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在印度大地 種植人本主義希望種子 (Planting the Seeds of Hope of Humanism in the Land of India)
庫馬南博士
印度

 
(English Translation continued below after Chinese Original)

印度創價池田女子大學議長庫馬南博士於3月來台參加中國文化大學「第九屆池田大作思想研究國際論壇」,在接受本報專訪時,他談及與池田SGI會長邂逅的情形,及在清奈創辦創價池田女子大學的感人歷程,本報特別加以刊載。

庫馬南博士生於卬度鄉村,父親塞圖是印度語教師,也是他就讀小學時的校長。儘管父親擔任校長,家庭的經濟卻仍十分拮据,母親為了養育他及四個弟妹,每天從早到晚拚命工作。他從小就幫忙擠牛奶分擔家務。

胸懷教育熱忱創辦學園
胼手胝足奮鬥 


庫馬南博士學校畢業後,在清奈擔任數學老師。後來,著手經營一家小型補習班,招收100位補習數學的學生,周遭有人就建議他可以著手創辦學校。「為了培育承繼未來世代的孩童,我想創辦一所設備完善的學校》」他心中熊熊燃燒著熾熱的理想。

庫馬南博士結婚後,身為企業家的岳父塞圖•婆什迦羅,被他想要投身教育的熱誠感動,同意提供資金幫助他。於是,1 98 8年,以他岳父之名,成立了從幼稚園到高中一貫教育的「塞圆•婆什迦羅學園」。

創校時,只招收到7個小朋友,在人力有限情況下,他只得身兼校長、校車司機、數学老師,甚至是打掃學校的校工,只要是為了孩子們的幸福,即使赴湯蹈火他都在所不辭。至今,學校已有7600位學生。在印度全國統一學測中,該校學生屢屢締造出類拔萃的成績。

在曰本與池田會長邂逅
決意創辦女性最高學府


1994年時,他在一本刊物上閱讀到池田SGI會長的詩作〈母親〉,深深觸動他的心。那時,內心即非常渴望有一天能與這位詩人見面。1996年,他前往口本群馬縣參加「世界詩人會議」 ,就在冋國前夕,出乎意外地實現了他長久以來的願望,在曰本創價大學見到仰慕已久的詩人池田會長。

池田先生不僅是詩人、攝影家、哲學家及創大創辦人,同時也是佛教團體的領導人,是一位在世界推動文化、教育及和平運動的偉大人物。

「我能為這位偉大的師匠一池旧先生做什麼呢?」他決意一生追隨這位偉大師匠。

返回印度後,他將學園的人樓校舍命名為「池田大樓」,決定要為貧困或身心障礙等弱勢家庭孩子的教育工作竭盡心力。之後,成立「池山學校」,每年免費提供240位學生上學的機會。

不僅如此,為了實現池田先生「女性足生命與文明的守護者」、「要培育世界公民」的崇高理想,他決心要在有生之年於印度創辦一所以池田先生為名、實踐創價教育的女性教育最高學府。

創辦初期遭逢許多困難
培育各行各業優秀人才

 
歴經種種挑戰,2000年8月,博士終於寊現夢想、在家鄉清奈創辦了「創價池田女子大學」。該校佔地53公頃、座落在一處環境優美的湖邊,博士並敬邀池田先生及香峯子夫人擔任該校「名譽創辦人」、「名譽校長」。

創校之初,學園董事、外界人士都無法埋解為何要創辦以「創價」、「池田」為名的學校?為此,博士面臨董事紛紛撤資、學校無法運作等窘境。在最艱難的情況下,只有他的夫人全力給予支持,兩人懷抱堅定心志,四處籙措資金,堅決要完成舉校的建設工作。

面對橫瓦在眼前接踵而至的闲難,他透過一次次閱讚池田會長的著作、指導,從中湧現希望與勇氣。博士深深確信,自己是與師匠共同邁步於創造和平的大道,這所以師匠「池田」為名的學校一定能夠長遠地發展下去。

經過8年的艱苦奮戰,直到2008年,社會逐漸理解到他創辦這所大學的目的,是真正為了提升印度女性地位而創立,並非以營利為目的,終於再度獲得學校董事的支持。

「透過『教育』,讓女性成為開創和平的力量。」這是博士的信念。為了讓更多女性接受更好的教育,該校對於弱勢家庭的學生給予優恵,每學期僅收取台幣約2000元學費。此外,創價池田女子大學與一般大學不同的是,博上希望每位學生能夠學習池田先生的思想理念及行誼,以身為創價的一員努力學習。

