儿童教育（2）

（B）环境

环境这个课题尤题不容易讲解。我找到的最好的解释是：环境好比地球，是一个吸引力中心。地球的万有引力把所有的东西都往下扯，哪个地方有一颗螺丝钉鬆了，就会被它一直扯下去。

环境也是如此，一个非常强大的引力场。孩子一旦踏入这个引力场，就给它扯进去。因而我们要给孩子作好准备，去抗拒这个最巨大的引力场。

我在阿拉伯时听到一则故事，我在很多地方讲述过。这事故发生在某些人身上，使我感触良深，所以我总是不厌其烦地将它重复叙说。

在一家石油公司附近，有一个很大的沥青湖。这是石油公司用来贮存沥青的地方。冬季三个月，中间那个已经很冷，沥青这时结成硬片，人们可以从沥青上面走过去，从湖的一端走到另一端。

有一天，两个年轻人来到湖边，他们必须绕过湖，才能去到对面的村子。其中一人动了一下沥青湖面，说：“硬的，我们可以从上面走过去。这样，不必三句钟，只需半小时，就可以到达对岸。”

他的朋友拉住他，阻止说：“虽然它的表面是硬的，但是很黏，而且鬆软，它会把我们拉下去的呢！”

刚才那个却不肯听，迳自往湖面走。走了几步，左脚就陷进去了。为了把左脚抽出来，他必须用右脚使力。但是右脚一使力，便也陷进去了。于是，他整个人慢慢往下沉。缓慢地，一直沉下去。

他的朋友一路狂奔，来到石油公司求救。石油公司派了一辆车和一条铁链来搭救。他已沉到半腰，他们用铁链套在少年的脖子上拉扯。他的骨头脱臼了人还是没法出来。他无法忍受疼痛。他们找来了一架直昇机，从上面吊着拉扯，但还是无法把他从沥青裡拉出来。他逐渐往下沉，就这样溺毙了。

请你相信我，自从听到这则故事以来，我就坚信，我们今天的环境，就是一个沥青湖。少年们尤其要注意踏出去的第一步。要是错了，是无法挽救的。假如他开始时用一个先令赌博，可以肯定，他会继续赌下去。

假如有一次，你在下午六时抽大麻，明天的下午六时，你一定又会跑到那个抽大麻的地点，再抽一枝大麻烟。人生中的坏习惯，都像沥青一样，紧紧把人黏住。

阿博都巴哈讲过一个美丽的故事。他说，有一个非常虔诚的人，向一个又喝酒又抽烟的坏蛋说：“跟我来，我们一起祈祷40个夜晚，看你变成什麽模样。”坏蛋说：“你跟我到我的地方去，只要一分钟，看你变成了什麽模样？”

因而，我们必须在孩子心中，建立一个比它更强大的意志力，以抗拒这股丑恶的吸引力。我们往往要靠祈祷的帮助，才能做到这件事。

儘量为孩子们祈祷，祈求上天协助他们。他们本身也需要经常祷告，如此，上天的扶持才会降落他们身上。

不要被黑暗的势力所欺骗

虽然，在可能的范围内，你总是以最好的方法来教导孩子，但是社会有一股强大的吸引力，把所有的事都往下扯。为什麽会有这股沉沦的力量呢？为什麽它那麽强大？

这是因为黑暗的力量在作怪，黑暗的军队在那裡。你是光明的势力，光明的势力和黑暗势力作殊死的斗争。

于是产生了教育的问题。假如你爱你的孩子，那就给他们多一点光明的力量。这是说，教导他们认识多一点巴哈伊信仰。他们对信仰的认识多一点，对社会的吸力力的兴趣就少一点。这才是有益的教育。

阿博都巴哈说，光明的军队和黑暗的军队在斗争，黑暗力量的指爪十分锐利，穿透力十分强大，并且很迷惑人。所以，请不要被家中那股搔首弄姿的黑暗力量欺骗了，要记住，它会引诱你的。

