Hari Om! Parents,
We started the class with the beginning prayers followed by the Vedic chant ‘Om Namaste Astu Bhagavan Visveshvaraya…’ on Lord Shiva.
Chanted verses 19,20,21 of Chapter 1, of the Bhagavad Gita with Purjya Swamiji.
We then moved on to our curriculum which was as below:
1. Ahimsa or non-injury, the greatest duty
Learned about why is ahimsa is paramo dharmah or our greatest dharma.
Learned and discussed about how and why we commit ahimsa with our body, mind and speech.
Ahimsa committed by mind can be,
To think of taking someone else’s wealth due to jealousy, greed etc..
To have ill feeling for someone
To not have faith in the law of karma
Ahimsa commited by speech are for eg.
Using bad language
To lie
To spread rumors about others etc…
Concluded that, one can live by ahimsa by leading an alert life, having compassion for all, and show and respect life.
Sowing the seed of ahimsa in us helps us to lead a peaceful life and spread joy in the world
Told stories,
Prince Siddhartha and King Sibi to reinforce what we learned.
The children had many questions regarding the medical profession. We answered as best as we could.
We will request Pujya Swamji to come to our class and help us answer more of the children’s questions.
Our next topic was showing respect and reverence to our parents, teachers and guests.
Talked about the commandments from the Taitriya Upanishad, Matradevo bhava, Pitrdevo bhava, Acharyadevo bhava, Aththidevo bhava. Honor thy mother, father, guru and guest as God.
Announcements:
Our next class is on January 24th.
Pongal/Sankaranthi program at the ashram on January 25th
Pranams
Nirmala and Purnima
