Why Use a Framework?
A framework establishes common language for what educators collectively agree students should learn about a subject. It defines learning outcomes clearly yet flexibly, allowing diverse implementations while remaining entirely student-centric through continuous refinement based on educator and student feedback.
Who Can Use This Framework?
The framework accommodates diverse educational settings. Educators may develop comprehensive curricula covering all learning goals or select subsets meeting local needs. We’ve created curated learning pathways for families, Buddhist-friendly educators, core concept focus, and advanced practitioners. We welcome collaboration with schools developing customized goal sets and plan to offer alignment resources for national and state curricula.
Scope and Completion
The framework provides a comprehensive introduction to core Buddhist concepts while continuing to evolve through educator feedback. With over 175 high school learning goals (ages 15-18) and lower grade bands in development (ages 5-14), we strive to represent essential Buddhadharma teachings globally. Some concepts will be familiar to those familiar with the Buddha’s teachings; others present novel approaches developed through exploring dharma with children.
Pedagogy
Inquiry-Based Approach. Inspired by the Buddha, who with his invitation—ehipassiko (“come and see”)—never imposed his ideas on others—the framework encourages critical thinking over dogma. Students learn through inquiry and discovery, learning to honor their own intrinsic wisdom, personal investigation, and direct experience.
Experiential Learning Foundation. Students construct knowledge through guided exploration and reflection. The framework supports various pedagogical approaches unified by the principle that meaningful learning occurs when students make sense of concepts through direct experience.
Educator Autonomy. The framework is a tool supporting skilled, self-aware educators. Quality education depends on teacher preparation, supportive environments, and a willingness to invite inquiry. Educators need to feel comfortable with content they’re teaching and may focus on specific elements within learning goals, based on their and their students’ needs and readiness.
Culture and Inclusivity
Non-Denominational Approach. MWE honors all Buddhist traditions while prioritizing student experience. Though initially developed by students from Mahayana and Vajrayana backgrounds, we wish to receive input from all traditions and encourage cross-cultural exploration. The framework serves both Buddhist educators and non-Buddhist teachers seeking to meaningfully explore Buddhist wisdom without requiring belief acceptance.
Assessment
The “Action” element of each learning goal serves as a performance indicator, giving teachers creative freedom to design assessments meeting student needs. While dharma encompasses more than measurable outcomes—including invisible transformations in disposition and wisdom—the multi-dimensional structure supports meaningful evaluation appropriate to regional and cultural contexts. The dimensions of knowledge, understanding, experience, and guiding questions provide recommendations for teachers in preparing materials, the curricular content of instruction.
Development, Support, and Attribution
Developed from student-centered methods at Middle Way School, the framework emerged from classroom-tested curricula organized around what students exploring the Buddha’s teachings could know, understand, and do—you can read more history on our about-us page. Created by Carlo Carranza, Connie Moffit, Mariana Restrepo, Michelle Macioce, and Noa Jones, we received invaluable input from Harry Einhorn, Jaimie Cloud, Robert Roeser, and Tim Martin, while vetting important decisions with our dharma advisors. We are grateful to Lion’s Roar and Tricycle, two leading online Buddhist publications, for graciously providing free access to our users to access the articles referenced in the framework. The framework is published open source under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0, made possible by Khyentse Foundation’s generosity.
Ready to Get Started?
Now that you understand our vision and approach, return to the framework introduction or jump directly to our step-by-step lesson planning guide to start creating your first lesson.