The Role of Teachers and Students in Education : หน้า 100/164

have to realize that the teachers have to help them through the hardships in order to change. So it is a double duty, or a dual duty. One for the teachers and one for the students – both have to realize their role in the relationship. “Respect means that we must see the virtue and goodness in others, and that means for the teachers and the students, in order to help them attain Dhamma. Respect is not simply making the gesture of the Wai9 but the feeling of respect comes from the inside. A monkey can do a gesture, but we must be able to look at the inner virtue of our students. “How can we develop the virtue in ourselves and the students? First, we must be able to look at positivity, not negativity. And secondly, we must encourage others to be positive and look at the positives. Otherwise, our students will grow up to be very jealous people. And this applies to the teachers as well as the student. We cannot think in negative terms, and we must be good role models. When we have respect, it is easier to develop virtues, and then knowledge and wisdom will come more quickly. “So. As a parent of a child, let us examine the qualifications of a good teacher. First, the teacher must have true knowledge. Second, the teacher must be able to do what he knows. Teaching is action and implementation. Third, teachers must have good habits. If the teacher has bad habits, s/he will use the knowledge incorrectly. And fourth, teachers must have the ability to teach. “Why do we need good teachers? To develop moral people for the world. The students must listen to their teacher with respect, and the teacher must be able to discipline the student and help them have good manners. Students must develop the habit of listening. The principle of listening is important for learning. The teacher must try to capture all of the teachings – condense it so that it makes sense to the student, and is pertinent 9 Wai: An action done as a sign of greeting and respect. Almost everyone in Thailand wai’s when they greet one another, particularly if they are meeting for the first time. The person will put the palms of their hands together about chest high and slowly bow their head, putting the tips of their thumbs onto a certain part of their face. When a younger person meets an older person, the younger person will raise their hands higher that the older person, putting the tips of their thumbs on the bridge of their nose, for example. When a person meets a monk, the tips of their thumbs go even higher, perhaps to their forehead, or the person may even drop to their knees depending on how devout the person is to Buddhism.