Why Do We Need a New Model of Education?

By Noa Jones and Kristin Lhatso 

All major religions of the world have systems of educating children in their traditions, beliefs, rituals, and values. There are maktab and madrasas for Muslims, Catholic schools, Jewish day schools, Sunday schools, Catechism classes, all kinds of afterschool programs, camps, and specialized schools meant to teach children to become the stewards of their respective religious traditions. Buddhist education for children has, for the most part, been offered to monastic communities and more recently through grassroots initiatives that are few and far between. Because Buddhism is not culture bound, there are few broadly accepted holidays, festivals and customs to introduce to children. Often, the transference of the Buddhist view happens in the home. Some Buddhist parents have independently created programs for children, but there is no generally accepted content or method for teaching the dharma to children.

In many ways, modern education systems work wonders. The innovations we have seen in this lifetime alone are phenomenal— artificial intelligence, networks, new media, breakthroughs in medicine, arts, robotics, space travel, and so much more. But what seems to be missing from these advances is…

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