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One Hour to Save the Nation
What is sacred? Human rights and the safety of the nation are things that most people would agree are sacred, but what happens when the two come into conflict? How should we deal with people who threaten our nation? And does the Prime Minister really have a teddy bear? This film is one of four in a series that explores what sacred means in the modern world.
Is Nature Sacred?
What is sacred? The natural world has long been sacred to people, but for many different reasons. Nick (a shaman), Martin (a vicar), Hilary (from an eco-friendly cosmetics firm) and Professor Gordon Lynch all share their views. This film is one of four in a series that explores what sacred means in the modern world.
The Cult of the Child
What is sacred? Most people would agree that childhood is sacred, but society hasn’t always thought so. How did children come to be so protected, and have we gone too far? Look around you – are those children you see? Or monsters? This film is one of four in a series that explores what sacred means in the modern world.
What Is Sacred?
What is sacred? For many people, the word “sacred” no longer has a religious meaning, but Professor Gordon Lynch argues that there are still some things we all agree are sacred, but we might not realise what they are until they are threatened. This film introduces a series of four that explores what sacred means in the modern world.
The Formation of the Khalsa
What would you die for? A report from the Punjab in India where the Sikh leader, Guru Gobind Singh, is asking people to stand up for their faith with an unusual question: “Who will give their head to my sword?” Animation by Ceiren Bell
TrueTube films are designed for use in a number of ways. Some ideas of where this film could link to your curriculum are below:
AQA
Component 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teaching and practices - Sikhism - The Festival of Vaisakhi (Baisakhi) - This covers the what, how, why, who, when of the festival.
Component 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teaching and practices - Sikhism - The Sikh initiation ceremony (Amrit Sanskar) - This includes the meaning and importance of the Khalsa and the five Ks, and the different perspectives of sahajdhari and amritdhari Sikhs.The use and significance of Singh and Kaur can be covered too.
Edexcel
Area of Study 1 - Sikhism - Section 3: Living the Sikh Life - Birth and naming rituals and ceremonies: the celebration and significance of Naam Karan and Hukamnama; the significance of Amrit sanskar (the initiation ceremony) for Sikh families, including reference to the Rahit Maryada Chapters 11 and 13; divergent understandings of these ceremonies between khalsa and non-khalsa Sikhs; the significance of the names Singh and Kaur in the naming and Amrit ceremonies, and for Sikh identity today.
WJEC
2.1 Unit 1 PART A - Part A Sikhism- Core beliefs, teachings and practices –Practices -Ceremonies Naming a Sikh child – meaning and significance The significance and use of the names Singh and Kaur Sikh initiation ceremony (Amrit Sanskar) – importance and significance in a Sikh’s life and consideration given to the perspective of non-khalsa Sikhs Meaning of the main features of the initiation ceremony Wearing of the 5k’s and their symbolism and significance – kesh, kangha, kirpan, kara, kacch.
Eduqas
Option 5: Sikhism: Beliefs and teachings: The sangat:Basis for acts of sewa (selfless service), nihangs, khalsa. Practices: Ceremonies:The meaning and significance of birth and naming ceremonies ➢ The significance of Amrit Sanskar: (the initiation ceremony): Bhai Gurdas Var 3.11. The significance and use of the names Singh and Kaur ➢ The different views of khalsa and non-khalsa (sahaj-dhari) Sikhs towards Khalsa and the Five K's. Component 1 (Route A) Religious, Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World :Theme 4: Issues of Human Rights: Prejudice and discrimination: Sikh beliefs, teachings and attitudes towards racial prejudice and discrimination, including Guru Gobind Singh's formation of the Khalsa
The Formation of the Khalsa
Anandpur in the Punjab and the scene today of extraordinary events. Sikhs have come here from far and wide to celebrate the harvest festival of Besakih. There has been particular interest this year as Guru Gobind Rai, the Sikh leader, asked people to make a special effort to come.
