“Teacher
student relationship is important in Buddhism”
Venerable Peramandiye Indararathana thera[1]
Content page
Ø Introduction to the teacher- student
relationship with special attention to its Background.
Ø Buddhist Point of View on teacher-
Student relationship
Ø Duties of teacher towards their
students
Ø Duties of student towards their
teachers
Ø Importance of teacher- student
relationship in modern education
Ø Conclusion
Ø Bibliography
Ø Introduction to the teacher- student
relationship with special attention to its Background
It is a well-known fact that teacher-
student relationship coming from very long ago and it has been a very
significant factor in ancient education. In ancient Indian education was not
like today. It was completely deferent and teaching methods also were very high
and worthy studying. According to the Vedic historical evidences it has been
proved that, the most valid and important learning system was cramming or studying
by heat. Therefore student had to go where their teacher stay and had to give
gift for their teacher. But now a day we also can see there are many
institutions and organizations have emerged in order to give education to the
young generations. But in early period parents had to send their children into
their teachers place. Therefore it’s obvious that in ancient time and today has
been completely deferent. Now teacher comes to the students and give knowledge
and go. Therefore considerable percentage of the teacher has been decayed.
According to the Mookerji, he has explained the historical background of
teacher-student relationship quoting examples from the Brahmanical texts
in ancient India. In that explanation the role of the student has been
described in this manner.
“The life of the student was
regulated on the principle that he must do what is pleasing and serviceable to
his teacher. One text sums up the position by standing that the pupil should
serve his teacher as ‘Son, Deva, King, Supplicant or Slave’. Charaka
states that the pupil should serve his teacher as he serves Agni, Deva, King,
Father and Master with steady devotion.
As Apastamba puts it more definitely the pupil shall “assist his
teacher daily by acts tending to the acquisition of Spiritual Merits and
wealth. The former class of acts will comprise collecting sacred fuel, Kusa
grass, cow-dung, earth and flowers for sacrifice as also fetching a pot full of
water, while latter class implies gathering fuel for cooking, begging alms. In the early oral traditions of the Upanishads, the guru-shishya relationship had evolved into a
fundamental component of Hinduism. The term "Upanishad" derives from
the Sanskrit words "upa" (near), "ni" (down) and "şad" (to sit) — so it means "sitting
down near" a spiritual teacher to receive instruction. The relationship
between Krishna and Arjunain the Bhagavad Gita portion of the Mahabharata, and 
between Rama and Hanuman in the Ramayana, are examples. In the Upanishads, gurus and disciples appear
in a variety of settings (e.g. a husband answering questions about immortality;
a teenage boy being taught by Yama, Hinduism's Lord of Death) sometimes the sages are women, and the
instructions may be sought by kings.
between Rama and Hanuman in the Ramayana, are examples. In the Upanishads, gurus and disciples appear
in a variety of settings (e.g. a husband answering questions about immortality;
a teenage boy being taught by Yama, Hinduism's Lord of Death) sometimes the sages are women, and the
instructions may be sought by kings.
In the Vedas, the
knowledge of Brahman (brahmavidya) is communicated
from guru to shishya by oral lore.
Ø Buddhist Point of View on teacher-
Student relationship
When
considering the importance of teacher-student relationship, Sigālovāda sutta[2] gives very much details
under this them. Once the Sigāla son worshiped six quarters and the
Buddha explains him to real way of worshiping six directions according to the
Discipline of the Ariya or Noble one. As well as instead of performing
the ritual worship according to the old Brahmic tradition. If the six
quarters are protected and treated properly they are made safe and secure, and
no danger would come from them. According to the above sutta six quarters can
be categorized as follow
Parents
as the east
Teachers
as the south
Wife
and children as the west
Friend
and companions as the north
Servant
and employees as the below
Recluse
and Brahmins as the above
Ø Duties of teacher towards their
students
It
is important to understand the duties of teacher toward their students. By
today there are many problems can be seen, most of them are related to the
teacher – students connection. It is because of not having understand their
responsibilities that they have to do. According to the Sigālovāda sutta
it explains some duties that teacher has to perform in the society. Sigālovāda
sutta gives five ways in which a pupil should conduct himself toward the
teacher and five in which the teacher should conduct himself toward the pupil.
