Characteristics or features of Buddhist Education B.ed Notes

1) Sacrifice of material comforts and luxuries was of prime importance under the Buddhist system of education.

2) Viharas or Buddhist monasteries were the centers of education.

3) Students underwent an ordination ceremony (“pabbajja”) after which they had to lead a novitiate life for 12 years.

4) Students were expected to follow the 10 commandments –

a. Not taking life.

b. Taking what is given.

c. Abstaining from impure practices.

d. Not telling a lie.

e. Not drinking.

f. Not eating out of time.

g. Not dancing, singing and seeing shows.

h. Not using garlands, scents, ornaments, etc.

i. Not using high or large couch.

j. Not receiving gold and silver.

5) At the end of this there was the second ceremony called the Upsampada which now qualified him to be a full-fledged monk or Bhikshu and he was required to –

a. Beg his food.

b. Wear robes made of rags.

c. Lofge at the foot of a tree.

d. Use cow’s urine as medicine.

e. Avoid sex, theft and taking life.

6) This was a 10 year period at the end of which he became an Acharya and could teach other pupils.

7) It stressed on salvation (Mukti).

8) Education was imparted in natural surroundings.

9) Students had a hard life.

10) There was a strict code of morality.

11) The Buddhist centres of learning were rich and could thus could spread the education far and wide in other countries too.