Today’s activity uses Diwali (Deepavali) and related celebrations across the Dharmic religions to analyze how festivals express beliefs and values. Read the overview, then complete the questions comparing rituals/practices, symbols/stories, and how celebrations shape identity/community.
Big idea for today: Festivals are more than parties — they can express beliefs, tell stories, use symbols, and strengthen community identity.
People sometimes use Dharmic religions to refer to religions that developed mainly in South Asia and often use ideas like dharma (right living / duty / ethical path) and karma (actions have consequences). The term is a helpful label, but each religion is distinct and diverse.
Commonly included: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism.
Diwali (also spelled Deepavali) is a major festival of lights, often connected with themes like light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope. Many families light lamps or candles, decorate, share food, visit others, and do acts of generosity.
Important: Diwali is not “one single thing” everywhere — practices and stories vary by region, language, and community.
Meaning: Many Hindus connect Diwali to different stories depending on region (for example, stories about Rama, Lakshmi, or Krishna).
Symbols/rituals: Lighting diyas (lamps), rangoli designs, family worship (puja), sharing sweets.
Values expressed: Good over evil, prosperity used responsibly, gratitude, family bonds.
Meaning: Many Jains connect Diwali to Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, and the time of his nirvana (liberation).
Symbols/rituals: Lamps may symbolize spiritual light/knowledge; reflection and ethical focus can be emphasized.
Values expressed: Nonviolence, self-discipline, liberation, living ethically.
Meaning: Many Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, linked to Guru Hargobind’s release from imprisonment (and the release of others).
Symbols/rituals: Gathering at gurdwaras, lights and decorations, community service.
Values expressed: Justice, freedom, courage, solidarity, service.
Meaning: Many Buddhists do not celebrate Diwali as a central religious festival, but Buddhist communities may live alongside Diwali celebrations culturally.
Connection for comparison: Buddhism also values awakening/understanding (often described as “light” or clarity), which can help us compare how symbols travel across cultures.
As you work, ask:
Practices/rituals: What do people do during the festival?
Symbols/stories: What stories or symbols help explain why it matters?
Identity/community: How might the festival strengthen belonging, memory, and shared values?
Match each tradition to the Diwali-related emphasis described in the passage.
| Draggable item | arrow_right_alt | Ade a ɛne no hyia |
|---|---|---|
Sikhism | arrow_right_alt | Stories vary; diyas/puja; good over evil/prosperity |
Hinduism | arrow_right_alt | Mahavira’s nirvana; ethical discipline; spiritual light |
Buddhism | arrow_right_alt | Bandi Chhor Divas; justice/freedom; community service |
Jainism | arrow_right_alt | Not central everywhere; compare “light” as awakening/clarity |
In 5–8 sentences, compare two of the traditions from the passage (Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism):
What is one similarity in rituals or symbols?
What is one difference in the story or value emphasized?
Explain one way the festival/celebration could shape identity or community (belonging, memory, service, family).
Which choices are good examples of how festivals can build identity/community? (Select 2)
Exit ticket: What is one word that captures what “light” symbolizes in this activity? (1 word)
Which statement best explains why Diwali is useful for comparing religions?
Which features are connected to each tradition as described in the passage? Select all that apply in each row.
Hinduism | Jainism | Sikhism | Buddhism | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lighting diyas/lamps as a symbol | ||||
Mahavira’s nirvana emphasized | ||||
Bandi Chhor Divas emphasized | ||||
Diwali not always central as a religious festival |
Name one shared theme (1–3 words) that appears across the Diwali connections in the passage.