Sangha
Mutual support in learning communities
Teacher Experience
A contemplative invitation for educators to reflect on before teaching.Who do you turn to for guidance and support as an educator? Who are your role models for teaching with wisdom and compassion? Reflect on the qualities of these people and how they help you develop your own good qualities. For Buddhists: Reflect on how your dharma brothers and sisters practically support your path and practice. Consider how acknowledging these sources of refuge openly with students might create deeper trust and model the importance of supportive community.
Student Experience
A contemplative invitation for students to connect with this learning goal.Think about times when friends helped you learn something new or encouraged you during a difficult challenge. Reflect on what it feels like to support someone else through your struggles.
Understanding
Students will understand...The people we associate with have tangible and intangible effects on the way we think, our values, and our experience in the world.
Action
Students are able to...Evaluate personal social connections by analyzing how different friend groups influence their choices and values; practice mutual support strategies through study partnerships and peer mentoring activities; and implement specific ways to be helpful companions who encourage each other’s learning and ethical development.
Content Knowledge
Students will know...In Buddhism, sangha is one of the three jewels. Sangha refers to the people with whom we are in community and share beliefs. The word sangha in Sanskrit and Pali means “group, assembly.” When we speak of the Maha-Sangha, or the great community, it refers to the four types of the Buddha’s followers: monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. Together, they make up the sangha. Originally, sangha referred only to the community of monks and nuns (bhikkhu/bhikkhuni) or to the community of “noble ones” (arya sangha)—people who have attained the first stage of “awakening,” called stream-enterers. Modern Buddhists often use sangha to refer to all those who follow the Buddha and practice the dharma, particularly their immediate group of friends and community.
In Buddhist practice, sangha members help each other overcome obstacles, share teachings, and maintain commitment to ethical living through study partnerships, group discussions, and shared contemplative practices. The Buddha emphasized that spiritual friends (kalyanamitra) are essential for progress on the path, as they provide encouragement during difficulties, celebrate achievements, and offer guidance when practitioners face challenges.
Guiding Questions
Implementation Possibilities
Create study buddy partnerships where students practice helping each other with academic challenges and sharing learning strategies. Establish peer mentoring programs connecting older students with younger ones to model supportive friendship. Design group reflection circles where students discuss how different friends influence their behavior and choices. Practice conflict resolution skills through role-playing scenarios about friendship challenges. Implement classroom projects where students research and present examples of supportive communities throughout history. Develop service learning projects where students work together to help others, experiencing how teamwork strengthens both individuals and the group.
Assessment Ideas
Observe study partnerships for evidence of mutual support and encouragement. Evaluate peer mentoring interactions for helpful guidance and positive influence. Assess group reflections for insight into friendship dynamics and personal awareness. Review conflict resolution practice for constructive problem-solving skills.
