Values Based Education
Amma says “Wherever you are, you have to adapt for the circumstances. Patience is needed for every matter.” How does one become patient? Is there somewhere we can learn it? For some of us, there is a place! Amma has designed a Sunday-school program that teaches values as the basis of its curriculum. Children ages 4 and older are welcome to attend & learn about values such as patience, forgiveness, cleanliness, gratitude, acceptance, etc. while also learning about spiritual principles, bhajans, shlokas, vedic literature, & occasions such as Divali, Sivaratri, Navaratri & so on in a warm, friendly environment that uses games, outdoor activities, crafts, & quality instruction to convey the lessons.
Value based education empowers children with the skills they need to develop into productive citizens who give more than they take, live exemplary lives of leadership & service, and progress on the spiritual path. In schools, children are taught arithmetic, reading, writing, & history. These are important things that must be studied in order to excel in school, go to college, & earn a living.
However, values like honesty, integrity, patience, acceptance, service, etc. allow that student to face the challenges of earning a living with a calm,still mind. Amma’s value based education system enables the student to boldly & courageously face life’s challenges equipping them with the skills they need to problem-solve, lead by example, & help others. As Amma says “Gaining mastery over the mind is the real education.”
Children are the world’s wealth. How we guide & train them will make or mar the future of the world. In today’s times of chaos & confusion, human values & moral direction have lost their foot-hold in society. Amma’s value based education program, Amrita Bala Kendra, instills in children the tools necessary to live productive, successful lives that serve as an example for others. By learning & practicing the values, morals, & spiritual lessons taught to them, the children develop into youth who are leaders in their community.
Those who have completed the Amrita Bala Kendra Value-based program can then join AYUDH.
Amrita Yuva Dharma Dhara, also known as AYUDH, is an organization of young leaders who can take the values & spiritual principles they’ve learned in Amrita Bala Kendra & apply them to every-day situations. AYUDH is an international phenomenon that has inspired the youth in countries all over the globe to step-up & take a leadership role in shaping tomorrow. Youth involved in AYUDH have cleaned roads & schools in Kenya, planted trees all over the United States, started recycling programs in India, Spain, England & Germany. The list is endless.
We are blessed to have the opportunity to participate in these value-based activities inspired by Amma’s teachings. May we all strive to live by Her principles and work as Her instruments to make the world a better place.