths and values

Week	Year 5	Year 6
1	Temples. sum up, party, trivia etc	Temples. sum up, party, trivia etc
2	One God, many forms	One God, many forms
3	The glory of Hindu Culture How Hindu culture promotes peace and harmony in the society	The glory of Hindu Culture How Hindu culture promotes peace and harmony in the Society
4	Hindu values - Dharma	Hindu values - Dharma
5	Introduce Bhagavatha Purana	- Introduce Bhagavatha Purana
6	Hindu symbols and temples. Revision and questions about Bhagavatha Purana	Hindu symbols and temples. Revision and questions about Bhagavatha Purana
7	-do-	-do-
8	Reincarnation, Avatar, Concept of soul (atman)	Reincarnation, Avatar, Concept of soul (atman)
9	Hindu symbols and temples. Revision and questions about Bhagavatha Purana	Hindu symbols and temples. Revision and questions about Bhagavatha Purana
10	Hindu symbols and temples. Revision and questions about Bhagavatha Purana. Chanting, revision	Hindu symbols and temples. Revision and questions about Bhagavatha Purana. Chanting, revision

Term II

Family, Community, tradition and worship

Week	Year 5	Year 6
1	Family+ Friends + community= VHP's motto = Vasudeva Kudumbakam = The whole Universe is one family	Family+ Friends + community= VHP's motto = Vasudeva Kudumbakam = The whole Universe is one family
2	-do-class discussion + encourage children to talk or write about the above + how to develop up this	- do-class discussion + encourage children to talk or write about the above
3	Community+ Environment-Service to Humanity is service to God	Community + Environment Service to Humanity is service to God
4	Meaning of Hinduism- Means Service to Humanity. Many Hindu Practices – discuss	Meaning of Hinduism- Means Service to Humanity. Many Hindu Practices - discuss
5	Hindu ancient Tradition = discuss different family tradition	Hindu ancient Tradition = discuss different family tradition
6	-do- chanting before food, before bed, early in the morning	-do- chanting before food, before bed, early in the morning
7	The greatness of Veda Vyaasa + his work + (mention his work Mahabharata. epic is the longest poem in the world- Guinneess book record	Worship- The greatness of Veda Vyaasa + his work + (mention his work Mahabharata _ epic is the longest poem in the world- Guinneess book record
8	-do-children write a page about Sage Veda Vyaasa	-do- children write a page about Sage Veda Vyaasa + Bhagavatha purana
9	-do-	-do-
10	Sum up, quiz, trivia	Sum up, quiz, trivia

Term III

Music, art, yoga, meditation

Bhagavatha Puranam -at least two avatar in one term - compete all the slokas

Discuss important values learnt from Bhagavatha Puranam

Hindu Practices - Why do we do

Namaskarams and Namasthe - meaning and significance

Term IV

Glory of Hinduism - Hindu art, tradition and culture, different food, costumes , (refer the photos), Hindu Rishis

Importance of Tulasi Plant-Scientific benefits

Introduction of Vedas. Four vedas. Complete at least two avatar from Bhagavatha Puranam.

Hindu Scripture for Primary classes Term 1

In year 1 and 2 we introduce the concept and in year 3 and 4 we build it strongly with more activities.

Term I	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	Year 6
Wk 2	One God - Many forms of God	One God - Many forms of God	One God - Many forms of God	One God, many forms of God	Hindu concepts - God is one, known by many names Karma, atman, rebirth
Wk 3	Many forms of God	Many forms of God	Many forms of God	Many forms of God	-do-
Wk 4	Hindu values	Hindu values	Hindu values	Hindu values	Hindu values - hows and whys of many values
Wk 5	Respect for father, mother, elders,	Respect for father, mother, elders,	Respect for father, mother, elders,	Respect for father, mother, elders,	-do-
Wk 6	- do- Stories	- do- Stories	- do- Stories	- do- Stories	Hindu worship, personal worship, Public worship, Puja, Festivals, Pilgrimage, Havan yagna
Wk 7	Festivals - pongal, ugadi	Festivals - pongal, ugadhi	Festivals - introduce art and music	Festivals - introduce art and music	-do-
Wk 8	Religious symbols - Aum, Swastika	Religious symbols - Aum, Swastika	Religious symbols - Aum, Swastika	Religious symbols - Aum, Swastika	Religious symbols - more meaning and significance
Wk 9

GOD IS ONE BUT FORMS ARE MANY

God is one but He has many forms.

