The document presents an overview of Buddhist education, detailing its historical context originating from Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. It describes the core principles of Buddhism, the structure of education during the Buddhist period, and significant ceremonies such as pubbaja and upasampada, which marked the beginning and completion of a student's education. Additionally, it outlines the curriculum and teaching methods used in the monastic education system, emphasizing character development and preparation for achieving nirvana.

1. BUDHIST
EDUCATION:
A COMPREHENSIVE
PRESENTATION

2. Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord
Buddha, was born in 623 B.C. in
the famous gardens of Lumbini,
which is now situated in Nepal.
He was the prince of
Kapilavasthu and his real name
was Siddhartha Gautama. He
became ‘Buddha’ after he got
some enlightenment, when he
was sitting beneath a tree. The
period between 600 B.C. and
1100 A.D.

3. Four Noble Truths in
Buddhism
Life is Full of Sufferings
The Cause of
Sufferings is desire
The end of the Suffering is
Possible
This End is Possible by Following
Eight Fold Paths

4. EIGHT FOLD PATHS Right View
Right Intension
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

5. Reaching the stage called ‘Nirvana’
i.e. liberation from all sufferings
through liberation from desires and
greed by following Eight Fold Paths.
Buddhism was against the concept of
Reincarnation chain, and they
believed that no need for any
reincarnation, if human being reaches
Nirvana in the present life
The Core Aim of Education
in Buddhist System of
Education

6. Aims of Education
During Buddhist Period
Preparation for Nirvana or Liberation
Awareness on the Four Noble Truths
Enabling for Following Eightfold Paths
Spreading of the Concept of ‘ Ahimsa’
Character Development
Promotion of International Brotherhood
Imparting Practical Knowledge
Inculcation of Civic duties

7. Curriculum
of Education
During
Buddhist
Age
Core Ideas of Buddhism
Reading, writing and Arithmetic (
Three R’s)
Grammar, Art, Medicine, Logic,
Philosophy etc.
Agriculture, Astrology,
Astronomy, Law

8. It was the initial ceremony of starting education of a child during
Buddhist Age. It was a Buddhist version of the Upanayana Ceremony of
Vedic Age. The meaning of the word ‘ Pubbaja’ is ‘to go out’. So the
child would go out of the home to join ‘ Sangha Vihara’ or ‘ Buddha
Vihara’. It was held when the child became eight years old. The child
would shave his head, and would wear yellow cloths. He would start the
education by taking the oath “ Buddham Sharanam Gachami’
Dharmam Sharanam Gachami
Sangham Sharanam Gachami”
Which means
“ I take refuge in Buddha
I take refuge in Dharma
I take refuge in Sangha”
PUBBAJA
CEREMONY

9. It is convocational Ceremony or the
closing ceremony which would occur
after twenty years of education at the
Vihara. After this Ceremony the child
would become a perfect Buddhist
monk ( Bhikshu), and he would join
the Sangham as a teacher. So it tells
us that there was no relationship with
the family after joining the Sangha.
UPASAMPADA
CEREMONY

10. It was a Multi teacher- multi
students system. The students
resided at Sangha Viharas where
thousands of teachers would teach
thousands of students. It was said to
be the first institutionalized
residential educational system in
India. It was also said to have
taught there religious as well as
secular subjects.
EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM

11. Methods of
Teaching During
Buddhist Age
Initial stage Higher stage
Lecture Self Study Meditation
Discussion Debate
With Oral Transaction , writing also
was introduced during this period

12. The teacher got prominence at Viharas, too, though a
little more democratic attitude was there. The student
had to wake up early in the morning, and had to assist
the teacher in his daily routines. Fetching water , serving
food, cleaning the vessels etc. were some of the duties of
the students. He had also to massage the feet of
teachers. Just like in Vedic Age, here also they had to go
for begging alms. They were not allowed to go out side
without the permission of teachers. Teachers were
respected and honored by the students as well as the
whole society. The student was called ‘ Sadhi Viharika’
LIFE AT SANGHA
VIHARAS

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