Written by: Prinsa Shrestha - 25016, Grade XI
Posted on: 09 November, 2023
Introduction:
Education is commonly understood to be a discipline concerned with methods of teaching and learning at schools. It could also be a transmission of character, knowledge and traits. It can be defined in many different ways. Education is one of the most important factors for the development of human civilization. It also enhances human status and leads everyone to prosperity. It signifies preparation of a matured life. It is a continuous and lifelong process that attributes the most precious and permanent property of an individual.
Osho, the Indian philosopher, had his own visons of education. He focused on five refutations regarding education. He says that education should not be governed by any goal-oriented examinations, the teacher should not be authoritative, teaching-learning activities should not be imposed, and memorization does not play any significant roles in learning. These factors are just informative modes for enhancing five dimensions of education: world language, scientific subjects, art of living, art of dying, and art and creativity.
World Language:
Osho believes that the first dimension incorporates history, geography, and other sciences which can be taught by television and computer. In addition to that, a global language is required basically to enhance people irrespective of their race, nationality, and geographical territories. He thinks that English can function as a common language among uncommon people. Moreover, each mother tongue is equally important because everybody should know two languages: one is their mother tongue, and the other a common language, like English. In this world, language can connect people and disconnect them too. When they understand world language, people drop their prejudice and see the reality.
Scientific Subjects:
The second dimension of education is related to the inquiry of scientific subjects that are tremendously significant because they reflect external reality, the major half of the reality. It can also be imparted by television and computers with the guidance of a human being. The development of technology brings changes in all aspects of human life. It cannot be ignored but to be properly utilized for making our life better. We should not fall victim to scientific discoveries; rather they have to be properly used as our loyal servants.
Art of Living:
The third dimension of education viewed by Osho is the art of living; along with humor required to transfer anger, hatred and jealousy into love in human life. Love, laughter and acquaintance with life, its wonder, its mysteries and a reverence for life is the third dimension. It should be instrumental by contributing to the enhancing of love, laughter, and acquaintance with life. Osho views that a reverence of life should be the foundation of the third dimension because life is God which is the dancing spirit in human life.
Art of Dying:
The fourth dimension of education is the art of dying. In this dimension will be the meditations, so that we comprehend that there is no death and become aware of an eternal life inside us. Everybody has to die physically; nobody can avoid it. It is significant in life because if an individual realizes the existence of an eternal life inside him/herself, the person becomes a complete human being. We all know that birth and death are like the two sides of a coin. So, nobody can avoid the arrival of bodily death while death itself cannot defy the soul.
Art and Creativity:
The final dimension is related to human capacity to art and creativity. Anything such as painting, music, craftsmanship, pottery and even masonry is full of creativity. Osho believes that a student can choose anything from a whole rainbow of creative art and become a part of existence. It means that they can choose any creative art in educational program. Therefore, teachers need to explore the creative potentials of their learners and create situations accordingly to magnify them as required. By being creative one becomes divine; while creativity is the only prayer.
The Final Remark:
These dimensions of education as proposed by Osho are truly significant in educational programs. They are to be addressed either implicitly or explicitly while nobody has looked for such holistic education. In this sense, almost everybody could be considered uneducated; even those who have great degrees are uneducated in the vast areas of life. It is almost impossible to find a man who is truly educated.
