AS Hinduism
OUTLINE SCHEME OF WORK.
Words in bold type refer to basic key terms that should be
understood.
Area of
study
Key concepts to be
covered
Resources
Our expectations of pupils.
Their legitimate expectations of
the department.
Study Skills;
 Time planning
Expectations  Reading
 Note taking
 Essay writing.
 Essay planning
 Sanskrit vocabularly
Appropriate
handouts. Also
available on
department
website
www.kingsbridgere.co.uk
Start by brainstorming their
ideas as to what Hinduism is.
Hinduism is a multifarious and
nebulous concept; where does
the term come from, what does
it mean, and who “Owns it”.
Historical ideas;
 Mughal & British
definitions of Hinduism.
 Orientalist and Anglicist
views.
 Hindu renaissance ideas
 Current variety of ideas.
 Academic definitions.
Conclude by watching
Dalrymple video.
Appropriate hand
outs.
Video “Shiva’s
matted locks”
Cover the basic history of the
dispute about the IVC as origin
of Hinduism.
Influences may include:
Water
Proto-shiva
Goddesses
Darshan
Murti
Appropriate hand
outs.
Video “Indus
Valley”.
Powerpoint
demonstration
on Indus valley
civilisation.
Links provided
What is
Hinduism
Indus valley
civilisation.
Sanskrit terms
booklet.
Red Hinduism
Books (1 each)
Fire sacrifice
Then Aryan invasion. (Eurocentric discourse)
Contrast with Kak & Frawley’s
new chronology (Indo-centric)
on AS page of
department
website.
Example essay titles:
“What are the main characteristics of the Indus Valley civilisation?
Examine and comment on the possible influence of this civilisation
on the emergence of Hinduism”.
“To what extent is it true to say that the Indus Valley Civilisation
was the origin of contemporary Hinduism?”
Vedic
religion.
Vedanta.
Introduce the Vedas &
traditional teaching about Vedic
religion, (fire sacrifice, devas
etc). using individual research
from Klostermaier.
Then focus on changing
attitudes to Yajna;
Originally a way to bribe the
devas.
Then a way of influencing the
devas, who are seen as drawing
together into one thing (Soma,
Brihaspati, Agni, Vac).
Finally a model of the cosmos;
beginning to model Brahman.
Also important to cover sacred
utterance; mantra.
Appropriate hand
outs.
Klostermaier,
chapter 9.
Krishna das
album “Pilgrim
heart”.
Powerpoint.
Introduce the three principal
schools of Vedanta; concerned
with the relationship between
Atman and Brahman. Based
upon experiential work under a
guru, and hints in the
Upanishads. For each school
students should understand:
Relationship between atman &
Brahman.
Understanding of Moksha.
A little about key teachers;
Advaita; Sankara
Dvaita; Ramanuja
Visistadvaita; Madhava
Appropriate hand
outs.
Power point
displays;
Vedanta 1
Vedanta 2
Website has
teaching notes,
links, and a
selection of
relevant quotes
from the
Upanishads.
Example essay titles:
“Compare and contrast ideas about Brahman in any two Vedanta
schools that you have studied”.
Examine & explain the teaching of the Upanisads on the nature of
the “self”. Explain how this has contributed to the development of
one school of Vedanta.
Varna
Key idea is that there are two
main systems Hindu social
order;
Varna, divided into
Brahmin
Kshatriya
Vaisya
Sudra
Untouchables \ Outcastes \
Dalits \ Harijans.
Jati, based upon social
occupation.
Ideas of following varna
dharma in order to achieve
moksha, altering through
asramas; life stages;
Brahmacharya
Grihasta
Vanaprastha
Sannyasin.
Principal ideas of Varna;
Religious pollution, marriage,
socialisation, eating restrictions,
origins in IVC\Vedic times,
Purusa sukta.
Principal ideas for and against.
Role in Hindu ethics;
Reprehensible from a European
view point, essential from an
Indian one.
Appropriate hand
outs.
Power point
displays;
Hindu social
order.
Purusa Sukta.
Links & Notes on
webiste,
including an
essay on Dalit
politics.
Example essay titles:
Examine the role of the caste system within the context of Hindu
ethics. Comment on the ethical relationship between Karma and
the caste system.
What is the importance of Karma in Hinduism? Examine and
consider the beliefs about Karma in relation to either Social Justice
or Family Life.
Examine the importance of the four stages of human existence
within the context of Hindu family life. Comment on the role of
women within Hindu family life.
Film show (outside lesson time; 2 evenings of 3 hours each)
Peter Brooke’s production of Mahabharata; underlines importance
of Dharma & Varna, also introduces Krishna & Shiva. Plot synopsis
on website. (Curry & Group bonding exercise as well).