必须强调家庭教育

阿博都巴哈说，教友们必须常常在家裡讲述老教友们奋斗和服务的故事，他们的牺牲精神和英勇的行为。孩子们或许在屋外或另一个厅裡玩耍，你以为他们没听见。其实不要紧，就别逼他们听。阿博都巴哈说，这种谈话在家中塑造一种灵性的气氛，有助于孩子的灵性成长。

胎儿在胚胎的物质环境裡成长，到了某个程度，人就诞生了。对于胚胎环境，破坏力最大的事物，莫过于说人坏话的习惯。

要是你在家裡说，某某人不适合于当灵体会成员，灵体会不该有如此这般的决定等等，你以为孩子们没有听见，其实，他们像一盆晶莹剔透的清水，你的话像一滴墨掉了进去。它溷浊了，不再清纯。这孩童到了15岁，你说：“尊尼，你要不要注册为一名巴哈伊？”他拒绝了。假如我们不是在家裡讲了人家的坏话，他15岁就该接受信仰了，不必等到21岁。

要知道，当我们接受了信仰，就是接受了信仰，并遵守巴哈欧拉的计划。有些人基于逻辑推理或视为一种知性哲学，接受了信仰，却不当它是一个增强心智、启发灵性的事物。因此，我们需要有一套自己的东西，要是没有，我们就不会喜欢这信仰，这就糟糕了。

我们需以最坦率和勇敢的态度、纯洁的动机，向灵体会提出我们的建议。假如被接受了，很好。如果没有被接受，就忘掉它。不要在屋子裡，在孩子面前谈论它。

要为孩子作准备

我在芬兰有这样一次经验，我想你们也会有类似的经验，因为阿拉斯加这裡的气候，和芬兰很相似。有一回，我去参加那儿的夏令营，路经一片森林。见路边松树在某个高度的地方，这裡那裡绑着红色的带子，就问友人这些带子是何用意。

他们说：“你还不曾在这裡过冬呢！冬天时，孩子要是上市场买东西，我们给他们穿上15层厚的衣服，以免冻坏。孩子上课时，积雪埋掉了路，会高到红带子的地方，如果没有这些红带标志，他们准会迷失在森林裡。”

这事件使我立刻看到了一幕情景：我们的孩子们穿着单薄的内衣裤，走进一片没有标记的冰天雪地裡。最后，我们找到了他们，带去看医生。他们咳嗽发烧，患了各种病，奄奄一息。能不自这样吗？这是自然的规律，要逃也逃不了。在灵性世界裡，我们也要给他们穿上厚厚的衣服，给他们指路的标记。

第4部份：阿博都巴哈的承诺

我要给你讲讲阿博都巴哈给未来人类所作的一些承诺。然而，假如我们没有按照正确的方法教育我们的孩子，这些承诺是不会兑现的。

他说，在不久的将来，科学界、工艺界和知识界的顶尖人物，将由巴哈伊所包办。巴哈伊将成为发明界的中心人物。那时的发明，多得没有限量。

不久后你将听到，从世界各国传来这个声音：“我的主啊！我的主！让我靠拢你。”你将发现，人们将涌向你们，包围着你们每一个人，恳求你们告诉他们关于巴哈伊的事。他们说：“只因为不听你们的话，我们落得多麽不幸。”一个全新的人类逐渐形成，这新生代能充份明白巴哈欧拉天启的意义。

即使全世界的党团汇合在一起，成立一个党团以抗拒上天的圣道，也必定失败无疑。圣道必将仍要前进。上天给予这个信仰宏伟的内容和巨大的磁力，每一个国家每一个民族每一个人，都免不了被它所吸引。圣道将变得非常强大，世界众人，将急急忙忙的奔向巴哈伊，像病人奔向医生，像受伤的人渴望医药。

不久，圣道的力量将卓有馀裕地接下所有人类事务。除了对信仰的讚美，没有其他的声音升到天堂。介绍信仰的书本，充斥着离乡背井到远方拓荒传教者的光辉事蹟。你们现在听到的这些歌，“阿拉欧阿帕哈”、“呀巴哈欧阿帕哈”、“呀阿利欧阿拉”，是升上天堂的歌曲的开始。忽然间你将听到，不仅你在唱，全国人民都在唱这同样的歌。

