We are learning to Think about the meaning of a Sikh langar, a free and equal kitchen, for ourselves Take part in a speaking and listening ‘enactment’ drama where a dilemma of generosity is explored in a realistic way

Success Criteria

By the end of the lesson, we will be able to: Talk about being generous and the feelings that go with it. Say what happens in a langar kitchen, and why. Respond to the idea of being generous by speaking thoughtfully about a dilemma. Make links between Sikh ideas about sharing and our own ideas. Describe how Sikh values to do with sharing make a difference in the Gurdwara.

Important Vocabulary WordMeaning GurdwaraA Sikh temple LangarThe Sikh free kitchen PangatSitting in rows or lines in the langar SewaSelfless service SewadarA voluntary helper in a Gurdwara Vand ChaknaSharing DaanCharity

Why does a Gurdwara need a kitchen? What is essential to a holy building? – Signs and symbols – Images of God, gods, goddesses, saints – Holy book – Space for followers to pray – All Gurdwaras must have a kitchen or Langar. No other religious building has to have a kitchen.

What happens in the Langar? Anyone can eat for free in the langar

Rules of the tradition of Langar The langar must be: 1.Simple vegetarian meals 2.Prepared by devotees who recite Gurbani while preparing the langar 3.Served after performing Ardas (prayers) 4.Food distributed in pangat 5.All food must be fresh, clean and hygienically prepared

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What values does the langar represent? Talk to your partner about any values you saw in the videos. Share them with the class.

What values does the langar represent? The langar or free kitchen was started by Guru Nanak. It is designed to uphold the principle of equality between all people of the world, regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status. The langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of all humankind. “…the Light of God is in all hearts.” Guru Granth Sahib 282

What values does the langar represent? Guru Nanak designed a way in which all people would sit on the floor together, as equals, to eat the same simple food. It is here that all people, high or low, rich or poor, male or female all sit in pangat (row or line) to share and enjoy the food together. The langar helps to ensure women and children participate in service for mankind. Women help to prepare the food, and children serve the food to the pangat.

What values does the langar represent? Everyone is welcome to the langar; no-one is turned away. The food is usually served twice a day, every day of the year. Each week, a family or several families volunteer to provide and prepare the langar. This is very generous, as there may be several hundred people to feed, and caterers are not allowed. All the preparation, cooking and washing-up is done by volunteers or voluntary helpers called Sewadars.

Group task In small groups, make a model of a langar kitchen using construction toys. Each pupil should make a figure who can sit down in the kitchen together.

Generous behaviour Where have you seen examples of generous behaviour?

Are we good at sharing and being generous?

The rest of the class: 1.Please get into groups of 5 (mixed age and gender) 2.In groups, make up a speech which lasts less than one minute. 3.The speech should say all the reasons why their group should get the sweets, starting “we should get the sweets because…”

Are we good at sharing and being generous? The two pupils: 1.Listen to all of the speeches 2.Decide what to do with your bag of sweets 3.Tell the class what your decision is

Sikh advice What advice would the Sikh faith give about the sweets? A Sikh lifestyle includes following Vand Chakna which means sharing. Sikhs are asked to share their wealth within the community and outside by practising Daan (charity). Sikhism instructs followers to “share and consume together.”

We are learning to Think about the meaning of a Sikh langar, a free and equal kitchen, for ourselves Take part in a speaking and listening ‘enactment’ drama where a dilemma of generosity is explored in a realistic way

Success Criteria By the end of the lesson, we will be able to: Talk about being generous and the feelings that go with it. Say what happens in a langar kitchen, and why. Respond to the idea of being generous by speaking thoughtfully about a dilemma. Make links between Sikh ideas about sharing and our own ideas. Describe how Sikh values to do with sharing make a difference in the Gurdwara.

Plenary What are your values, and how do you show what matters to you through how you lead your life?