Core purpose of education

Hyderabad: Swami Vivekananda says: “Education is the manifestation of the perfection already present in man”. If human beings are already perfect, then what is the purpose of education? As per the western school of thought, this definition might seem erroneous. According to Advaita Vedanta, the only “Knowledge” is “Brahm Gyan”, to know that the world […]

Hyderabad: Swami Vivekananda says: “Education is the manifestation of the perfection already present in man”. If human beings are already perfect, then what is the purpose of education? As per the western school of thought, this definition might seem erroneous. According to Advaita Vedanta, the only “Knowledge” is “Brahm Gyan”, to know that the world is not real… “Mithya”! According to Sashtra the aim of human life (Puruṣārtha) is Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Unfortunately, 21st-century education focuses on ‘Artha’ and ‘Kama. ‘Then, is the materialistic pleasure the only purpose of education? I have gathered some critical points which can be combined to form a model of education that will strike a balance.

Overall I understand education as a continuous search within oneself to understand the truth. There can be different layers of truth, however, I think true education can lead us to the holistic meaning of existence, where we can link the microcosm with the macrocosm, for example, mundane activities to the main purpose of such activities, which is an awakened life.

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Education is just not providing information but a great and rigorous tool to reach the meanings of such information. No doubt that we live in an information age now, where many revolutions are going on, from the internet to quantum computers, but are we able to understand the huge data presented to us or children for example? And there lies the success of a true educator.

There is a constant struggle within us to move from lower aspects to higher aspects, for example, lowly pleasures to appreciating Mozart, and I believe education is the wonderful tool that helps us win this battle.

Education to me is thus the inner engineering, which can mould us or prepare us from within and help us achieve the highest potential, the sunlight in a dark room which helps us see the truth.

Niveditha Paul
RR dept,
Pallavi Group of Schools

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