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VOL. 11, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Holistic education in ancient India: Relevance of vedic and buddhist educational philosophy for 21st century education
Authors
Sikandar Yadav
Abstract
Holistic education has gained renewed attention in the 21st
century as educators and policymakers seek alternatives to examination driven
and skill centred models of learning. While current debates often emphasize
critical thinking, emotional wellbeing and ethical development, similar
concerns occupied an important place in the educational philosophies of ancient
India. Vedic and Buddhist traditions viewed education as a process of shaping
the whole person by integrating intellectual growth with moral responsibility,
self discipline and social commitment. Even so, these traditions are usually
examined separately or presented in idealized forms leaving a gap in
comparative and policy oriented scholarship. This paper examines the holistic
educational philosophies of the Vedic and Buddhist traditions and evaluates
their relevance for contemporary education. It compares their educational aims,
teacher-student relationships, curriculum, pedagogical practices and ethical
foundations while assessing their contribution to current educational reforms.
This study adopts a qualitative-historical and comparative research design
based on documentary analysis of primary texts and contemporary educational
scholarship. The analysis shows that both traditions promoted holistic
learning, experiential education and character formation, although they
differed in their understanding of authority, methods of inquiry and
institutional organization. Vedic education emphasized dharma, self-realization
and the Guru-Shishya relationship whereas Buddhist education encouraged
critical inquiry, dialogue and intellectual openness through monastic
universities. The paper argues that these traditions continue to offer valuable
insights for value education, teacher development and learner centred pedagogy.
At the same time, their historical limitations require careful and secular
interpretation before they are adapted to 21st century educational
contexts.
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Pages:5-13
How to cite this article:
Sikandar Yadav "Holistic education in ancient India: Relevance of vedic and buddhist educational philosophy for 21st century education". International Journal of Advanced Education and Research, Vol 11, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 5-13
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