KARMA This presentation aims to introduce KS2 or 3 pupils to the concept of Karma (Intentional actions that affect one’s circumstances in this and future lives) in Buddhism. Note: ‘Karma’ is the Sanskrit word; in Pali the word ‘kamma’ is used. The Buddha taught that the effect of a person’s actions depends on intention, or will. This is different from a Hindu understanding of karma which has more to do with the law of cause and effect, whether an act is intentional or not. BUDDHISM – KS2/3

The Big Question Why should you be a ‘good’ person? This starter allows pupils to think about karma in relation to why it is important to be a ‘good’ person. The pupils should write down their responses to the question on this slide and you could then either do a ‘Think, Pair, Share’ or move straight from the written task to a class discussion. It is also worth exploring what might be meant by the term ‘good person’ to broaden their understanding.

Karma Most Buddhists think that being good is important because every action we do has a consequence. This consequence can be thought of as ‘energy’ or ‘karma’. If we do lots of good actions we generate lots of good energy (karma) and we start to become a good person. This goodness will radiate out from us and we will attract good things and good people into our lives. If, on the other hand, we are mean, selfish or nasty we will generate bad karma. This section of the lesson is all about highlighting the Buddhist beliefs about karma. There are a variety of ways that this slide could be read out – ideally it should be read by a pupil rather than the teacher to boost engagement. Key Stage 3 pupils could be encouraged to take notes from the slide and read them out to one another to highlight good note taking rather than copying. Then ask them to summarise the slide in 17 words and to read these words out to the rest of the class. Steer the conversation to ensure all pupils comprehend what karma means to Buddhists.

A Buddhist take on the importance of goodness… Karma may be summed up by the phrase ‘you reap what you sow’. Many Buddhists think that you generate karma over many lifetimes as we are reborn again and again. This means that we might be born with good karma or bad karma. Ask pupils to summarise the phrase ‘you reap what you sow’. Briefly outline the idea of rebirth in Buddhism, e.g. as the flame of a candle being used to light another candle just before it goes out.

So how do you avoid bad karma? The Buddha taught that one of the main ways to avoid bad karma was to live by ‘The Five Precepts’. These are five moral rules which most Buddhists try to live by in order to ensure that they don’t generate any bad karma. Can you work out what they are from this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mlQDdBn_2Q Explain to the pupils that they are about to watch a video which has been designed to help young Thai children learn the Five Precepts. They need to know that they won’t be able to understand the words (unless they speak Thai!) but that they should be able to work out most of the rules from the video. They might also learn the Thai word for ‘five’. Ensure that they write down ‘I think the Five Precepts are…’ so that they don’t have any wrong answers written down under the title ‘The Five Precepts’! Once you’ve played the whole video through, replay it, pause on each rule, and get them to give you their answers which can be affirmed or corrected as appropriate.

The Five Precepts Avoid taking life Avoid stealing Avoid sexual misconduct Avoid lying Avoid intoxicating substances Can you explain why a Buddhist might think that breaking these five rules might lead to bad karma? Ask the pupils to write down all five precepts and discuss what they mean (most of them are very self-explanatory although 3 and 5 will need careful articulation to ensure pupils fully comprehend them). Ask the pupils to write an answer to the question on the slide and discuss as appropriate.

Turning your karma around… Most Buddhists think that every day represents a chance to turn around your life and start developing good karma as this video shows… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDHkjDWI17U&list=PL9tsz66dMPxsD156mlCl5YBNDDQMXx010&index=5 How does this man turn his life around? Why do you think this video might give hope to Buddhists who think they have bad karma at the moment? It is vital that pupils understand that Buddhists believe that karma is something we can continuously work on. This video is a great way of making them understand this crucial point. Make sure you tell the pupils that they need to be thinking about / taking notes on the questions on this slide whilst they watch the video. The video has English subtitles so it might be worth pausing occasionally to ask questions to ensure everyone comprehends what is happening. The questions can either be written down or discussed.

Summarise your learning Karma is… People get good karma by… For example… Buddhists think having good karma is important because… Extensions: Explain the link between karma and being a ‘good’ person. Make sure you discuss the Five Precepts in your answer. ‘Every day is a chance to turn your life around.’ Do you agree? How might a Buddhist respond to this statement? Use this slide as a way of consolidating what the pupils have learnt from today’s lesson and deepening understanding for more able/older pupils. Encourage them to pick the task that they feel suits them and that will help them to reflect on what they’ve learnt – there is no point in very high ability pupils using sentence starters if they have picked up on the concept of karma very quickly and could really do with analysing the concept in depth rather than stating what the word means. If you have time you could get a few pupils to read out their responses.