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 1: Buddhism – Vesak
Vesak is an important Buddhist festival, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and sometimes death of Prince Siddhartha, who became known as Buddha. Most Buddhists celebrate Vesak when there is a full moon in May or June because they believe his birth, enlightenment and death all happened at this time.
Buddhists may bathe a statue of Buddha with scented water, light lanterns, bring offerings to the template, meditate and learn more about the Buddha’s life and teachings during Vesak.
For the key words and vocabulary associated with this topic, please view our “Vesak Glossary”.
Term 2 Sikhism – Gurpurab
Gurpurabs are celebrations which commemorate the anniversaries of the Sikh Gurus. Guru Nanak’s Gurpurab is usually celebrated in November.
Guru Nanak is the founder of the Sikh religion. He was born a Hindu in 1469 but when he was 30 years old, he bathes in the Kali Bein, the Black River and disappeared. He returned after three days and declared he had been with God. He taught his followers that all religions worshipped the same God, and everyone on Earth should be treated equally and with respect.
All Gurpurabs are celebrated in a similar way. The whole of the Guru Granth Sahib may be read over a period of two days, finishing on the day of the festival. There may also be a Nagar Kirtan, a parade of the Guru Granth Sahib, through the streets accompanied by music and dancing. Many Sikhs will also help to prepare langar, which is free food. Langar may be served on the streets during the Nagar Kirtan or in the langar hall.
For the key words and vocabulary associated with this topic, please view our “Sikhism Glossary”.