Lesson video

Hi, I'm Mrs. Afshan.

Today, we're going to learn about some really important teachings of Guru Nanak.

Specifically, we're going to explore his teachings on serving others and how focusing on kindness is much more important than focusing on money or material wealth.

The title of today's lesson is "Guru Nanak's teachings on serving others" from the unit "Sikhs: how does Guru Nanak inspire Sikhs today?" Let's get started.

The outcome of today's lesson is I can understand Guru Nanak's teaching on serving others and not focusing on money.

To start, let's define a few words that will help us understand Guru Nanak's message.

The first word is kindness, being nice and caring towards others.

The next word is greed, wanting more than you need.

And finally, the word serve, to help or give something to someone.

Today our lesson has two cycles.

Let's first find out why is it important to serve others.

Let's find out from Ria.

Here's Ria.

Ria is a British Sikh girl who is kind and helpful.

She follows a Sikh worldview which teaches her the importance of serving others.

She wears her kara, her special steel bracelet, as a reminder to always be kind and fair.

How does the kara remind Sikhs to be kind and fair? Many Sikhs wear a kara just like Ria.

Its round shape has no beginning or end, symbolising God's eternal presence and the idea that Sikhs should act with kindness all the time.

The kara reflects the teachings of all the gurus, reminding Sikhs to live with love, fairness, and to always serve others with a kind heart.

You can have a look at the image to see how the kara looks like.

Guru Nanak was the first guru of Sikhs.

He taught that helping people without expecting anything in return is seva, selfless service, a way to connect with God.

He believed that when people serve others, they learn to be humble, kind, and caring.

Time for a check for understanding.

What is seva? Is it selfless service, or a type of prayer, or a festival in Sikhi? What do you think? That's correct, seva is the selfless service.

Ria shared how she helps others both at home and at school.

Ria shared, "I love helping my family and friends because it's part of my belief in serving others.

At home, I help my parents by setting the table and cleaning up after meals." Let's find out how she helps at school.

"At school, I help my classmates by sharing materials and comforting a friend who is feeling sad.

I believe that by doing these kind things I'm following the teachings of Guru Nanak and making the world a better place." Time for another check.

Give an example of how Ria showed that she's following the teachings of Guru Nanak.

Ria helped a friend who was feeling sad, or Ria refused to help her parents, or Ria played alone and didn't talk to anyone.

What do you think? That's correct, Ria helped a friend who was feeling sad to show that she's following the teachings of Guru Nanak, well done.

Here we have Lucas, Sam, and Alex, and they're discussing why is it important to help others.

Let's find out from them.

Lucas says, "Helping others shows kindness and brings happiness." Sam says, "Helping others builds strong friendships and communities." And Alex says, "Helping others creates a caring environment for everyone." Let's find out from Mandeep.

Here's Mandeep, Mandeep is also a British Sikh who strongly believes in seva, the selfless service, as a central principle of his faith.

The teachings of Guru Nanak inspire him to serve others as a way of honouring God and promoting equality and compassion.

Here's what Mandeep said.

"Serving others is important because it brings me joy, helps those in need, and strengthens our community.

When I serve others, whether it's helping someone pick up their groceries or offering a listening ear, I not only make their day better but also feel good myself.

By choosing to serve and show kindness every day, we make the world a more caring place for all." Here we have Lucas, Sam, and Alex who are now discussing Sikh beliefs about helping and serving others.

Lucas says, "Many Sikhs believe that by helping those in need, they are showing kindness and love, just like Guru Nanak taught." Sam shared, "Many Sikhs also believe that to serve others, they must be selfless, care for their community, and grow into better people." Alex says, "Whether it's sharing food, helping a friend, or being there when someone is sad, every small act of kindness makes the world a kinder, happier place." Time for another check.

Showing kindness makes the world a.

and what place? Is it sadder and unpleasant place, or darker and isolated place, or is it kinder and happier place? What do you think? That's correct, showing kindness makes the world a kinder and happier place.

