Buddhism As Education

It was this way of life which was the first to revolt against the degrading caste system. It taught humanity to accord equality in every walk of life. This way of life is also the first in providing freedom to women to study and to practice spiritual development. The Great Teacher declared that the gates to success and prosperity are open to all in every stage of life whether high or low, saintly or criminal who would care to seek and aspire for perfection. He did not make his followers slaves to himself or to his teachings but instead granted them complete freedom of thought and investigation to gain confidence for themselves. This system classifies living beings into mind and matter which are in a state of constant change, not remaining the same for two consecutive moments. Mind and matter arise and perish and the cycle of such continues on and on. Therefore, nothing will remain permanent either in this world or elsewhere in the universe. Because everything exist in the universe i...

Today, the message of peace of this Great Teacher is more important than ever before particularly at the time when human beings are intoxicated with power, greed, jealousy, pride, racism, extremism and craving for world domination. This teacher was born in this world to dispel the darkness of ignorance and to save the world from its ills. It is a common knowledge that throughout the world, many people continue to live without practising any form of noble life. However, if they would make an effort to study and understand what this Great Teacher had taught, they could clarify their doubts and be convinced of his teachings that could best contribute to find the aim of life. Whether one believes in him or otherwise, his teaching had a profound effect on everyone. His message was spread without any violence nor war. It is a significant fact that not a single drop of blood had ever been shed in his name or in the name of his teachings. This is indeed the most remarkable record in the wor...

This way of life satisfies human being’s most profound and lofty aspirations. Yet it is able to the stress and strain of everyday life, besides giving the purpose of life. It does not instil fear in people. Good begets good and bad begets bad. Every action has its reaction. These are universal laws. This way of life fully agrees with these fundamental laws and people have to abide by them and reap what they sow. People perpetrate evil deeds out of greed, anger and ignorance. Such shortcomings can only be overcome through self-realisation. The fortunes and misfortunes people experience in this world are not due to external influences but to the good and bad actions, words, deeds they themselves had previously committed. For this reasons, this teaching says, “We are the results of what we were and we will be the results of what we are”. This means, we are totally responsible for everything that we have been doing in our life. Forgiveness of sin is not acknowledged in this way of life....

The noble eight-fold path taught in this way of life is perfect understanding, perfect thought, perfect speech, perfect action, perfect livelihood, perfect effort, perfect mindfulness and perfect concentration. This unique middle path is a code of morality which paves way for people to lead a noble and peaceful life. The middle path is neither metaphysical nor ritualistic. It is neither dogmatism nor scepticism, neither self-indulgence nor self-torture, neither eternalism nor nihilism, neither a law given by some divine authority nor mere imagination of man. It is a path of Enlightenment, which means deliverance from suffering or dissatisfaction. This way of life rejects the idea of humans are suffering today because of their original sins. Every living being, including plant life experience sufferings. Every person carries his or her merits and demerits individually. All humans are solely responsible for their own pain or pleasure. One who follows the middle path should find...

The noble way of life that is being introduced here is a practical educational system of mental culture known to the world some twenty-five centuries ago. The founder of this way of life was the most enlightened and compassionate teacher. This method is also known as the Middle Path, a righteous way of life, an ethico-philosophical system, a DIY method and also can be introduced as a path of freedom and reason. It teaches us to do three things namely, to refrain from doing bad deeds, to be of some service to others and to maintain a healthy pure mind. This message is very meaningful and practical. Yet people still experience difficulties when they try to put them into practice. The reason for such problem is due to their own inherent human weaknesses. The moral conduct of humans plays the most essential part in this way of life. Its great teacher once said, “my teaching is not to come and believe but to practise”. It encouraged people to study themselves, whether they should accept ...

When those who believe in a god experience fear, sorrow or any disturbance in their life, they pray for help and protection. Many Buddhists as whom they can turn to when they are confronted with such situation. In such situation, Buddhists can recall the Buddha to their mind to seek solace. There is no doubt that the Buddhist concept of god differs from that of other religions but when they contemplate the supreme qualities of the Buddha, his great achievements and his calm and noble characteristics, their minds will be calmed and they will gain confidence. Even many religions also say god is not a person, but a force which is personalised in the mind. When their minds are calmed and strengthened by focusing on this power, they will be in the position to face the disturbances to evaluate the problems and find the means to resolve them. Buddhists can resolve their problems in a same manner by recalling the image of the Buddha. Naturally many of our problems are caused by the mind and...