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...

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 ...