This is
the third edition of BuddhaNet's Buddhist Studies for Schools.
The Buddhist Studies course materials are produced by the Buddha
Dharma Education Association of Sydney, Australia, as part of
the Buddhist Studies for Schools Project. It is now available
both on the Internet and as a CD-ROM.
The overall
aims of the Buddhist Studies course are:
- To help
pupils to acquire a general knowledge of the fundamental teachings
and biography of the Buddha and to be able to trace the growth
of Buddhism to the present
- To help
inculcate in pupils moral values and qualities of social responsibility,
as well as psychological maturity, all of which will contribute
to their becoming better citizens and happier, more well-adjusted
adults.
The approach
adopted in the Buddhist Studies materials is ethical, historical
and objective. Teachers are asked to approach the teaching of
Buddhist studies with professionalism, bearing in mind that
in the context of the classroom the object is not to convert,
but rather to familiarise students with Buddhist moral values
and cultural traditions.
The Buddhist
Studies for Schools Project has been designed to cater for those
students who have had no previous contact with Buddhist teachings
and culture. The material has been prepared in consultation
with professional educators, but if it shows a need for improvement
then please appreciate that it is a work in progress. It is
our intention to keep developing this material, within the time
and resources available.
There is
a great need for professionally trained teachers of Buddhism
and for people to help with developing high quality content
for Buddhist studies courses. The Buddha Dharma Education Association,
here in Sydney, has plans to develop Buddhist teachers' training
courses and teachers' resource kits. If you are interested in
helping with these projects and have the necessary expertise,
please feel free to contact us.
Venerable
Pannyavaro (President)
