Gurugama: A Draft Syllabus
Living Heritage Interpretation Center
Traditional Developmental Training Program

Aims

  1. To teach the tradition[s] and explore the interconnectivity of myths, legends, belief systems and life styles of ancient Sri Lanka to interested participants.
  2. To train the participants to live with nature and to give them an understanding of the value of nature and healthy living.
  3. To promote physical, mental and spiritual development by becoming close to nature.
  4. To create an understanding of the value of traditional arts and crafts and indigenous methods of healing.
  5. To foster the study of the history of traditional arts and crafts.
  6. To make the participant understand traditional culture and thereby find and investigate new avenues of employment.
  7. To encourage practical application of the theory taught, by encouraging practice and participation in the prescribed areas of study.
  8. To build racial harmony and international understanding by creating an educational, working, sharing and living environment that encourages learning for foreign and local participants alike.
  9. To create a village based rural university that teaches traditional culture and its practical application in day-to-day living.
  10. To provide training for young local village students to further their skills and preserve their heritage, while enhancing their potential for employment by our and other ecotourism ventures.

Streams of study

Koslanda countryside
  1. Study of the history of the culture of the different trades and crafts
  2. Traditional agricultural methods (chena and paddy)
  3. Traditional irrigation method
  4. Traditional building construction and architecture
  5. Traditional astrology connected to various fields of study
  6. Traditional rites and rituals pertaining to various fields of study
  7. Traditional indigenous medicine
  8. Methods of treatment of various ailments and diseases
  9. Traditional methods of patient- care and nursing
  10. Methods of mental healing and meditation
  11. Traditional food and beverages
  12. Traditional methods of caring guests
  13. Traditional arts and crafts
  14. Traditional dance, singing and music
  15. Traditional gams and sports
  16. Traditional morals pertaining to sex and family life
  17. Relevant aspects of Suseta Kala (64-fold ancient arts and crafts)
  18. Study of the functional knowledge of languages (Sinhala, Tamil and English)
  19. Appropriate familiarity with information technology

Methodology

  1. This course will consist of lectures and demonstrations by competent village experts in the relevant field of studies
  2. Work shops and field visits (observation participation and feedback)
  3. Actual participation in practical situation
  4. Discussions and dialogues
  5. Training to write a case study in one field of study selected by the participant in consultation with the guru (teacher)
  6. An evaluation will be conducted at the end of the course by the management before awarding the certification
  7. The staff will consist of theoretical and working staff. Some of them are residents and others are visiting

Requirements

  1. Participants are required to live and learn in the location for this purpose
  2. Duration of each course in each stream will be determine by the management
  3. Selected participants can choose to follow one or more streams
  4. Duration of courses will be from six month to one year
  5. Local students selected will be paid stipend as determined by the board of management
  6. At the end of the course a certificate will be issued to the participants who follow the course successfully
  7. Lectures and work shops will be conducted by competent local experts in the various fields of studies
  8. There is a cord of discipline designed by the management for the participant of this study- program
  9. Management has the desecration to request any participant to leave if the requirements of the cord of discipline are violated
  10. All participant are required to sign an agreement before being enrolled to follow this program

Rules and Regulations

  1. Participants should submit handwritten application with recently taken photograph and two character certificates (by head of the school and religious authority.)
  2. Selection of the students and the number of students for each course will be at the discretion of the management
  3. Age must be between 18-21 for both males and females
  4. Selected participants will be paid monthly stipend determined by the management
  5. These course will be residential and selected participant will be provided with food and lodging
  6. Participants will have to bring their own personal requirement (bedsheets and toilet items, etc.)
  7. At least 90% attendance is required
  8. Participants are expected to participate in various practical work situations in the institution

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