Change LanguageSearch
Menu
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • How We Work
  • Newsroom
  • Donate
  • Apply

Who We Are

  • Who We Are
    • Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche
    • Team
    • Annual Reports
    • Khyentse Network

What We Do

  • What We Do
    • Core Activities
      • Academia
      • Education for Children
      • Monastics
      • Practitioner Support
      • Teacher Training
      • Text Preservation
      • Tradition and Legacy
      • Translation
    • Supported Initiatives
      • Khyentse Vision Project
      • The Kumarajiva Project

How We Work

  • How We Work

Where We Work

Additional

  • Newsroom
  • Events
  • Grants & Scholarships
  • Awards & Prizes
  • Donations
  • Contact
  • Newsroom
  • /
  • Bodhi Seeds Series
  • Newsroom
  • /
  • Bodhi Seeds Series
Bodhi Seeds SeriesNo. 4

Bringing the Buddha’s Wisdom to Families

Introducing the Dharma to Parents at Middle Way School

abril 27, 2024
abril 27, 2024
By maryann

Continuing our series “Bodhi Seeds,” we asked representatives from education programs and schools that Khyentse Foundation supports to respond to quotes by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche about education. Our fourth issue features Middle Way School in the Hudson Valley, New York. Founded in 2017, Middle Way School is one of the first Buddhist preparatory schools for children in this area of the world. Drawing upon foundational Buddhist teachings and traditions as well as the latest research in child development, neuroscience, and technology, the school’s mission is to empower students to take their place in the modern world with intelligence, confidence, discipline, an understanding of interdependence, and a fundamental motivation of altruism.

Contributed by Sarah C. Beasley, dharma education coordinator, Middle Way School

Continuing our series “Bodhi Seeds,” we asked representatives from education programs and schools that Khyentse Foundation supports to respond to quotes by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche about education. Our fourth issue features Middle Way School in the Hudson Valley, New York. Founded in 2017, Middle Way School is one of the first Buddhist preparatory schools for children in this area of the world. Drawing upon foundational Buddhist teachings and traditions as well as the latest research in child development, neuroscience, and technology, the school’s mission is to empower students to take their place in the modern world with intelligence, confidence, discipline, an understanding of interdependence, and a fundamental motivation of altruism.

“Because they’re sending their kids to a Buddhist school, I guess the parents would want to know what kind of values and beliefs [we have], how we look at ourselves and the world, and so on. … So—all compounded things are impermanent, everything is subject of time, how things appear is not how it is, things are all subject to dependent arising, you are your own boss.” — Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

A key to introducing the dharma to parents who are new to a Buddhist school such as Middle Way School (MWS) is to present Buddhist values and practices in an accessible manner. Most of our students come to the school without a formal relationship with Buddhism. While families’ philosophical and spiritual backgrounds may overlap with the dharma, we ask only that they bring genuine curiosity and an open mind.

For school-age children engaging with Buddhist ideas and tools for the first time, a goal for family outreach is to share what their children are learning and to ensure that parents can learn in parallel. As well as exploring meditation and mindfulness techniques, we create a range of opportunities for parents to study and experience concepts that the children are encountering during the school day.

Students and parents listening to a talk on working with the emotions and walking meditation by Shugen Roshi, fall 2023.

Each week, parents are invited to participate in a meditation group hosted by a rotation of experienced leaders from various lineages. In this hour parents get to learn as their children do: it is an experiential entry into sitting and walking meditation, noticing what arises in their bodies, minds, emotions, and perceptions. We gather on campus, where children can be heard in the midst of their morning lessons, singing, or playfully interacting with one another. This shared space allows students to encounter meditation practice naturally by glimpsing their parents’ engagement. It also allows parents to weave the awareness of the students’ experience into their panoramic intake of the present moment.