第5部份：教育、家庭和学校

教育和传授之间的分野

教育和传授之间，有很大的差别。传授是一个人把他的知识传给另一个人，孩子的脑袋裡充满了别人传给他的知识，然而，这是人生的目的吗？是一个人骄傲的理由吗？

非也！这不是人被创生的目的，人非仅仅为了收集知识而来到世间。这跟收集金钱之类的何异之有？知识是我们作为人所必需俱备的事物，否则我们无法达成人生的目标。然而，看看我们的学校或大学，我们发现，只有知识的传授，并无教育。老师和教授只将知识传授给学生，严格地说，这算不上是教育。

教育是另一回事，它是人生较高层次的事物。当人了解本身在大自然和宇宙的地位，就更加懂得教育是什麽回事。大学教授倘不明白人的奥秘和人被造生的原因，他们如何能够给学生们适当的教育？

阿博都巴哈非常重视教育，不那麽讲究传授知识。一个人只要有学问或某种专长，就可以将学问或技艺传给他人。如果他精通物理学，他就是这方面的专家，他可以把物理的学问传授他人。另一位精通数学，或文学，也一样可以传授给学生。而这是容易办到的。他们甚至可以把一些东西传给动物。

说到动物，它由自己的本能，知道许多我们并不知道的东西，因而，去学习这些东西并非一种荣耀。教育却是一种荣耀，因为教育把隐藏在儿童内裡的瑰宝发掘出来。

让我以一个故事来说明传授知识和教育之间的不同。这可是一则真实的故事。

有位印度国王，请了一名家庭教师来教他的4个孩子。4个孩子都已进入中学，老师给他们私人补习，所教的科目有哲学、神话学和一些当时相关的学科。

老师开始教第一个句子：“在任何情况下，都不可以失去耐性，要保持微笑。”

他叫孩子们记住那个句子，并写100遍。第二天，4个孩子回到教室，其中3个把这句子写了100遍，而且记住了。第4个孩子说，“我还没有学好呢！”老师不等他，继续教其他的东西。

几个月过去了，国王想知道孩子们学了些什麽。他带着大臣、谋士和宫廷的幕僚，来到孩子上课的学堂。老师跟国王说，他的3个孩子学了很多东西，做了很多作业，进步很快等等。然后说：“可是，唉，陛下，这一个呢，到今天为止，还没有把第一个句子学好。”

于是一个大臣上前责问这个孩子：“为什麽你使国王蒙羞？你是国王的孩子，你应该做得更好！”

那孩子只是向他微笑。另一个大臣又来责问，他还是微笑。最后，国王粗声粗气地跟他说话，孩子还是脸上挂着笑容。

人群中有一个人恍然大悟，走上前说：“陛下，只有他真正学到了东西，其他的孩子只是背书。”

这孩子学到了在任何情况下，都面带笑容。他没有失去耐性，他自律、坚忍。他和他们之间所做的事情有很大的差别，他们只是死记，把资料塞满脑子，他却约制自己的心，不管在什麽情况下，都露出笑容。他把学到的东西带到日常的行动中去，这是真正的教育。

教育优于传授

阿博都巴哈说，教育儿童比仅仅让他吸收学问来得好。知识的吸取若没有和灵性教育辅助，所学到的知识往往沦为有害的东西，在很多情况下，成为致命的毒药。

他的意思是，只有知识和科学的吸收，而无人格品行的教育，那麽，学问将如毒药一样有害。

他说，一个人格卑贱，没受过灵性教育的医生，以其说是给人治病，不如说是在害人。这句话妙在其中，但我们不妨想想它的含意。

这是一个医术高明的医生，但是他不曾受过灵性教育，不相信灵魂的存在，不相信人高超的地位，也不了解人生的使命，阿博都巴哈说，这样的医生不是使人病愈的根源，而是使人死亡的肇因。他也经常提到，这样的医生不但不能铲除病痛，反而给人带来病痛。

他也说，父母根据适当的灵性方式教出来的孩子，即使没有阅读和书写的能力，但是比起另一个懂得很多事情，但是没有礼貌、没有爱心、态度粗劣的孩子要好多了。因为前者对人类有益，后者则对人类有害。

