A Study on Educational Meanings of “Verbal Interaction” in the Dīghāma sūtra

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to examine the meanings of the Buddha’s verbal interactions, which is used in Buddha’s dialogues with his disciples in Dīghāma sūtra and how his method can be applicable to contemporary educational fields. The tests used was Edward & Mercer(1987)’s development criteria for class analysis which deals more on Qualitative Methods for Buddha’s verbal interaction in Buddha-disciples discussion. The results of Buddha’s verbal interaction showed. Firstly, the Buddha uses open questions at the interaction begin. Sometimes his disciples ask questions or ask gathas at the interaction begin. Secondly, format of Buddha’s questions consist of the application, inquiry, reasoning and meta questions rather than the confirmation and memorization questions. Thirdly, the Buddha’s feedback to the disciples interestingly indicates that Buddha shows his disciples the attitude of accepting and receiving disciples’ replies, invites different responses from other disciples by reserving instant answers or judgements to the disciples, and gives the disciples the confidence of solving the next problem by praising and encouraging them. Finally Buddha’s verbal interaction emphasized not only memorizing and one way teaching for simple knowledge but better knowing of inner self. It is necessary to recognize that teachers should try to be a good teachers who can lead and direct the children to a better life.