daniel chigunwe
Flora Teckie A Bahai Perspective
Yesterday, January 24 was the International Day of Education, and it is timely to reflect on the role that education can play in promoting peace.
In the Bahá’í view that education can become an instrument in building a peaceful world society through instilling in every individual the awareness of the fundamental oneness of humanity — which is necessary for unity in our communities and the world at large.
The kind of education that enriches both our mind and spirit should, of course, try to develop our moral attributes including compassion, justice, love, truthfulness, courtesy, generosity, and trustworthiness.
The reflection of such attributes in our everyday lives creates harmonious and productive families and communities. “Knowledge is praiseworthy,” say the Bahá’í Writings, “when it is coupled with ethical conduct and a virtuous character”.
There is a close relationship between moral and spiritual attitudes and peace.
The Bahá’í Writings state: “Peace stems from an inner state supported by a spiritual or moral attitude, and it is chiefly in evoking this attitude that the possibility of enduring solutions can be found.
“The function of moral and spiritual education”, in the Bahá’í view, “is to guide the use of human capacities for the good of all”.
Development of good morals, and a praiseworthy character, in our children will help in bringing about harmonious and productive families and communities.
Ingredients of a balanced education
A balanced education is the most effective way of harnessing the power of our values, attitudes, behaviours and skills towards creating a peaceful and prosperous world.
A balanced education can prepare our children and youth to act in the long-term interests of humanity as a whole.
To achieve this, our educational systems should help our children in their moral empowerment as well as in their intellectual development. Unfortunately, this is often not the case.
We, as parents, sacrifice a great deal to send our children to the best possible schools.
We often register them at a school while they are still infants to ensure a good place for their secular education. But, this is usually not the case when it comes to their spiritual education.
Regarding the importance of moral education, the Bahá’í Writings state: “The proper education of children is of vital importance to the progress of mankind, and the heart and essential foundation of all education is spiritual and moral training . . .”, and that “Schools must first train the children in the principles of religion, … but this in such a measure that it may not injure the children by resulting in ignorant fanaticism and bigotry”.
By infusing in our children and youth the love of God and guiding them spiritually, we can help to instil in them good behaviour.
It is through spiritual education that they will be directed to use the knowledge, tools and means acquired through intellectual education, for the advantage of humanity.
A balanced education would prepare our children to live in peace, in an atmosphere of understanding, dialogue and respect for others.
This is possible if we instil in our children the awareness of the oneness of humanity.
Our children are often made to believe that their race, religion, gender, or tribe is the best in the world.
In the Bahá’í view, the aim of education must be to raise a next generation who believes that, “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens”, as Bahá’u’lláh states.
If our vision is to create societies in which people of different backgrounds and classes can live in unity and peace and enjoy mutual prosperity, then we must consider what kinds of educational processes can support such a vision.
The Universal House of Justice, the governing council of the Bahá’í international community states: “Children must be so raised as to regard every soul, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or any other affiliation, as a fellow human being and to hold dear the words [of Bahá’u’lláh] that capture the spirit of the age: “The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch”.
Serving humanity should be an essential component of education
Through serving humanity, the essential principles of social integration — including compassion, tolerance, love, understanding, sacrifice, humility, and commitment to justice — are manifested in society.
Serving others, including one’s family, neighbours, community, and nation, should be considered as an essential component of educational curricula and there should be practical means for its expression in the education process, through service-oriented programmes.
Not only does service provide immediate benefits to the family and society, but it also creates bonds of solidarity and common purpose among those involved.
Our children must be given the opportunity to develop their God-given powers and capacities, so that they may contribute their share to an ever-advancing and peaceful civilisation.
A balanced education can influence and guide this process.
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