Dharma 4 - Ramayana

Class Information -

This class covers: Learn the core tenets of Dharma through the example of Shri Rama. Focus is on the Ramayanas of Valmiki, Tulsidas and Kamban. Use the animated Ramayana DVD to start the year. Cover the main episodes in the story of Ramayana. Each class should have an activity. Teach the Hanuman Chalisa and Ramastuti.

Ages: 8 / Grade: 3

Download PDF copy of book: CLICK HERE

Teachers -

Teachers:

• Bhaskar Mulugu

• Mrudula Dhake

EMAIL teachers: Click HERE

Teenage Volunteers:

• Hiren Patel

• Abhiraj Singh

Class & Homework-

Sunday, March 5th-

Material Covered in Class:

• We discussed about the “Fourth Great Turning Point” : The Industrial Revolution, The advent of electricity, The third shift came in the 1980s as infotech, Today's fourth shift technology extends to handling cognitive tasks, Need for human relations, shift from “knowledge working” to “relationship working”

• Discussed about Sundara Kanda "Hanuman's journey to Lanka and return"

• Discussed about Hanuman's qualities (Emotional intelligence, Courage, smartness, Leadership)

• Starting prayer, Prayer about praising Hanuman's qualities, Ending Prayer

• Played word game about what we learnt in Ramayana

Homework:

• Try to get some information as why we celebrate Holi

• 2 kids planning to share the story for Holi

Sunday, March 12th-

Material Covered in Class:

• Characteristics of Ram and Hanuman based on the stories from the book

Homework:

• None

• Please come prepared to play Holi on March 19 after Dharma class.

Sunday, March 19th-

Material Covered in Class:

• Ravana's discussions with ministers , Vibishana , Kumbakarna

• Ravana would not listen to good things by Vibishana

• Bad evil friendship can ruin the great Ravana !

• Story about Crows, Snake and Fox - Apply intelligence , save from danger

Homework:

• How many days a human can live without water, food, sleep?

Sunday, March 26th-

Material Covered in Class:

• Story about 3 frogs, Vibishina leaving Lanka and reaching Rama for help.

Homework:

• Ramayana class has a presentation to do on 4/30 for 20 minutes presentation. Interested kids can pickup individual topic to present.

Sunday, April 9th-

Material Covered in Class:

• Rama with his Army building bridge

  • Leadership qualities

  • Rama with his Army reaches Lanka

  • Happy Rama Navami - best interpretation

  • The Interpretation of *Ramayana*

  • As a *Philosophy of Life*..

  • *Ra* ’ means *light*, ‘ *Ma* ’ means *within me*, *in my heart*.

  • So, *Rama* means the *Light Within Me*..

  • *Rama* was born to *Dasharath & Kousalya*.

  • *Dasharath* means ‘ *Ten Chariots* ’..

  • The ten chariots symbolize the *five sense organs* (*Gnanendriya* ) & *five organs of action* (*Karmendriya*) ..

  • *Kousalya* means ‘ *Skill* ’..

  • *The skillful rider of the ten chariots can give birth to Ram*..

  • When the ten chariots are used skillfully,

  • *Radiance* is born within..

  • *Rama* was born in *Ayodhya*.

  • *Ayodhya* means ‘ *a place where no war can happen* ’..

  • When There Is No Conflict In Our Mind, Then The Radiance Can Dawn..

  • The *Ramayana* is not just a story which happened long ago..

  • It has a *philosophical*, *spiritual significance* and a *deep truth* in it..

  • It is said that the *Ramayana is happening in our Own Body*.

  • Our *Soul* is *Rama*,

  • Our *Mind* is *Sita*,

  • Our *Breath* or *Life-Force* ( *Prana*) is *Hanuman*,

  • Our *Awareness* is *Laxmana* and

  • Our *Ego* is *Ravana*..

  • When the *Mind* (Sita),is stolen by the *Ego* (Ravana), then the *Soul* (Rama) gets *Restless*..

  • Now the *SOUL* (Rama) cannot reach the *Mind* (Sita) on its own..

  • It has to take the help of the *Breath – the Prana* (Hanuman) by Being In *Awareness*(Laxmana)

  • With the help of the *Prana* (Hanuman), & *Awareness*(Laxmana),

  • The *Mind* (Sita) got reunited with The *Soul* (Rama) and The *Ego* (Ravana) *died/ vanished*..

  • *In reality Ramayana is an eternal phenomenon happening all the time*..

Sunday, April 16th-

Material Covered in Class:

• Today we had some kids present facts that they had learned and found about anything they found interesting in the Ramayana, to practice for when they will present on stage.

• Presentation will be April 30th

Homework:

• Keep practicing and to email the teachers of the class whatever facts they found (they need 9 facts).

• Please have kids come up with their final draft on April 23, looking for 1-2 minutes talking on their story.

• And if you are working on slides, please share with us @ mrudu12@gmail.com by April 19 for the final presentation.

• I am looking for 1-2 slides only for each presentation. Thank you again for your contribution.

Sunday, April 23rd-

Material Covered in Class:

• Continued with Ramayana stories

• Kids practiced their speech for April 30 presentation

Homework:

• For Parents :

• April 30 : Presentation begins at 10.00 am CST in Auditorium

• Please make sure kids are present in their regular class by 9:45 am CST and from their we will go on stage

• Please don't forget their speech if your kid is going to read their story

• Send 1-2 slides to my email id with their name and topic on first slide, latest by 4/26/2017 for me to prepare the class presentation

• My email id - mrudu12@gmail.com

• (Please don't include 5-6 slides at all, only looking for 1or 2 slides for each kid with bullet points)

• If works, please come in Indian dresses.

Sunday, May 7th-

Material Covered in Class:

• We continued learning the Ramayana stories:

• Garuda helping Rama/Laxmana

• Kumbakarna's war with Rama

• We have celebrated last week's presentation, played few quizezes and games

Special thanks to all the parents who encouraged and help their kids

with the stories.

And big thanks you to all level IV kids, sharing their stories, topics

of Ramayana as part of the level IV presentation.