The Conference aims to invite leading scholars in Buddhist Studies and Education to dig into the diverse Buddhist canons and canonical texts in search for the wisdom and means to attain wisdom for developing a theoretical foundation and practical guidelines for a wisdom-oriented education appropriate to the modern world, in contrast to its current knowledge-oriented education. ‘Buddhist canons’ in this Conference refers both to the traditional canons and also their secondary canons, commentaries and treatises that developed in various historical and geographical contexts by different Buddhist masters.

 

In this Conference, we aim to:

 

• explore a Buddhist definition of ‘wisdom-oriented education’ and the need for introducing such a system of pedagogy in modern education and for blending Buddhist wisdom with contemporary knowledge;

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• examine the Buddhist methods for developing our human capacity to think and act using knowledge, experience, and common sense, and investigate how the acquired knowledge, understanding and skills need to be applied with a universal concern for the betterment of all living beings and care for the natural and social environment;

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• discuss the roles of learners and teachers in a wisdom-oriented education and the importance of developing in the learners the invaluable attributes of unbiased judgment, critical thinking, kindness, compassion, experiential self-knowledge, non-attachment, virtues, and ethical conduct;

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• investigate how a wisdom-oriented education facilitates rewarding experiences and benefits in life, as compared to knowledge-oriented education.