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.”
Founder Lama Sonam Tsering at Saraha Children School's inaugural announcement.
From northwestdharma.org
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.
Students taking part in 'life release' - the release of captured animals into nature.
From northwestdharma.org
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.
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.