Principal
Gods.
Bhakti Yoga
Students should know about
some mythological &
iconographical representation of
Shiva; erotic\ascetic, creator \
destroyer, nataraja, mahayogi,
bhairava, linga.
Vishnu; guardian of dharma\
maintainer of the universe,
principal avatars, especially
Rama and Krishna.
Goddess; Durga, Kali.
Appropriate hand
outs.
Power point
displays;
Gods 1
Links on website.
Key idea of venerating
istadevata in order to receive
mukti through grace. Bhakti +
loving devotion.
Key points of Vasinavite bhakti
to include
Darshan
Aarti
Japa
Kirtana
Guru
Satsang
Prashadam
Key points of Saitvite bhakti to
include the above +
Linga
Jangama
Padodaka
Prasada
Bhasma
Rudrakasa
Mantra
Appropriate hand
outs.
Power point
displays;
Vaisnavite Bhakti.
Saivite Bhakti
Links on website.
Visit by
Dhirasanta das.
Visit to
Swaminarayan
Mandir.
Krishna das
music.
Example essay titles:
Identify the characteristic practices and beliefs associated with two
of the following; Rama, Krsna, Siva. Select any one of the deities,
and consider his significance for the devotee.
Describe the key features of the cult of Siva or the cult of Rama.
Comment on the importance of ONE of these cults in Hinduism.
Samkhya
Yoga
Yoga from “yuj” to yoke or
unite. Origins of ascetic
practice to bring liberation in
Vedas, developed into
recognisable form in
Upanishads; highest form is
Samkhya yoga, union of
Samkhya philosophical school,
with Yoga practice.
Samkya ideas;
Brahman divided into:
Prakriti (composed of the three
gunas; Sattva, Rajas & Tamas)
Purusa
Isvara.
Samkhya yoga provides a way to
extract Purusa from Prakriti.
Synthesised by Patanjali.
Eight stages of development;
Yama
Niyama
Asana
Pranayama
Pratyahara
Dharana
Dhyana
Samadhi
Leading to state of isolated
bliss; Kevalatva.
Appropriate hand
outs.
Power point
displays;
Samkhya yoga.
Practical
experience of
Asanas with Leila
Seel.
Example essay titles:
What is meant by “Yoga”? Consider and examine the relationship
between belief and practice in Yoga.
Coursework
Students are encouraged to
work on their own title for a
coursework that interests them.
While first drafts are discussed
and commented on, this is
always done to minimise staff
involvement.
Coursework &
bibliography
booklets.
Library (College &
JM)
Internet.
Interviews.
Revision
Revision styles are discussed.
Class revision emphasises;
 Revision diagrams
 Sanskrit tests
 Powerpoint presentations
by Students.
 Timed essay preparation
Substantial
revision help,
including
revision styles
for multiple
intelligences &
revision diagrams

Resources
& writing
Essay planning.
Books available in the
department:
Brockington, R. The sacred
thread.
Flood, G. An introduction to
Hinduism
Kantikar, VP. & Cole O. Teach
yourself Hinduism
Klostermaier, K A survey of
Hinduism
Klostermaier, K A short
introduction to Hinduism
Klostermaier, K A short History
of Hinduism
Voiels, V Hinduism
& Access to JM’s collection
on department
website.
Department
website has many
useful links for
each area of
study.
A2 Hinduism
OUTLINE SCHEME OF WORK.
Words in bold type refer to basic key terms that should be
understood.
Area of
study
Hindu
renaissance
Gandhi.
Key concepts to be
covered
Resources
Influences on 18th-20th century
Hindu thinkers, the Raj,
changing British attiudes, the
mutiny. British hegemony,
establishing “hindutva”; the
indo-centric viewpoint.
“The end of the
affair”, video.
Introduce Gandhi using the
Attenborough film, with the
caveat that this presents a very
western hagiographical
approach.
Explore Gandhi’s thought using
quotations, with particular
emphasis upon
Varna & untouchability
Women
Education.
Key terms include
Ahimsa
Aparaigraha
Harijan
Satyagraha.
Identify key quotes & learn!
Attenborough
film; “Gandhi”.
Appropriate hand
outs; mainly
chapter of
selected quotes.
Also available on
website.
Many links on
web.
Example essay titles:
“We are all sparks from the same fire”. How does this quote link
Gandhi’s ideas and practices when dealing with the Dalits?
Ultimately, was he a success?
Comment critically on the description of Gandhi as the symbol of
traditional Indian values. Evaluate Gandhi’s claim that, “None can be
born untouchable, as all are sparks of one and the same fire”.
