This Is Not Education
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that mere technical skill, cultural identity, or social knowledge does not constitute real education. True education is the understanding of the living entity, the Supreme, and the cultivation of spiritual culture, leading to self-realization.
Material Skills Are Not Education
Modern education often focuses on technology, craftsmanship, or worldly achievements. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that such learning, without spiritual understanding, cannot guide one to the ultimate goal of life.
- At the present moment education means many Indians are coming to America to learn how to polish motorcar parts or how to create technology. This is not education. Europeans and Americans, they are going to India for learning brahma-vidya. That is education.
- Nowadays it is going on if you know some art, technology, then you are educated. This is not education. Education means culture.
Education and Understanding the Soul
True education is concerned with self-realization, understanding the jīva and its connection with Kṛṣṇa, rather than merely the body, nationality, or social class.
- If our education is meant for simply eating, sleeping, mating and defending, then what is the difference? That is not education. Real education is to understand what you are. That is real education. Atma-jnana.
- Bodily concept of life, it is not education. That I am this body, I am Indian, I am American, I am brahmana, I am ksatriya, I am white, I am black, this education is going on in the name of nationalism, communism, socialism.
Education as Bhāgavata Knowledge
Spiritual education is the study of brahma-vidyā, focusing on God, the soul, and devotional principles. It imparts moral and spiritual culture rather than just worldly accomplishments.
- This so-called technical education or smoking education, drinking education and so many rascal education. This is not education. Education means bhagavata education: to understand God. That is wanted.
- University education is simply to learn some art, materialistic art. It is not education. Education is different. Education is brahma-vidya, self-realization.
Conclusion
Education that neglects spiritual understanding, ethical culture, and knowledge of the soul is incomplete. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that true education illuminates the living entity’s relationship with Kṛṣṇa and leads to self-realization, making it a timeless and essential pursuit.
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