SEWA (service) SIKHISM – KS2 This presentation aims to introduce children at KS2 to the concept of Sewa in Sikhism. It builds on the KS1 starters on Sewa and Vand Chhakna (which contains some similar images). Explain that this can be defined as, ‘serving others without expecting anything in return’. Sikhs share food, time, earnings and talents within their community (Khalsa) and with others in need.

What does Sewa (service) mean to Sikhs? The Big Question What does Sewa (service) mean to Sikhs? This introduction to the idea of Sewa in Sikhism begins with a big question. In this case, the question is ‘What does Sewa (service) mean to Sikhs?’ Show this picture to children and encourage them to think about what is happening. Ask them to respond to such questions as: Why is everyone sitting on the floor? Why do they have their heads covered? Is the food vegetarian? If so why? Why is the server using a large bucket? Why are men and women serving? Why did the artist draw this picture? Why are old and young, men and women all included? Point out that sharing things helps everyone…Encourage them to see that men, women and children are all sat on the floor together… What does this say about who is important?

What do you think this building is used for? Show the children this slide and ask them what they think the building is used for? Draw out the point that it’s a place of worship first – what features are there? What things make it look unlike a house? What would you like to know about this building? What questions might the children ask about this building? There are houses next to it – what might this say about it’s position? How does this building compare to other places of worship you have seen? The focus is the EAG KS2 Question 33.  What does Sewa (service) mean to Sikhs? [http://www.reonline.org.uk/religious-education-in-the-new-curriculum/section-4-question-bank/] - you can reveal this on the next screen.

What does Sewa (service) mean to Sikhs? Remind the children of the question they are investigating: What does Sewa (service) mean to Sikhs? and explain that they are finding out what service means to Sikhs by investigating what happens in a Gurdwara – the Sikh place of worship. With the picture on the screen – ask – ‘How could a building provide service to the community?’ Would there just be service to people who worship there? Or could it serve as a community focus too? Ask the children to think of some ways a religious building could provide a service to a community – they could note these down. ‘How could a building provide service to the community?’

Some rooms are set up for worship like this one Explain that this slide shows that religious activities take place in the building – children will have already noted that it is a place of worship. Spend a while looking at this picture and point out the canopy – what might this be above? (The Guru Granth Sahib), why might the canopy be there? Also point out the area on the right where the musicians sit and note the lack of chairs – why might this be? If midway through a unit then use this as an opportunity to recap on what has been learned so far about Sikhism. Some rooms are set up for worship like this one but other rooms have a different use

Leave this up on the screen and ask the children to work in pairs or small groups and try to answer the key question What does Sewa (service) mean to Sikhs? Ask other stimulus questions to help them, such as, What sort of service could this room perform? How might it help believers? Would other members of the community be welcome? Ask the children to look at the setup of the room – is it designed to serve a few or many? Who might do the serving? Would they take it in turns? What might this room be used for? What might this tell us about Sikh views on service to others?

Feedback – What does Sewa (service) mean to Sikhs? Invite individual children to come up and point/label what they saw – they can bring ideas up and/or stick post its to a flip chart. Talk through these ideas and try to encourage the idea of sharing as an act of service. What does providing a service mean? The children will be aware of sharing being important but how will this link to a big kitchen in a Gurdwara? How can a big kitchen encourage people to share? What might they share? When might they share? How do they decide who would do the sharing? Where would the things to be shared come from? Why might this be important?

Sikhs believe in sharing. At the end of every service a meal is prepared for the community in special kitchens at the Gurdwara Show this slide to reveal the reason for the kitchen and compare with the children’s ideas. Ask the children why Sikhs might do this and have been doing this for over 500 years – what was the original idea? Where might the idea have come from? A person? A book? Why would this be important to Sikhs? Recap on some of the points from the previous slide and focus on such questions as: Who provides the service? Where does the food come from? What does this tell us about Sikhs and Sikhism? What might this tell us about Sikhism? Sikhs believe in sharing.

Sikh Values & Practices Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism began this practice – he believed that everyone should be treated as equals. Hard work in an honest job Daily Prayers & Meditation Sharing with the needy SEWA – service without a return LANGAR – Free Community Kitchen (everyone sits together and shares a meal after services no matter who you are) Think of 5 reasons why this meal sharing might be a good idea. Why is it important that everyone serves in the kitchen at some stage? This is the contextualising idea. Explain to the children that the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, believed that people should not be separated by class – that all are equal to God. Link this with other ideas from other units that religious actions are often the result of a command from a holy book or an example set by a religious leader. Talk through the ideas on this slide and point out that the practice of sharing food through the langar happens in Gurdwaras all around the world. Encourage the children to work in pairs to think of five reasons why the meal sharing is a good idea and to say why it is important that everyone serves in the kitchen at some stage.

Sikh Values & Practices Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, believed that everyone should be treated as equals. Sewa is serving others without expecting any return. Why do Sikhs not expect anything in return? What might this tell people about Sikhs and Sikhism? Return to the key question What does Sewa (service) mean to Sikhs? and draw the threads together by concentrating on the selfless nature of Sewa. Ask the children to think of examples that they could do to help others without expecting reward. Explain that there might be times when this might be hard to do, but that this could help develop people into better human beings. In conclusion, ask the children for their ideas on what Sikhs might think is the main reason for helping people. Do they suggest that Sikhs might say that it would please God as God made everyone equally? As an example, tell the children about the Golden temple of Amritsar which feeds thousands of people every day. If possible, show a film clip or photo sequence of the Golden Temple, e.g., http://www.reonline.org.uk/sikhnet-the-golden-temple/. For further exploration of Sewa you could follow these links to RE:ONLINE buffets: http://www.reonline.org.uk/sewa-international-4/ - Sewa international – a charity that offers service worldwide; or http://www.reonline.org.uk/sewa-day/ - the Sewa Day website, which encourages people to give up some time to help locally. Learning Outcomes: Investigation of religions and worldviews: link their own ideas about how to lead a good life to the teachings of Sikhism; provide good reasons for the views they have and the connections they make. Knowledge and understanding of Sikhism: describe some of the rules and guidance used by Sikhs and how that might be applied in working with others from different traditions.