When He does the job of creating He is called	Brahma
When He does the job of preserving He is called	Vishnu
When He does the job of destroying evils He is called	Shiva
When He does the job of destroying obstacles He is called	Vinayaka
When God (Goddess) gives knowledge She is called	Saraswathi
When She gives us wealth She is	Lakshmi
When She took the form to kill asuras	Durga
When Lord Shiva took the dancing posture He is called	Nataraja
When he was born to bill Kamsa and help Pandavas	Krishna
When He was born to kill Ravana	Rama
When He was born as a son of Shiva and Parvathi	Karthikeya
When He took the form to help Rama	Hanuman

Write in the space the other forms of God that you may know.

When God takes up different forms to do different jobs He is known by different names. Can you identify the names of the following forms of God?


Name:		Name:
Other names:		Other names:
Festivals for this God:		Festivals for this God:


Name:		Name:
Other names:		Other names:
Festivals for this God:		Festivals for this God:


Name:		Name:
Other names:		Other names:
Festivals for this God:		Festivals for this God:


Name:		Name:
Other names:		Other names:
Festivals for this God:		Festivals for this God:


Name:		Name:
Other names:		Other names:
Festivals for this God:		Festivals for this God:


Name:		Name:
Other names:		Other names:
Festivals for this God:		Festivals for this God:

Write down the name of this God ………………………………………….(GASHANE)

Other names of this God are:

(1) …………………………………………………………………… (GAPANATHI)

(2) ……………………………………………………………………..(PIYARLLAI)

(3) ………………………………………………………………………(VIYANAKA)

(4) ………………………………………………………………………(VIGSHNE)

(5) ……………………………………………………………………....(MASHHE)

What is this God doing?

How do you know what God is this?

What is the name of this God:

Write what are same in these two pictures.

What are the differences in these two pictures.

Write the name of this God.

What is this God doing?

Many forms of God

Every person is known by different names by different people.

A man called Ramachandra Kulkarni may be called as Mr Kulkarni at work, Ramu by his siblings, Rama by his friends,Chandra by neighbors, Darling or sweetie pie by his parents, dad by his kids etc

Similarly God is one but known by many names when He does different job.

Write down as many different names of God as you can.

Share a story on any form of God that you may know with your friends.

Draw a line to match the meaning given in the first column to the word in the second column.

God creates everything, he is a	Friend
God helps us in our need, he is a	Merciful
God looks after all of us, he is a	Perfect
God is kind, he is	Creator
God does not make mistakes, he is	Preserver

Write a short story to explain why there are many forms of God.

Forms of God

God is one but He has many forms.

When he does the job of creating he is called Brahma

When he does the job of preserving he is called Vishnu

When he does the job of destroying evils he is called Shiva

When he does the job of destroying obstacles he is called Vinayaka

When God (Goddess) imparts knowledge she is called Saraswathi

When she gives us wealth she is Lakshmi

As God does so many jobs he cannot be fully defined. Total knowledge of God is beyond human understanding. So for this reason Hinduism allows use of various terms, names, symbols and images to allow people to discover God in whichever way they want to. This freedom of thought and form of worship is unique to Hinduism.

A man called Ramachandra Kulkarni may be called as Mr Kulkarni at work, Ramu by his siblings, Rama by his friends, Chandra by neighbors, Darling or sweetie pie by his parents, dad by his kids etc. He exhibits different qualities as he plays different role.

Name	Responsibilities / Jobs	Qualities
Mr Kulkarni
Ramu
Dad
Chandra
Sweetie pie
Darling
Ramachandra Kulkarni

In the following table in the first column write the different forms of God. For each form of God, write what duty does He fulfill and the qualities needed to fulfill His duties.

Forms of God	Duties	Qualities





	-

Color this picture of Ganapathy

Name of this God is

K R I _ _ N _

This God has a F _ _ T _ in his hand.

He has a peacock F_ A _ H_R on his head.

He likes to eat

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Who is this God?

More ideas

You can start every lesson with few payers and few minutes of meditation. Asking the children to sit down on the floor, fold their legs, close their eyes and think of their favourite God is an easy start of the lesson.

Depending on the day, if the children are alert and eager to learn or restless, you can teach appropriate bhajan songs, dance etc

Children usually like to do things rather than listening long lectures / information dumping. So try to incorporate as many activities as possible in every lesson planning.

Story telling by the teachers or the children can also be made interesting if you show pictures and involve the children.

Teachers can go in Indian traditional clothes when teaching about festivals.

Make a Ganesha mask

make a Krishna mobile

Make a icon of ganesha using a mould.

Make a sweet for Lord Ganesha

Celebrate any festival in the school.

