Jain Spirit 2003 10 No 16

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 54

ENVIRONMENT
CHILDREN ADORE NATURE
Duli Chand Jain reports on a unique initiative, the Karuna Clubs,
to educate children about compassion
HERE IS A NEW AWAKENING TODAY IN THE justice, kindness and mercy to animals become more kind, whole of humanity about the reverence for all life. Many just and considerate in their relations with one another.
eminent thinkers say that the life of every being is sacred Therefore, it is important to teach the principles of justice, and must be respected. "Our task must be to free ourselves by goodwill and humanity towards life in the schools and widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures, colleges. The cultivation of the spirit of kindness to animals the whole of nature and its beauty," said Albert Einstein. There is a is but the starting point towards such an ideal. A generation lot of emphasis on animal rights along with human rights by trained in these principles will solve the problems and statesmen and educationalists. In India, the efforts of the late Smt. encourage a bond of friendship rather than rivalry at an Rukmani Devi Arundale were successful in passing the Prevention international level. of Cruelty to Animals Act in 1960, and that
The Karuna Club organisation year under her presidency the Government
started in 1995 in a humble way in of India established the Animal Welfare
Chennai in just three schools, Board of India.
Within a short period of time it has Remarkable thinkers of the modern
grown to 508 clubs in schools and world have emphasised the need for a
colleges. We are now endeavouring humane education programme all over
to spread it to all parts of India and the world. Yehudi Menuhin once asked,
abroad. In order to achieve this, we "Why is compassion not part of our
have consulted many educationalists established curriculum, an inherent part
and teachers on how to develop an of our education? Compassion, awe,
effective programme which will wonder, curiosity, exaltation, humility -
really promote compassion and these are the very foundation of any real
kindness in the hearts of children. civilisation, no longer the prerogatives
The unanimous advice has been of any of the churches, but belonging to
that children prefer activity-oriented everyone, every child in every home, in
programmes to lectures and talks. every school." The Karuna Club
We have developed a fourteen-point programme is part of this humane
programme which will be popular education activity.
with young people. It was also felt The objective of Karuna Clubs is to
Karuna Club member acting as a tree that training the teachers is essential, create awareness amongst students from the early stages of so orientation and training programmes for them were also their life and kindle their feelings of love, kindness and started. The name 'Karuna Club' itself denotes that it is an compassion towards all living beings, animal life and plant life. enjoyable activity. It is not merely preaching to students; This is an activity-oriented programme and it has proved highly they can use their own initiative under the guidance of successful in changing the attitude and character of the student teachers. Each school is expected to conduct a minimum of community.
six programmes a year. This year we have included a All the great teachers of humanity stressed the importance number of activities which would inspire and kindle the of compassion (karuna). "Live and let live," said Lord qualities of compassion and reverence for life in our Mahavir. In Vedic religion ahimsa parmo dharma means non- students. The following programmes serve as a guideline to violence is eternal dharma. Lord Buddha said, "He who seeks promote karuna. his own happiness by punishing or killing animals, will not find happiness after death." Jesus' words are, "Thou shall not kill." SCHOOL PROGRAMMES TO Prophet Mohammed claimed, "Whoever is kind to lesser PROMOTE COMPASSION creatures is kind to himself." In spite of these teachings, animal • Monthly/bi-monthly meetings on animal protection, noncruelties have been on the increase in all parts of the world. violence, karuna and vegetarianism where a school teacher Animals are butchered to get meat, to be used in industries, in or a guest speaker will interact with the students, research, in chemicals, drugs and cosmetics, in insecticides and • Drawing, painting, elocution competitions, essay writing pesticides. In 1933 in the USA, the National Parent-Teacher and quiz programmes, Association Congress declared that children trained to extend Films and video cassettes on animal welfare, on the
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Jain Spirit
September - November 200