Buddhism Dr. Kasturi Karmakar Assistant Professor

Principles of Buddhism The eight fold path to Nirvana suggested by the Buddha are
Right to Belief
Right to Memory
Right to Speech
Right to Thought
Right to Meditate
Right to Effort
Right to Conduct
Right to Action<br>

Classification of Buddhism School Hinayana School (Lesser Vehicle)
Its followers believed in the original teaching of Buddha.
They sought individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation.
They did not believe in idol worship.
They favour Pali language.
It is known as ‘Southern Buddhist Religion’ because it prevailed in South India. (Sri Lanka, Burma etc.)
There wee two sub-sects of Hinayana i.e. Vaibhasika and Sautrantika<br>

Mahayana School (Greater Vehile)
It followers believed in the heavenliness of Buddha.
They sought the salvation of all through the grace and help of Buddha and Bodhisattva.
They believe in idol worship.
They favoured Sanskrit language.
It is known as ‘Northern Buddhist Religion’ because it prevailed in North India and religions like China, Korea, Japan etc. Classification of Buddhism School<br>

Educational Philosophy Buddhist education offered to impart education for all.
Many people shifted to Buddhist educational system.
It was for the first time in India that education was institutionalized on a large scale during Buddhist movement.
It is also a historic fact that with the arrival of Buddhist era, great international centre of education like Nalanda, Takshashila, Vikramshila, Ballabhi, Odantapuri, Nadia, Amravati, Nagahalla and Sarnath were in prominence.
Educational centre in Buddha period developed in Viharas and Sanghas.<br>

Aims of Education To follow the moral values of Buddhist religion.
To eradicate Vedic Karmakanda or Ritualism.
To provide education in the language of masses i.e. Pali.
To give up caste system.
To achieve the final goal of Nirvana.
To emphasize the progress and development of the society rather than the individual.
To provide education through the new system and this was stated by Buddha.<br>

Methods of Teaching<br>

Role of a Teacher The duties of the teachers were imparting education too the students, writing books, propagation of religion, discussion, and arrangement of debate for the clarification of serious subjects.
The teachers were responsible for physical, mental, spiritual and moral development of the students.
Teachers loved the students and helped them in every affair.
They also take care of them during diseases and agony.<br>

There were the categories of teachers i.e., Acharyas and Upadhayas.
The teacher were responsible for their food, accommodation and the other necessities of livelihood.
They kept eyes on the all round development of the students.
They were serious about the obidience of the rules, meditation and concentration to their learning. Role of a Teacher<br>

Discipline Buddha teaching contains three major points i.e. discipline, meditation and wisdom.
Wisdom is the goal and deep meditation is the crucial process towards achieving wisdom.
Discipline through observing the precepts is the method that helps one to achieve deep meditation, wisdom will then be realized naturally.<br>

After getting education in the Buddhist schools, colleges, and universities one cannot do any injustice, tell a lie, commit theft, cannot kill, cannot be addicted in wine and make himself free from moral turpitude.
The monk and the students in Buddhist period were following the simple living and high thinking principle.
Their lives were full of purity, dutifulness and are suppose to follow the Astang Marg. Discipline<br>

Educational Implications Positivism: Buddhist philosophy is positivistic and has a careful logical systematization of idea.
Ethical: it is ethical, the eight fold path to Nirvana makes a universal appeal.
Total Development of Personality: Buddhist education laid much emphasis on physical, mental, and spiritual development. Even today the aim of education is integration of personality that can develop the various aspects of the individual which are inter-linked.<br>

No Corporal Punishment: Corporal punishments were absolutely forbidden, which is also very true in the present scenario of education.
Moral Discipline: Character was the basis of moral discipline. The monk took the vows of chastity and of poverty.
Emphasis on Manual Skills: Training of manual skills like spinning and weaving was emphasized to enable men to earn for living. Educational Implications<br>

Development of Good Conduct: The entire techniques of Buddhism provide directions to develop good conduct and which is also the essence of a sound system of education.
Cosmopolitan: Buddhist education was free from communal narrowness, there was no favouritism on the basis of caste, creed in the centres. Educational Implications<br>