Introduction by Editor "I sought to know from the assembled scholars the meaning of education as understood by us. Is it merely the craft of reading and writing, or is it something else? ... Sri Samdhong Rinpoche ...took up the question of defining what we call education.... (he) said that ...he did not know the meaning of the English word 'education' . ...But he knew what it meant by the term Siksha. And Siksha in his tradition, according to him, meant to acquisition of the knowledge of

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... Sila and Samadhi. In rough translation, these terms mean right intellect, right conduct and right meditation. According to Sri Samdhong, knowledge of these three was education. The learning of various arts, crafts, and various physical techniques and sciences did not come under the term Siksha. ...Now, if this is the Indian definition of education, then it needs serious consideration. ...then we have to understand this form of education. We also need to find out how many amongst us are educated in this sense of education." -Dharampal, Bharatiya Chitta Manas, Kaal The Gandhian Historian, late Dharampal had written a famous book called the "Beautiful Tree" first published in 1983 and subsequently published in 2000 as part of the collected writings of Dharampal. This book has acquired an iconic position as it had broken several British promoted popular myths about the prevalence of education system in the pre-colonial and early colonial period in India and also had contrasted them with the public-school system in Britain around the same time. Using British archival documents, he had established that there was a far superior system of education prevalent widely in Indian context. In his own words, "Since these observations were made, they have been treated very differently: by some, with the sanctity reserved for divine utterances; and by others, as blasphemous. Naturally, the first view was linked with the growth * Smt. Meenakshi lived in Mumbai till she finished Architecture from JJ College of Architecture in 1989. Found Mumbai life meaningless and the rich-poor disparity disturbing, got influenced by Gandhian ideas. Decided to leave the city and live a simple life close to the land and get involved in growing food. She came to Dharmapuri in 1992 and started doing organic farming and rejuvenated a wasteland of 20 acres. Started a work based alternative school on the lines of Gandhian education vision of NAI TALIM in 2000. Today the school, Puvidham is an alternate education centre for all of India. She practices earth-friendly Architecture, teaches and travels to share her experience and insights on education. More about her in the website Puvidham.