1. Animal Magic Lesson objectives:
To know that Hindu deities often take animal form
To understand why the cow is sacred in Hinduism
To evaluate how easy/hard it is to live up to Hindu ideals of respecting animals

2. Prep
Are humans more important than animals? Write an answer to this question, looking at both sides of the argument, before coming to your own conclusion

3. How do humans use animals and this this right?
With a partner, write down all the different ways that animals are used by humans (you can do this in a spider diagram)
Using two different colours, underline which ones you think are acceptable and which ones are not

4. How Hindus treat animals and why
The way Hindus treat animals is shaped by their beliefs
Hindus believe that Brahman is in all things, so all things are sacred (holy, special)
Also, gods often have several animal avatars, so animals are seen to have a special place
Hindus also believe that animals have souls

5. Why might this challenge Hindus to treat animals with respect?
Lord Vishnu’s avatars
Krishna (a cowherder)
Ganesha

6. Holy Cow!
Read the information on page 176 and answer the following questions in your own words:
1) Why do Hindus believe that animals should be treated with respect? (1st paragraph)
2) What is ahimsa and how does this affect how Hindus treat animals? (2nd paragraph)
3) Why are animals, especially cows, seen as sacred (special, respected) in Hinduism? (2nd and 3rd paragraphs)
Extension: do you think it is possible to avoid harming all living things? Give reasons for your answer

7. Is it possible to treat animals with respect?
Using the video clip, as well as your own ideas, write an answer to the following question:
How easy do you think it is for Hindus to always treat animals as equal to humans? Give reasons for your answer