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The teacher should not cultivate divisive traits. The Rishis and sages of ancient times treated their own sons and their students with equal affection. Today we have lost faith that our teachers are of this nature. When the principal's son is answering question papers for an examination in one hall, the principal should not be posted as invigilator there, lest he dictate the correct answers and help his son to get good marks! But in the hermitages of old, there would be no suspicion that the guru would show such preference or partiality. Today corruption has crept into thought, word and deed at all levels. Hence these precautions. Teachers have to adopt the Sadhana of purifying their emotions in order that they may earn the status and authority of gurus. The true guru must lead the pupil into a worthy and happy life. And the true pupil must respond with eagerness and adoration. Teachers are responsible for the nature and quality of the activities
and characters of students. For they impress the youth by their scholarship
and leadership. So they must keep clear of selfish aggrandizement and
political manoeuvring and have spiritual enlightenment alone as their
ideal in life. The members of the teaching staff must move among themselves
as brothers. Students become aware of differences and rivalries between
their teachers. Of course, differences are inevitable and may even be
useful. But they should not pollute mutual relations, hinder the progress
of the institution and affect adversely the processes of teaching and
learning. In these fields, they must consult one another and cooperate
with others. |