varËÄÇrama education original natural natural simplified simplified

33
VARËÄÇRAMA VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION EDUCATION Original Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

Upload: coleen-matthews

Post on 29-Dec-2015

252 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

VARËÄÇRAMA VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATIONEDUCATION

OriginalOriginal

NaturalNatural

SimplifiedSimplified

Page 2: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

KÅÑËA-BALARÄMA KÅÑËA-BALARÄMA

Page 3: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

EDUCATION IS LIFE!EDUCATION IS LIFE!LIFE IS EDUCATION!LIFE IS EDUCATION!

Page 4: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

GURUKULA BOYSGURUKULA BOYS

Recess timeRecess time Taking a swimTaking a swim

Page 5: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

Meeting 4 NeedsMeeting 4 Needs

VARËÄÇRAMAVARËÄÇRAMA

Page 6: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

CONTENTSCONTENTS

   A. What is Varëäçrama?A. What is Varëäçrama?

B. What is Education?B. What is Education?

   C. What is Varëäçrama Education?C. What is Varëäçrama Education?

   D. Five Pillars of EducationD. Five Pillars of Education

Page 7: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

A. WHAT IS A. WHAT IS VARËÄÇRAMA?VARËÄÇRAMA?

The word The word varëäçramavarëäçrama is divided into: (1) is divided into: (1) varëavarëa (social order) and (2) (social order) and (2) äçrama äçrama (spiritual order). The four social orders (spiritual order). The four social orders are the intellectual class are the intellectual class (brähmaëa)(brähmaëa), , the administrative class the administrative class (kñatriya)(kñatriya), the , the productive class productive class (vaiçya)(vaiçya) and the worker and the worker class class (çüdra)(çüdra). The four spiritual orders . The four spiritual orders are that of renounced life (sannyäsa), are that of renounced life (sannyäsa), retired life (retired life (vänaprasthavänaprastha), married life ), married life (gåhastha) and student life (gåhastha) and student life (brahmacarya). (brahmacarya).

Page 8: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

SANÄTANA DHARMA SANÄTANA DHARMA IN TWO FEATURESIN TWO FEATURES

In the Vedic literatures In the Vedic literatures varëäçramavarëäçrama is is often connected with the word often connected with the word dharmadharma. . The expression The expression ““varëäçrama dharmavarëäçrama dharma”” is also sometimes referred to as is also sometimes referred to as “sanätana dharma”“sanätana dharma”. This . This “sanätana “sanätana dharma”dharma” is also known as is also known as ““bhägavata-bhägavata-dharmadharma” ” the wordthe word “ “Bhagavän” Bhagavän” referring to God or Lord Sri Krishnareferring to God or Lord Sri Krishna

Page 9: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

VARËÄÇRAMA DHARMAVARËÄÇRAMA DHARMA

The eternal The eternal dharmadharma of the spirit soul when of the spirit soul when situated at the level of “conditioned soul” situated at the level of “conditioned soul” (baddha jéva),(baddha jéva), being influenced by the being influenced by the three modes of material nature, is called three modes of material nature, is called varëäçrama dharmavarëäçrama dharma..

Page 10: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

BHÄGAVATA-DHARMABHÄGAVATA-DHARMA

Sanätana Sanätana refers to that which is refers to that which is eternal while eternal while dharmadharma refers to one’s refers to one’s original nature, quality or duty. The original nature, quality or duty. The eternal eternal dharmadharma of the spirit soul of the spirit soul when situated at the level of when situated at the level of “liberated soul”“liberated soul” (mukta jéva), (mukta jéva), is is called called bhägavata-dharmabhägavata-dharma or pure or pure devotional service to Lord Krishna.devotional service to Lord Krishna.

Page 11: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

DAIVÉ -VARËÄÇRAMADAIVÉ -VARËÄÇRAMA

When all four When all four varnasvarnas and four and four äçramaäçrama are performed in unalloyed are performed in unalloyed devotional service to the lord, the devotional service to the lord, the system ofsystem of varëäçrama dharma varëäçrama dharma becomes known as the (divine) becomes known as the (divine) daivé-varëäçramadaivé-varëäçrama dharma dharma, thus , thus enabling one to once again attain to enabling one to once again attain to the status of liberated soul.the status of liberated soul.

