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During this course,
the children learn how to practice Anapana meditation along
with the five precepts. This is a relaxed course specifically
designed for children; short practice periods and discussions
in the meditation hall are interspersed with games and activities
throughout the day. This course is open to children between
the ages of eight to fifteen years |
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| Parent or Guardian Information Letter
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The Children's Course offers young
people between the ages of 8 and 15 an introduction to Anapana
meditation, which is a practice of the observation of natural
breath to concentrate the mind. They will learn to practice
Anapana and begin to take their first steps on the path of Dhamma.
The entire path of Dhamma, rediscovered and taught by Gotama
the Buddha more than 2500 years ago, is a universal remedy for
universal problems and has nothing to do with any organized
religion or sectarian tradition. For this reason, it's practice
does not conflict with any race, community or religion and will
prove equally beneficial to one and all.
Young people who have started practicing Anapana have realized
many benefits. Their memory is sharper, their ability to comprehend
a subject has improved and they have become calmer. Their ability
to concentrate becomes enhanced. During the course, there will
be meditation instructions as well as other activities such
as games, art, story telling and time for service at the centre.
The children will be divided into groups according to their
age for many activities. They will be assigned Dhamma counselors
who personally accompany and assist them throughout the course,
providing support and guidance as needed.
The intent of the Children·s Course is serious. It is
not appropriate for children who are too young or otherwise
unable to follow directions or to participate in organized,
self-modulating activities. It is also not appropriate for children
who are unable to understand the meaning or purpose of the daily
schedule and Code of Conduct. |
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| Children's
Course - Code of Conduct |
Learning
to practice meditation is very valuable because it helps
you to become a better person. Practicing meditation will help
you to train your mind to become concentrated and calm. This
will make your mind strong so that you will be able to avoid
doing or saying things that are hurtful or harmful to yourself
and to others. This strength of mind will help you to feel happier
and more peaceful. Practicing meditation and learning to concentrate
will help you to become the master of your mind.
To help you succeed in practicing meditation it is important
that you agree to follow the Code of Conduct written below.
In the same way that a house needs a good foundation to support
it, so the practice of meditation needs a good foundation. The
good foundation for meditation is built by following the Code
of Conduct. It will help you not to harm or hurt yourself or
anybody else in any way.
While at the meditation centre you should agree to follow these
rules because they will provide a good foundation for your meditation
practice and will give you mental strength |
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| 1. |
I promise to try to treat all
beings kindly and not kill them or harm them in any way. |
| 2. |
I promise to take only what
is given to me and not take anything which belongs to
others without permission. |
| 3. |
I promise not to indulge in
any sexual activity. I promise to treat other boys and
girls as if they were my brothers or sisters or best friends. |
| 4. |
I promise to speak truthfully,
kindly and gently, and not to tell lies or to say hurtful
things to anybody or about anybody |
| 5. |
I promise not to take any alcohol,
drugs or intoxicants, but to keep my mind clear. |
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| Also, I promise to do my best
to follow the instructions that I will be given during
my meditation course. |
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COURSE DATES |
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| CENTRE
COURSES |
1-day courses:
Every 4th Sunday one-day Children course is held at new city
center. Timing 9.00 a.m to 3.00 p.m (Bring your own lunch).
On an average this 1-day course has 50 to 60 children participants
per course. |
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| SCHOOLS |
| Over the past couple of years, prominent
local schools - Nagarvala school and Gurukul school have already
had many in-house one day courses for their students. Many more
schools have also begun having Anapana courses from this year |
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| Nagarvala School |
Nagarvala day school has been in
the forefront, with the academic session from June 99 being
the 4th year of Anapana at this school. All its students from
fifth grade upwards having done atleast one course. With inspiration
from their teachers, they sit in class for a few minutes daily.
Except one teacher all other class teachers agreed that Anapana
was benefiting their students. There is a lot of enthusiasm
among the students and full cooperation from them. Recently
the 3rd grade students were taught Anapana. Courses for outside
students have also been conducted here.
Nagarvala boarding school has also been having courses for their
students since 3 years. |
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| Gurukul school |
| Gurukul primary school has been
having Anapana courses for 3 years now. All their students from
grade 3 to 8 have sat and meditation is being continued on a
regular basis for a few minutes a day in school. |
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| Schools in Pimpri |
| 2 secondary schools in Pimpri (suburb
of Pune) viz Modern school and Telco Vidya Niketan school have
had Anapana courses for their students since 2 years. |
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| Poona University school |
| The Poona University school had
its first Anapana course in June 99 for 78 children of the seventh
grade. |
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| Special schools |
| Anapana courses have also begun
for children in special schools. The Balagram rural school had
two 1-day courses in April 99, in which 57 children benefited.
In June 99, 66 children of leprosy affected persons living in
the Anand Ashram Leprosy Home had a 1-day Anapana course in
their school. |
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| State schools |
| The Pune childrens course team of
teachers and counsellors have alqo conducted many Anapana courses
in other areas of Maharashtra state where no courses were held
so far. In 1999 itself, 71 Baramati school students, 57 students
from the sugar factory school in Malegaon, 50 students from
Daund, 95 students from Ratnagiri, 41 students of Osmanabad,
29 students of Adilabad and 24 students from Naigaon have benefited
so far from these Anapana courses. |
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REMAND HOMES |
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This is the second year that 1-day
Anapana courses are being conducted in the Government remand
homes for the boys (Shivajinagar) and girls (Sewagram) in Pune.
For the boys it has been twice a month, whereas for the girls
it has been once a month so far. Many benefits have been observed
in this underprivileged section of youngsters, most of whom
have been led astray by socioeconomic and family pressures. |
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Courses
schedule