(you probably can involve the whole school, ask permission before doing so.)

teach slokas

teach any yoga

Cross word puzzles

word search

craft work

colouring in

games based on hindu theme.

Respect for Mother - Mathru Devo Bhava

In Hindu culture mother is worshipped and respected. Our respects are first due to our mother, then to father, afterwards to our teachers and finally to God.

Your mother loves you and all of us love our mother.

Year 1 and Year 2

What does your mother do for you?

Write or draw pictures to show how does a mother takes care of her children from childhood.

Year 3 and 4

Instead of the previous activity talk about Mathru devo bhava and respect for mothers. Tell the story of Shravanakumar and discuss the following.

In Indian culture we treat anything that protect and feed us as mother.

Mother nature

Vedas are worshipped as Veda Mata – Mother Veda.

Vedas are called Shruti in Sanskrit.

Cow is worshipped as mother. It provides milk and is the source for all milk products such as cheese, yoghurt.

We respect the laws of the adapted country and worship it as mother country.

By worshipping the earth as mother, Hindus are aware of our environment and earth’s resources.

FORMS ARE MANY BUT GOD IS ONE

We as Hindus beliieve in God. We believe that He is present everywhere. Like the air which is everywhere yet we cannot see it, god is present everywhere.

Creator	God is the creator of everything: universe, living and non living things, animals and plants
Preserver	He looks after his creation - preserves the plants, animals and all living things.
Destroyer	Destroys evil
Eternal	God is eternal. He has always been there and will always be there.
Perfect	God is perfect and pure.
Forgiving:	God forgives our mistakes
Merciful:	God is kind, merciful and loving
Friend:	God is our friend, he is the best and true friend and He helps us in need and protects us.
All knowing	God knows everything
Omnipotent	All powerful
Omnipresent	He is everywhere and is present in all things at all times
Loveable and all bliss	God loves his creation. Whoever truly loves him and have faith in him can attain him.

Mother Means Love

T

E

L

S

T

O

R

I

E

S

C

A

R

E

G

I

V

E

R

C

H

D

K

O

A

W

D

A

O

U

L

Q

X

H

A

W

M

K

M

C

G

C

A

P

B

H

T

A

C

H

A

F

L

U

Q

H

E

L

O

B

Z

M

O

A

T

E

O

C

O

R

U

G

O

L

T

E

M

O

T

H

E

R

Y

A

G

X

V

A

B

E

A

K

S

A

D

T

Y

L

K

V

E

Y

G

H

K

I

S

I

N

G

C

S

I

J

K

I

W

H

X

B

T

W

N

I

Y

N

F

M

R

D

F

G

D

T

D

R

B

U

E

T

U

Y

Word Bank

AMMA

CARE

COMFORT

COOK

FEED

GIVE

HELP

HUG

KIND

KISS

LOVE

MATHA

MOTHER

PLAY

SING

TEACH

TELL STORIES

Write in each bubble, what you think God is.

One God. Many Forms.

God is one, he performs different jobs and hence has many different names. The forms of God can be male, female, child or even nature.

WE as Hindus believe God. We believe that he is present everywhere. Like the air which is everywhere yet we cannot see it, god is present everywhere.

One can use the following words to describe God.

Creator: God is the creator of everything: universe. Living and non living things, animals and plants

Preserver: he looks after his creation - preserves the plants, animals and all living things.

Destroyer: Destroys evil. Omnipotent, all powerful

Omnipresent: He is everywhere and is present in all things at all times.

All knowing: God knows everything, he knows the universe.

Eternal: God is eternal, He has always been there and will always be there. He has no beginning and no end.

Perfect: God is perfect and pure,

Lovable and all bliss: God loves his creation. Whoever truly loves him and has faith in him gets his love and mercy.

Forgiving: god forgives our mistakes

Merciful: god is kind, merciful and loving

Friend: God is our friend, he is the best and true friend, he helps us in need and protects us.

You can visualize God any form you like and should pray with complete dedication.

What is your favorite form of God and Why?

Try matching the following two columns. Draw a line that matches the

Description	Name
God creates eveiything, he is a	Friend
God helps us in our need, he is a	Omnipresent
God looks after all of us, he is a	Perfect
God is kind, he is	Omnipotent
God does not make mistakes, he is	Eternal
God is everywhere, he is	Creator
God is al powerful, he is	Destroyer
God knows everything, he is	Merciful
God has no beginning or end, he is	All knowing
God dissolves evil, he is a	Preserver

About Us

Useful Links

Photo Stream

Latest Tweets

Search form

You are here