Source: Ottawa Citizen


OTTAWA, CANADA, June 29, 2002: In a regular column, “Ask the Religion Experts,” the Ottawa citizen interviewed Pandit Madhu Sahasrabudhe who is affiliated with the Hindu Temple of Ottawa-Carleton and president of the Capital Region Interfaith Council on the subject of corporal punishment of children. He advised, “To discipline is to train and instruct a child in proper conduct in accordance with established rules. In the Hindu perspective, it is the responsibility of the parent or the guru (teacher) to discipline a child. However, I believe this question refers to disciplining children by punishment to instill proper conduct and that such punishment may take the form of spanking. It is only by inference from what I have read and heard that I can say that, in the Hindu tradition, punishment is not an acceptable form of discipline. As a Hindu, I believe I was born for a divine purpose. My aim in life is to improve myself, body and soul, to the highest level of perfection through a process of self-purification and enlightenment. The Hindu scriptures — the Veda, the Upanishads, Bhagavad-Gita, and Manu-Smruti — all deal with proper conduct through rituals and sacraments (Samskars) toward that enlightenment. The ill effects of anger, animosity, hatred and avarice, among others, are clearly described, but there is no reference to punishment to be given to children or even to fellow men if they do not follow the rules. I can also infer that spanking as wilful hurting is an expression of anger and frustration that should be avoided, yet it is prevalent.” Write to Ask the Religion Experts to drogers@thecitizen.southam.ca.