1 / 9

Buddhist Approaches to Ed ucation

Buddhist Approaches to Ed ucation. Andrea Wilson Texas A&M University EHRD 630 – June 18, 2012. About Buddhism. Based on the life and teachings of Siddhartha (Buddha), who lived 2,500 years ago Buddha is viewed as a respected and enlightened teacher, not necessarily as a God

alton
Download Presentation

Buddhist Approaches to Ed ucation

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Buddhist Approaches to Education Andrea Wilson Texas A&M University EHRD 630 – June 18, 2012

  2. About Buddhism • Based on the life and teachings of Siddhartha (Buddha), who lived 2,500 years ago • Buddha is viewed as a respected and enlightened teacher, not necessarily as a God • Not a traditional religion, but a moral, ethical, value-based system of discovering the true nature of things and beings; escape from suffering with the goal of attaining happiness • Two major schools: Theravada and Mahayana

  3. Theravada – Doctrine of Elders A psychological understanding of human nature; an individual’s transformation of consciousness… 4 Noble Truths • Dukkha: unsatisfactoriness or discontent • Cause of Dukkha: causes of dissatisfaction are cravings • Cessation of Dukkha: relinquishing the craving • The path or practice leading to cessation of Dukkha For one to become fully awake or enlightened, the four truths must be cycled through comprehension, abandonment, realization, and finally development. Source: Bullitt, J.

  4. Mahayana – The Great Vehicle Developed around the 1st Century BCE. Expanded from Theravada to include all living beings, not just one’s self: • Suggests that individual realization be delayed in order to help others who are struggling • Seek not only wisdom, but compassion; practice upon the general community • Not only enlightenment of the self, but attainable by all Source: Bhikkhu, J.

  5. Teaching Principles • One should rely on the teachings and not the teacher • Start the teaching and/or learning process with basic information and build on it toward more complicated concepts • Learning should be based on understanding meaning, not simply relying on rote methods • Consider both differentiating and finding unity in understanding Source: Johansen, B. P., & Gopalakrishna, D.

  6. Teaching Principles continued • Instruction should be broken into steps • Instruction should address cause and effect • The teacher should teach with compassion for the student • Teaching should not be motivated by personal gain • Teaching should not disparage others • Teachers must be competent before instructing others Source: Johansen, B. P., & Gopalakrishna, D.

  7. Learning Ideals • Learning is life-long and experiential, and the learner should always reflect on and test the ideals that are presented • Through meditation, the learner becomes independent; teach themselves, able to learn through all life experiences • With persistent reading and studying, knowledge is attained. When knowledge leads to wisdom, one can open the doors to the challenges of life • Learning occurs not only through Buddhist texts, but also through poetry, prayer, nature, and cultural tradition

  8. The Song on Reaching the Mountain PeakMilarepa Hearken, my sons! If you wantTo climb the mountain peakYou should hold the Self-mind's light,Tie it with a great "Knot,"And catch it with a firm "Hook."If you practice thusYou can climb the mountain peakTo enjoy the view. Come, you gifted men and women,Drink the brew of Experience!Come "inside" to enjoy the scene --See it and enjoy it to the full!The Incapable remain outside;Those who cannot drink pureBeer may quaff small beer.He who cannot strive for Bodhi,Should strive for superior birth. Source: Johansen, B. P., & Gopalakrishna, D.

  9. References • Bhikkhu, J. (Director) (2012, June 1). Theravada and Mahayana: Parallels, Connections and Unifying Concepts. 2nd International Association of Buddhist Universities. Lecture conducted from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Wangnoi. • Bullitt, J. (2012, May 18). What is Theravada Buddhism?. Access to Insight. Retrieved June 17, 2012, from http://Accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bullitt/theravada.html • Cutillo, B. (1995). Drinking the mountain stream: songs of Tibet's beloved saint, Milarepa: eighteen selections from the rare collection : stories and songs from the oral tradition of JetsünMilarepa. Boston: Wisdom Publications. • Johansen, B. P., & Gopalakrishna, D. (2006). A Buddhist View of Adult Learning in the Workplace. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 8, 337-345. Retrieved June 15, 2012, from the Sage Journals database.

More Related