Higher Vocations In The Educational System

The Srila Prabhupada educational system is designed to produce high class people, high not in wealth or status, but in character. The ideal character can be described the intellectual as tolerant and austere, of a civic leader as heroic, and so on.

However, for the training of our children, it also emphasizes the quality of independence. Farmers and merchants can create their own vocations. Whether working directly in the service of Krishna or working to maintain their families, they do not need to beg from others, nor do they need much supervision. Such higher class persons, willingly obedient to the spiritual master, are self disciplined and self reliant.

When this kind of independence is understood, then we remove the problem of finding a vocational place for our children. They do not need to for beg work from anyone. For the self disciplined, independent person, is there not unlimited work and service? Make a list with your child of ways to spread the Krishna consciousness. Surely he or she will have the ability and the inclination to perform some of them.

Choose a service with your child so that they may begin to prepare for it, such as opening a prasadam restaurant or a health food store and sell prasadam and Krishna conscious books. Perhaps, open a shop for books and devotional paraphernalia, publish devotional books, sell Krishna conscious books retail or wholesale or farm organically with oxen and sell produce. Or perhaps, cook and sell baked goods to stores or teach courses that include a Krishna conscious perspective or even produce and sell Krishna conscious music.

More ideas include selling Krishna conscious art, writing educational computer software for Krishna conscious schools, or selling items or services useful to both devotees and nondevotees such as groceries, cars, office supplies, tools, computers, printing, layout, electrical work, and health care. Develop a Krishna conscious theater company of a professional standard or begin your own ISKCON center for spreading Krishna consciousness.

Here are some suggestions for fostering a higher class mentality in your children, a mentality in which they will find positive ways to function independently. Do not think in terms of getting your son or daughter a good job and tying them to mundane schooling for that purpose. Let your child know that striving for job security by waiting upon others is less important than becoming Krishna conscious and teaching Krishna consciousness.

Put emphasis on practical education from age eleven to age fourteen, let your children spend lots of time with adults who can train them in practical work. Most adolescents will benefit from friendships with their peers, but learning practical service from adults and making spiritual friendship with them may provide a deeper relationship that is more valuable for bringing out good character.

Give your child some social, economic, and familial responsibility, at least by age twelve. For example, a fifteen year old can regularly volunteer some time at the local temple for a Krishna conscious project such as Food for Life. Even a twelve year old can do valuable service or earn money that will mean something for a family or a project. Then as children mature, they can take on chores that demand more competence.

Give your children as much responsibility as they can handle, but for children under sixteen, be strict in giving strong direction in moral and spiritual decisions. Srila Prabhupada taught that children under sixteen should be dealt with so firmly that they would not consider disobeying. It is up to you to set guide lines on such matters as what they read, what they watch on television, how they treat intoxicants, and how they behave toward members of the opposite sex.

You do not tell a fourteen year old about marijuana, then tell them it is their choice. See adolescents as useful members of society and give them opportunities to feel useful. Train your children from as young as possible to use intelligence in Krishna's service. Reward them for doing things voluntarily and encourage vision and plans, even if undeveloped and immature.

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