Quality Leads to 'Peace of Mind'
Ravi Bhattarai
QUEST-Nepal, MasterTrainer SQC
axon.rb@gmail.com, rb@axonsystem.org
Abstract
In this paper, I will try to show how quality and peace are interlinked. In order to show the linkage I am comparing the quality approach of QC (Quality Circle) and Budhha's teaching. I shall also demonstrate that both of these approaches have some visible
similarities.
In QC, we talk about problems, its identification, analysis of the root causes and its eradication with solution so as to achieve quality. And in Budhha's teaching he talks about sufferings in life, the origin of sufferings and cessation from them as an approach to peaceful life.
Thus it is clearly visible that both of the teachings fundamentally have similar essence with a common finding about life. And, I think modern quality concept as in QC has some connections with Budhha's teachings. Here, I shall raise a clear connection between peace and quality.
1. Preamble
Better than a thousand hollow words
Is one word that brings peace.
Better than a thousand hollow verses
Is one verse that brings peace.
Better than a hundred hollow lines
Is one line of the law, bringing peace.
(Gautama Buddha in "The Thousands" from the
Dhammapada as translated by Thomas Byrom)
2. Background
One big question is, can we have a state where there is absence of problem or a complete peace of mind? All human, of every ages, ethnicity, tribes and society have
problems; simply because of so many random factors which is beyond our control. Due to the universality of randomness, all beings are bound to have problems. We can't do much about the randomness due to happenings, events and circumstances which increase the parameters and hence the complexity. This is not a new problem of the new age , today we have different context but more understanding of the context as well.
Great thinkers and philosophers of all ages have but one conclusion, we may not be able to change the whole system but a part of it and that too the part that belongs to us and around the same context. But, more significant of this is we can change the way we view the context and the meaning we give to it. We can change our perspective and mind set.
Above lines are not excerpt from any books but shared belief from quality and peace practitioners all around. May be two different poles, two different approaches and two different schools but they have something in common, something similar and that is both of them are longing for a better world. And, this is my attempt to see how do they resemble in metaphysical level.
One of widely accepted school of quality advocates the idea of QC (Quality Circle) as a path to quality which is root to SQC (Students' Quality Circle) movement.
Similarly, Buddha's school of peace has been one of the most worked upon discourse for last 2500 years with out downfall on the acceptance. His teachings are always explored by millions all around.
Today I am attempting to see the similarities between these two school of thoughts in however different discipline.
3. Quality Concepts
All different school, from west and east, from Deming to Kano from Sixsigma to Kaizen have but one thing in common, they want to reduce the level of problem(or defects) with one clear objective to attain better quality. Without going onto a much deeper analysis of different
appraches, I am safely taking Quality Circle appraoch here in this paper. And, instead of talking about productivity in industry through QC, I shall talk even broader aspect of life. With a form belief that life is an indivisible whole and if it works in one place it should work in other places as well, as every universal principles does.
We have brought QC from industry and have been putting into practice in academia for more than a decade now, however the basic approach remains same but our objective is much broader. In the schools it is much popular with the name SQC (Students' Quality Circle) with one objective of personality development which has nothing to do with Statistical Quality Circle (SQC) as practiced in the industry for quite sometime now.
3.1 What is SQC?
“Students’ Quality Circle (SQC) is a team of self motivated and proactive students (4-10) of the same institute, who meets regularly in their study place for a particular period of one hour every week in school time, to IDENTIFY, ANALYZE and SOLVE, their common problems occurring at school or home or institute, applying systematic problem solving QC tools and techniques, for self and mutual development of personality, creativity and communication skills”
SQC has a common purpose of working together
1. To identify recurring Problems,
2. Analyze their root causes (using systematic, scientific and analytical Quality Circle (QC) approaches, tools and techniques) and
3. Solve them gradually leading to continuous improvements
4. A Quality mindset is one which works with problems on regular basis.
If we see this way, two important keywords are quality and problems. And the conclusion is, quality of life is improved with gradually working to reduce problems.
We believe that we can attain more qualitative state as we can reduce more of the problematic state. At quality circle approach, we say that the problems are hindrances to the quality. Major part of the conflicts are our problems. Most of the time instead of working with problems,we end up loosing peace of mind.
