Buddha and Laozi on Happiness and Education

The purpose of this study is to explore the happiness principles and educational thoughts of Buddha and Laozi. The significance of the study is to provide the basic theories and the worthy resources of contemporary and future education, especially happiness education and moral education, for educational theorists and practitioners in the world. To discuss the paper systematically, three research questions are addressed. First, what are the happiness principles of Buddha and Laozi? Second, what are the educational thoughts of Buddha and Laozi? Third, what are significant similarities and differences between the two sages? In order to defend the research questions, a descriptive content analysis method will be used with a comparative approach. As for the limitations of the study, the principle of happiness is mainly discussed from a viewpoint of ethical philosophy, and the thought of education is reviewed from the perspective of happiness or moral education. This position paper is focused on the "Dhammapada," the "Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta" of Buddha, and on the "Tao Te Ching" of Laozi. The writer in the study intends to use modern English second resources as well as the classical Chinese language. Based on the research results, the author asserts that the current society centered on highly scientific and pragmatic knowledge may be thrown into confusion or despair, unless we encourage intuitive and holistic education approaches which Buddha and Laozi suggested in their scriptures.