Page 12: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

B. WHAT IS EDUCATION?B. WHAT IS EDUCATION? Education is that which deals with the Education is that which deals with the

acquisition, cultivation and dissemination of true acquisition, cultivation and dissemination of true knowledge. knowledge. [Bhagavad-gétä 7.2][Bhagavad-gétä 7.2] True knowledge True knowledge means to understand the difference between means to understand the difference between matter and spirit, the origin of both and the matter and spirit, the origin of both and the relationship between them all. Knowledge has relationship between them all. Knowledge has also been explained in the Vedic literatures as also been explained in the Vedic literatures as that which awakens one to the reality of matter that which awakens one to the reality of matter (body, mind) and life (spirit) encompassing 5 (body, mind) and life (spirit) encompassing 5 levels of consciousness (levels of consciousness (anna-maya, präëa-anna-maya, präëa-maya, jïäna-maya,maya, jïäna-maya, vijïäna-maya vijïäna-maya and and änanda-mayaänanda-maya). [). [Taittiréya Upaniñad 2.9Taittiréya Upaniñad 2.9]]

Page 13: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

THREE TYPES OF THREE TYPES OF ““VIDYÄVIDYÄ””

In Sanskrit, knowledge is known as “In Sanskrit, knowledge is known as “jïänamjïänam” ” or “or “vidyävidyä”. There are three types of “”. There are three types of “vidyävidyä”:”:

1. 1. Parä vidyä:Parä vidyä: knowledge revealed directly knowledge revealed directly

from God (from God (çrutiçruti) found in the Vedic literatures.) found in the Vedic literatures.

2. 2. Aparä vidyäAparä vidyä:: knowledge revealed through knowledge revealed through self-realized souls (self-realized souls (småtismåti), found in the Vedas.), found in the Vedas.

3. 3. AvidyäAvidyä:: knowledge outside the Vedas. knowledge outside the Vedas.

Page 14: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

EDUCATION AS FORMAL, EDUCATION AS FORMAL, NON-FORMAL, INFORMALNON-FORMAL, INFORMAL

Education is categorized as formal, non-formal Education is categorized as formal, non-formal and informal. and informal.

1. 1. Formal education: Formal education: long-term studies long-term studies generally limited to those more intellectually generally limited to those more intellectually inclined.inclined.

2. 2. Non-formal:Non-formal: vocational or apprenticeship vocational or apprenticeship training for skills, trades or manual training for skills, trades or manual occupations.occupations.

3. 3. Informal education:Informal education: knowledge one knowledge one acquires in the course of one’s daily life and acquires in the course of one’s daily life and general activities. general activities.

Page 15: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

C. VARËÄÇRAMA C. VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATIONEDUCATION

VarëäçramaVarëäçrama education education refers to refers to the systems of the systems of varëavarëa and and äçramaäçrama as a self-as a self-contained educational institutioncontained educational institution based based on the Vedic teachings which lead on the Vedic teachings which lead individuals and society at large towards the individuals and society at large towards the perfection of life, i. e. individual and social perfection of life, i. e. individual and social emancipation. It takes into account the emancipation. It takes into account the fullness of the living entity, fulfilling his fullness of the living entity, fulfilling his physical needs, his emotional, intellectual physical needs, his emotional, intellectual and social needs, as well as his spiritual and social needs, as well as his spiritual needs.needs.

Page 16: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

AGRARIAN BASED AGRARIAN BASED SOCIETYSOCIETY

This system of This system of varëavarëa and and äçramaäçrama is best is best practiced within an agrarian based society practiced within an agrarian based society where life remains simple and time can be where life remains simple and time can be given for self-realization. Economic given for self-realization. Economic development no longer remains the main development no longer remains the main obsession or preoccupation of individuals and obsession or preoccupation of individuals and society. One should not wrongly conclude, society. One should not wrongly conclude, however, that automatically individuals will however, that automatically individuals will become poor and that society will revert to become poor and that society will revert to primitiveness. Traditional village life was valued primitiveness. Traditional village life was valued and still remains ideal in all respects, including and still remains ideal in all respects, including the material aspectsthe material aspects

Page 17: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

VARËAVARËA EDUCATION EDUCATION

Varëa Varëa education is based on education is based on

““aptitude based learning”aptitude based learning” which which leads toleads to

““aptitude based occupation”aptitude based occupation”. .

