Buddhist education

by Yuvi - November 15, 2020

Buddhist Education

Buddhist period is generally considered as the period between the beginning of the Gupta empire and the founding of Buddhism.

Philosophy / Main Tenets of Buddhism

1) Nirvana or Salvation.

2) Four Noble Truths –

a. There is sorrow or suffering in the world.
b. There are reasons behind this sorrow.
c. Sorrow can be removed.
d. There is right path to learn how to remove sorrow.

3) Eight-fold path –

a. Right Speech.
b. Right Action.
c. Right Living.

Lead to physical control or “sila”.

d. Right Effort.
e. Right Mindfulness.
f. Right Concentration.

Lead to mental control or “Samadhi”

g. Rights Views.
h. Right Intentions.

Lead to insight or “Prajna” which ultimately leads to Salvation or “nirvana”.

4) Follow Middle path in daily life.

5) Ahimsa.

6) No caste system.

7) Silence over existence of God.

8) Equality and no caste system.

9) Birth and rebirths.

10) Disbelief in Vedas.

11) Disbelief in soul.

12) No faith in rituals, sacrifices and yajnas.

Curriculum

1) It was religious and philosophical.

2) It was meant for monks and nuns.

3) Liberal sciences like literature, poetry and astrology were not taught.

4) Initially Ardhamagadhi was used as medium of instruction but later replaced by Pali and then Sanskrit.

5) Study of Tripatakas was undertaken.

6) Hindu religion was also studied to take up disputation and discussions with Hindu theologians.

7) Study of Vedas was included but it was not the basis of Buddhist education.