Note: To be noted here, QUEST-Nepal is a non-profit making, non-governmental organization working to promote SQC movement in Nepal. Details in the website: www.questnepal.org.np.
4. Peace Practices
Again, from the dawn of civilization people have been wondering if they can attain external peace. Different rituals and practices from north to south pole have their own versions. But, everyone has same verse to say, they all aim at a peaceful life.
4.1. Budhha's Teaching
When I was reading through literature on peace I found that, Buddhists believe that “peace can be attained once all suffering ends”. It clicked in my head that it is exactly the same thing that we have been teaching our students for quite some time. And, I started looking at what Budhha says. To eliminate sufferings and achieve this peace, they follow a set of teachings called the Four Noble Truths — a central tenet to their philosophy. When we closely observe them and try to match them with the SQC definition we can clearly see some similarities. As from Buddha's finding of four noble truths states them,
1. The Nature of Suffering (Dukkha):
2. Suffering's Origin (Dukkha Samudaya):
3. Suffering's Cessation (Dukkha Nirodha):
4. The Path (Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada
Magga) Leading to the Cessation of Suffering:
5. Peace and Quality Teaching (Compared)
Both of above terms are stated vague by many people. Anything turns out to be vague, when we have no clear idea of what it is. And vagueness cannot be compared. In order to have comparative study we have taken quality circle approach to quality and Buddha's approach to peace. Above we have already introduced these two concepts in brief. Now let us see them one by one to find out the resemblance, which is the major finding of my paper today. Both the schools of thought to have same level of logical level of thinking to reach to two different goals.
5.1 Sufferings and Problems
Here we see, either Budhha or QC starts with their hindrances to their objective and say either sufferings or problem but basically they are same.
5.1.1. Buddha's Teaching 1: The Nature of
Suffering (Dukkha):
"This is the noble truth of suffering: birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering;
sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief and despair are suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; In brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering.
So, the first step to the peace is the identification of the problems, what buddha says sufferings. Sufferings are everywhere with every individuals and without this realization we can not have the peace of mind.
5.1.2 Quality Teaching 1: Identification of
Problems::
At SQC we teach our students to find their problems through brainstorming. Meanwhile students learn to see what is seizing their peace of mind.
Problems are everywhere. May be the context be different but they exist. Many a time, we worry about problems so much that, we are lost in between problems. Instead of immediately being critical about problems, it is always important to put such problems right in front of us and observe them. We have few advantages this way, we take problems as a part of whole system not the end of the journey. When we are able to detach ourselves from problems, we can collect more resources to solve the problems. Gradually, we be able to take a team approach to solve problems then take is too personally and worsen the context. Such an unbiased approach helps us to be more factual, yet free ourselves.
In our life, problems are the war weapon so unless we understand problems and its war in our life we can not have the peace, the eternal peace.
5.2. Origin and Root causes
Many a time, when we are taking problems, we start with solution in mind. We take causes for granted and too superficial. Both of our approaches above focus on the causes before searching for solution. It is very important to see that, both the school of thought seems to agree that we got to know the root or origin of problems and sufferings.
Only the difference being, QC takes scientific and analytical approaches of analysis depending upon modern mathematics ans statistical tools however Budhha took spiritual and general understanding as of back 2500 years of knowledge base. But, essentially the message being still similar in the context that both school urges us to look at the root.
5.2.1 Buddha's Teaching 2: Suffering's Origin
(Dukkha Samudaya):
"This is the noble truth of the origin of suffering: it is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there, that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, craving for extermination."
Like Helen Keller says, peace without understanding of deep meaning is useless. It's important to have a deep understanding that leads to everlasting peace.
5.2.2. Quality Teaching 2: Analysis of Root causes
Unless we find the root causes of the problem we just wonder around the surface and hence the problem repeats itself and we can never be free. When we try to solve the the problem without facts and figure we leave enough space for the problem to reoccur time and again which seizes our peace of mind.
5.3. Cessation and Solution
Cessation from sufferings and solution to problems are just two ways of saying the same thing, ie freedom from the problem.
Although one follows more scientific method of problem-solving and other spiritual explanation of detachment from the origin but still the essence is same. Both are saying us to find the root cause and get free from the same.
