- The Role & Goal of Education
- [Some thoughts for Students, Parents &
Teachers]
Food for Thoughts
1. IMPROVEMENT :
Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow
richer than its yesterday. Man's merit lieth in service and virtue and not in the
pageantry of wealth and riches. Guard against idleness and sloth; and cling unto that
which profiteth mankind whether young or old, whether high or low.
2. THANKSGIVING :
(a) From amongst all mankind hath He chosen you,
and your eyes have been opened to the light of guidance and your ears attuned to the music
of the Company above; and blessed by abounding grace, your hearts and souls have been born
into new life. Thank ye God that the hand of infinite bestowals hath set upon your heads
this gem studded crown, this crown whose lustrous jewels will forever flash and sparkle
down all the reaches of time.
(b) To thank him for this, make ye a mighty effort,
and choose for yourselves a noble goal. Through the power of God obey ye the teachings of
God, and let all your actions confirm to his laws.
3. CONDUCT :
Ye must conduct yourselves in such a manner that ye may
stand out distinguished and brilliant as the sun among other souls.
4. BE DISTINGUISHED :
It is through your deeds that you can distinguish
yourselves from others.
5. SURPASS :
It is incumbent upon CMS children to surpass other
children in the acquisition of science and arts for they have been cradled in the grace of
God. Whatever other children learn in a year, let CMS children learn in a month. The heart
of CMS teachers longeth, in its love, to find that CMS students, each and all, are known
throughout the world for their intellectual attainments. There is no question but that
they will exert all their efforts, their energies, their sense of pride, to acquire the
science and arts.
6. LEAD FROM THE FRONT :
Make ye then a mighty effort, that the purity and sanctity
which, above all else, are cherished by the CMS, shall distinguish the students of CMS,
that in every kind of excellence the people of God shall surpass all other human beings;
that both outwardly and inwardly they shall prove superior to the rest; that for purity,
immaculacy, refinement and the preservation of health, they shall be leaders in the
vanguard of those who know. And that by their freedom from enslavement, their knowledge,
their self-control, they shall be first among the pure, the free and the wise.
7. GOD IS KIND TO THOSE WHO FACE DIFFICULTIES AND
SORROWS :
The more difficulties one meets in the world, the more
perfect one becomes. The more you plough and dig in the ground, the more fertile it
becomes, the more you cut the branches of a tree, the higher and stronger it grows. The
more you put the gold in the fire, the purer it becomes. The more you sharpen the steel by
grinding, the better it cuts. Therefore, the more sorrow one sees, the more perfect one
becomes. That is why in all times the prophets of God have tribulations and difficulties
to withstand. The more often the captain of a ship is in the tempest, and difficult
sailing, the greater his knowledge becomes. Therefore, I am happy that you have had great
tribulations and difficulties. Of this I am very happy that you have had many sorrows.
Strange it is that I love you and still I am happy that you have sorrow.
8. NEW ORDER :
If only 5% people have a clear vision and a clear
understanding of the plan of God, the whole world will become a united and peaceful world.
8. HOW TO WEIGH OPINIONS :
The question of consultation is of the greatest
importance. The purpose is this, that consultation must have for its aim or object the
investigation of truth. He, who expresses an opinion must not voice his opinion as if that
opinon is correct or right, but he must give it as a contribution to the consensus of
opinion, for the light of reality becomes apparent, when there is a coincidence of two
opinions.
Because when you have the flint and the steel, you will
have a spark produced when the two come together. The negative force and the positive
force coming together produce, as it were electricity. It is the friction of the two which
is productive of light. That should be the object.
With the greatest or the utmost sincerity, soberness of
temperament, with the utmost state of tranquility, perfection and absolute calm, and
composure should one weigh his opinions. But before expressing his own opinion he must
weigh the opinion previously expressed. When he sees that the opinion previously expressed
is better, he must immediately accept it. He must not be wilful in having an opinion of
his own. This we call the endeavour at arrival at unity of truth. That is very good. But
should it be an opposition and cause dispersion, it is very bad.
It is better then to have one opinion, because the
individual opinion of a wise man, a sagacious man, is better, but if it is simply
opposition or altercation in which varied and divergent opinion is expressed even the
majority of opinion, that is to say, the quorum, may decide upon a thing that may be
incorrect.
A thousand people give an opinion and be right, that is
possible, too. Hence consultation must be that of love. It must be spiritual, in the
utmost of love must it be. The members must be in the greatest spirit of fellowship
towards one another, so that good results may be forthcoming. That is the foundation.
9. BLESSINGS & PURITY :
Your hearts must be pure and your intentions sincere in
order that you may become recipients of the divine bestowal. Consider that although the
sun shines upon all things, yet in the clear mirror its reflection is most brilliant, but
not so in the backstone. This great effulgence and heat have been produced by the crystal
clearness of the glass. If there were no clearness and purity these effects would not be
witnessed. Should rain fall upon salty, stony earth, it will never have effect; but when
it falls upon good pure soil, green and verdant growth follows and fruits are produced.
10. PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION :
The universities and colleges of the world must hold fast
to three cardinal principles.
First : Whole-hearted service to the cause of
education, the unfolding of the mysteries of nature, the extension of the boundaries of
pure science, the elimination of the causes of ignorance and social evils, a standard
universal system of instruction, and the diffusion of the lights of knowledge and reality.
Second : Service of the cause of morality, raising
the moral tone of the students, inspiring them with the sublimest ideals of ethical
refinement, teaching them altruism, inculcating in their lives the beauty of holiness and
the excellency of virtue and animating them with the excellences and perfections of the
religion of God.
Third : Service to the oneness of the world of
humanity; so that each student may consciously realize that he is a brother to all
mankind, irrespective of religion or race.
God is the Father of all mankind. This globe is one home.
Nations are the members of the one family. The mothers in their homes, the teachers in the
schools, the professors in the colleges, the presidents in the universities, must teach
these ideals to the young from the cradle up to the age of manhood.
11. man's ANGELIC & ANIMAL ASPECTS :
Man is in the highest degree of materiality, and at the
beginning of spirituality - that is to say, he is the end of imperfection and the
beginning of perfection. He is at the last degree of darkness, and at the beginning of
light; that is why it has been said that the condition of man is the end of the night and
the beginning of day, meaning that he is the sum of all the degrees of imperfection, and
that he possesses the degrees of perfection. He has animal side as well as the angelic
side, and the aim of an educator is to so train human souls that their angelic aspect may
overcome their animal side.
12. KNOWLEDGE : A SOURCE OF JOY:
In truth, knowledge is a veritable treasure for man, and a
source of glory, of bounty, of joy, of exaltation, of cheer and gladness unto him. Happy
be the man that cleaveth unto it, and woe betide the heedless.
13. PROMOTE DIVINE LEARNING :
It is clear that learning is the greatest bestowal of God;
that knowledge and the acquirement thereof is a blessing from Heaven. Thus it is incumbent
upon the friends of God to exert such an effort and strive with such eagerness to promote
divine knowledge, culture and the sciences, that erelong those who are school children
today will become the most erudite of all the fraternity of the wise. This is a service
rendered unto God Himself, and it is one of His inescapable commandments.
14. POWER OF LOVE :
A greater degree of love will produce a greater unity,
because it enables people to bear with each other, to be patient and forgiving.
15. TEACH PRINCIPLES OF RELIGION : NOT FANATICISM :
Schools must first train the children in the principles of
religion, so that the Promise and the Threat recorded in the Books of God may prevent them
from the things forbidden and adorn them with the mantle of the commandments; but this in
such a measure that it may not injure the children by resulting in ignorant fanaticism and
bigotry.
16. CULTIVATING CHARACTER :
First and most important is training in behaviour and good
character; the rectification of qualities; arousing the desire to become accomplished and
acquire perfections, and to cleave unto the religion of God and stand firm in His Laws, to
accord total obedience to every just government, to show forth loyalty and trustworthiness
to the ruler of the time, to be well wishers of mankind, to be kind to all.
17. UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD :
From the tenderest childhood the children must be taught
by their mothers the love of God and the love of humanity; not the love of the humanity of
Asia, or the humanity of Europe, or the humanity of America, but the humanity of
humankind.
18. WORLD CITIZENS :
In keeping with the requirements of the times,
consideration should be given to teaching the concept of world citizenship as part of the
standard education of every child.
19. ONENESS OF MANKIND :
Acceptance of the oneness of mankind is the first
fundamental prerequisite for reorganization and administration of the world as one
country, the home of humankind. Universal acceptance of this spiritual principle is
essential to any successful attempt to establish world peace. It should therefore be
universally proclaimed, taught in schools, and constantly asserted in every nation as
preparation for the organic change in the structure of society which it implies.
20. EQUALITY OF MAN & WOMAN:
Daughters and sons must follow the same curriculum of
study, thereby promoting unity of the sexes. When all mankind shall receive the same
opportunity of education and the equality of men and women be realized, the foundations of
conflict will be utterly destroyed. Without equality this will be impossible because all
differences and distinctions are conducive to discord and strife. There is no doubt that
when women obtain equality of rights, war will entirely cease among mankind.
21. STRIVE FOR ALL ROUND KNOWLEDGE :
Let the loved ones of God, whether young or old, whether
male or female, each according to his capabilities, bestir themselves and spare no efforts
to acquire the various current branches of knowledge, both spiritual and secular, and of
the arts.