知识的吸收和灵性教育携手并进

汲取有用的知识的同时，发展灵性品格，两者相辅相成，则最为理想。若他知晓世上所有的知识，但缺乏神圣的品格和纯淨的动机，他必定坠落慾望的深渊中，成为社会的大害。除了有害的东西，他从知识裡什麽也没得到。他将身败名裂。

当然，假如你有神圣的品格，又通晓科学、艺术和各种技艺，那就是光明之上再添光明。这样的人让别人坚定，他的心充满光明，他的灵魂一片平静，他的思想强而有力，他的地位光荣。

阿博都巴哈说，一个如此调教出来的孩子，一个月内所学的东西，比得上其他孩子一年所学。

这意味着巴哈伊儿童有比其他儿童强12倍的学习能力。这即然是一个承诺，我们可千万别让孩子们失去了这巨大的恩惠。他教导我们把灵性教育和世俗教育结合起来，这会带来光上加光的效果。

教育必须取得光上加光的效果，才堪称为教育。在巴哈欧拉的制度下受教育的人们，都会有这种效应。教育让人发现潜藏在他们内裡的瑰宝，并将它们倾盆倒出。巴哈欧拉和阿博都巴哈这方面的谈话，可以概括在这一句话裡：

他说：看那蜡烛，你知道光在它裡面，但是它需要什麽呢？它需要一个人将它点亮。这点亮的工作就是适当的教育。给你的孩子适当的教育，光跟着就出来了。

有些人老是无法作好准备去接受适当的上天的教育，而错失了这个上天伟大的恩典。因此，我们必须儘力把儿童们都带进巴哈欧拉的保护伞内，让他们肉体和精神都得到适当的食粮。

第6部份：家长的义务：父母必须向上天负责

接下来，我要谈谈父母亲在教育孩子方面的责任。巴哈欧拉说，上天给父母最大的命谕，乃是他们必需教育他们的孩子。

请经常记住这点。假如他忽略了这个命谕，他必须向上帝负责，回答上帝，他的罪愆将得不到宽恕。

假如你看到一个孩子已经15岁而仍然未成为巴哈伊，这说明什麽呢？在他生命中的第一个15年裡，我们为他做了些什麽？

不适当教育的后果

阿博都巴哈说，假如你不教育你的孩子，他们就不会顺从你，也不会尊敬你。他们不理会上帝，也不理会你，并一直保持这种不闻不问的态度。这些孩子想做什麽就做什麽，全凭自己的一股冲动。

阿博都巴哈在一个长句裡，把这种失责的后果概括下来。让我简单地介绍，我请你们作一番仔细的思考。

在开头部份，他说，要是父母忽略了儿女的教育，这些可怜的孩子们，将独自留在无知的荒野，一生为愚昧和骄倨所俘虏。他们的聪明才智丧失无遗，到处遭受耻辱，一生低贱，软弱无能经不起考验。

你看，愚昧的恶果竟有这麽多！

在另一个地方，阿博都巴哈说，当孩子在人生的最初阶段，若是没得到适当的教育，他们将丧失知解力（intelligence）。

这一点我要特别提出来谈谈。其他的要点及它们的定义和后果，可在圣文中轻易找到。

现在，我们坐在这个大厅裡，因为这裡有光。假如我问，扩音机在哪裡？每个人都可以说出来。花、椅子和杯子在哪裡？每一个眼睛都望向同样的地方。但是，假如这裡漆黑一片，没有光，可就乱了。有人说扩音机在那一边，或说椅子在另一个房间裡，等等。

孩子就好像这个房间，当这副肉体的房间，受到（巴哈伊）信仰之光照射，它裡面的每一个物件，便都能妥善地运作，知解力就是其中的一个。

知解力乃是由信仰之光所点燃，之后，越用越锐利，效率越来越好。但是，倘若没有了信仰之光，知解力也就不能正常运作。这是何以阿博都巴哈说，那孩子将失去知解力。因为没有了光，等于少了引导的明灯。

