Buddhist Education- Theory and Practice

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What is the ultimate goal of the Buddha's teachings? It is to attain the Perfect, Complete Enlightenment. Transliterated from Sanskrit, it is called Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Out of respect, this phrase was maintained in its original form rather than translated. There are three stages within this enlightenment: "Proper Enlightenment", "Equal and Proper Enlightenment", and "Perfect, Complete Enlightenment". The Buddha told us, that although scientists, philosophers and religious scholars may have reached a good understanding about life and the universe, this realization is neither complete nor proper. Why? Although they have obtained some understanding, they are far from having freedom from worries, from ending their afflictions. They still indulge themselves in the Five Poisons of greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance and doubt. They remain mired in all the troubles of human relationships and are swayed by personal feelings. In other words, they are human.

If a person has severed greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, doubt and afflictions, it will be acknowledged that this person has attained the first level, that of Proper Enlightenment. He or she will be called an Arhat, similar to the initial academic degree in Buddhism. The next higher level of enlightenment is that of Equal and Proper Enlightenment, represented by Bodhisattvas. They resemble Buddha's in motivation but have not yet reached the same level of enlightenment. The minds of Bodhisattvas are genuine; they remain forever unchanged and are similar to those of Buddha's. Buddha's use the full and perfect true heart. Buddha's represent the highest level of enlightenment, which is the Perfect Complete Enlightenment. These three levels of enlightenment can be compared to our college educational system. The level or degree of Arhat is similar to earning an undergraduate degree. The level of Bodhisattva is similar to earning a Master's degree and the level of Buddha is similar to earning an Doctorate's degree. The word Buddha is not exclusive to Buddha Shakyamuni, but is a common title for any being that has attained the perfect complete enlightenment. Thus, Buddha, Bodhisattva and Arhat are only names or titles to represent the levels of enlightenment or a degree we receive in Buddhism. And they are most certainly not deities to be worshiped.

So, a Buddha is one who has fully comprehended the truth of life and the universe and acquired the ultimate and perfect wisdom. This is also the goal of Buddhist education; to enable beings to attain this same level of wisdom. Therefore, Buddhism is an education of wisdom. The principle of Buddhism is to break through all superstitions and delusions. It is to resolve delusion to attain happiness and enlightenment, to eliminate suffering to gain serenity and purity of mind. What is delusion? When we do not thoroughly and properly understand the phenomenon around us, we tend to be deluded, to have wrong ideas, which lead us to make mistakes. Then we suffer ill consequences as a result.. Then our result, or effect, will be favorable. Thus, resolving delusion to attain enlightenment is the cause and eliminating suffering to attain happiness and purity is the effect.

Dr. Ch.Venkata Siva Sai is presently working as Assistant Professor in School Of Buddhist Studies and Civilization, Gautama Buddha University, Greater Noida, in Utter Pradesh. He has 17 years of teaching experience for P.G, M.Phil, and PhD students. He has published more than 60 Research papers in various National and International reputed Journals. He has been presenting more than 60 papers in various National and international seminars. Previously he worked as Associate Professor, Principal, Head of the Department in various Colleges and Universities. He has completed his M.A, M.Phil. and PhD from University of Hyderabad and Dravidian University.. He also had done M.Sc (Psychology.) M.A (Education), M.A (Sanskrit). He worked as Translator for Speeches of Honorable His Holiness Dalai lama in Kalachakra 2006 at Amravati (A.P) His Specializations are Buddhist Ethics, Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist Psychology, Buddhist Education, Social Engaged Buddhism, Bio-ethics Engineering Ethics, Human Values and Society, Behavioral Skills, Personality Development. Counseling etc. He has published 6 books. He is Life member in Indian Philosophical Congress and Indian Society for Buddhist Studies He acted as Chair person for many Technical Sessions in Various National and International Conferences. He got Gold Medal for PhD.

The motivating factor for Buddha's inquiry was to find means, which would annihilate the suffering of man. The cause for man's suffering in the world arises from the ignorance (avidya) coupled with desires (tanha) that bonds man to the wheel of repeated existence (Bhava chakra). Buddhist education is the practical dimension, whereby the Buddhist percepts-Dhamma can be translated from word to deed (carita). Buddha rightly stated that 'mind' is the locus, wherein the formulation of wrong knowledge (ignorance) takes place This ignorance is twofold namely imputed ignorance (parikalpita-avidya) and innate ignorance (sahaja avijja).

Realizing the need for cleansing the mind, the Buddha rightly propounds that knowing the mind, shaping the mind and freeing the mind constitutes the threefold means to annihilate suffering. He states that with the removal of theoretical ignorance the prime cause for suffering can be overcome and freedom achieved. Buddhist education shows the path (marga), but it insist on man following the process of personal inquiry which is based on direct experience of the mind. It is only through concentration-mindfulness (Satipattana) that an individual can perceive 'things' as they are'. Man, herein gains wisdom which enables one to draw a distinction between things as they are subjectively characterized by the subject mind and things devoid of subject characterization i.e., the real nature (svabhava-satta).

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