When A Student Is Instructed By A Skillful Teacher GEMS FROM THE RIGVEDA A-kṣhetra-vit kṣhetra-vidam hi apraaṭ Sa prai’ti kṣhetra-vidaa’nu-shiṣhṭaḥ Etad vai bhadram anu shaa-sa-nasya Uta srutim vindati añjaseenaam – Rig Veda 10:32:7 A student does not know which path to walk on; the teacher alone knows that path. The student asks the teacher to point out that path. Instructed by his skillful teacher, the student moves forward and ultimately finds the path that leads straight to his destination. Oh! Profound, indeed, is the blessing of receiving instruction from a skillful teacher. All human beings walk on pathways. There are some people who know their destination and also know which pathway to walk on. There are some others who know their destination but do not know the path that leads to it. And, there is a third category of people – those who know nothing about destination and so, choosing a pathway is of no importance. They walk on any pathway they find. Such people are lost in darkness. However, no one is destined to be stumble forever in darkness or to be in a state of ‘not knowing’. This current Mantra recognizes that, 1. Initially, we are all students with untrained minds. A student does not know the path he must walk on to reach his cherished destination, and that, 2. Only a skillful, informed teacher knows that path and can point it out to his student for him to arrive. This Mantra is actually bringing into focus the whole process of education that involves teacher, student and curriculum. In order to learn, a student needs to first recognize he doesn’t know, but that he can know if he disciplines his body and mind to be productively instructed by an informed teacher. This Mantra uses the word Anu-shaasana to describe discipline accompanying instruction. Education in today’s schools is in a sad state because of a number of reasons. One such reason is the failure of students to imbibe discipline in the classroom. This Mantra continues to state that a teacher must be skillful, informed and honest. Such a teacher will exercise an unparalleled influence on the society in which he lives. Students are deeply affected by a teacher’s love, affection, character, competence, and moral commitment. He becomes a model for students. Students try to follow their teacher in his manners, costumes, etiquette and style of conversation. During the years of early education, students tend to consult with model teachers to determine their aims in life and their future plans. A visionary teacher can play a prominent role in determining the future of his students, for which reason this Mantra states that instructed by his skillful teacher, the student moves forward and ultimately finds the path that leads straight to his destination. A corrupt, incompetent uncommitted teacher can only do irreparable harm to his students. Such teachers place an entire generation at risk. This Mantra makes a final statement regarding the beauty of being educated by saying that the blessing of being educated by a skillful teacher is profound. Many young people fail to find their path because of a loss of good education. School is the place where young talent is recognized and nurtured. After we have received a formal education, we become set to soar high in life, achieve our goals and take our place in society. The same is the case with spiritual aspirants. They will never arrive at the destination of liberation from bondage and sorrow if they are not guided by teachers who can, in an informed way, enrich their understanding of who they are and what their relationship is with God, this world and all living beings and lifeless objects. We are constantly bombarded by information from multiple sources, many of them being flawed and so, unworthy of trust. A skillful teacher trains us to sift fact from fiction, convert information into knowledge and apply it in life so that we overcome the causes of sorrow.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 11:04:46 +0000
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