另一方面，巴哈欧拉和阿博都巴哈也曾着书，劝勉儿童孝顺父母。巴哈欧拉在一篇书简中说，假如你有机会在服务上天的信仰和服务父母之间，作一个选择，你应该选择服务你的父母亲。请记住这点，这非常重要。不为你自己，而是为了孩子们。

祂说：“通过服务父母，你将找到一条通往我的道路。”你看，服务我们的父母亲，我们得以走向上帝。

祂又说：“切要小心，切要小心，以致永远不要做一件事，让你的父母亲带来忧伤。”这些事，在这我们的生活中，有很深的含义。

（未完）

原文：

Section B : ENVIRONMENT 

ENVIRONMENT HAS A GRAVITY 

Environment is extremely difficult to explain. The best definition that I have found is this: As the earth has a centre of gravity, environment also has a centre of gravity. The earth pulls down whatever it can. If there is a screw loose in one of the planes, the gravity will pull it down. Now the environment has the greatest force of gravity. The moment our child, or children, steps into this environment the gravity pulls the child down. Therefore how much we must prepare the child to stand against this which is the greatest force. 

This story which happened to somebody in Arabia had been told in many different places by me. Because I was in Arabia and I knew about it, it affected me so much in those days that I never begrudged telling it to the people, and never get tired also. Near the petroleum company of Arabia there is a huge lake where the tar is restored. 

The three months of the winter — especially the middle month which is very cold — the tar becomes hard. Therefore some people can cross the lake from here to there. Now, two young men reached the shore of this lake, and they had to go around to reach the village. One of them touched the tar and said: It’s hard, we can walk. Instead of walking three hours, in a half hour we’ll be there.” 

His friend prevented him pulled him out of this. He said: “The surface is hard, but it’ s very sticky and it’s loose. It will pull us down.” But the other one did not listen. He went some steps and then the left foot was this much down — imperceptible. In order to pull the first one out he had to press the right one harder. The right one went in. 

Gradually, he was down drowning. But very, very slowly. The other boy ran the whole distance and informed the oil company. They brought a car and a chain. It was at the time when the child had, reached here when they put the chain around his shoulders. 

When they wanted to pull the bones were separated, from each other. He couldn’t bear it. They brought a helicopter. They couldn’t pull this child out of this tar, and gradually he drowned. 

Believe me, ever since then I always think of the human environment today like this. The youth particularly must be very careful of the very first step. If the first Step goes down it’s impossible for them to get rid of it. 

If they play far one shilling gambling, then you must be sure that he’s going on and on for it. If you smoke opium once at six o’clock in the afternoon, tomorrow at six o’clock in the afternoon, you are ready to run from here to Anchorage to have one more pipe of that opium. They’re so sticky, these evil habits of life. 

‘Abdu’l-Baha has said a very beautiful story. He said a very pious person asked one of these ruffians who used to drink and smoke and do everything like this; he said: Come and pray with me forty nights and then see how you’ll be transformed. 

The other man told him: You come with me one minute and see how you will be transformed. Come to the places where I go. 

Therefore let’s create in our children a great force of determination to stand against these evil forces; that which will enob1e us and them is always prayer. Pray for your children an much as you can. Ask from God to help them, and themselves also to pray so that the help will be given them. 

DON’T BE DECEIVED BY THESE MOVEMENTS 

You educate your child in the best possible way, but the society has a gravity, a powerful gravity which pulls down everything. Why does it have this pulling down? Why is it so powerful? Because the dark forces; because the army of darkness exists there, and you are the army of light. The army of light fights against the army of darkness. 

Here comes the problem of teaching. If you love your children, add more to the power of light in society — means teach them in the Baha’i Faith. Therefore there will be less gravity for the children. This will be a help to the education of children. ‘Abdu’l-Baha said the army of light is fighting against the army of darkness, and the claws of the army of darkness are so sharp, so penetrating; and the forces are so alluring. Let’s not be deceived by all these movements now in the houses. They’ll attract you — please remember. 

STRESS SHOULD BE GIVEN IN THE HOME 

In the houses the friends, ‘Abdu’l-Baha said, should very often speak to themselves about the old believers, their deeds, their services, their sacrifices, their heroic actions. Even if the children are playing in the outside yard or in the other hail. You think they don’t listen. 

