Daesoon Thoughts and Child Education

ABSTRACT

One of the most positive aspects religion can provide us with is that it nables and leads earnest seekers to the path of light and Truth. In other words, it can give us a true understanding of nature, of ourselves, and of other human beings. Thus, a man of well-balanced religious perspectives can find meanings of his or her being present on Earth, thereby being ever ready to confront with confidence and humility whatever comes in his or her way. In this way, a true religion can awaken and unfold in us the knowledge about his or her own Soul and Spirit by which he or she can ennoble his or her mind and identity, which in turn elevates not only his or her own feelings as a member of a family, but also all the members of the family he or she belongs to. The Religious Order of Daesoonjinrihoe is a unique and creative denomination which has maintained, since its establishment in 1969, the consistent stance to adopt, without any prejudice, some of the typical creeds not only from oriental religions such as Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, but also from western religions such as Christianity among others. In the ideology of Daesoon, education is primarily based on the traditional education of Korea which has been characterized mainly by the following two aspects: First, instead of having adults and children in different educational situations respectively, adults and children are being educated together in the same educational situation. Second, integrated education for personality and morality is done under the domestic and social environments. To the people of Daesoonjinrihoe, carrying the truths of Daesoon deep in mind is an ideal state of their faith. Based on the truths growing deep in their mind, they try to purify their mind and body and to get prepared for the delivery of babies. Parents do their roles as they are supposed to do in order to make their family in harmony. In the pedagogy of Daesoon, parents are supposed to play in the family as the role-models for children so that children should model themselves after their parents. In this way, filial piety, which is one of the most important values of Daesoon, can be taught to and internalized in the children. Education for better relationship between seniors and juniors is also done on the same pedagogical principle: Children learn and follow what they see from their parents. Education for better relation focuses mainly on cultivating in children such characteristics as concession which will restraint harsh competition and jealousy against other people. Therefore I want to suggest several things to promote the education Daesoonjinri.