Vidura College Speaks to the Heart
Education they say is the horning of skills, the 3Hs-/ Head, Hand and Heart. When the human head, hand and heart are put to good, creative use, wonderful creations are possible; works of Leonardo Davinci, Michael Angelo, Raphael, Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Beethoven, Handel, Mozart, Rossini come to mind. But will those fruits be of use to man or beast if the society we are born to is unruly, lawless and has no respect for law and order.
Today we experience a marked breakdown in discipline in every sphere of society. One can hardly walk on the road and no one bothers to wait in a queue for his or her turn; queue jumping has become a national past-time! The insidious erosion of discipline is so dangerous because no one feels it until it has snow-balled into a problem of proportions. At any incident if we ask where or how did it start, unmanageable no one will be able to answer because like all mighty rivers of the world that begin their journey as a puny little trickle of water. The general break-down of discipline would have started, may be like with an act of fun. Look at the scene of a crowd of people trying to get into bus in the morning rush hour. Some people are using the front entrance to get in and some are using the rear entrance to get in as well as get down and the resulting melee is confusion and quite annoying to an independent observer!! Why have we stooped to this level?
It is time we should realize that if meaningful action is not taken swiftly, life and society will cease to exist! In Japan often children are not taught anything as subjects until Grade four. During that phase in school they are made to acquire discipline and inter- act with others in this society. The result is that Japanese as a nation are one of the most disciplined nations on earth!!
At Vidura, Local Curriculum is taught in the English medium with special emphasis on culture, moral and religious values. Thereby instilling religious fervour and inculcating a sense of discipline in the students. Every founder of religions or exponents of philosophies has extolled the virtues of discipline; law and order that society will function smoothly harmoniously and people will enjoy a satisfying and productive life.
Getting children to participate in collective religious activities, a sense of togetherness is instilled in the child. At Vidura, everyday a Pooja is held at the Kassapa Bodhi in the school premises. At the Pooja, the students gather in neat rows reciting “gathas”. This is one way by which respect discipline is instilled in students at Vidura. Conducting a religious event to begin the day imparts a sense of piety in the child. At the end of the Pooja, all students, bestow merit on our beloved departed relatives reminding them a lesson of gratitude for the loved ones.
As we know, if a practice is to achieve its destination it has to be repeated more often. It applies to the child as well as the elder. Hence it is taking our children away from us. Important to get the children to repeat that practice of veneration in the evening as well. Hence Vidurians are encouraged to repeat the daily worship at sunset and again before going to bed.
Like a knife that is being sharpened by constant use, activities make the child’s brain grow and the child’s aptitude to do good increases with frequent participation in these activities. A disciplined mind will help the student to do better at studies as the brain of the child is now not cluttered by unnecessary items. The student is well versed now in good and the bad, knows how not in get involved in activities unaceptable. Basically discipline is keeping away from “bad” things. The teaching of Lord Buddha “Sachiththa Pariyo Dapanang.. “(control your thoughts..... ) admonishes us to be disciplined in our speech, action and thought and discipline will teach the student to lead a righteous life that will bloom in time to spread its perfume of goodness for the benefit of all men.
Children at Vidura are conditioned to engage in these religious practices not as mere rituals, but with serious mindfulness. Mindfulness is what matters most in every action big or small. It is Sathi in Buddhism. “Samma Sathi” is always maintained.
Thus we teach them to be mindful about the disturbances in society that harm the well-being of their personality.
As already believed by many, the gadgetary of electronic media has turned, to be the most monstrous instrument of communication used by the children today.
Vidura is conscious that much has to be done and is taking more measure to reach these goals but it is also very proud of what it has already achieved in the relatively short period of time. It is indeed a great compliment to the teaching staff of the school and visionary educationist Mr. D. G. Sumanasekara, the Founder of Vidura College.
Author: Vasantha Weerasekera