Eastern

Philosophies and
Education
PRESENTER:
Cupid C. Angay
EASTERN PHILOSOPHIES
• Buddhist • Hindu • Daoist • Confucian
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Introduction:
• Philosophy can be one of the most intimidating and
difficult of disciplines
• Eastern Philosophy breaks down the obstacles to
understanding the ideas of some of history's most
influential Eastern thinkers.
• analyze of the work of a number of thinkers, from
Eastern philosophical traditions
BUDHISM:
• Founder: Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, which
means “enlightened one”
• Lived in 5th century BC
• Born into the Brahmin caste – led a
luxurious lifestyle
• Upon reflection, he deduced that
desire was the root cause of all
suffering (enlightened under a Budhi
tree)
• Not considered a god by his followers
BUDHISM:
Four noble truths, as formulated by Buddha
 All beings experience pain and misery (dukkha) during
their lifetime:
“Birth is pain, old age is pain, sickness is pain, death is pain;
sorrow, grief, sorrow, grief, and anxiety is pain. Contact with
the unpleasant is pain. Separating from the pleasant is pain.
Not getting what one wants is pain. In short, the five assemblies
of mind and matter that are subject to attachment are pain“.
BUDHISM:
Four noble truths, as formulated by Buddha
The origin (samudaya) of pain and misery is due to
a specific cause:
“It is the desire that leads to rebirth, accompanied by
pleasure and passion, seeking pleasure here and there;
that is, the desire for pleasures, the desire for existence,
the desire for non-existence“.
BUDHISM:
Four noble truths, as formulated by Buddha
The cessation (nirodha) of pain and misery can
be achieved as follows:
“With the complete non-passion and cessation of
this very desire, with its abandonment and
renunciation, with its liberation and detachment
from it“.
BUDHISM:
Four noble truths, as formulated by Buddha
The method we must follow to stop pain
and misery is that of the Noble Eightfold
Path.
BUDHISM:
The eightfold path
Right View Right Livelihood
Right Thought Right Effort
Right Speech Right Awareness
Right Action Right Concentration
BUDHIST EDUCATION

The goal of Buddhist education is to
attain
wisdom. ... The Buddha taught us that the
main objective of our practice
was to achieve this ultimate
wisdom. The chief aim of Buddhist
education is all round development of
child's personality. This includes his
physical, mental, moral and intellectual
development.
HINDUISM:
Background:
 The main religion of India which includes the worship of many
gods and the belief that after you die you return to life in a
different form
 Hinduism is a collective term applied to the many
philosophical and religious traditions native to India.
 Hinduism has neither a specific moment of origin nor a
specific founder. The tradition understands itself to be
timeless, having always existed.

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HIDUISM:
Hindu Worldview:
Grounded in the doctrines of samsara (the cycle
of rebirth) and karma (the universal law of
cause and effect)
Fundamentally holds that one’s actions
(including one’s thoughts) directly determine
one’s life, both current and future lives.

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HINDU EDUCATION
 The ultimate goal of education in Hindu
philosophy is. to achieve revelation
or Brahman
 Hinduism argues that true empowerment emerges
through an understanding of the sources of
knowledge, not just its components, which in turn
leads to unity with the universe.

 Thus, Hindu view of learning does not limit itself in learning of facts and figures, but
emphasizes in developing wisdom by forming a connection between mind, body and
spirit.
DAOISM/TAOISM:
Origin:
Traces its roots to 6th century BC:
Started as a combination of psychology and
philosophy but evolved into religious faith in
440 CE.
DAOISM/TAOISM:
The founding figure Lao – Tzu:
 believed to be the founding figure of Taoism
 The traditional author of the Tao – Te Ching (a
classic of Chinese philosophical literature)