It’s all right, let them not listen, but ‘Abdu’l-Baha says such sort of conversation will create a certain spiritual atmosphere in the house that will let the spirit of the child grow. There’s a certain physical atmosphere in the womb of the mother which helps the physical growth of the child till such time that the physical birth of the child will be possible; and the most detrimental factor to this atmosphere is backbiting. The moment we say in the house: This man was not worthy to be elected to the National Assembly; or we say; What was the decision of the National Assembly? 

We think that the child is not listening, but the child’s spirit is like crystal clear water. This word is like a drop of ink here. It’s no more clear, it’s dim. Now, the child reaches fifteen. You say: Now Johnny, will you register yourself as a Baha’i youth? 

He doesn’t want it. If we did not do that backbiting in the house he would have readily accepted it at the age of fifteen and not at the age of twenty one. 

You know, please, when we come to the Faith, we come to the FAITH and understand that we must follow the plan of Baha’u’llah. Some of us accept the Faith as a logical conclusion, as an intellectual philosophy, but we don’t accept it as something that strengthens our heart, and illumines our souls. Therefore, we want to have our own ways in the Baha’i Faith, and if we don’t have it we don’t like it. This is very bad! We must propose whatever we think in the frankest possible way, courageously, and with pure intention. If the Assembly accepts, all right: if not, just forget it. And never speak about it in the house in front of the children. 

WE MUST PREPARE OUR CHILDREN 

I had an experience in Finland. I am sure you had the same thing, because it’s of the same climate (as Alaska). I went there for the summer school, and once I was walking toward the school and we passed by a forest. On the edge of the road there were pine trees carrying a red sign at a certain height. One red sign here, there, and so on. I asked , the friends, what are these red signs? They said: “You are not here ever in the winter time. When the children would like to go to the store we cover them with about fifteen different things to be warm enough in the outside frozen climate. In the winter time the snow covers the ground to this height and they go to school. These red marks show their right way to school. If there are no red marks here, they’ll be lost in the forest.” 

Immediately after that this vision came to my mind. The vision of our youth sent out with their underwear to a frozen climate, and without any red signs. Then they come home and we go to the doctor and say he’s dying of coughing and fever and so on. Of course it must happen, it’s the law of nature. We can’t escape from it. In the spiritual world we must also cover them. We must put some signs for them. 

PART 4 Promises of Abdu’l-Baha if we educate our children 

I would like to give you some of the promises of ‘Abdu’l-Baha for the future generations. If we do not educate our children in this proper way, these promises will never be fulfilled. He says ere long you will see that the Baha’is will be the top people in all sciences and technology and knowledge. The Baha’is will become the centre of the greatest discoveries. There will be unlimited inventions. 

Ere long you will hear from all the countries of the world voices shouting: Yes my lord, yes my lord, I am coming to you. Soon you will find, people hastening to you; circumambulating every one of you. They will beg you, and request you, and tell you: Woe be to us, because we did not listen to your words. A new race of men will come into existence who will totally understand what is the meaning of this Manifestation. 

Should the whole world and all the parties gather together and form one party, and that one party stand against the Cause of God; be sure that all of them will be vanquished, and the Cause of God make progress. Because this Faith has been given by God such a magnitude, such a magnet, that it is attracting all the individuals belonging to all nations and all races. The Cause of God will become so strong that all the people of the world of God hasten to it like those who are sick and seeking a physician, or those who are wounded and in demand of a remedy, or medicine. 

Soon the power of the Cause will overwhelmingly take the whole pillars of all mankind, and no voice will be raised to Heaven except in the praise of this Faith. And soon the introduction of the book of existence will be illumined with the names of those who forsook home and went pioneering or teaching in the propagation of His Faith. Now these songs that you are singing now, Allah’u’ahba, Ya—Baha’u’l—Abha, Ya—Alli’u’Allah, is the beginning of that voice which is raised to Heaven. Suddenly you will find not only you but your country will be singing this.  

