Our Religious Education lessons will continue to be based upon our “Love to Celebrate” projects. Basing the “Love to Celebrate” projects around festivals, gives a real-life context to the children’s learning and a structure to the projects. However, the celebration itself is only a small part of each “Love to Celebrate” project. Each set of projects covers all major aspects of each religion including worship, belief, leadership and belonging.
Please view our “World festivals and Celebrations Calendar”.
Term 3: Buddhism – Parinirvana
Parinirvana is celebrated on the 15th of February and commemorates the death of Buddha and his passing into Nirvana.
Over the course of the term, we learn about Buddhists’ beliefs surrounding Parinirvana. During Parinirvana, Buddhists share the story of Buddha’s death and think about their own lives. A key teaching of Buddhism is that everything is impermanent so many Buddhists think about changes in their lives, their own deaths and rebirth into a different life. Many Buddhists also think about loved ones who have recently died. Buddhists may also visit temples to share food and give gifts to the monks during Parinirvana.
The key themes we will consider and examine are: Buddha’s death; life after death; memorials and monuments; rebirth; and change.
For the key words and vocabulary associated with this topic, please view our “Parinirvana Glossary“.
Term 4 Islam – Laila al Miraj
Lailat al Miraj celebrates the story of Muhammad’s Night Journey. The angel Jibreel (Gabriel) is said to have visited Muhammad while he slept near the Kabah in Mecca and taken him on a 666-mile journey to the farthest mosque, the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, on the back of a winged creature called Buraq. When he reached Jerusalem, Muhammad is said to have ascended into heaven, prayed with the prophets including Isa (Jesus) and Ibrahim (Abraham), and met with Allah. Allah gave Muhammad the instruction that all Muslims should pray five times a day, which is Salat, one of The Five Pillars of Islam. Muhammad travelled back to Mecca on Buraq that same night and began to tell others of his Night Journey. The Night Journey is celebrated by Muslims around the world. During the celebrations, the story is retold, special prayers are said and sweets and refreshments are shared.
The key themes we will consider and examine are: Taking a journey; exploring faith; Muhammad’s journey; sacred stories; and faith.
For the key words and vocabulary associated with this topic, please view our “Laila al Miraj Glossary”.