What a great thought indeed.

Well done if you got that right.

Time for a task.

Explain why these statements about Lucas and Sam's understanding of Guru Nanak's teachings are both correct.

This is what Lucas said.

"Many Sikhs believe that by helping those in need, they are showing kindness and love." And Sam said, "Many Sikhs also believe that to serve others, they must be selfless, care for their community, and grow into better people." You can pause the video now and come back when you're ready with your explanation.

Let's check our answers.

Explain why these statements are both correct.

The statements from Lucas and Sam.

I hope you're ready.

Your answer might have included Lucas correctly mentions that Guru Nanak taught that helping others is very important, and Sikhs believe that by doing so, they practise kindness, love, and care, which are central values in their faith.

And Sam is also correct because serving others reflects Guru Nanak's teachings of selfless service.

Practising seva is a way to connect with God.

Great work, well done.

Now let's find out what does Guru Nanak's story teach about greed.

A little bit more about his teachings and how it is important to Sikhs.

Sikhs follow the teachings of Guru Nanak, who showed them how to live a good life.

They believe that living by Guru Nanak's teachings brings them closer to God.

Sikhs also believe that serving others and being kind is the best way to serve God.

Time for another check for understanding.

Sikhs believe that serving others and being kind has no connection to serving God.

True or false? False.

Why? Because Sikhs believe that serving others and being kind is a way to serve God, because Guru Nanak taught that helping others selflessly brings one closer to God.

Well done if you chose false.

Sikhs believe that by serving others, they make the world a better place, just like Guru Nanak wanted them to.

Let's read the story of "The Rich Man and the Needle of Heaven," which comes from the teachings of Guru Nanak.

I hope you're ready to listen to the story.

Guru Nanak was the first Sikh guru.

He spent much of his life travelling around India with Bhai Mardana, teaching people about God.

On one of his journeys, he visited the great city of Lahore.

A very wealthy banker lived in a magnificent palace in the city.

His name was Duni Chand.

When Duni Chand heard that Guru Nanak was in the city, he rushed out to find him.

He invited him to a special feast to be held in the Guru's honour.

"Thank you, but no thank you," Guru Nanak said.

"I prefer the simple things of life.

Besides," he added mysteriously, "I might cause you some trouble." But Duni Chand would not take no for an answer.

Again and again he repeated his invitation, until Guru Nanak had to accept.

"It will be the finest food you've ever tasted," said boastful Duni Chand.

It was a very splendid occasion.

The food was indeed delicious, everyone agreed.

When all of his guests had finished eating, Duni Chand turned to Guru Nanak.

"I'm a very wealthy man," he said.

"One of the richest in the whole city.

If there is anything I can do for you, Holy Sir, you only have to ask." Guru Nanak sat for a moment, deep in thought.

He looked around at his luxurious surroundings, the gold and silver, the guests dressed in the finest silk clothes.

Then he felt in his pocket and pulled out a small box inside which was a fine, silver needle.

"There is one small thing you can do for me," he told Duni Chand, handing him the needle.

"Keep this needle safe and sound and give it back to me when we meet in the next world." "Of course, Holy Sir, of course," whined Duni Chand, feeling very important.

When the Guru and his guests had all gone home, Duni Chand rushed to find his wife.

He couldn't wait to tell her his good news.

"Guru Nanak must think highly of me," he said, bursting with pride, "to have trusted me with such a special task.

I'm to keep this needle and give it back to him in heaven." To his astonishment, his wife burst out laughing.

"Oh, my poor husband," she said.

"Are you mad? I think you would better go back and ask the Guru how you're going to do what he wants." Feeling confused, Duni Chand hurried back to the Guru.

"Oh, Guru Nanak, Holy Sir," he called.

"Please tell me how I can take your needle with me when I die." Guru Nanak looked at him kindly.

"But the needle is so tiny and light," he said.

