Philosophical Foundations of Education
Buddhism brings a rich philosophical toolkit to the classroom. At its heart lie questions of value (axiology)—compassion, non-harm, and the cultivation of wisdom—as well as a distinctive epistemology that prizes direct, mindful experience over arm-chair speculation. Its teachings on impermanence, dependent origination, and non-self provide a metaphysical backdrop, while classical Buddhist debates (think Madhyamaka dialectics or Abhidharma analysis) show that rigorous logic also has a role, albeit a supporting one.
When we translate those ideas into educational philosophies, Buddhism overlaps most strongly with Existentialism (personal liberation from suffering and a search for meaning), Idealism (mind and consciousness as the chief arena of transformation), and Pragmatism (the Buddha’s “ehipassiko”—“come and see for yourself”—treats doctrines as hypotheses tested in lived experience). Its claim to timeless insights frames it as Perennialism, and socially engaged Buddhism pushes it toward Reconstructionism, using education to cultivate compassionate action and systemic change.
Other traditions like Functionalism or plain-spoken Realism can still borrow from Buddhist practice tools, but the core synergy lives in these five pillars. For educators, weaving mindfulness, ethical reflection, and experiential inquiry into lessons isn’t just technique—it’s a way to help learners see, and reshape, the world from the inside out.
