Acharya Tulsi
Education is an essential requirement of life. It is as vital for man as food and shelter. Without food a man cannot live, and without education he cannot live beautifully. From this point-of- view, education is an important human aspiration. In order to fulfil this aspiration, the number of schools and colleges is continuously increasing. Side by side with modern amenities, the new technology is also finding an adequate place in these institutions. Yet, no one seems to be happy with today’s educational system. Looking at the ill-effects of educational system is all wrong. On the issue being raised, l said, "Along with ill—effects, we are also witnessing some good results. If the educational system were altogether wrong, how could we have got good doctors, engineers and chartered accountants? There would have been no intellectual or physical development. Actually, the process of development is continuing because of education. That it does not lead to the creation of an integrated personality, is another matter. What is lacking is the cultural and emotional development. We may therefore conclude that the present system of education is not wrong but incomplete. Something needs to be done to make it complete."
Our system of education is beset with a number of problems, each demanding an urgent solution. If in the common view, the system is not right, why has there been no effort to improve it? Has the problem become so inveterate, that no solution is possible? What was the result of the long country-wide debate on the education policy?if we want to do away with the contradictions in our system of education, we shall have to make It more comprehensive. ls the development of a total, a fully integrated personality, possible through inadequate education? The total development of personality here means the awakening of intellectual, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social and national consciousness. Mere intellectual development can never form the basis of a holistic outlook.
Sometime ago in Delhi, I met a Central Minister. While discussing education, he said, "The Prime Minister agrees that there should be a change in the education policy. He has given a new idea-—that of the creation of “Navodaya" schools. The whole project is ready. One school like that in every district. Millions of rupees will be spent on each school. From the point—of—view of education, a good deal of work will be accomplished on the district level, but no way has yet been found for cultural and spiritual development." On hearing this, I said, "That is the fundamental requirement. Until a way is found to promote cultural and spiritual development, no ultra-modern will be able to raise the standard of education. And unless the standard of education is raised, how shall we achieve any improvement in the standard of living?"
It is quite apparent that no one person or institution can effect a change in the system of education, since the government machinery is involved in its working. We can only offer suggestions; we cannot change the policy. Still we may try to evolve a new path for the country's youth to tread.
There is a tradition in Thailand which obliges each individual to live as a Buddhist monk for one year. About Japan also it is said that after completing his university education, every student is given a compulsory course in meditation for six months at least. A year’s training like that might serve to fill up the deficiencies in our educational system and make it complete.
How shall we begin? What kind of programme shall we have? Will it have some utility at the national level? lt will certainly be useful for society. At a preksha dhyana shivir for intellectuals, a new idea was floated which seemed relevant and practicable. It was debated at length and won the approval of all those who participated in the discussion. Its outline is given below.
A child takes at least 15-16 years to move from primary education to graduation. Two more years are required for post-graduation. Leaving aside for the time being post-graduation or specialisation courses, still» it would require 15-16 years to complete one's education. If, on the completion of academic education, and before getting married or entering business, one year is set apart for spiritual and cultural education, the sense of incompletion in life may be changed into that of fulfilment.
That period of one year would prove to be highly important for the youth from the point-of—view of developing a sense of tradition, creation of a life-style and the evolution of a distinct personality. During this time, he would be acquainted with our ancient gurukul traditions and this can open up an altogether new vista for him; his whole personality undergoes a complete transformation. The guardians and parents would like to know if this is possible in just one year. But why not? If a man participating in a 10-day shivir can bring about a change within him, may he not effect a still greater change by attending a shivir for one year? In this there can be no room for doubt. Let the parents display some courage and take a conscious decision to vouchsafe their children, after they have completed their college education, a year's time more for special training. We wish to start this experiment next year, designated as the year of Youth Welfare. There is still a year to go. During this interval, let parents prepare themselves and their wards psychologically; by then the organisational set-up will also become functional. This experiment to prove most remarkable. That the this experiment may attract the attention of the of society and the country at large, is our earnest hope.
One question that may yet arise is: Where shall this training is held? I feel that the Jain Vishva Bharati can organise it very well indeed. The ‘Intellectual Forum’ could shoulder the responsibility of propagating the idea and providing all the necessary information in this connection to the public. Let sensible people fully appreciate the utility of this project and let them entrust their children to us for just one year. lf, by our thought and effort, we could make even one generation truly cultured, that culture would be transmitted of itself to the future generations, one after the other. Let us all work in unison to ensure a lasting solution to the problem posed by the absence of values and traditions in our present system of education.
