Library: A Temple of Knowledge

A Library Is Worth More Than a University

For me, books are my God, and a library is my temple. I believe that books are the essence that makes a man truly human. Knowledge is the only force capable of eradicating evil from within and nurturing goodness. Only through knowledge can a person achieve true consciousness. However, not every book or subject provides genuine knowledge—this has been my experience.

From childhood to graduation, 95% of the education I received in school and college was of little value in my life. It neither purified my thoughts nor elevated my understanding of consciousness. It did not help me become a better person or instill higher ideals. Instead, the real knowledge I gained came from libraries—through self-help books, religious scriptures, and biographies, none of which were part of my formal education.

The book that changed my life is As Man Thinketh and Buddha and His Dhamma. I am deeply saddened that such transformative works are not part of our academic curriculum. I read Buddha and His Dhamma in a public library, and it proved to be far more useful than my formal education, contributing significantly to making me a better human being. Apart from this, I read many motivational books and philosophical works that taught me how to live a meaningful life.

In my experience, public libraries surpass university libraries because university libraries primarily house academic books that often lack practical relevance to real life. However, I do not claim that academic studies are entirely without value. Academic education is essential—for instance, studying psychology is necessary to become a psychologist, or studying political science is crucial to understanding justice, equality, and governance.

My argument is that if a university cannot instill ethical compassion, foster the power of thought, or cultivate qualities like mindfulness, resilience, and kindness, then it has failed in its purpose. The true aim of education is to elevate a person to a higher plane of existence—one where thoughts are enriched with goodness and benevolence, and the individual is mentally equipped to face life’s challenges.

Unfortunately, university education and its libraries often fail to meet these goals. They neither instill confidence nor shape good character. Instead, they merely provide degrees, which become superficial markers of “education” in society.

Take, for example, a Ph.D. holder in political science who has studied concepts like justice, liberty, and equality. If that individual cannot embody a sense of justice, respect others’ freedom, or treat everyone as equals, then what value does their degree hold? On the other hand, someone who has not attended college but has studied the teachings of Buddha, Mahavira, or Jesus—and practices virtues like compassion, brotherhood, and love—may not be deemed “educated” by society. Yet, their behavior reflects true wisdom.

As Kabir beautifully said: “One did not become a scholar by reading many books, one became a scholar by reading two and a half letters of love”

Kabir, though lacking formal education, remains unparalleled, comparable only to visionaries like Buddha and Ambedkar. His wisdom, rooted in compassion, love, and humility, exemplifies true knowledge.

If we wish to gauge a person’s knowledge, we should evaluate their thoughts and behavior—not their degrees.

The Solution

I believe that alongside academic books, libraries and universities should include:

1.Moral Philosophy and Ethics.

2.Self-help books like Think and Grow Rich, The Power of the Subconscious Mind, and As Man Thinketh, self help, Ikigai, Atomic habits, and The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

3.Biographies of figures like Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Ambedkar, and Martin Luther King Jr.

4.Teachings of Buddha, Mahavira, Jesus, Prophet Muhammad, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Socrates, Ravi das and Kabir.

5.Complete works of Vivekananda

6.Stoic philosophy and meditations

7.Buddha and His Dhamma

This approach would yield numerous benefits:

1. Students would gain both academic knowledge and the wisdom of great thinkers, making them better human beings.

2. Professionals would integrate this wisdom into their work. For instance:

A judge who remembers Buddha’s teaching, “Become good and do good,” and Jesus’ wisdom, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” would deliver better justice.

A doctor, inspired by Mahavira’s or Ambedkar’s teachings on humanity, would view their profession as a service to others rather than merely a means of earning.

My Ideal Library

A library is a treasure trove of knowledge—a temple of books. When I visited the Lal Bahadur Library, I encountered extraordinary books I had never heard of before. These books transformed my thinking and enriched my life.

The hallmark of a great library is its ability to present diverse knowledge and provide access to transformative works. A well-curated library offers not just information but inspiration, giving readers options to explore the best literature.

Final Thoughts

It is not the quantity but the quality of books one reads that matters. A single good book can transform a life. It nurture both the intellect and the soul. Libraries are indispensable in this journey, as they offer the wisdom of the ages to those who seek it.