Ethical Education in Buddhist Philosophy: A Historical Study of the Mahaprajapati School of Vaishali from Ancient to Modern

Abstract

Ethical education is the core of Buddhist philosophical thought for the cultivation of moral discipline, mental purification, and wisdom. Among the early Buddhist educational institutions, the Mahaprajapati School of Vaishali holds an important position because of its emphasis on moral and ethical training and its pioneering role in women’s monastic education. This paper introduces an empirical study of ethical education in Buddhist philosophy through an examination of the Mahaprajapati School of Vaishali. This study explores the ethical ideals, pedagogical methods, and philosophical foundations of this school. This paper argues that the Mahaprajapati School followed the path of an early model of value-oriented education, integrating moral discipline (sila), meditative practice (samadhi), and wisdom (panna) within a structured monastic environment. This study highlights the relevance of this ethical educational model for present scenario discussions on moral education and gender inclusivity.