Page 18: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

ÄÇRAMAÄÇRAMA EDUCATION EDUCATION

ÄçramaÄçrama education teaches education teaches

““phased lifelong learning”phased lifelong learning”, ,

from gradual awakening of consciousness from gradual awakening of consciousness to to

““self-realization”self-realization”, ,

culminating in culminating in

““Krishna consciousness”Krishna consciousness”..

Varëäçrama education is meant to be Varëäçrama education is meant to be

the norm and standard in societythe norm and standard in society..

Page 19: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

D. FIVE PILLARS OF D. FIVE PILLARS OF EDUCATIONEDUCATION

   1. Definition1. Definition 2. Disposition2. Disposition 3. Delivery3. Delivery 4. Design4. Design 5. Direction5. Direction

Page 20: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

1. DEFINITION1. DEFINITION

Actual education means the Actual education means the simultaneous cultivation of simultaneous cultivation of jïänamjïänam (phenomenal) and (phenomenal) and vijïänamvijïänam (numinous) knowledge through (numinous) knowledge through formal, non-formal and informal formal, non-formal and informal practices.practices.

Bhagavad-gita 7.2Bhagavad-gita 7.2

Page 21: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

2. DISPOSITION2. DISPOSITION

A correct education entails that both the A correct education entails that both the teacher and the student must teacher and the student must demonstrate specific traits or qualities. demonstrate specific traits or qualities.

A qualified A qualified teacherteacher displays displays 9 basic 9 basic qualities.qualities.

A qualified A qualified studentstudent displays displays 3 basic 3 basic qualities.qualities.

Page 22: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

QUALITIES OF TEACHERQUALITIES OF TEACHER1.1. ÇamaùÇamaù peacefulnesspeacefulness

2.2. DamaùDamaù self-control self-control

3.3. TapaùTapaù austerity austerity

4.4. ÇaucamÇaucam purity purity

5.5. KñäntiùKñäntiù tolerance tolerance

6.6. ÄrjavamÄrjavam honesty honesty

7.7. JïänamJïänam knowledge knowledge

8.8. VijïänamVijïänam wisdomwisdom

9.9. ÄstikyamÄstikyam religiousness religiousness

Bhagavad-gétä 18.43Bhagavad-gétä 18.43

1. peacefulness, 2. self-control, 3. austerity, 4. purity, 5. tolerance, 6. honesty, 7. 1. peacefulness, 2. self-control, 3. austerity, 4. purity, 5. tolerance, 6. honesty, 7. knowledge, 8. wisdom and 9. religiousness. [knowledge, 8. wisdom and 9. religiousness. [Bhagavad-gitäBhagavad-gitä18.42] Similarly, a qualified 18.42] Similarly, a qualified student must have 3 qualities: 1) submission, 2) inquiry and 3) service. [student must have 3 qualities: 1) submission, 2) inquiry and 3) service. [Bhagavad-gétäBhagavad-gétä 4.34] Thus, education should only be offered to individuals who demonstrate proper 4.34] Thus, education should only be offered to individuals who demonstrate proper motivation as well as natural ability and proper inclination. In light of the above, we motivation as well as natural ability and proper inclination. In light of the above, we should understand knowledge and education to be a privilege rather than a right.should understand knowledge and education to be a privilege rather than a right.

