Published On:Sunday, 12 October 2014
Posted by Unknown
New Dharma School in Oregon Opens its Doors
Founder Lama
Sonam Tsering at Saraha Children School's inaugural announcement. From northwestdharma.org.
A non-profit private
school in Eugene, Oregon, has taken an innovative step in educating the city’s
young minds. Saraha Children's School
is incorporating traditional Buddhist methods and studies into its academic
curriculum. Shambhala Sun's news site
reports that the school not only introduces students to meditation, but
that the classroom ties in “language and
practices of compassion, wisdom, and peace.”
Established
just six months ago by Saraha
Nyingma Buddhist Institute, Saraha
Children’s School’s stated aim is “to help children grow up in age and wisdom,
to help them become educated members of this world, and especially to nurture
the natural, peaceful, positive spiritual qualities of their young minds.” The
idea for the school was developed by the institute’s founding director and
president, Lama Sonam Tsering, who arrived in the US in 1984. He also oversees
and guides the Vajrayana Foundation at Pema Osel Ling in Santa Cruz, where he
currently resides.
Founded
in 2011, Saraha Nyingma Buddhist Institute is dedicated to the study and
practice of the Dudjom lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, and aims to provide people
from all walks of life and of any age with training and practice in Buddhist
education. The school is integrated into the institute and on weekdays occupies
the entire space. Spanning a 7,000-square-foot educational and temple facility
with 2,500 square feet of classrooms and 2.5 forested acres of campus grounds,
the institute provides an excellent learning environment for the students of
the school.
Following
the general school year, Saraha’s academic year began on 4 September. The
school’s principal and one of its teachers is Susan Nakaba, with over 30 years’
experience in classroom and administrative roles. The staff includes
well-qualified and experienced primary school teachers and administrators as
well as teachers of Buddhist subjects, such as language, meditation, and
Buddhist arts.
tudents
taking part in 'life release' - the release of captured animals into nature.
From northwestdharma.org.
Saraha
Children’s School aims to maintain a non-biased approach to learning. Under
their FAQ page, it states: “We do not plan to celebrate any specific religious
holidays whether ‘Western’ or Buddhist. This is primarily because we wish to be
respectful of all religions and as such do not want to offer pat or simplistic
versions of ultimately meaningful celebrations.” However, Saraha does
incorporate Buddhism into its school structure, beginning the day with 45–60
minutes of Buddhist Dharma activity lessons with the students. These include
“aspiration chants/prayers for all beings, meditation, and Tibetan Language
class.” Other subjects follow, such as math, science, and social studies.
Saraha school is still finalizing this curriculum, and believes the above to be
a healthy balance through which students can attain an understanding of
Buddhism, as well as receive a well-rounded education to achieve or exceed the Oregon Department of Education’s
Common Core standards. The students
also come together to offer prayer for 20 minutes at the end of the school day.
In the Northwest
Dharma News, Karma Thrinley clarifies
that the school’s long-term goal goes beyond grades and education. “Its greater
goal is to start young people on their paths to becoming healthy, intelligent,
educated, grounded, peaceful, wise and compassionate adults,” he writes.
http://enews.buddhistdoor.com/en/news/d/49411
http://enews.buddhistdoor.com/en/news/d/49411
