Buddhism and Child Education

ABSTRACT

The paper incorporated Buddha’s teaching into child education with the view to helping a child grow into an individual possessing wisdom and mercy who can live along with all life. To this end, child’s cognitive development from the religious perspective was divided into five distinct stages, and then Buddhist education at each stage of development was discussed. The first stage is a period of ‘indirect absorption.’ The period is called the ‘stage of seed propaganda,’ during which Buddhist mind begins to be planted (fetal period). The second stage is a period of ‘direct absorption.’ The period is called the ‘burgeoning stage’ as child’s Buddhist way of thinking begins to bud(birth-2 years). The third is ‘emulation stage.’ The period is called the ‘bud adaptation stage’ as child’s Buddhist way of thinking begins to adapt (2-4 years). The fourth is ‘fabled stage.’ The period is called the ‘bud growing-up stage’ as child’s Buddhist way of thinking begins to mature (4-7 years). The fifth is ‘reality state.’ The period is called the ‘maturity stage’ as child’s Buddhist way of thinking becomes complete (7-12 years).