Volume 7 - Issue 08
August 2009
Other Articles

QUIZ ON A DIVINE DISCOURSE

ON EDUCARE

Right answer on your 1st attempt
3 Points
Right answer on your 2nd attempt
2 Points
Right answer on your 3rd attempt
1 Point

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word ‘educate’ has its origin from the Latin word ‘educare’ which is related to ‘educere’ or ‘educe’, meaning: to bring out or develop from latent or potential existence.

Bhagavan tells us that true education is far more than just filling our head. It must: “Promote good and truthful feelings, good conduct, righteous action, and justice.” The process of education must bring out the human values latent in every individual and furthermore and most importantly lead us to realise our true spiritual nature.

Over the last few decades, through His Divine Discourses, Bhagavan has inspired humanity to foster a system of education that focuses more on the heart than the head. The present quiz is based on these divine teachings, which Baba has mercifully bestowed on a far erring world.

1. In a Divine Discourse delivered in 2005, Swami gave us a simple explanation on Educare: “What is educare? Educare is that which brings out the latent divinity in a human being. Divinity is also known as consciousness. It is only because of the consciousness present in him that every individual is able to know the nature of the world around him. But, unfortunately, no one is able to recognize this all-pervading consciousness. In fact, it is only this consciousness that is protecting every human being. In spite of one’s education and scholarship, one is not able to realize this truth.

Education is negative and artificial, whereas educare is positive. People are going to foreign countries to acquire such artificial education. What is the use of acquiring such education? Instead, everyone should strive to acquire educare. One need not go to foreign countries for acquiring educare. It wells up from within and protects the person constantly.”

According to Swami, what is the gift of Educare?




 

2. In a Divine Discourse from 1999, Swami enlightens us concerning more aspects of educare: “What is vidya? It is derived from the root word vid, meaning, ‘to know’. Vidya is termed as education in English. The term education has its origin in the Latin word educare, which means ‘to elicit’. Educare has two aspects, the worldly and the spiritual. Worldly education imparts knowledge pertaining to the physical world. Spiritual education is essential, without which human life has little value.”

Elaborating on the differences of the two types of education what does Swami advise?




 

3. In a Divine Discourse delivered on Jan 14, 2006, Swami expands on each individual value of Educare: “Educare is bringing out or manifesting the human values of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa by spiritual practice. The first among the five human values is Sathya (truth). Who is the author or who spoke and taught about this Sathya? It is said Manasyekam vachasyekam karmanyekam ma­hatmanam (those whose thoughts, words and deeds are in perfect harmony are noble ones). Such noble souls have preached this truth since time immemorial. Sathya (truth) manifests from one’s own heart. The second value is Dharma (righteousness).”

According to Swami, while Sathya originates from the heart, where does dharma originate from?




 

4. .In a Summer Shower Discourse delivered in 2000, Swami proclaims the need for appreciating True Education: “To begin with, students must appreciate the greatness and the grandeur of True Education. Such education alone is real beauty, a hidden treasure of mankind, and an unfailing companion when one travels overseas. It is also the Teacher of all teachers. In the Court of Kings, it is knowledge and not wealth that commands respect. He is a pitiable fool, who does not aspire for such Eternal Knowledge.

“Students of today are not making any efforts to understand the sanctity of education. What precisely is the type of education that students must acquire? What is it that contributes to true progress and the real prosperity of mankind? What is it that one expects from educational establishments? It is the foremost duty of students to enquire into all such questions and share their findings with others.”

Besides bookish learning, for the students to be able to appreciate the value of true education, what other requirement does Bhagavan propound?




 

5. In a Divine Discourse from 2000, Swami asks: “If a question is put, what is education? People say, it is the acquisition of knowledge. But it is not merely the acquisition of knowledge; it must be in action. What is the end of education? Character is the end of education. What is the essence of education? Concentration is the essence of education. What is the aim of education? The aim of education is not only cultivating human qualities, but attaining divinity.”

According to Swami, how important a part does character play in our life?

Character is three-fourths of our life


 

6. In a Divine  Discourse from 2004, Swami helps teachers: “Educare brings out our latent sacred values. Values are not to be taught but manifested. Mere accumulation of information from various books is not educare; it is education. Educare is the blossoming of the Divine Lotus in our heart. Educare enables us to be not just receptors but vibrators and radiators of values to all creation. Values are to be translated into action. That means, both precept and practice are equally important.”

According to Swami, while teaching educare, what should be the goal of every teacher?




 

7. In a Divine  Discourse from 2001, Swami clarifies certain topics related to educare: “What is the relation between religion, spirituality and educare? It is surprising to Me to note that you have been unable to recognize the relation between religion, spirituality and educare. First and foremost understand what religion is - ‘Religion is realization’. Only when you realize the truth about yourself, will you understand what religion is.

Spirituality is not merely singing bhajans, performing worship, going to temples or on pilgrimages or undertaking any other good activity. Spirituality is recognizing the oneness of all beings. To recognize unity in diversity is spirituality. The basic truth to be recognized is that there is only one Atma in all beings. The questions and doubts arise when you see multiplicity in unity.”

After explaining more on religion, spirituality and educare, what was Swami’s conclusion?


We should never mix them up

 

8. In a Divine  Discourse from 1998, Swami elevates our consciousness higher: “Resolve to make the best use of the education that you have received. Respect and revere elders and set an ideal to humanity. Let your conduct befit the degrees you have acquired. There is nothing great in obtaining good marks - see that you do not invite bad remarks.

“In the modern system of education, a student is declared ‘pass’ if he secures just 35% of marks. What about the balance 65%? If a person completes only 35 out of 100 tasks assigned to him, can you call him successful? One should secure 100% marks. That is true education. Attaining high marks is not the aim of education. Education is meant to broaden the mind. Education and discrimination should go hand in hand. The prosperity of the nation depends on the progress you make in the field of education.

“Knowledge can be classified into five categories: bookish knowledge, superficial knowledge, general knowledge, discrimination knowledge, and _________knowledge.”




 

9. In a Divine  Discourse from 1999, Swami awakens us further: "Persons with numerous degrees are thought to be highly educated. Such proliferation of degrees is mere quantitative attainment. But what we need is quality. One teaspoonful of cow’s milk is better than barrels of donkey’s milk. Good behavior, good intellect, commitment to truth, devotion, discipline, sense of duty — these are the six aims of education. Who is teaching all these today? We find that students are heroes in bookish knowledge and zeroes in practice. This is not true education. You have to become heroes in practice as well.”

According to Swami, besides helping man earning a living, ultimately, what should one experience from education?




Bliss

 

10. In a Divine  Discourse from 2000, Swami helps us further understand the sanctity of educare: “The word ‘Educare’ has a sacred inner meaning. That which is manifested by ‘Educare’ cannot be seen by the eyes, cannot be heard by the ears and cannot be felt by the mind. But all that education confers can be seen, heard and felt. Education fosters desires and leads to rebirth, whereas ‘Educare’ confers immortality. There will be no rebirth. The innate divine qualities like truth, righteousness peace, patience, forbearance and love cannot be seen by the naked eye and they lead to no birth. Modern education is giving rise to desires, which form the basis for rebirth. You need to develop detachment to control desires.”

According to Swami, what can lead us to detachment?


An optimistic outlook on life

Dear Reader, did you like this quiz? Is it too difficult? Is it interactive enough? Would you like more such quizzes? Please help us in serving you better by writing to h2h@radiosai.org mentioning your name and country. Thank you for your time.

- Heart2Heart Team

 

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