The Development of Students’ Learning Activities based on Bhāvanā

Abstract

          The development of learning activities based on Bhāvanā (the Four Developments) for students emphasizes on having students solve problems from learning through activities as the activities provide the following opportunities for students: suggesting common solutions among group members; understanding and analyzing information based on critical thinking in order to archive the best solution possible. Bhāvanā (the Four Developments) can be applied as the way of practice in the following aspects: (1) Kāya-bhāvanā (physical development) by having students to walk, stand, sit, and chant the Buddha statues; (2) Sīla-bhāvanā (moral development) by cultivating concentration before each class, as well as thinking good, speaking good, and doing good; (3) Citta-bhāvanā (mental development) through mental training acquired at the morality camp; and (4) Pañña-bhāvanā (wisdom development) by organizing activities in which students compete for moral knowledge as well as environmental knowledge and interaction in schools and communities in order to achieve peaceful coexistence in society.