Teaching Buddhist Cultural Heritage and Moral Values through the Hamro Devdaha Local Curriculum: A Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract

Local curriculum is prepared as an educational program with the purpose of reflecting local specific identity, like cultural and historical significance. In this regard, Devdaha Municipality has

prepared ‘Hamro Devdaha’ as a local curriculum. How does this local curriculum attempt to develop the integration of Buddhist principles and teachings? In what ways does this curriculum support enhancing the knowledge about Buddha’s biography, Buddhist education, and philosophy? These queries are the main concern of this study. The study aims to explore teaching Buddhist cultural heritage and moral values through the Hamro Devdaha Local Curriculum. It also attempts to dig out the perceptions of the teachers and local people whose children are studying this course in the school credit hour. The study is of a qualitative nature. It follows a phenomenological research design that collects information through semi-structured interviews among the participants. The population of the study is school teachers, students, and local guardians. The findings of the study exhibit that ‘Hamro Devdaha’ local curriculum in Devdaha Municipality aims to impart knowledge about Buddha’s biography, teachings, historical and religious significance of Devdaha, and integration of Buddhist principles. Besides this, it also assists in making the teachers, students, and guardians know about Buddhist education. As a whole, this curriculum introduces the historical importance of Devdaha as an ancient Koliya State, Gautam Buddha’s life history, Buddhist education, and philosophy throughout the country.