All very intriguing. In front of the castle, a tent had been put up on a specially built stage, and tens of thousands of Sikhs gathered in expectations of the Guru's arrival, no doubt hoping that he would have some words of inspiration for them, in these troubled times when so many have faced persecution for their faith. Then the crowd was on its feet, cheering and waving as the guru walked out and took centre stage. He made an impressive sight, waving a sword above his head that flashed in the sunlight. He waited for the crowds to fall silent and then said: Who among you is willing to die for God and for their guru? Who will give their head to my sword? Certainly an unusual way to start a speech, and there was some confusion in the crowd.
But then a man got to his feet and made his way to the stage. This was Dharam, a young man from a well to do family. The guru welcomed him like a brother and took him into the tent. People were muttering to each other, wondering what was going on. Then the guru emerged alone from the tent and waved the bloodied blade above his head. Shock ran through the crowd like a wave. Had the guru beheaded Dharam? But the guru was speaking again. Who else is willing to give their life for God and for me? This time everyone remained absolutely still, frightened even to move. But finally another man stood up and walked calmly to the front, a farmer called Dharam Das. Again, the volunteer was welcomed by the guru and led inside the tent. I, like everyone else in the crowd, held my breath.
This time we distinctly heard the swish of a sword and a sickening thud. The guru came out and brandished his sword for all to see and fresh blood splattered over the crowd. A woman near to me screamed and panic began to spread. But above the noise I heard Guru Gobind Rai's words. My sword is still hungry. Who else is willing to give their head to serve me? Unbelievably, three more men pushed their way to the front. The tailor called Mokham Chand, a barber called Sahib Chand, and a humble water carrier called Himmat Rai. Some of the crowd were crying, some were angry. Some even tried to stop the men from reaching the stage. But one at a time the guru took them into the tent, and each time he came out alone, his sword sticky with congealing blood. The guru appealed for calm and threw back the flaps of the tent.
We stood spellbound as all five men, alive and well, walked out onto the stage. They were wearing saffron robes like the guru and smiling. Then the crowd was cheering and clapping, and the men stepped forward to acknowledge the applause. Five men from very different backgrounds standing shoulder to shoulder with the guru. Five men who were willing to stand up for what they believed, and the guru announced they would be known as the Panj Pyara, the Beloved Five, the first members of the Khalsa. The Pure Ones, a group of Sikhs who are truly committed to the guru. They will be given new names. Singh, that means lion, for men and Kore, meaning princess, for women. So goodbye Guru Gobind Rai, from today we'll be calling you Guru Gobind Singh. The people surged forward, all wanting to join the Khalsa.
I suspect there are some in the Emperor's court who will not be pleased. This is Abu Turani reporting for the Emperor Aurangzeb. Anandpur.
The Enlightenment of the Buddha
Why do we get old, get ill and die? How can we escape from suffering? The story of how Prince Siddhartha Gautama left a life of luxury to embark on a search for the answers, and how he eventually became the Buddha – the Enlightened One.
Animation by Ceiren Bell
TrueTube films are designed for use in a number of ways. Some ideas of where this film could link to your curriculum are below:
AQA
Component 1: The study of religions - beliefs, teaching and practices: Buddhism - The Buddha’s life and its significance - The birth of the Buddha and his life of luxury.
Edexcel
Area of Study 1 – Section 1: Buddhist Beliefs -Buddhism -The life of the Buddha: the nature and history of the events in the life of the Buddha and why they are important to Buddhists today; including ancestry, birth, princely life, marriage, the Four Sights, including Buddhavamsa XXVI, the enlightenment of the Buddha and founding of the Sangha.