22. TWO EYES OF MANKIND :
The Great Being saith : The man of consummate learning and
the sage endowed with penetrating wisdom are the two eyes to the body of mankind . God
willing, the earth shall never be deprived of these two greatest gifts.
23. RIGHTEOUS MEN OF LEARNING ARE TRUE GUIDES :
Righteous men of learning who dedicate themselves to the
guidance of others and are freed and well guarded from the prompting of a base and
covetous nature are, in the sight of Him who is the desire of the world, stars of the
heaven of true knowledge. It is essential to treat them with deference. They are indeed
fountains of soft-flowing water, stars that shine resplendent, fruits of the blessed Tree,
exponents of celestial power, and oceans of heavenly wisdom. Happy is he that followeth
them. Verily such a soul is numbered in the Book of God, the Lord of the mighty Throne,
among those with whom it shall be well.
24. FIVE SENSES :
In man five outer powers exist, which are the agents of
perception-that is to say, through these five powers man perceives material beings. These
are sight, which perceives visible forms; hearing, which perceives audible sounds; smell,
which perceives odors; taste, which perceives foods; and feeling, which is in all parts of
the body and perceives tangible things. These five powers perceive outward existences.
25. FIVE OUTER AND FIVE INNER POWERS :
The outward powers are five: the power of sight, of
hearing, of taste, of smell and of feeling. The inner powers are also five: the common
faculty, the powers of imagination, thought, comprehension and memory.
26. LOOK TO THE ENDS : BEFORE START :
At the outset of every endeavour, it is incumbent to look
to the end of it.
27. DIVINE & SATANIC KNOWLEDGE :
Know verily that Knowledge is of two kinds: Divine and
Satanic. The one welleth out from the fountain of divine inspiration; the other is but a
reflection of vain and obscure thoughts. The source of the former is God Himself; the
motive-force of the latter the whispering of selfish desire. The one is guided by the
principle: "Fear ye God; God will teach you"; the other is but a confirmation of
the truth:
Knowledge is the most grievous veil between man and his
Creator. The former bringeth forth the fruit of patience, of longing desire, of true
understanding, and love; whilst the latter can yield naught but a arrogance, vain glory
and conceit.
28. FEAR OF GOD :
The fear of God hath ever been the prime factor in the
education of His creatures. Well is it with them that have attained thereunto!
29. SPOKEN WORDS :
No man of wisdom can demonstrate his knowledge save by
means of words. Moreover words and utterances should be both impressive and penetrating.
However, no word will be infused with these two qualities unless it be uttered wholly for
the sake of God and with due regard unto the exigencies of the occasion and the people.
30. TRUE GUIDANCE THROUGH DEEDS:
Guidance hath ever been given by words, and now it is
given by deeds. Every one must show forth deeds that are pure and holy, for words are the
property of all alike, whereas such deeds as these belong only to Our loved ones. Strive
then with heart and soul to distinguish yourselves by your deeds.
31. BEWARE OF FALSE PREACHERS :
Say: Beware, O people of God, lest ye walk in the ways of
them, whose words differ from their deeds.
Strive that ye may be enabled to manifest to the peoples
of the earth the signs of God, and to mirror forth His commandments.
Let your acts be a guide unto all mankind, for the
professions of most men, be they high or low, differ from their conduct.
It is through your deeds that ye can distinguish
yourselves from others. Through them the brightness of your light can be shed upon
the whole earth.
Happy is the man that heedeth My counsel, and keepeth the
precepts prescribed by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
32. CULTIVATE ELOQUENCE :
Encourage ye the school children, from their earliest
years, to deliver speeches of high quality, so that in their leisure time they will engage
in giving cogent and effective talks, expressing themselves with clarity and eloquence.
33. SPEAK SOFTLY :
Every word is endowed with a spirit, therefore the speaker
or expounder should carefully deliver his words at the appropriate time and place, for the
impression which each word maketh is clearly evident and perceptible. The Great being
sayeth: One word may be likened unto fire, another unto light, and the influence which
both exert is manifest in the world. Therefore an enlightened man of wisdom should
primarily speak with words as mild as milk, that the children of men may be nurtured and
edified thereby and may attain the ultimate goal of human existence which is the station
of true understanding and nobility.
34. ACTIONS MUST FOLLOW THOUGHTS :
Some men and women glory in their exalted thoughts, but if
these thoughts never reach the plane of action they remain useless; the power of thought
is dependent on its manifestation in deeds.
35. IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE :
Service to the world of humanity should be obligatory.
Every student should know, with perfect certainty, that he is the brother of the people of
all religions and nations and that he should be without religious, racial, national,
patriotic or political bias, so that he may find the thoughts of universal peace and the
love of humankind firmly established in his heart. He should know himself as a servant of
human society of all the countries of the world. He should see God as the Heavenly Father
and all the servants as his children, counting all of the nations, parties, and sects as
one family.