India, in recent times, has seen a growing trend with regards to International education. Fortunately, the whole international minded perspective hasn’t been limited to education. It has spanned from the industrial sector with Indian companies becoming multinational and more and more global companies setting base in India, to the government holdings with recent visits from Ivy League students to understand the management of the Indian Railways. Thus, there seems to be a quiet but sure revolution taking place as India awakens to the potential of being globally marketable and yet deep rooted in its own culture. This progressive outlook to embracing the best of the west and blending it with our own rich traditional values and practices isn’t just a 21^st century phenomenon. India’s and Asia’s first Nobel Prize winner for Literature in 1913, Rabindranath Tagore was in a way one of the first proponents of International mindedness.

 

Tagore was born in 1861 as the youngest of fourteen to the illustrious Debendronath Tagore, a leader of the Brahmo Samaj. Tagore was a dreamer of a child who hated to go to school and did his initial studying at home. He returned to India after a failed attempt at getting a Law degree from the University College of London in 1880 and began pursuing a career as a writer, playwright, songwriter and poet. It was however, his visit to the barren landscape of Shantiniketan, which set aflame a deep desire to establish a school and a university with an international outlook. Having met such personalities as W. B Yeats, H G Wells, Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, great physicist Bose, and his wanderlust having taken him to more than thirty countries across five continents, gave him a deeper understanding of international outlook and values. It is imperative at this point to understand what ‘internationalism’ implies. It is not the mere exposure to international ideas or embracing them with total rejection of the native values. Internationalism is most commonly expressed as an appreciation for the diverse cultures in the world, and a desire for world peace. At the same time one is deeply rooted in one’s own culture and traditions.

 

With the years, Rabindranath had won the world and the world in turn had won him. He sought his home everywhere in the world and would bring the world to his home. Rabindranath first founded a school for children at Shantiniketan, later renamed Patha Bhavan in 1925, which later evolved into an unconventional university. The school was a conscious retort to the system introduced in India by the British rulers and Rabindranath wanted to tap the values of ancient India education in systems in line with the Gurukul system. The school and its curriculum developed from an ethos of simplicity. Classes were held in the open under the shade of trees where students learnt to harmonise themselves with nature. A great emphasis was laid on the arts, visual and performing. Opportunities were made abundant for the overall development of the students’ personality.  And soon the little school for children at Shantiniketan became a world university, Visva-Bharati University(literally World Indian University), a centre for Indian Culture, a seminary for Eastern Studies and a meeting-place of the East and West. The poet chose for its motto the Vedic text "Yatra visvam bhavtyekanidam" (where the world makes a home in a single nest). On 23 December 1921 Visva-Bharati became a registered public body which adopted a constitution of its own.  Of the many departments in the university, Cheena-Bhavana, (established in 1937) the department of Sino-Indian studies even today is a remarkable symbol of inter cultural collaboration.

 

"Visva-Bharati", Tagore declared, “represents India where she has her wealth of mind which is for all. Visva-Bharati acknowledges India's obligation to offer to others the hospitality of her best culture and India's right to accept from others their best."

 

This international mindedness reflected even in his poetry and songs, namely in the song akashbhora surjotara bhiswobhora pran, where he talks about his communion with the entire universe and how he has found a place amidst its entire splendour. Today, the Visva Bharati is a seat of international activity and intercultural appreciation, inspiring the students from across the world to learn and experience the great Tagore’s simple yet magnificent dream of communal celebrations, international harmony and universal peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barren, turn to green,

Storm to serene.

Money to hearts of gold.

Embrace the new, discard the old.

 

People, turn to angels,

Noise to chiming bells.

Values that are humane.

To make this place more sane.

 

Prayer, turn to action,

United from fraction.

Many in body one in mind.

The only guide, for success to find.

 

Time will tell,

How green,

How serene,

How gold,

How new,

How angelic,

How humane,

How one goal,

Will grant a blessing of good fortune...

This hate ridden soil,

Mistrust laced land!

 Life has been tumultous to say the least in the last few weeks. There has been an upheaval in the worklace with news of many close friends leaving. Sadly because of the environment, laden with mistrust and insecurities. We are in a dilemma too, as we do have options, but want to honour the contract. On the other hand, we have been formed into a group at our campus. OUr own Soka group. I determined, on being assigned Group Chief, to challenge this situation and creat a block (i.e. 20 members) within May 3rd by accomplishing hundred hours of prayers. I have been chanting one hour daimoku everyday, since Saturday and the tumult almost seems to mw like the negative karma rising to the surface before Buddhaland is established here.

 

My promise is to Sensei and hence, I cant run away like some of the others. We have to sow the seeds of change before fire gets to us. Because, once the seeds are sown, the fire itself cant damage them and afterwards, these very seeds will bloom into the lotuses that need to purify this environment. Is it our job karma to arrive at land that needs cleansing? Or meet people who need prayers? Maybe it is! But the only assurance I have now, which guides our decision is the Gohonzon and that no prayer will go unanswered. I feel hurt and disappointed at not being understood and people who value me planning to leave the organisation. But then such is life. Will I be able to fulfill my mission here? I dont know. But I will not give up without giving my last breath to establish Buddhaland here. I onLY wish the owners realised the power of Nam Myo HO Renge Kyo and not just approach everything with a business mind. Anyways, I have the faith that the energy and karma of this place can be expiated. Only time will tell, the impact of my prayers. Meanwhile, the recommendation we gave seem like Nichiren's admonitions. I know that this life, we will not be sent for exile, but we can take exile ourselves. But when? August? Next year? My faith will finally determine that.

Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo!