To all teachers:
“Teach well, because you are going to retire in a world that your students will run”.
I recently found an interesting piece in a very old issue of the Science Age magazine. This magazine, now defunct, was published by the Nehru Centre, Bombay, in September 1985. I thought its worth sharing for its sheer beauty and the fact that these ideas have not changed still!
The Jain author Pavanandi served at the court of the Chola emperor Kulottunga III (1178 – 1216 AD ?). He is known for his work on Tamil grammar.
He also defined the characteristics of an ideal teacher: “The teacher must be a man of good birth. He should be gentle and godly by nature. He ought to have a generous outlook. He must be deeply learned in book-lore and capable of expounding his knowledge with directness and simplicity”. He must also combine common sense with these high qualities. The teacher must unite in himself the characteristic features of the earth. The earth signifies four qualities. First, it is vast and so expansive that you cannot take it all in at a glance. Secondly, the earth has strength and does not yield under the stress of great weight. Thirdly, the earth shows patience even towards those who dig into and otherwise cause hurt and damage. Lastly, it can yield fruits according to the timeliness of effort. It also depends on the intensity of effort by the cultivator.
Pavanandi also states that the teacher should also be like a mountain, the weighing rod and the flower. The mountain impresses us by its great size and the variety of its products. It is visible from a great distance and sustains life even during a drought. Similarly, the good teacher is marked by a wide range of his studies. His fame spreads far and wide. He gives freely of the abundance of his knowledge. This generosity is present even if there is no money in his profession. The weighing rod weighs accurately and impartially. Likewise, the good teacher fairly assesses the merits and desserts of his pupils. The good teacher, like the flower, is sought after on all happy occasions. He carries about him a fine flavour that endears him to all. He presents a joyful countenance.
You too must have come across teachers with these qualities. Please share your stories of good teachers.
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