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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 27

how can the Buddha´s teachings professionals in different areas but Conclusion
contribute to solving them? to provide the people with the tools The Buddha’s wisdom is not
and skills to face the challenges only useful for the spiritually
Education is the miracle the Buddha of the world and the existential curious, for the ones that awaken
promoted and didn’t reject, and it is suffering that can be experienced to the suffering created by their
the best tool we have to improve the regardless of having all material own minds and the suffering
conditions of society. needs covered and a successful way surrounding them but is
of life. The well-known threefold compassionately oriented towards
Nowadays, education tends to be training described in the teachings the benefit and happiness of the
oriented to the developing specific of the awakened one (ethics, many.
skills needed for the market and the concentration, and wisdom) could
future occupations of the students. be applied from the very beginning If we find a way that is open,
Some methodologies are trying to of an educational curriculum. tolerant and supported by science
create a more holistic education, All philosophical inquiries aside, to include the Buddha´s teachings
were the education of emotions a Dharmic oriented education in a secular educational system, the
and critical thinking are highly would provide the students with Dharma could become an excellent
esteemed. We find methodologies techniques to understand their tool to improve the quality of
such as the Montessori schools, minds and emotions better and in education and consequentially of
the Waldorf school and others that such a way prepare them to be abler society. To promote the wholesome
include self-care techniques such to confront future disappointment, and decrease the unwholesome is
as, meditation. Many alternative failure and stress. Concentration the goal of Dharma practice, and so
educational systems have emerged training has proven to be very should it be of the education we give
having varied degrees of success. successful in optimizing or to the world’s children. If students
improving the learning conditions get spiritual education since early
Finland has been known for a few of kids and also contributing to childhood it is more likely for them
years to have the best educational a more peaceful environment to develop an ethical behavior, and
system in the world, and it’s an between the students. the virtues necessary to contribute
example to many countries on The give the children the strategies to make the world a better place. If
how to organize schooling from to be an island to themselves, to we introduce the Dharma without
early childhood. The recipe for be able to find the strength and cultural externalities and dogma,
their success is being studied and clarity to face the challenges that the world will be open to listening
adapted to many other countries. come with adulthood would be very to the wisdom of the Buddha and
beneficial for them and for society therefore benefit from it, for sure.
So, how could we include the at large.
Buddhist teachings in a secular The challenge we have ahead is
context to contribute to the Training them in loving-kindness, not small, and it is an endeavor
formation of better citizens of the compassion, empathy, and that should be faced by a multi-
world? What does the Dharma have equanimity could up bring a disciplinary team of educators,
that can positively affect our current different kind of citizen, one who Dharma teachers, psychologists, and
educational system? considers himself to be a part of scientist so that we can successfully
a greater picture, giving them the apply the wisdom of the Buddha to
First of all, the Buddha’s teachings sense of belonging to a big family awaken our children to the fact that
are universal and concerned with where we have both right and a better world is possible. EH
the welfare of the many. Its objective duties in the search of peace and
is shared with the ideal purpose of happiness for oneself and others.
education; not only to form future