Atman: the divine within all
I can explain different understandings of the atman as divine and evaluate the claim that experiences across religions cancel each other out.
Atman: the divine within all
I can explain different understandings of the atman as divine and evaluate the claim that experiences across religions cancel each other out.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Atman is a Sanskrit word for the true or eternal self and most Hindus believe it is in every living being.
- Atman comes from Brahman and could be seen as a part of the ultimate being within each of us.
- In different Indian philosophies, atman is part of the individual self and ultimate reality or completely separate.
- The multiple claims issue is the problem that conflicting religious experiences challenge the proof of one specific God.
- John Hick argues that religious pluralism means different religious experiences interpret the same divine reality.
Keywords
Atman - the spark of Brahman or spirit within all living beings
Brahman - the supreme spirit or ultimate reality
John Hick - philosopher who argues for religious pluralism
Multiple claims argument - conflicting religious experiences challenge the idea they can prove the existence of God
Pluralist - someone who believes that different religions are paths to understanding the same divine truth
Common misconception
Atman is just like the soul in other religions.
While atman is similar to the soul, in Hinduism, it's not only the individual self but also connected to the larger, ultimate reality (Brahman). So, it’s more than just an individual soul; it can be seen as part of everything.
To help you plan your year 8 religious education lesson on: Atman: the divine within all, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 religious education lesson on: Atman: the divine within all, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 religious education lessons from the Knowing God: does religious experience prove God exists? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
