This article explores some of the ways that Buddhism expresses care for its children. The first section of the article introduces the story of Buddha’s life and his complicated relationship to his child, as his relationship to his child may serve as a model for Buddhists to relate to their children. The story is a key resource in discussing children and the tradition of Buddhism.
The second section focuses on the institution of the Buddhist monastery and the ways it engages and cares for children. Related to children’s care, the article points out that, in the Buddhist tradition, some children may wind up in monasteries when there is nowhere else for them to go. Therefore, the monastery sometimes functions as an orphanage and alternative care standards may need to be considered. The article concludes with references to some of the traditional values promoted in Buddhist rhetoric and the application of these values to children’s care and protection.
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