Year 6 – Why do Hindus want to be good? – RS1

About this resource

The Year 6 Unit 39 lesson plan, ‚”Why do Hindus want to be good?‚ provides an in-depth exploration of key Hindu beliefs and the motivations behind moral behaviour in Hinduism. This unit supports pupils in developing an understanding of how religious values, teachings, and worldviews influence personal choices and the desire to live a good life.

Pupils begin by learning about karma, the law of cause and effect, which teaches that good or bad actions will have corresponding consequences. This leads into an exploration of dharma, or duty, which varies based on age, role, and circumstances but is always central to living a good and purposeful life for Hindus.

The unit also introduces the concepts of moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth) and samsara (the cycle of life, death, and rebirth), helping pupils see how the desire to be good is linked to a spiritual goal. Pupils investigate Hindu stories, such as those about Rama and Sita, which model ideal behaviour and devotion to duty.

Interactive activities guide pupils to consider how values like truth, non-violence, respect, and responsibility are lived out in Hindu practice, including puja (worship), pilgrimage, and charity. Pupils also reflect on their own understanding of what it means to be good and how different beliefs inspire moral living.

This unit promotes religious literacy, ethical reflection, and an appreciation for diverse worldviews. It equips pupils with the language and insight to explain how and why Hindus strive to live morally, not out of fear, but from a desire for spiritual growth, social harmony, and connection with the divine.