"Children are not vessels to be filled, but lamps to be lit” - Swami Chinmayananda
Children are the major focus at Chinmaya Mission Boston. The goal of the Bala Vihar program is to "wake up the sleeping giant" within and inspire them to reach their maximum potential. This is achieved by imparting a value-based education through a specially designed, age appropriate curriculum that has been carefully developed by expert Chinmaya Acharyas. Through inspiring stories, projects, role-playing, and songs, a child’s mind is awakened to the higher. “Why We Do What We Do” is a recurring theme throughout the curriculum.
The children are taught by a team of specially trained and dedicated teachers volunteers. The curriculum designed for each grade level (from Kindergarten to Grade 12) covers a wide range of topics such as:
- Hindu Culture
- Alphabet Safari - a safari of values
- Ramayana & Mahabharata
- Why we do what we do
- Symbolism in Hinduism
- Hanuman Chalisa
- Yato Dharma, Tato Jayah
Teenagers in high school transition to an introduction to Hindu Culture where the foundation is laid for a 3-year study on the Bhagavad Gita.The classes provide a forum to discuss, debate and understand the wisdom in the Gita and designed to stimulate independent thinking and increase the awareness of the inherent potential within each individual. High school students are encouraged to volunteer in community and social service activities with the goal of preparing today's youth to be responsible and successful adults of tomorrow.
Venues:
Andover, MA on Sunday mornings
Westborough, MA on Sunday mornings
Nashua, NH on Friday evenings