5.3.1. Buddha's Teaching 3: Suffering's
Cessation (Dukkha Nirodha):
This is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering: it is the remainder less fading away and cessation of that same craving, the giving up and relinquishing of it, freedom from it, non reliance on it.
Unless we can give up the problem the peace is not possible. Peace is a state of mind where we have freedom from the problems. After we have found what the problem is and analyzed the root causes we have to creatively find the solution that leads to peace of mind. As, we practice this peace becomes the culture and part of our life.
5.3.2. Quality Teaching 3: Solution of the problems:
Its not enough just to find the solution and list but we need to implement it and work for it. Solution in one hand get us rid from the problem and other hand develops the confidence that we can always solve our problem ourselves. When we start the belief that solution are part of systematic working we find ourselves free from the problems hence more free from the context leading to the state where we are at peace.
5.4 Path and Mindset
The Buddha says that he taught them......because it is beneficial, it belongs to the fundamentals of the holy life, it leads to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation of suffering, to peace, to direct knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nirvana. That is why I have declared it.
Students at SQC work with problems and thus are at peace when they come to the realization that if they can resolve their own problems with their available resources, they reach to the self actualization. By the time, they gain the eternal peace through the freedom from problems.
5.4.1. Buddha's Teaching 4: The Path (Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada Magga) Leading to the Cessation of Suffering:
This is the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering: it is the Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.
5.4.2 Quality Teaching 4 : Quality Mindset
Solution to one problem is not the destination but journey. Like it is said, Quality is not the destination but the journey. So, both peace and quality can not be once achieve and over it has to be the part of life part of culture and the way we live.
6. Total Quality Persons (TQP)
Total Quality Persons are those who exhibit personality traits and characters like effective communications, emotional stability, compassion, team spirit, problem solving, positive temperament, commitment, honesty.
Students’ Quality Circle is one educational empowerment program that has tremendous potential
and scope to shape the attitudes, habits and personality of students and make them the light of the world.
If our institute can implement SQC as co- curricular activity for our students they will develop pro- social personality together with whatever academic knowledge they gain. Our students will be smart as well as good human beings, to whom we like to call as Total Quality Persons.
Quality People are not a matter of chance, but a constant and conscious effort is required to groom them. We educationists and our academic institutions involved in this noble cause of making the character of students have now to reorient ourselves to the changing needs by adopting to innovative ideas.
7. Conclusion
We teach our students at SQC that, peaceful life is possible when we can resolve the problems which seizes our peace.
Hence, I think we can now conclude and say that Budhha's four Noble truth and QC's four essence has similarities. Although , Budhha talks about peace and QC talks about Quality but they take same initial steps and follow same course. As the objective of quality is to reduce problems and conflict to attain peace and harmony. And, the objective of peace is to raise quality of life. One way ot the other they interrelate each other to justify that, Quality leads to peace of mind and vise- versa.
SQC is one such an innovative idea that a. single implementation has several positive benefits. It offers an opportunities to every students to find their own space, be creative. It teaches them to be more factual, analytical and thus reduce conflicts and controversies but enhances integrity. It cultures students to document ideas through democratic norms and values where they put systematic dialogues into practices where they remain transparent and be constructive. Working in a team for mutual benefits they learn value education at practice not just with a moral stories. SQC is about taking responsibility of own problems so as to liberate them from dependencies hence a free man who is free to fly nothing binds him, not the problems, not the conflicts, not the context, not the randomness. Everything else are just fragments but life. When one is free, they are blissfully happy ever and always.
At this time, when government is talking about peace education, there are lots of discourse and dialogues
going on about how to attain it. This paper should be a help to state how can we achieve it.
8. References
Bibliographical references:
Buddhism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism#The_Four_ Noble_Truths [Accessed August 12, 2010].
Portal:Buddhism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Buddhism [Accessed August 12, 2010].
9. Copyright forms and reprint orders
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About Author:
Author is a master trainer of SQC (Students' Quality Circle) and executive member of QUEST-Nepal (www.questnepal.org.np) and IT professional with his own firm focusing in web technologies and cost- effective technologies around the idea of free and open sourced technologies (www.axonsystem.org)