“As a Middle Way parent, I have truly enjoyed the chance to be a student right alongside my child. The weekly meditations have refreshed my relationship with timeless ideas. I really relate to the conversational approach and I appreciate the range of relationships to parenting. Each meditation leader has a unique way of distilling each idea into low-key simplicity. The school seems to attract gifted teachers who can weave big ideas into shiny moments of discovery—for eager learners of any age.” — MWS parent

In 2022, Middle Way Education (MWE) developed a framework known as the Five Wisdom Pathways to help MWS diversify our offerings and encourage parent participation. Parents are given options to engage in the modalities most comfortable for them or their learning styles.

The framework corresponds to the MWE Five Domains of Learning, which were originally developed by the founders of Eastern Sun Academy in Boulder, Colorado, and which have been refined and expanded at MWS.

The Five Wisdom Pathways

Vajra | Wisdom | Philosophy
Ratna | Enrichment | Humanities
Padma | Arts | Communication
Karma | Movement | Embodiment
Buddha | Space | Contemplation

With their range of experiences, interests, schedules, and learning styles, we try to meet parents at various points on the path.

Parents may choose to approach the dharma from any of these starting points, and many partake in the full spectrum of offerings. We have offered online meditations, movement practices, non-violent communication workshops, lectures on parenting within dharma principles, big-brush calligraphy sessions, visits to local Buddhist temples and monasteries, book clubs, podcast discussions, and more. Ultimately, we don’t ask that parents identify as Buddhists. We only ask that they engage for the sake of their child’s holistic learning.

“I came to Middle Way with little to no knowledge of Buddhism, but out of curiosity I began to sample some of the resources that Middle Way offers parents. The more I dig in, the more I understand the level of importance and depth of reimagining what education could or should be, and how enriching the Buddhist lens can be for my parenting. Not only that, it’s fun!” — MWS parent

Modern parents work hard, whether at outside jobs or as homemakers, or both. Society in the United States is fraught with stressors, competition, and anxiety. It is not our goal to demand more of their time or energy; our ambition is to provide easy encounters that resonate and inspire. By bridging school and home studies through joint discovery, parental study forms a vital part of the educational circle around the students.

 

Parent field trip to Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD), a local Kagyu dharma center and monastery.

At MWS, we believe that Buddhism spreads by magnetization, not by conversion or proselytizing. With each chance to encounter the dharma, we intersperse question-and-answer time. In this way, parents can inquire about their own experiences as well as their child’s experiences in the classroom. They begin to get an embodied or a felt sense of the dharma, which is the heart of Buddhist practice.

Because they’re sending their kids to a Buddhist school, I guess the parents would want to know what kind of values and beliefs [we have], how we look at ourselves and the world, and so on. As I’ve always said, … don’t start with “Don’t eat meat, chant mantra, buy a statue,” and definitely don’t start with ngöndro. So—all compounded things are impermanent, everything is subject of time, how things appear is not how it is, things are all subject to dependent arising, you are your own boss … and then you should also be brave enough to tell them that Buddhists don’t believe in God as a creator, … in Buddhism, morality is not in the driving seat, morality is a rider [and] the driver is wisdom. What is wisdom? Wisdom is knowing the truth. — Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

While parents come from a variety of backgrounds—whether spiritual, agnostic, or atheist—the practice or study of the dharma does not contradict or negate other paths. Rather, all paths and perspectives can be included in whatever way is most sensible for the practitioners themselves. Even though Buddhism is non-theistic, we are open to others’ perspectives and beliefs. Of deeper importance are inquiry, tolerance, openness, and wonder, as well as cultivating Buddhist values of non-harming and investigation, helpfulness, wisdom, and compassion.

Essential to the Five Wisdom Pathways is selecting facilitators from different lineages—ideally of various races, genders, ages, shapes, and sizes. We aspire to disrupt patriarchy, sexism, and intolerance, in service to delivering the essence of the dharma teachings. Parents have the chance to see meditation modeled in many ways. They are encouraged to learn from differing styles and embodiments of teaching. We also encourage them to visit local centers: Zen, Vajrayana, Plum Village tradition, Jodo Shinshu, and more.

