Acharya Tulsi
There is a sentence in Aagam - "uddeso paasgassa natthi". There are no teachings for those who can see everything. Question is teachings are for whom? Teaching is for them who cannot see everything, who are incomplete. Who are the ones who can see everything, might be the next question. Saints are the one who can see everything. They can see soul, they can see god, and they can see the whole world.
In the ancient time the saints held the highest position. Kings and emperors use to get teachings from them. The whole administrative process had their spiritual control. That is why that administrative process was called religious administration. This is a truth that until when there was proper respect and honour for the saints, the culture of the country was as per its pride, there were good manners. But from the time the positions of the saints were given to the politicians, since then there was a destruction of the culture and wrong cultures start to breed in the social life.
Price of Good Cultures
When we think with depth we find that in life good manners are the most precious thing. In the close contact with the saints good cultures breed, they find environment to breed and grow. So the children were kept in their contact in the ancient time. The word saint should not be seen in narrow terms it should be seen in broad terms. In the school dean and teachers also lead a life of saint. There is a fragrance of good culture in their life. Students used to come to school at an early age. And they left it as a youth. In this duration there life was filled with good cultures. There is a negligible scope of wrong doing from a well cultured person. If ever he commits some mistake then he started to feel guilty and immediately while repenting he polish himself.
In a class the teacher was teaching about the use of intellect to the students. After the lesson he asked the students how they will use their intellect. They want to work in which field? Many students choose their field as per their interest and told about them to the teacher. One student said -"Sir! I don't want to use my intellect for any one field or business." When the teacher asked about the reason he said -"My father is a teacher." He has spent most of his time in learning his lessons and teaching. He has forgotten that he is a husband, a father, a social being. We are paying for his single-mindedness. So I believe in total use of intellect.
The teacher was satisfied with his student's reply. He understood that this student will become a great person. The person who lives in pieces is a problem himself. So children should be given inspiration to use their intellect in multi dimensions so that there will be proper building of their life.
Tripod of Progress
Some keys for building of life are being presented as the tripod of progress here - equality of saying-doing.
This statement may seem to be small and simple to some people, but when seen with depth it is precious. This is the most important key for building life. I can say with utmost confidence that those student who imbibe this one key, his path for life building got strong.
Intellect in Food
In absence of control over food habit the body gets ill, it become degraded and even the teachings does not give its fruits. One experienced teacher said -
Khato kharo khopro, supari nai taeil. Jo chalo! Padhno huvai, to itta aaga thel.
Students should try to understand that eating oily and spicy food is not beneficial for them. It deteriorates a person's health and hinders knowledge gain. The student's guardians should also be concerned about this. The students will get healthy food only when their guardians will have healthy food.
Judgement of Time
According to my judgement, in comparison with others time is the most important element of the world. We can never get back the time we have lost whereas money, health etc. can be retrieved if we try hard. A lost dignity can also be retrieved to some extent. Therefore students should utilize each second sensibly and with zeal and eagerness. To waste even a second is foolish. A student who is not aware about the importance of time can only repent later.
Every second of life is important but the time till the age of twenty-five is most important for a student. It can be called the golden period of life. This is the time when the foundation of rest of life is put, life is developed. I often wonder what all things I would do if I get back my first twenty-five years of life again. But it's not possible now. It is not only I who thinks like this, there are many people who have similar thoughts. Our students may also think like this. But this thinking is limited only to that, it can never really happen. Now the only thing that is in our hand is to make optimum use of the time left.
Many a times I feel that in the field of studies the thinking of Indian people and European people differ a-lot. In India after 25 years of age the time to study is almost over whereas in Europe people of 70-75 years of age study and continue to be curious about knowledge. Many European scholars study the difficult language like Indian culture even in old age. This indicates that in European countries people understand the importance of time and knowledge more than Indian people.
Who is the Examiner?
I have discussed about some sources and principles for development in life. There are many more sources present. The question lies that who should examine the students keeping these principle's in mind? The system of going to a school and studying for years under the guidance of a scholar or chancellor is over now. Normally, students stay at their home and go to schools or colleges for studying. Under these circumstances, it is the responsibility of the guardians and the teachers and principals of schools and colleges to give the students good culture. But it's very clear how far these two sections fulfil their responsibility. We will find very few parents who think in accordance with en-culturing their children with good values. Most of the parents don't have even a single day time in a year to meet their children's teacher and discuss about the need to instil good values in their children. In these situations, I often think that such parents who do not understand their responsibilities towards their children should not have the right to give birth to one. Similarly, the teachers are also not concerned about the en-culturing of students. They think only about getting salary. They only teach the students the course book and think that their work is done. There are very few teachers who think of teaching as a duty and not only as a profession. I believe that until and unless the teachers and guardians are not aware of their responsibilities, the road to instil good values in students cannot be made.
Secular and Religious Teaching
One big reason that students are not becoming cultured is-incomplete education. In schools students are taught about literature, science, geography, history etc. but not religion. The reason for this is the nation's so-called secularism. Generally no country is secular. It can be non-sectarian and it should be. But the verbal meaning of secular has created issues. Literally secularism does not mean giving no importance to any religion. It just means giving no special importance to any religion. It means having equal opportunity for expansion and promotion to all. In my point of view there is no issue in this definition of secularism. When we go in depth, the basic value of every religion is to treat every religion equally. No religion can deny values like truth and non-violence. Similarly morality, authenticity, ethic are universally accepted values. By giving religious education I am aiming to give education of these values. But our education system is the biggest challenge in it. These values cannot be given by lectures and books. Teachers can give these values only by their life and behaviour. The desired goal cannot be achieved by just books and teachings.
Some things are described for orientation and training of students. Now it is expected that students, teachers and parents, all three sections seriously think of these things. In my opinion this subject is most important in nation's development. Students are the foundation of nation. Keeping this into mind we should make this foundation strong. Devotion drive is working in a large scale to develop the life of the students from start. All people should understand this drive and give their active participation. Their participation will be the foundation of not only the development of individual but also the nation.