這些來回弱勢家庭的女學生,深受學校教宵珊念感動,她們懷抱感謝的心,除了認真學習專業領域的知識之外,並從池田會長的思想、哲爭與行動中,獲得鼓勵與成長,滿懷白信地學習、度過創造人生最高價值的青春。

決意貫徹師弟之道
買現池田會長人本哲學


透過長期的努力,創價池田女子人學各學科都名列前茅、表現優異,獲得教育界高度矚目。創校至今15年來,從一開始的80人,至今已有1600位學生。畢業生們如今活躍於各行各業,獲得社會極高的評價。

談起創辦學校過程,博士感動地說:「如问播種後、經歷痛苦的萌芽時期」,如今已體會到花朵盛開的喜悅與幸福感。

庫馬南博士說:「創辦學校的辛勞,比起池田會長為了世界人類行動所遭逢的苦難相比,一切都微不足道。」要讓這些受到良好教育的女性,胸懷池田先生卓越的人本思想,成為培育國家未來主人翁的重要存在,他謙虛地表示,為此只是做了一點點的貢獻!

「雖然這是一條艱辛的道路,但我會繼續前進。為了實現師匠的理想,我願意奉獻一生、付出行動。我已做好萬全準備,一旦決定了自己的人生之師,就一定貫徹師弟之道到底。」現今,庫馬南博士正計畫於2016年創辦另一所佔地230公頃的學校,除了興建校舍之外,更將建造20公頃、以池旧先生及香峯子夫人為名的檀香木森林。

為了實現師匠池田先生的教育、和平願景,庫馬南博士的奮戰仍然如火如荼地持續著。

[創價新闻 2015年3月27日]
 
Planting the Seeds of Hope of Humanism in the Land of India
Dr. Sethu Kumanan
India


The Chairperson of Soka Ikeda College of Arts and Science for Women, Dr Kumanan visited Taiwan in March to attend the 9th International Forum on Research on the Philosophy of Daisaku Ikeda, at the Chinese Culture University. In an exclusive interview with our paper, he touched on his encounter with Mr Ikeda and the moving story of his founding of the Soka Ikeda College of Arts and Science for Women in Chennai.

Dr Kumanan was born in a village in India. His father was an Indian language teacher who was also the Principal of his elementary school. Although his father was a Principal, his family remained poor. In order to raise his four siblings and himself, his mother had to work long hours every day. Since young, he would help in milking the goats to share the household chores.

Founding a campus based on a strong passion in Education, Giving his all in his endeavor

After Dr Kumanan graduated from school, he became a Mathematics teacher in Chennai. Shortly after, he set up a small Mathematics tuition centre and enrolled about 100 students. Just then, his friends suggested that perhaps he could set up a school instead.  “To foster children who are the successors of the coming age, I would like to set up a school well-equipped with facilities.” This dream burnt brightly in his heart.

After Dr Kumanan got married, his father-in-law who was an entrepreneur, was moved by his passion for education and decided to support him financially. Thereupon in 1988, Dr Kumanan established an institution which offered an integrated programme from Kindergarten level to the first year of Senior High. This school was named after his father-in-law. 

At the initial stages, the school only received 7 students. Due to shortage of manpower, Dr Kumanan doubled up as the school Principal, bus driver, Maths teacher and even as school cleaner. However, for the sake of the happiness of the children, he did not mind all these hardship at all. Today, the school has an enrolment of 7600 students. In national standardized examinations, the school has been producing stellar results consistently.

Meeting President Ikeda in Japan, Determined to establish a Higher Institution of Learning for Women

In 1994, he came across a poem titled “Mother” from a publication written by President Ikeda. He was very moved by this poem and longed for the day he could meet this poet in person. In 1996, he attended the World Poet Conference in Gunma Prefecture in Japan. On the eve of returning home, he unexpectedly met the person he has long admired, Mr Ikeda at the Soka University of Japan.

Mr Ikeda is not only a poet, photographer, philosopher and founder of Soka University of Japan, he is also the leader of a Buddhist organisation and a great figure for the promotion of peace, culture and education in the world.
​
“What can I do for this great mentor, Mr Ikeda?”  Dr Kumanan resolved to follow this great mentor throughout his life.