"If you can't find a way of taking such a small thing with you, what will you do with all your great riches and wealth? How will you take these things with you when you die?" Duni Chand, the rich banker, felt ashamed as he realised the truth of the Guru's words.

All his gold and riches were worth nothing.

He couldn't take them with him when he died.

From that day on, he followed the Guru's teachings.

He gave his money away to the poor, gave food to the hungry, and always tried to help those in need.

And when he died, he took many good deeds and good wishes to heaven with him.

What part of the story is missing here? We've got a part where Duni Chand is inviting and welcoming Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana.

The next part is where he is at the feast.

What is the next part missing? Have a go.

That is correct.

Guru Nanak giving Duni Chand the needle to return to him in heaven.

Well done if you remembered that part correctly.

What can Sikhs learn from this story? Have a think.

Well done if you had these ideas.

Having lots of money doesn't bring true happiness.

What matters is being kind and helping others, not giving in to greed.

I'm sure you've thought about this as well.

The rich man was too proud and driven by greed, and didn't understand that being kind and helping others is what really matters.

Guru Nanak taught Sikhs that it's important, or more important, to help others and share what we have than to hold onto everything because of greed.

Time for another check.

The rich man was driven by.

and didn't understand that helping others is what really matters.

Was it kindness, greed, or joy? What do you think? That's correct, the rich man was driven by greed, well done.

Here we have Ria who has her own thoughts about helping others and not giving in to greed.

"When I think about the story, I realise it's not the things we own that makes us happy.

It's the love we give and the way we care for others.

I feel that being greedy makes me forget the most important teachings of Guru Nanak.

But when I share, serve, and show kindness, I become a better person." Time for another check.

Which of the following is a belief in Sikhi? Greed brings happiness, or only money can lead to spiritual growth, or sharing, serving, and showing kindness is better than greed.

What do you think? That's correct, this is one of the beliefs in Sikhi, a very important one, which talks about sharing, serving, and showing kindness is better than greed.

Well done if you got that right.

Here's Lucas, Alex, and Sam, and they are discussing beliefs about sharing and serving.

Lucas says, "Sikhs believe that living a life of kindness, helping others and remembering God is the most important thing." Sam says, "Sikhs believe that when you serve others, you're also serving God, because they believe God is in everyone." And Alex shared, "They also believe that greed is harmful, and true happiness comes from sharing with others and living a selfless life." Time for our next task.

Explain which character is showing an accurate understanding of Guru Nanak's teachings about serving others.

Is it Laura or Izzy? Laura says, "A person can ignore others' needs and only focuses on making money for themselves, even when others are struggling." Izzy says, "A person should help others because they feel happy to do so, and they never ask for money or anything in return." You can explain which character is showing an accurate understanding of Guru Nanak's teachings.

Here are some sentence openers you can use.

You can pause the video now and come back when you're ready to check your answers with me.

You're ready to check your answers? Let's see if you got them right.

Your explanation about which character is showing an accurate understanding of Guru Nanak's teachings about serving others.

You might have said Izzy shows and accurate understanding because in Sikhi, helping others is a way to connect to God and show kindness, as God wants Sikhs to care for one another.

Also, Sikhs believe in seva, selfless service, where helping others brings happiness, and they don't expect anything back in return.

Laura does not show an accurate understanding because Sikhs are taught to serve others and not just focus on greed.

Sikhs believe that helping those who are struggling is a way to get closer to God and live a better life.

Let's wrap up by reviewing some of the key points from today's lesson.

Today we have learned that Guru Nanak taught about serving others, which was one of his very important teachings.

He believed that when people serve others, they learn to be humble, kind, and caring.

Many Sikhs believe that greed is harmful and true happiness comes from sharing with others and living a selfless life.

We've also listened to the story of "The Rich Man and the Needle of Heaven," which teaches Sikhs that being kind, helping others, and not being too attached to things is more important than having lots of money.

Thanks for listening and I hope you're inspired to make the world a better place, just like Guru Nanak taught us.

This ends our lesson and I will see you in our next lesson, bye.