Sri Sathya Sai Spiritual Education (Bal Vikas)
"The end of education is character. Education without character is useless"
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Prasanthi Nilayam, November 20, 2001
"The end of education is character. Education without character is useless"
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Prasanthi Nilayam, November 20, 2001
‘Bal Vikas’ means blossoming of a child from a tiny bud to a fragrant and beautiful flower. The Bal Vikas program is also called Sai Spiritual Education (SSE). The SSE program aims to raise today’s children into citizens and leaders of tomorrow founded in values, through the concept of ‘Educare’.
Sathya Sai Baba has fostered a unique approach to education called Educare, drawing out divine qualities of
- Truth (Sathya)
- Right-conduct (Dharma)
- Peace (Shanti)
- Love (Prema)
- Non-violence (Ahimsa)
True education must in Sai Baba’s words, “broaden the heart and expand one’s love.”
The objectives of SSSSE as defined by Baba are:
>To raise a generation of boys and girls with a clean and clear conscience.
>To guide the children in the spiritual path through simple and moral living.
>To install in the young minds the importance of Duty, Devotion and Discipline.
>To help them to Love all and Serve all.
>To help them to grow into worthy citizens, to serve the society, identifying the Divinity present in all.
Participation:
Children of ages 5 to 15, divided into three groups (6-8, 9-11 and 12-14) participate in this program. The curriculum includes lesson plans designed for the three age groups. The lesson plans include:
The classes are held every Sunday from 10am - 11am at Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Durham.
Sathya Sai Baba has fostered a unique approach to education called Educare, drawing out divine qualities of
- Truth (Sathya)
- Right-conduct (Dharma)
- Peace (Shanti)
- Love (Prema)
- Non-violence (Ahimsa)
True education must in Sai Baba’s words, “broaden the heart and expand one’s love.”
The objectives of SSSSE as defined by Baba are:
>To raise a generation of boys and girls with a clean and clear conscience.
>To guide the children in the spiritual path through simple and moral living.
>To install in the young minds the importance of Duty, Devotion and Discipline.
>To help them to Love all and Serve all.
>To help them to grow into worthy citizens, to serve the society, identifying the Divinity present in all.
Participation:
Children of ages 5 to 15, divided into three groups (6-8, 9-11 and 12-14) participate in this program. The curriculum includes lesson plans designed for the three age groups. The lesson plans include:
- Information on the major world religions with emphasis on the Unity of religions – the children learn and understand the prayers from the major religions.
- Detailed explanation of the 5 core values, namely Truth, Right conduct, Peace, Love and Non-violence with examples from the life of Bhagawan Baba and other great personalities who lived an exemplary life based on the values.
- Protection and care of Nature and environment and respect for Creation. All these aspects are taught through established teaching methodologies. (Please refer to the National Curriculum for details)
The classes are held every Sunday from 10am - 11am at Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Durham.