Upon returning to India, he renamed one wing of the campus as Ikeda Tower. He was determined to focus on developing students who were from poor family background or with learning disabilities. Not long after, he set up Ikeda Hill School and provided free education for 240 students a year.

On top of these, in order to realise President Ikeda’s ideals of “Women as the protectors of life and human civilisation” and “Fostering Global Citizens”, he resolved to spend the rest of his life to found an institution of higher learning in India. This institution would be named after Mr Ikeda and based on Soka Education for Women.

Faced Difficulties in the Initial years, Developing Capable People for different Professions

Overcoming obstacles of various kinds, Dr Kumanan finally realized his dream and established the Soka Ikeda College of Arts and Science for Women in his home town of Chennai in August 2000. The campus occupied an area of 53 hectares and was located amid tranquil surroundings beside a lake. He named Mr Ikeda and Mrs Ikeda as the honorary founder and honorary chancellor of the college respectively.

At the initial stages of the construction of the college, the college board of directors and the wider community were not able to understand the rationale of establishing a college based on Soka Education and naming the college after “Ikeda”. As such, many board members pulled out their capital and the college had difficulties operating properly. In such trying times, Dr Kumanan’s wife gave him the utmost support. Holding firm to their resolve and determined to compete the construction of the campus, they went around sourcing for capital.

When faced with waves after waves of obstacles, Dr Kumanan pored over the writings of Mr Ikeda as a source of encouragement, hope and guidance. He strongly believed that he was in the same rhythm with Mr Ikeda towards the path of peace and that this college which is named after his mentor “Ikeda” will grow and develop for a long time to come. 

After eight long years of great struggle till 2008, the community at large gradually understood that his purpose of setting up this college was truly to elevate the status of women rather than for profit and he finally won the support of the college board of directors.

“Through education, may women become the power to open the path of peace.” This is the belief of Dr Kumanan. In order for more women to gain access to better quality education, the college provided subsidy to students from under-privileged families and merely required a fee of 2000 dollars per semester. Besides, what sets Soka Ikeda College of Arts and Science for Women apart from other typical universities is that Dr Kumanan expects every student to learn the philosophies and humanistic actions of Mr Ikeda, as a member of the Soka Family.

Students from the under-privileged families were very moved by the educational ethos and values of the college. With a deep sense of gratitude, they diligently apply themselves in the learning of the subject disciplines as well as gaining much inspiration and spiritual growth from the guidance, thoughts and actions of President Ikeda. They spent their youthful days learning with confidence and lived life creating the highest value.

Resolve to walk the path of Mentor and Disciple, Actualise the Humanistic Ideals of President Ikeda

After a long period of great endeavours, students of Soka Ikeda College of Arts and Science for Women did very well and achieved excellent results in different subjects and disciplines, gaining the attention of the education circles. From an initial enrolment of 80 students 15 years ago, the student population grew to an enrolment of 1600 today. The graduates of the college were now actively contributing to different sectors and professions, winning accolades and compliments from society.

On the topic of the founding of the college, Dr Kumanan spoke with deep emotion, “Similar to the growing pains of plant saplings upon the planting of seeds, I can experience the joy and happiness of flowers blooming.”

Dr Kumanan said, “Compared to the great struggles that President Ikeda had to wage for the sake of human beings around the world, the founding of the college is indeed insignificant.” He remarked humbly, “All I have contributed in my small way is to enable women to receive good education and for them to nurture the future generations of young successors, based on the principles of humanism of Mr Ikeda.”

Although this is a path fraught with difficulties, I will continue to advance. In order to make my mentor’s ideals a reality, I am prepared to spend my entire life doing so. I have made thorough preparations; once I decided on my mentor in life, I will walk the path of mentor and disciple till the end.”  Currently, Dr Kumanan is planning to set up another campus with a land area of 230 hectares. Besides the school buildings, a sandalwood forest named after Mr Ikeda and Kaneko Ikeda will be constructed, with a land area of 20 hectares.  

In order to materialize the ideals for Peace and Education of Mr Ikeda, Dr Kumanan’s struggles continue unabated. 

(Soka News, 27 March 2015)

Translation Disclaimer: The original testimonial is in the Chinese Language.  It has been translated to the English Language for our readers’ convenience.  Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however the editorial team acknowledged that the translation may not be perfect to the author’s original and seeks our readers understanding.  Please note that all guidance and quotes are loosely translated.



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