Our work has shown us that it’s important for beginners to know that meditation is really the heart of the path. Next is engaging in it, going beyond abstract theory. Becoming familiar with sitting, being, and resting the mind while awake, without having to do anything, can be revolutionary in the beginning.

Although we do discuss Buddhist concepts and theory at many of our gatherings, ideas alone risk skirting the heart and purpose of the dharma. The cultivation of awareness (for children we say noticing, observing, feeling …) engenders empathy, leading to wisdom and compassion. On the inquiry path, through resting, noticing, and listening we ideally become more open and curious.

This is why Buddhism can include other paths or ways of living. It need not be a dogma, but rather is a way of investigating and acting on the discoveries of interconnectedness, impermanence, and cause and effect, and deepening our interest in others and all of experience. It is a privilege and a joy to introduce people to the dharma and to meditation, including MWS staff, parents, and students. We bow in honor of this ongoing conversation and exploration.

Featured image above: Big-brush calligraphy with Barbara Bash (somatic and visual meditation). All photos courtesy Middle Way School.

Post navigation

Previous in series
  • Education for Children
  • Bodhi Seeds Series
No.3

Awakening Seeds of Wisdom

janeiro 29, 2024
By maryann
With mind training at the core, along with a deep connection to sustainability and nature, the children at Blue Lion Preschool are developing an experiential and embodied understanding of the principles central to the Buddhist view.
Read More
Next in series
  • Education for Children
  • Bodhi Seeds Series
No.5

Experiencing Joy and Wonder in the Present Moment

agosto 26, 2024
By maryann
Dzongsar Kanishka School is modifying its courses to become a model of children’s education in India.
Read More

Related News

  • Education for Children
  • Bodhi Seeds Series
No.5

Experiencing Joy and Wonder in the Present Moment

agosto 26, 2024
By maryann
Dzongsar Kanishka School is modifying its courses to become a model of children’s education in India.
Read More
  • Education for Children

Children’s Book Less Meat More Love! Released

março 11, 2024
By maryann
The Less Meat More Love project and book were inspired by the teachings of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.
Read More
  • Education for Children
  • Bodhi Seeds Series
No.3

Awakening Seeds of Wisdom

janeiro 29, 2024
By maryann
With mind training at the core, along with a deep connection to sustainability and nature, the children at Blue Lion Preschool are developing an experiential and embodied understanding of the principles central to the Buddhist view.
Read More
  • Education for Children
  • Bodhi Seeds Series
No.2

Mind Matters

agosto 18, 2023
By Alicja Żmigrodzka
Lhomon Education (LME), guided by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s vision, is an educational initiative committed to integrating the core teachings of the Buddha into all aspects of learning.
Read More
  • Education for Children
  • Bodhi Seeds Series
No.1

A Global Dharma Education Initiative

abril 23, 2023
By maryann
When it comes to dharma education for children, Middle Way Education has taken a “heaven and earth” approach.
Read More
A traditional Tibetan colorful painting of a rooster on top of a rabit on top of a monkey on top of an elephant
  • Education for Children
  • Words of Wisdom Series
No.7

Rinpoche on Harmony

agosto 7, 2021
By maryann
On March 29, 2021, in a talk to teachers, parents, and children, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche addressed the concept of harmony, one of the eight thematic units developed by Middle Way Education and taught at the Middle Way School.
Read More
  • Tara Altar
  • Khyentse Network
  • KF India
  • Contact
  • Donations
  • Grants & Scholarships

Languages

  • English
  • 简体中文
  • 繁體中文
  • Português
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
© 2025 Khyentse Foundation
Close Menu
Close

Choose Language

  • English
  • 简体中文
  • 繁體中文
  • Português
Close

Choose Language

  • English
  • 简体中文
  • 繁體中文
  • Português
  • Donate
  • Apply
Close
Close
Close