OCR
Buddhism-Beliefs and teachings & Practices (J625/04) - Buddha and Enlightenment • The life of Buddha •• The early life of Buddha •• The Four Sights •• Defeat of Mara •• Enlightenment •• Nibbana • Issues related to the life of Buddha, including the importance of Buddha for Buddhists in the modern world • Common and divergent emphases placed on the life of Buddha by different Buddhist groups •Different interpretations and emphases given to sources of wisdom and authority by different Buddhist groups
WJEC
2.1 Unit 1 PART A - Part A - Core beliefs, teachings and practices Beliefs - The Buddha The Teachings of the Buddha Types of suffering (dukkha); causes of suffering (tanha); enlightenment as the end of suffering (nirodha); Following the Eightfold Path as a way to end suffering (magga) (Dhammapada 1, 5) The three sections of the Eightfold Path – Wisdom (panna) right understanding, right intention Morality (sila) right speech, right action, right livelihood Meditation (samadhi) right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration Challenges of living according to Buddhist teachings
Eduqas
Component 3 (Route A) - Option 1: Buddhism - The Buddha ➢ Stories of his early life: pre-birth, birth, prophecy, palace ➢ The Four Sights: old age, sickness, death, the holy man ➢ His Enlightenment following renunciation and meditation
The Enlightenment of the Buddha
And so the wheel turns. There's no escape from the wheel of life. There's no escape from suffering. Listen to me, Siddhartha. I am Mara, Lord of hell. I know what I'm talking about. But I've got to admire your determination. You've been sitting there for weeks hoping that a solution to life's problems will drop into your lap like a ripe fig. Give up now and save yourself the effort. Wiser men than you have tried and failed to find an answer. And you will fail too, Siddhartha. And so the wheel turns.
And yet it all looked so promising at the start. Born on the full moon of May, Prince Siddhartha Gautama. Asita, the seer, prophesied that you would grow up to be a great leader, either a king or a holy man. Of course, your father wanted you to be a king and reign after his death, not become some wandering fortune teller. So he decreed that you should live in luxury and never see the world of pain outside the palace, and so never see the need for religion.
And so the wheel turns. Silk and honeysuckle, sarangis and spice. Every sense was sated, but you still weren't satisfied. All you could do is ask questions. What is life? Why are we here? Is this all there is? And then one day you asked, what lies beyond the palace walls?
For the first time, you went out into the city, riding in a gilded carriage. But you wanted to see the city by yourself, so you escaped into the maze of alleyways, and you were horrified by what you saw. An old woman wrinkled, toothless and crooked. A man eaten up by disease, coughing and sweating, and covered in boils. Then by the banks of a river, a funeral procession. The dead body was carried to the water's edge and laid gently on a pile of wood. The family trailed behind, crying and wailing in their grief. You stayed until the pyre was lit, and watched as oily black smoke billowed to the sky. It was the end of your innocence. There is no point to life. All that happens is that you get old, get ill and die.
But on the way back to the palace, a holy man was sitting serenely at the side of the road, begging for alms. He had nothing, but he seemed at peace. Here, you thought, must be the answer. And so the wheel turns.
You left the palace in the dead of night and rode to the far reaches of the kingdom. You exchanged your robes for rags, and in a forest you found a group of five holy men. They were naked and dirty, unkempt and scrawny. They said that by making their bodies suffer, their spirits could be free. So you joined them and starved yourself until you were nothing but skull and sinew. Yet still there were no answers. And so the wheel turns.
A young woman came to give an offering to the forest gods, and thought she'd found a tree spirit. You took her food, and ate your fill, you gave up a life of comfort, and you gave up a life of suffering, but neither pleasure nor pain will give you the answer. And so the wheel turns through birth, youth, and to this moment, it will turn on through old age, illness and death. It will turn on through all your lives beyond, over and over again, in a never ending and meaningless cycle. And you will learn nothing. Experience will not give you the answer.
So, how long are you going to sit here? It's been 49 days. It's full moon again and the morning star is rising once more. What's this? A new idea forming. What's this fleeting thought I cannot grasp? It's there, on the edge of your consciousness. But getting closer. Show me. A middle way. What's that? You say life can never satisfy us because we always want more. You say the only way to achieve peace is to stop wanting. You say the answer is to sit at the centre of a wheel detached from the world that revolves around you. Only then can a person achieve peace. Brave words Siddhartha, but they are wasted. There is no one here to behold your enlightenment. No, the Earth itself is his witness. She conspires with Siddhartha to reject me. He has awoken. He is enlightened. He is the Buddha.
Blood and Milk
How do you measure someone’s importance? A humble carpenter and the local “big shot” get a surprise when they offer food to Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion. Animation by Ceiren Bell
The Birth of Krishna
The evil King Kans slaughters his sister’s sons when it is foretold that one of them will grow up to destroy him. But he finds that destiny is a hard thing to escape.
Animation by Ceiren Bell
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