Aptness of "guru as gardener, disciple as seed analogy" based pedagogy for learning from sacred scriptures

Aptness of "guru as gardener, disciple as seed analogy" based pedagogy for learning from sacred scriptures

The pedagogy based on premise "guru as gardener, disciple as seed analogy" is viewed as a part of facilitative pedagogy that highlights the role of a teacher as a facilitator and guide to learning by his or her disciples. It has been recommended and advocated widely by many educators and researchers.

According a Google AI review, the teacher nurtures students' potential like a gardener tends to treat students as plants by providing the environment, resources, and guidance for the individual student to grow, while  a student's inherent potential is seen as the seed, waiting to be fostered, nurtured and  cultivated.

Roles of Gardner-Seed type pedagogues are as follows

• Creating a supportive and stimulating learning environment, much like a gardener prepares the soil, provides sunlight, and manages the climate for plants.

• Guiding the disciple through the learning process, offering advice, answering questions, and providing feedback, similar to how a gardener prunes, fertilizes, and protects plants.

• Recognizing and cultivating the unique strengths and talents of each disciple, helping them develop to their fullest potential, just as a gardener nurtures the individual characteristics of each plant.

The overview cautions that the guru's role is not to dictate knowledge but to create conditions that allow the disciple to flourish, much like a gardener ensures the plants have the best possible conditions to grow since it is assumed that the disciple, like a seed, carries the potential for cognitive growth and development

"This analogy emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to education, where the teacher fosters not just intellectual growth but also character development, values, and personal growth. It highlights the reciprocal relationship between teacher and student, where both play an active role in the learning process," it sums up.

This blogger,  Dr Lalit Kishore, recommends this type of pedagogy of teaching for life lessons  from sacred scriptures, which being urged through Indian Knowledge System (IKS) under NEP-2020. as illustrated in the following poem

Pedagogy of learning from scriptures

The world a classroom, hearts the open books,

Where lessons lie beyond the printed page.

Not just of numbers, letters, dates, and hooks

Of grammar, but a deeper, softer stage.

To teach the spirit, not to preach or mold,

But gently guide a seedling to the sun.

To let them question, stories to unfold

Of kindness, peace, till understanding's spun.

To find the quiet in the busy day,

To feel the wonder in a single bloom,

To listen closely to what others say,

And banish shadows from a darkened room.

For with a spirit nurtured, brave and bright,

Intelligence will soar, a guiding light.