HariOm Parents,
Recall from last class: In the process of grooming inside out, we have to follow certain commands stated in the Taittiriya Upanishad.
We have discussed:
Satyam Vada, Speak the Truth and Dharmam Chara, Do your Duties.
Last class we had our JCHYK student teachers talking to us about Ahimsa or Non-Injury or Non-violence and how we can commit injury or harm to others in three ways - mind, speech and action. We need to be alert and watch our thoughts, words and deeds because results are always according to the actions done.
In today's class we are going to look at another command from the Taittiriya Upanishad,
Who do we worship?
Let's start with a story. The Chest of Broken Glass from the text was read. The story shows how a lonely old father lured his sons to visit him by filling a treasure chest with broken glass, the disappointment they had finding the chest with broken glass after the father's death with a message saying 'Honor Thy Father and Mother'.
In the Taittiriya Upanishad, the teacher presents some immortal codes of conduct for living. It goes thus:
Matrudevo bhava, Pitrudevo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava. Atithi Devo Bhava!
Treat mother, father, teacher and guest as God.
Why should we treat mother, father, teachers and guests as God? Students gave a variety of good reasons.
Another story "Whose Blessings" was read to show the importance of parents' blessings and that children should be thankful and respectful to their parents always.
Next, Acharyadevo Bhava. Treat acharyas or teachers with respect since they guide us in our understanding of scriptures or knowledge of any discipline.
Students were asked if they have been inspired by any teacher.
Atithidevo Bhava. Treat your guests as God; respect them.
The story from the text, You Did Not Feed Me was read. The Saint Sri Sai Baba revealed to one of his disciples, Sri Upasani Maharaja that all beings are equal and to be treated alike since God pervades in all, when the disciple denied food to a hungry dog and a sudra.
So going forward let us love and revere our parents, teachers and guests.
We broke for Geeta Chanting of verses 64 and 65.
The next command from Taittriya Upanishad is on Charity, to Give.
How to Give? Gifts should be given with faith; it should never be given without faith; it should be given in plenty, with modesty and with sympathy.
Charity should be practiced after satisfying the above conditions. We discussed the merits of giving for a worthy cause. And why the receiver should be deserving of the charity.
Who is helping whom? A Story from the text was read - You Get What You Give, which explained that if you are nice to others, others will be nice too. What and how you give to the world, returns to you in the same way.
Why should one give? Because it is our duty.
Students shared how they give their time and services to others in their family, in the community.
Discussion: Students were asked to reflect on the statements below and give their points of view.
Oh! I really worship that tennis player!
Worship is rubbish. It makes us slaves to an Idea or entity.
Prayer and worship are the same things
I cannot give money but I think I am charitable in giving suggestions to people.
Xyz corporation gives a lot of money. They are a very charitable organization.
Charity is only meant for Grihastha (Householder's)
Closure: Let us analyze ourselves- do we respect and worship parents, teachers and guests? And are we charitable? Are we generous or do we ignore the needs of others?
Analyze, detect and Fix.
Closing Prayers and Pledge
Regards,
Rukmani & Partha