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Multicultural education

Supporting Buddhist students

This resource provides information about Buddhist religious practices that have implications for NSW public schools and the diverse communities they serve.

Buddhism: background and context

Buddhism originated over 2,600 years ago through the teachings of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, meaning ‘The Enlightened One.’ The teachings of the Buddha are known as the Dhamma/Dharma. His disciples (the monastics) are known as the Sangha. The Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha comprise the Triple Gems, the basis for the common Buddhist practice of doing everything in threes.

Buddhism is non-theistic, meaning it does not believe in a god or gods. Buddhists focus on personal spiritual development, ethical living and the pursuit of enlightenment. The core principles of Buddhism encourage individuals to reflect on their actions, develop empathy and respect, and practise self-awareness.

Buddhism emphasises the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which guide toward enlightenment by overcoming suffering and desire. The Four Noble Truths teach (1) that life involves suffering (dukkha), (2) suffering is caused by craving and attachment, (3) it is possible to overcome suffering, and (4) the way to do so is by following the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path outlines a practical guide to ethical and mindful living, conduct, and mental discipline, helping individuals progress toward enlightenment and the end of suffering. The Five Precepts maintain no killing, no stealing, refraining from adultery, no lying, and refraining from intoxicants. Globally, Buddhism is most commonly practised in regions of South, East and South-east Asia. It is practised in various forms, primarily categorised into three traditions:​ Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna.

Buddhism in Australia

Worldwide, there are about 324 million Buddhists today. According to the 2021 Australian Census, 2.4% of the population in Australia identified as practicing Buddhism. In NSW, Buddhism was practised by 2.4% of the population, making it the third most common non-Christian religion.

Place of worship

Buddhists may worship at temples, monasteries, or home shrines. Temples often feature a main hall with a Buddha statue (rupa) or altar, meditation spaces, and areas for communal gatherings.

It is customary and respectful to address ordained Buddhist monks and nuns as 'Venerable'.

When attending Buddhist places of worship, respectful and appropriate clothing should be worn to minimise skin exposure (e.g. shorts, short skirts, exposed shoulders, torn clothing are discouraged).

When entering the Temple proper or the shrine of a monastery, shoes are removed. Refrain from pointing the feet towards the Buddha statue or monks, as it is considered disrespectful.

It is also considered offensive to touch the head of the Buddha statue, monks or anyone of the Buddhist faith. Taking photos is permitted but should be done from a respectful distance and not go above the monks’ heads or the Buddha statues.

Devotees also attend the Temple every morning to offer food to the monks (breakfast and lunch) as they are not permitted to keep or cook food for themselves.

Schools organising excursions to Buddhist places of worship should ensure that students are aware of appropriate respectful practices.

Schools should:

  • be aware of etiquette and respectful engagement with Buddhist leaders and ensure they refer to them by their appropriate name, such as calling a monk or nun 'Venerable'
  • plan to visit before or after lunch as the monks take their last meal before 12pm
  • adhere to appropriate attire as much as possible. For example, long pants or sports tracksuits could be worn instead of shorts during the visit.

Contact the place of worship to determine appropriate attire and protocols prior to visiting.

Prayer and religious rituals

Buddhist rituals include meditation, chanting, and offerings. Puja, a form of worship, involves presenting gifts, flowers, candles, incense sticks, food and prayers to the Buddha statue or the altar in reverence to the Enlightened One as part of one’s spiritual growth and to create merit for oneself.

Buddhist prayer and chanting may be practised in different languages. There are different chants for various occasions; the most common are the morning and evening chants.

Buddhists practice generosity (Dhana) by offering all meals and essential items for living to the monks. On special religious occasions, devotees offer the monks special orange or brown robes as a sign of devotion and generosity.

There are no accommodations required to support Buddhist students in this aspect of their faith.

Under the Multicultural principles of the , 'all individuals and institutions should respect and make provisions for the culture, language and religion of others'.

NSW public schools should make arrangements that allow Buddhist students to meet their religious observances where possible. This should be done in consultation with parents, students, and their school community. Consent for student participation in religious activities should be provided by parents/carers. See Other activities of a religious nature in schools procedures.

Protocols for participation are agreed upon with students and parents and a staff member with duty of care is assigned to supervise.

Significant religious observances

The dates for Buddhist holy days and observances follow the lunar calendar and may differ from year to year. Dates may also vary by region or tradition.

Vesak: celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. It is the most significant Buddhist festival, observed on the full moon in May. Vesak is celebrated at the same time by all three traditions of Buddhism.

New Year: Buddhists celebrate a lunar New Year, which falls on the full moon in April and is celebrated over 3 days (usually 13, 14, 15 April). During the three days, devotees visit temples to make offerings and give alms.

Buddhist Rains Retreat, also known as Vassa or 'Buddhist Lent' (usually 3 months from July to October): it involves attending daily evening chanting and prayers and giving up something, such as eating meat or drinking alcohol.

Male devotees can be ordained from 7 years of age, depending on the occasion and their families’ needs. Ordination requires the shaving of the head, eyebrows, and beard, the removal of all jewellery and the wearing of the orange robes. Male students may be absent from school for ordination, especially as part of funeral ceremonies. The ordination of women varies across Buddhist traditions.

Some students may miss school due to observances of religious celebrations. Student attendance in NSW public schools procedures allow for principals to grant students leave to participate in recognised religious festivals or ceremonial occasions (PDF 71Kb).

Recommendations of practice include:

  • Build staff understanding of the religious diversity of the school community and days of religious significance to support school planning and foster inclusion. The Calendar for cultural diversity provides information on some cultural and religious dates of significance.
  • Be mindful of significant days when planning school activities and, as far as possible, assessments and due dates so that Buddhist students are not disadvantaged.
  • Maintain open communication with Buddhist families regarding the religious needs of their children, including on religious days of significance.
  • Build students understanding of Buddhist observances where appropriate, such as, a male student’s shaved appearance following a period of ordination.
  • Establish connections with local Buddhist communities and organisations for support and collaboration.

Clothing and dress

While daily attire varies, some Buddhist traditions may involve wearing specific garments during religious ceremonies. Monastics typically wear robes but lay practitioners usually dress modestly.

The Uniforms at school procedures, state that the school uniform must 'be inclusive of students from diverse backgrounds and accommodate cultural and religious requirements.'

Schools should:

  • respect Buddhist students' choices to wear modest clothing or specific attire during religious events
  • maintain open communication with students and their families to understand the accommodations students may require.

Food and dietary requirements

Dietary practices can vary by Buddhist tradition and personal choice, with some Buddhist traditions following a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Teachers of food technology and hospitality courses should be aware of Buddhist students’ dietary practices. If students are uncomfortable handling meat or meat products, then schools should provide alternative vegan or vegetarian options.

When the school provides food for Buddhist students or families at school functions, excursions and camps, and/or when parents/carers bring food to school for cultural celebrations, vegetarian and vegan options should be included.

Schools should discuss food preparation and ingredients with canteen staff to identify menu items that meet the dietary needs of Buddhist students.

Schools should maintain open communication with Buddhist students and families regarding their dietary requirements and make accommodations where possible.

The department’s Student health and wellbeing policy states that 'schools are required to support students on health and wellbeing issues in a way that does not discriminate unlawfully against any student'.

The resource has been developed by Multicultural vlog, with input from Curriculum, and in consultation with the Buddhist Council of NSW, Lao Buddhist Society of NSW Inc., Vien Giac Temple NSW, and Buddhism Special Religious vlog (SRE) program educators.

Category:

  • Teaching and learning

Business Unit:

  • Teaching and Learning Support
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