The Children

New Mayapur's forty children have a mellowing effect on the whole community. "We're sure they'll grow up to be strong, saintly people," says Bhagavan dasa, "So everyone really tries to keep their environment peaceful and full of devotion to Krsna. These children are so bright and pure, and, fortunately for us, they're always around." The French public appreciates the Krsna community's efforts to raise their children in a natural, uplifting setting rather than in the cities. "People see that the children here are healthy and happy," says Bhagavan dasa. "It's something they want for their own children."

French-born Jyotirmayee-devi dasi studied ethnology at the Sorbonne, in Paris. Also, she helped to translate Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad-gita As It Is into a popular French edition, and she now heads the unique school system at New Mayapur. She says, "We follow the traditional Vedic method of education, including subjects like history, geography, reading, writing, and math. The children really like the idea of self-discipline and higher wisdom. The God-centered feeling of Vedic culture is as natural to them as breathing.

"More and more, parents and students are feeling cheated by the modern educational system," says Jyotirmayee, "because it fails to develop a child's character and sense of purpose in life. When you emphasize these things from the very beginning, the child is a lot happier. Many people underestimate children's potential. Children have minds that are yearning for meaning; that's why they're always asking questions. They want to do something meaningful with their lives, and the longer you wait to guide them, the harder it is for them to mature. And, of course, if the child is left without guidance, he usually develops in an unruly way and makes headaches for himself and society."

In Jyotirmayee's view, the students develop their spiritual qualities not so much from theoretical learning as from the living example of their teachers (inside and outside the classroom). "The students and teachers have a very warm, personal relationship. The teachers care not just for the children's academic progress but also for their spiritual development. So the children feel a real sense of security."

A special forest is reserved for the children to play in and, as cottages are built, to live in. Jyotirmayee's face brightens whenever she discusses the forest and her plans for it. "It's a beautiful piece of land with tall trees," she says. "We're clearing out the old trees so we can plant lots of forest flowers. We'll have our own garden, and the children will help the teachers to grow all the fruits and vegetables that the school needs. It'll be like a heaven-on-earth for the children. They'll live naturally, just like in Vedic times." Right now the children go to the forest for gathering wood, learning arts and crafts, gardening, eating their meals, and romping around. Jyotirmayee adds, "We like to get together and put on plays about the childhood pastimes of Krsna. That way we think about Him and remember Him."

Jyotirmayee measures the school's success by "how happy the children are with their teachers and with themselves. Because the people who teach have a sense of spiritual vision, the children spontaneously share in it. This is the real Krsna conscious way to teach and live."