 Heintroduced and explained the main Taoist concepts and applied its
philosophy to human conduct.
 He designed the behavior of the political leaders and princes in conformity.
DAOISM/TAOISM:
The TAOIST philosophy:
Tao means the “way or path”
To live with goodness, serenity, and respect.
Believe that the persons action should be influenced by
instinct and conscience.
The yin-yang sign. The Ying (dark side) is the women
side, and the Yang side (light side) is the side of men.
DAOISM/TAOISM:
The TAOIST philosophy:
Influences Chinese peoples’ close connection to the
natural world, the concept of holistic wellness and
healthcare, the practice of martial arts, traditional
arts such as painting and poetry, enjoyment of
culture activities and celebrations, and tourist. -
Stringer
TAOISM AND EDUCATION
For the Taoist, education is a solo quest
without walls or boundaries
In Taoism, the key is not to know something; the key is to
understand it. One goes about this through self-
education and transformation. This kind of education
is also natural; it just needs to be recognized as such and
developed to its fullest.
TAOISM AND EDUCATION
The Taoist teaches by example.
Lao Tsu said, "...The Master, by residing in the Tao,
sets an example for all beings..." Naturally, when
others see one who is enlightened, they will realize
it, and they will learn.
TAOISM IN EDUCATION
A Taoist approach to this question would be:
 Without the general education courses you
will not be properly prepared for the courses
in your major of study.

 As Taoism teaches, no one can go from being a novice to being an

expert without developing specific skills along the way.
 Only after the skills taught in the general education courses are
mastered, will you be prepared to move forward.
CONFUCIANISM:
Confucius was appalled/dismayed by
the fracturing Chinese society.
He believed that the only cure was to
stress social order and mutual respect.
This philosophy later became known
as Confucianism.
CONFUCIANISM:
Origin:
Was founded in China around 500
BCE, during the Zhou Dynasty
Was founded by Confucian, aka
Kongzi, in 551 – 479 BC
CONFUCIANISM:
Beliefs:
 All
encompassing humanism
that neither denies nor slights
heaven
 Lovefor humanity, high value
given of family, and devotion of
family, peace, justice.
CONFUCIANISM:
Impact of China:
 Confuciuswas the most influential
and respectable philosopher in
Chinese history.
 Confucianismaffected everything in China: education,
government, public and private attitudes and
etiquettes.
 Chinaused his ideas as a philosophy and a guide to
morality and good government.
CONFUCIANISM:
Three methods to learn wisdom:
By reflection, which is the noblest
By imitation, which is the easiest.
By experience, which is the
betterest.
CONFUCIANISM:
Impact on education:
 Made an impact on society by
creating a school.
 Made an impact on society by creating a school.
 Public education system was established that not only
elites from upper class to go to school but also lower classes
to get good education
 Influenced many countries nowadays to build free
education.
CONFUCIANISM:
On education:
Believed everyone could benefit
from self-education and
worked to open doors of education to everyone.
Defined learning as not only the acquisition of
knowledge but also the building of character.
EASTERN PHILOSOPHIES
• Buddhist • Hindu • Daoist • Confucian
RESOURCES:
 https://www.sjp.ac.lk/news/buddhist-studies-as-a-discipline-and-its-role-in-the-education/
 https://neltachoutari.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/hindu-educational-ethos-and-practices-as-a-possible-
source-for-local-pedagogy/
 https://rimzie.wordpress.com/2011/08/27/the-hindu-philosophy-of-education/
 https://www.grantham.edu/blog/taking-courses-taoist-approach-education-offers-answers/
 http://www2.hawaii.edu/~sford/research/taoism/index.html
 https://www.slideserve.com/paul2/eastern-philosophy-powerpoint-ppt-presentation/?
utm_source=slideserve&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=auto+related+load
 https://slideplayer.com/slide/10559173/
Questions:
1. Considering the important contributions Eastern Philosophies
contributed to education namely Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism, and
Confucianism, how these philosophies become evident and influenced
your teaching experience? Cite some particular example/s?
2. Cite a particular important contribution from an Eastern Philosophies
contribution to education namely Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism, and
Confucianism that you think is a challenge in your area of teaching
experience. Be able to give reasons why it becomes a challenge.