Question:It is said that Education should not be given for money , but as a gift. But now a days we see that...... Is this proper?

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

 

It is said that Education should not be given for

money , but as a gift. But now a days we see that ,

educational institutions take money even for

admission. Over and above this they collect funds as

donation, fees etc. Is this proper? Why can't our

institutions come forward to provide free education to

all ?

 

Sri.Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Of all the virutes, gifting (as charity) is the

foremost one. Gift of education is the greatest of all

gifts.

 

In the olden days education was imparted to cater to

this life and the life after. Even in those days the

teachers used to take Guru Dakshina (fees for the

teacher) from their disciples. But this was not made

compulsory ; it was not demanded ; and the fee was

such that it wasn't beyond the capacity of the

disciple. This was a voluntary offering by the

disciple to the guru as a token of love and respect

for the erudition of the teacher. Hence it was given

depending on the respect and regard the disciple had

towards his master and on his individual capacity.

 

The education was not denied to disciples who were not

in a position to offer any fee. Further, education in

those days focused not only on the intellectual

development of the pupil, but also on righteousness

and on the way to lead a harmonious life. Education

also inculcated eternal values like Humility, honesty,

duty-consciousness, truthfulness , selflessness, etc.

in the pupils. Hence, those who got educated this way

came out as fully developed and mature persons.

 

The present day education largely focuses on worldly

matters only. Importance is being given only to such

education which can ensure a comfortable life with a

fat pay packet. The curriculum is largely decided by

opportunity to earn a good social status and

opportunity to go abroad. Since the institutions are

chosen by this opportunistic and businesslike attitude

by the pupils, they in turn have started running

education as a business.

 

In our religion, act of renouncing the family and wife

- whom one marries with the sacred fire as the witness

- to take up Sanyasam (renounciation) is solely for

the pursuit of the divine force; and not to get one's

self tied up again in social service. This is because,

if he gets tied up in social service, etc. his mind

would be polluted by one of two detrimental tendencies

( Tamas - inertia leading to laziness,etc. , Rajas -

of activity leading to attachment ) which would divert

his attention from the goal. Even if we look at this

in the view point of Karma Yoga, it would be possible

only to the few with a lot of mental strength. This

sort of strength is rare even among the total

renouncers (Sanyasis).

 

So such educational institutions can be established by

benevolent philanthropists , rather than religious

institutions. This can be done effectively by an

individual or by a group of philanthropists. When such

people form the institution , it would not be

businesslike but would be more service oriented.

 

In spite of all this , traditional religious acharyas

themselves - since they don't have a choice - are

compelled to run the institutions which impart

education on the Vedas and the Shastras

 

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

 

Regards

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