The Buddha: Wisdom from the East

This chapter focuses on the Buddha’s philosophical legacies and diversity of perspectives that have crossed beyond Buddhist tradition to thinkers and scholars worldwide to offer new insights into contemporary education. Besides the inspiring life of the Buddha, this chapter explores his core philosophies to acknowledge the rich heritage of religious and ethical thinking underlying all Buddhist thoughts and practices and foregrounding approaches related to education. This chapter also brings together the Buddha’s pedagogy for peace, healing, and school community to present how his teachings have led to different ways to view education in the harmony of understanding, loving-kindness, compassion, and caring. Given the Buddha’s intellectual legacies, this chapter further describes the work of Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh and the 14th Dalai Lama, exploring how Buddhist thoughts have been nourished to encourage peace-building and trauma healing capacity in both individuals and a broader community.