Dayanada
Saraswati
Brief biography, then focus on
his attempts to create
Powerpoint;
Dayanada
Ramakrishna
“Hinduness”. Principal ideas
include;
•Primacy of the vedas.
•God is formless, and should be
the centre of personal &
national life.
•National identity based upon
Vedic Hinduism.
•Education for all.
•Sanskritization.
•Hindi as national language.
•Arya Samaj.
•Armed struggle against
oppression.
•Social equality.
Identify key quotes & learn!
saraswati.
Hand out chapter
of quotes &
biography.
Information on
website & links.
Videos on
Bal Thackeray,
RSS & Ayodhya.
Brief biography, then focus on
his attempts to create
universalist Hinduism. Idea of
mysticism. Influence of Bhakti &
Advaita. Importance of
Vivekananda.
Identify key quotes & learn!
Powerpoint;
Ramakrishna.
Hand out chapter
of quotes &
biography.
Information on
website & links
Brief biography, then focus on
his attempts to explain
Hinduism as a valid world
Radhakrishnan philosophy.
Identify key quotes & learn!
Powerpoint;
Radhakrishnan.
Hand out chapter
of quotes &
biography.
Information on
website & links
Example essay titles:
“Compare and contrast the contribution of any two of the following
to the development of modern Hinduism:Dayanada Saraswati,
Ramakrishna, Sri Radhakrishnan.Select one of these figures and
discuss to what extent, if any, his contribution enhances the
development of Hinduism”
"During the nineteenth & twentieth centuries, Hinduism underwent a
renaissance, and its insights were refashioned in response to Western
influence". Explain and evaluate this claim, with reference to two of
the following: Ramakrishna, Radhakrishnan, Dayanada Saraswati.
Introduce the three principal
schools of Vedanta; concerned
Appropriate hand
outs.
Vedanta
revision
with the relationship between
Atman and Brahman. Based
upon experiential work under a
guru, and hints in the
Upanishads. For each school
students should understand:
Relationship between atman &
Brahman.
Understanding of Moksha.
A little about key teachers;
Advaita; Sankara
Dvaita; Ramanuja
Visistadvaita; Madhava
Power point
displays;
Vedanta 1
Vedanta 2
Website has
teaching notes,
links, and a
selection of
relevant quotes
from the
Upanishads
Example essay titles:
Discuss and assess the teachings on Brahman and Atman, in the set
texts, with reference to Hindu belief.
Katha
Upanishad
Emphasise that Upanishads are
Esoteric (hidden) texts, that only
make sense in the context of a
guru’s teaching.
Work through text &
commentary together.
Key points to look for;
Atman\ Brahman
Dharma
Karma
Samsara
Moksha
Handouts of
whole text +
commentary.
Also available on
the website.
Example essay titles:
Critically examine the main teachings on atman in the Katha
Upanishad. Assess the significance of these teachings for a Hindu
understanding of liberation from suffering.
Discuss and assess the teachings on dharma, in the set texts, with
reference to Hindu belief and practice.
Bhagavad Gita
Principal difference is that this
is an exoteric (open) text,
designed to attract people back
to Hinduism who had been
converted to Buddhism.
Frequent subject of
commentaries. Work through
set sections using individual
text & commentary booklets.
Key points to look for;
Atman\ Brahman
Dharma
Karma
Samsara
Moksha
Handouts of
whole text +
commentary.
Also available on
the website.
Links to
numerous
translations &
commentaries.
Example essay titles:
Critically examine the beliefs about karma-yoga and bhakti-yoga in
the Bhagavad Gita. Evaluate the view that these were a radical change
to existing beliefs.
Revision
Resources
Revision styles are discussed.
Class revision emphasises;
 Revision diagrams
 Sanskrit tests
 Powerpoint presentations
by Students.
 Timed essay preparation
& writing
Essay planning.
Substantial
revision help,
including
revision styles
for multiple
intelligences &
revision diagrams
on department
website.
Books available in the
department:
Brockington, R. The sacred
thread.
Flood, G. An introduction to
Hinduism
Kantikar, VP. & Cole O. Teach
yourself Hinduism
Klostermaier, K A survey of
Hinduism
Klostermaier, K A short
introduction to Hinduism
Klostermaier, K A short History
of Hinduism
Mascaro, J. The Bhagavad Gita
Mascaro, J The principal
Upanishads.
Prabhupada, Swami. Bhagavad
Gita as it is.
Voiels, V Hinduism
Zaehner, R. Hindu scriptures.
Department
website has many
useful links for
each area of
study.
& Access to JM’s collection