[Buddha-l] Buddhist pedagogy

[Stefan Detrez]

2007/1/12, jkirk <jkirk at spro.net>:
>
>  Hi Stefan
> Who is being addressed by L.S.?(if it's obvious to everyone but me, sorry
> for being dense.)
>

L.S. stands for lectori salutem, which is Latin for 'hail to the reader'.

I wonder about doxological intentions in the western Buddhist situation.
> In places where Buddhism is the local age-old moral/philosophical
> tradition, children learn what to do and why because their parents are
> "doing and saying" at home, and also take the kids along--to the pagoda, or
> whatever. They usually keep a small shrine in the house, a small elevated
> platform with icons etc, on a wall in the correct location inside a house
> (or in the case of Thai, also one outside the house). In Bangladesh,
> Buddhists might just have a poster of the Buddha on their wall. Children
> learn by observation and being included, from early childhood on up.
> If that's not possible, you could start when your child learns to read, or
> even before by reading to her yourself,  books with jatakas, or other
> Buddhist literature created for children. Many of the large Buddhist
> publishing firms, like Shambhala or Wisdom, carry such books. But your own
> practice around her will make more difference than any formal instruction is
> my guess.
>

I can imagine. Thanks for your help. The question whether teaching the
tilakkhana to young kids (as young novices, for example) is beneficial
remains unanswered.  Is a young kid able to 'understand' the absence of a
self, or 'all is characterized by suffering'? (I figure 'impermanence' is
this easiest).

In what way is this different form instilling particular beliefs (as is done
in theistic traditions (Mary a virgin, Mohammed the last profet, pork is
bad, resurrection, 'speak the truth and speak it ever, causeth what it
will', etc.), which might remain unquestioned or even incomprehensible to
kids?

Cheers,

Stefan
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