PART 5 : Education, Home, and School 

EDUCATION VS. INSTRUCTION 

There is a great difference between instruction and education. Instruction is to transfer knowledge from one person to another. A child becomes filled with information, but is this the ideal of life? Is this the source of pride? No! This is not. This is not what humanity is made for, to just gather knowledge. 

It’s exactly like gathering money, gathering anything else. Knowledge is one of the things that we gather, and if we stop with that we have not fulfilled our mission in life as human beings. If you review the educational institutions of the past you will discover that there is no education, only instruction. The teachers and professors transfer their knowledge to the students. There is no education in the proper sense of the word. 

Education is something else; it is a higher aspect of human life. Education will be well understood when man’s position in nature, in the universe, will be well understood by people. How can people in universities give proper education to their students when they do not understand the mystery of man, why man should ever be created? 

‘Abdu’l-Baha pays very much attention to education rather than instruction. Instruction is the transfer of knowledge from one person to another person. If somebody knows physics properly, he’s a specialist in that subject, he transfers his knowledge to his students. Another one in mathematics, and this is easy. They can transfer many of these things to animals. Or animals know many of these things just by instinct, the things which we don’t know. Therefore to learn these things is not an honor. To be educated is an honor. Education will bring out that which is hidden in the children. 

I will tell you one story to illustrate the difference between instruction and education. It is a true story of one of the kings of India who brought a teacher for his four sons. The sons were in the secondary school of those days, and he wanted them to have private tutoring on philosophy, mythology and other subjects of those days, The teacher gave them a sentence: Don’t ever grow impatient, no matter what circumstances are, keep smiling. 

This was the first sentence he gave them. He said: You will memorize this, and write the sentence one hundred times for the next day. The four boys came to the class, and three of them had written and had memorized. One of them said: “I have not yet learned this.” But the teacher did not wait. He went on teaching the students. After some months the king wanted to see what has happened to the boys, to examine his own sons. He attended the class with his ministers and philosophers, and the learned people of his court. The teacher first explained and. said: “These three boys have advanced very much. They have memorized so many books. They have done so much homework and so on. But alas, your majesty! This one has not yet learned the first sentence I have given him.” Then one of the ministers started to come forward and rebuke the boy, and said “Why did. you bring disgrace to the court of the king? You are the son of the king, you must have done better.” And he (the boy) was smiling. The other one came in, and. eventually the king himself spoke to him very rudely and he was always smiling. Then one understood the fact, he came forward and said: “Your majesty, he is the one who has learned. The others only memorized.” 

He’s not growing impatient. He has learned. it. He has disciplined himself not to grow impatient, and he keeps smiling under all circumstances. There is a vast difference between what they have done and what he has done. They have memorized. They have filled up their brain with all these facts and books, but he has disciplined his heart and soul, and whole existence to be always smiling under all circumstances. This is the real meaning of education, to bring these things into action in our lives. 

How much and how very often every one of us, due to our own weakness, lose the trend of the plan of God; and. we choose our own plan for our own life, and we insist that every day in our prayers we say: “I have no will of my own except your will,” and we repeat it — but if we do this — it is only an empty word that we repeat. Let’s have this; mirror it forth by our actions, by our deeds, our attitudes! Then the whole thing will be a real divine education. 

EDUCATION IS PREFERED TO LEARNING 

‘Abdu’l-Baha says education of a child is preferred to his learning. If divine education does not go hand in hand with acquiring knowledge, that knowledge will become harmfu1, and in many cases will become deadly poison. If it does not go hand in hand with proper divine education: only knowledge, only science, and no education of character, of behavior, of the proper divine education given to the heart and soul of the children; that knowledge, He said, will often become deadly poison. He even says a physician who has bad character, who is not divinely educated will become the cause of death rather than the cause of (the healing) of the situation of his patient. 

It’s a mystery, but you should think of it. All of us should think. Here is a proficient doctor, but he is not divinely educated. He does not believe in man’s soul, man’s exalted rank and mission in life. ‘Abdu’l-Baha says that doctor will be the cause of death rather than the cause of healing. And He says very often such doctors become the causes of disease rather than the cause of the removal of diseases. A child, He says, who is trained by the parents in the proper divine way though does not know how to read and write is better than a child who knows many things but has no manners, has no love, and has no politeness; because the first child is useful for humanity, but the second one is harmful.  

