Haribol Acharya
Children need moral education and in their formative years, that means, in their earlier ages when they learn to read and write. Needless to say, the first and foremost moral teacher, or simply a teacher is his or her parents. They cultivate certain ideas or feelings or life’s principles in their little ones before they even could speak. They tell their children to bow down before Gods and deities. They teach about heaven and hell and tell them they go either to heaven or hell depending on their Karma or course of living. They tell their tiny tots worshiping Gods or prayers or being kind to the poor lead them to heaven. If they worship Saraswoti, the God of learning or wisdom they can be sharp at their studies and pass their exams. God has a power in shaping the lives of people and humans are simple instruments in the hands of Gods. They, therefore, urge their children to go to temples regularly and perform a variety of worships.
But the question arises: Is this what their parents must teach to their kids? Can such an education make their children better persons, better citizens or responsible human beings in their futures? Could the learn the real value of life through this kind of education? Can they get a right direction and save themselves from being spoilt? Many questions may arise. Of course, most parents think their methods or techniques of teaching their children are the best.
One major flaw in imparting moral education to little children whether by parents or children is giving a fear. They tell their children that if they do not worship or pray God will be angry. Therefore they are doing their duties out of fear, not by understanding the thing. Therefore, moral education should not be taught to children out of fear only by understanding the value of it without attaching it to Gods and goddesses.