The teacher should show his compassion, or love, for the pupils by teaching and
training the well and happily. Seeing that they grasp all the arts and crafts
equally and thoroughly, teaching them in the respectful manner he adopts towards
friends, and making them secure in every way, including the knowledge of their
duties to person represented by other directions.
Ø Duties of student towards their
teachers
It is important to understand the
duties of pupils towards their teacher. The five developing on the pupil are
stated in pāli terms which may be constructed both literally and
figuratively. In the literal sense, the pupil should rise from his seat in
salutation, wait on the teacher, and desire to hear him, render him personal
service and honor him by reception. Figuratively these may be taken as
displaying energy, understanding the teacher, paying attention, showing
obedience, and preparing the work thoroughly.
Ø Importance of teacher- student
relationship in modern education
When
considering the teacher-student relationship in modern education it’s important
to note that here, effectiveness in teaching is achieved by the pupils’ active
participation in learning. The teacher and the pupil should actively
participate in the teaching and the learning process. If the teacher is unable
to teacher for them very attractive way pupils will not be able to have a faith
for their teacher. Therefore teacher must teach them in practically. Sometimes
he must be able to act in the presence of students so that they can understand
the lesion easily. Then students will come to the class with purpose of
learning and achieving their goal. And also for the students to learn actively,
teacher should maintain the following standards mentioned in table
|
Standard
|
Relationship between teacher
and Student
|
|
Pedagogy
|
The
teacher must understand the central concepts, tools and structures of the
discipline e or she teachers and be able to create learning experiences that
make these aspects of subject matter meaning to students
|
|
Students
Development
|
The teacher should understand
how children learn ad develop and can provide learning opportunities that
support their intellectual, social and personal development
|
|
|
|
|
Instruction
Strategies
|
The teacher must
understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage
students development of critical thinking problem solving and performance
skills
|
|
Learning
Environment
|
The
teacher must be able to use and understanding of individual and group
motivation positive social interaction, active engagement in learning
|
|
Communication
|
The teacher uses
knowledge of affective verbal, non-verbal and media communication techniques
to foster active inquiry, collaboration and supportive interaction in the
classroom
|
|
Planning
Instruction
|
The
teacher plans instructions based upon knowledge of subject matter, students
the community and curriculum goals.
|
Conclusion
When come to a conclusion on
teacher-student relationship according to the teachings of the Buddha, it is
important to note that here the Manatthaddha sutta of Majjhima Nikaya.
In this sutta clearly states that the important of teacher addressing to
a one of Brahmans. It says “mother and father and also the elder brother,
fourth is your teacher, towards them do not show conceit. Reverence them and
esteem them, they are suitable to be venerated. The Arahants who have destroyed
desires, and done their duties are the incomparable worthy of reverence. Having
suppressed pride and without being rigid, worship them who are unsurpassed”.
According to this statement done by the Buddha is very important to know that
the values of teacher who show the path of getting rest in the life. And also
if students can understand the qualities of teacher and the way he/ she should
respect there cannot see any problem arose within them. And also both teacher
and student must understand and should have a proper identification about their
states or positions in order not to happen any kinds of difficulties.
Bibliography
|
Students
|
Ambattha Sutta DN 3 (PTS p-90)
Buddha vagga of Dhammapada- Chapter
14 verses 195 and 196
Canki Sutta MN 95 (MN2 PTS p-168)
Manatthaddha Sutta SN 7.15 (SN p-178)
Sigalovada Sutta DN 31 DN 3 (PTS p-189)
|
|
Teachers
|
Sigalovada Sutta DN 31 DN 3 (PTS p-189)
|
Saddhatissa
Hammalawa, (2003) Buddhist Ethics, Canada: Wisdom Publication
Sylvie
Senadheera Prof, (2014.07.07) Background and the concept of teacher-Student
relationship
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