Page 23: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

TEACHING MRDANGATEACHING MRDANGA

Page 24: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

QUALITIES OF STUDENTQUALITIES OF STUDENT

1) 1) praëipätpraëipätsubmission submission

2) praçna2) praçna inquiry inquiry 3) sevä3) sevä service service

Bhagavad-gétäBhagavad-gétä 4.34 4.34

Page 25: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

Happy to Attend SchoolHappy to Attend School

Page 26: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

3. DELIVERY3. DELIVERY

The ideal environment which fosters The ideal environment which fosters lifelong education and which provides lifelong education and which provides the best training and education to all the best training and education to all individuals is the scientifically planned individuals is the scientifically planned village social structure. Such village village social structure. Such village organization, established on the organization, established on the principles of Vedic architecture principles of Vedic architecture (Vastu-(Vastu-çästra)çästra), helps individuals elevate , helps individuals elevate themselves to the mode of goodness themselves to the mode of goodness and beyond.and beyond.

Page 27: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

BOARDING SCHOOLBOARDING SCHOOL

Training and education are best Training and education are best conducted within a boarding system conducted within a boarding system where both the teacher and the where both the teacher and the student live together, as opposed to student live together, as opposed to the formal modern day “schooling” the formal modern day “schooling” system.system.

Page 28: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

FREE EDUCATIONFREE EDUCATION

Since knowledge is meant to be Since knowledge is meant to be shared or given as a gift, the teacher shared or given as a gift, the teacher performs his service without a salary.performs his service without a salary.

The Vedic traditional educational The Vedic traditional educational system advocates free education. At system advocates free education. At the end of his education, the student the end of his education, the student will offer some will offer some dakñiëädakñiëä (gift) to his (gift) to his teacher, according to his means.teacher, according to his means.

Page 29: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

4. DESIGN4. DESIGN

According to Vedic culture, According to Vedic culture, by definition by definition and purpose, the systems of varëa and purpose, the systems of varëa ((aptitude-based learningaptitude-based learning) and äçrama ) and äçrama ((phased life-long educationphased life-long education)] )] are in are in themselves complete and scientific themselves complete and scientific educational institutionseducational institutions..

Bhagavad-gétä 16 1-3Bhagavad-gétä 16 1-3

Page 30: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

VEDIC CURRICULUMVEDIC CURRICULUM

Varëa Varëa and and äçrama äçrama education provides education provides complete knowledge to all its members complete knowledge to all its members based on methodology and based on methodology and Vedic Vedic curriculum curriculum corresponding to each corresponding to each varëavarëa and each and each äçramaäçrama. This education . This education and training encompass both the and training encompass both the material and spiritual spheres, the material and spiritual spheres, the foundation of which is the practice of foundation of which is the practice of sädhana-bhaktisädhana-bhakti or practical devotion or practical devotion to God.to God.

Page 31: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

5. DIRECTION5. DIRECTION

The ultimate aimThe ultimate aim of all education and of all education and knowledge is to help individuals, and society knowledge is to help individuals, and society at large advance towards self-realization at large advance towards self-realization and God consciousness/and God consciousness/Krishna Krishna consciousnessconsciousness..

Education and knowledge, devoid of such Education and knowledge, devoid of such objective, are incomplete and imperfect. objective, are incomplete and imperfect.

Bhagavad-gétäBhagavad-gétä 18 64.65.66 18 64.65.66

Page 32: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

REAL EDUCATIONREAL EDUCATION

Those who engage in the culture of nescient Those who engage in the culture of nescient activities shall enter into the darkest region of activities shall enter into the darkest region of ignorance. Worse still are those engaged in the ignorance. Worse still are those engaged in the culture of so-called knowledge.culture of so-called knowledge. [Çré [Çré Éçopaniñad, Mantra 9]Éçopaniñad, Mantra 9]

Thus the aim of real education should be self-Thus the aim of real education should be self-realization, realization of the spiritual values of realization, realization of the spiritual values of the soul. Any education which does not lead to the soul. Any education which does not lead to such realization must be considered avidyä, or such realization must be considered avidyä, or nescience. [Purport by Çréla Prabhupäda]nescience. [Purport by Çréla Prabhupäda]

Page 33: VARËÄÇRAMA EDUCATION Original Natural Natural Simplified Simplified

& &

BE HAPPYBE HAPPY

CHANT HARE CHANT HARE KRISHNAKRISHNA