|
Loading
|
Gurukula
Values Based Education Curriculum at Vedika
Ayurveda Dharma is the Foundation
“Ayurveda is a heritage of humanity. It is a tradition of Dharmic values that yield perfect health, into which the seekers of knowledge should be initiated step by step by the teacher. Ayurveda is not a conceptual abstraction or a technology of disease management alone, but a living spirit that has to be consciously embraced. “
- Shunya Pratichi Mathur
Respecting ideals in the field of healing
Charaka, Ayurveda’s renowned sage teacher has described the Dharmic qualities that should be cultivated to become an ideal Vaidya (healer) , through the process of seeking an ideal Guru (teacher) and by becoming an ideal shishya (student). These ideals have been marginalized in the today's mainstream system for education in Ayurveda.
Dharma too is being mis-interpreted in limited terms and not as the universal principle that it is.
These Dharmic ideals, especially relevant in today's environment, are therefore brought alive in the education at Vedika. When properly imbibed, these ideals will ensure that the tradition of Ayurveda remains values based, patient centric and humanitarian. Above all, students are groomed to uphold the high standards on which Ayurveda was built by the original Rishis. They will guard against its blatant commercialization.
Compassionate healers
“He, who practices not for money nor for caprice but out of compassion for living beings (bhutadaya) is the best among all physicians…the physician who regards compassion for living beings as his highest religion fulfills his mission (siddharthah) and obtains the highest happiness.”
- Charaka Samhita
Ayurveda Dharma announces that the function of education is not only to send out technically skilled and competent physicians but also to instill compassion for the suffering humanity. Ayurveda Dharma is based on the Vedantic Truth - Tat Tvam Asi.
Dharma dictates the path of studentship
Throughout the duration of studentship, Vedika’s Acharya imparts the Dharma of Ayurveda to students. They are encouraged to internalize the Dharma and model their life on it.
Alleviating three kinds of suffering
Gurukula education was consciously geared towards creating towering intellects by exposure to several inter-related Shastras and Vidyas (bodies of knowledge). The assimilation of the Dharma of the Vidyas creates discriminating health scientists who are ethically sound, spiritually inclined and compassionate healers.
Such healers are endowed with sarva bhuta hita (humanitarian values) and are dedicated single mindedly to the treatment of patients. They understood their Dharma to alleviate the three kinds of Dukha (suffering), and eschew inappropriate contact with material objects. The three kinds of Dukha are :
- Adhyatmik : Problems due to the mind, for example, stress, tension, sadness, depression.
- Adhibhautik : Problems due to other entities, for example, violence, relationships, pests.
- Adhidaivik : Problems posed by nature, for example, earth quakes, floods, tsunami.
The over commercialization of Ayurveda
There is a worrisome trend towards excessive commercialization of Ayurveda, its medicines, treatments and practices. Dharmic ethics groom the future Vaidya’s character and instill humanitarian values.
The Acharya (head teacher) of Vedika Gurukula teaches the Dharma that is appropriate to be embodied by the future healers, especially relevant to counteract the trend toward exploitation.
“You shall not desert or injure your patient even for the sake of your life or your living. You shall not commit adultery even in thought. Even so, you shall not covet others' possessions. You should not be a drunkard, or a sinful man, nor should you associate with the abettors of crimes. You should speak words that are gentle, pure and righteous, pleasing, true, wholesome and moderate. Your behavior must be in consideration of time and place and heedful of past experience. You shall act always with a view to acquisition of knowledge and the fullness of equipment”
- Charaka Samhita
Hence, in conclusion, Vedika education upholds the ideals as enshrined by the ancient Rishis and sages.