LEARNING AND DIVINE EDUCATION SHOULD GO HAND IN HAND 

Learning and divine character together will be appreciated. If he knows all the sciences of the world and he does not have divine character, and he does not have pure intentions, he will surely go down into the lowest desire of man. He will be the essence of harm to society. He will never in from only science except harm. His name will be defamed. 

Of course if you have obtained divine character and you learn Sciences, arts, and techniques, then it will be light upon light. One will strengthen the other. In this respect I should emphasize that his heart would become full of light. His soul will be always at peace. His thought will be very strong and his position will be glorified. He says the children who learn, and study, and are educated in this way will learn in one month what other children will learn in one year. 

That means the Baha’i children should have a capacity of learning twelve times more than other children. Let’s never deprive them from this great bounty of God which is promised to us. Therefore He said, try to combine the two, learning and proper divine education should go hand. in hand. Then it will be light upon light. 

Education should result, should go toward this end, that when a man who is well educated under the system of Baha’u’llah stands on a piece of soil. Because of that, all that is hidden in man will be discovered, will be poured out. All that Baha’u’llah and Abdu’l-Baha say is summarized in these words: He says look at this candle. You know there is light in this candle. But what does it need? It needs somebody to ignite it. Igniting is education given to the children properly, and then light will come out. 

There are people who will never get themselves ready to go under the proper education of God. They’ll deprive themselves of this great bounty. Therefore, it is our function to bring as many children as possible under the canopy of the protection of Baha’u’llah and give them the proper food and drink physically and spiritually. 

PART 6 : Obligation of Parents 

PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 

The next topic we will discuss is about the obligation of parents in the education of children. Baha’u’llah says it is the most great commandment of God on the parents to educate their children. Please always remember it is education of the children. If they ignore this commandment they will be responsible to God and their sin will never be forgiven by God. They must answer God. 

What does it mean when we hear that the child is fifteen years old and still he is not a Baha’i? well what are we doing during fifteen years of the first part of the life of the child? 

CONSEQUENCES OF IMPROPER EDUCATION 

‘Abdu’l-Baha said if you do not educate your children, then they will not obey you. They will not respect you. They will ignore God and you both. They will remain heedless to God and parents. Such a child will have the Perfect freedom of doing whatever his self prompts him to do. 

Now in another long sentence of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, He counts the consequences of this negligence. I’ll just give you the rough translation of each one them, and then you will please think them over, Of course it starts: Should the parents ignore the education of their children; then these poor children will be left alone, in the wilderness of ignorance. All their life they will be victims to ignorance and pride. They will lose their intelligence. They will be humiliated in any community. They will remain ashamed throughout their lives, and they will wane at times of tests in life, You see how many results of ignorance. 

In one place He says they will lose their intelligence if we do not properly educate them from the beginning, I want to stress on this. The other points are easy to find: their definition, and results and other things in different writings. You know at this time that we are sitting in this room because there are lights here. 

If I say, Where is the loud speaker, everyone can locate it. All eyes see the exact place where the flower is, the chair is, the glass is. If it is darkness here, there is no light; then confusion will take place. Some will say the loud speaker is over there, some will say the chair is in another room, and so on and so forth. 

Consider this as the body of a child. In the body of the child, if the light of faith is ignited, then every part of the human body will work properly. Amongst them is intelligence. The intelligence is ignited by the light of faith. It becomes sharper, works better. But when there is no light of faith here intelligence cannot work properly. That’s why ‘Abdu’l-Baha says they lose their intelligence. There is no light, there is no guiding light for the intelligence. Now on the other side, also, Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha have emphatically written things advising children to revere their parents. In one of His (Baha’u’llah’s) Writings He says to somebody — please note it down, it is very important, not ourselves, for our children. He says if they give you the choice of serving the Faith of God and your parents, choose to serve your parents. Through this service you will find a way to Me. You see, through this service to our parents we will find a way to God. He says beware, beware, that you will never commit anything that will cause sadness of the hearts of parents. The repercussions of these things in our life will be great. 

(to be continued)