Student Interviews [See appendix 2]

1. How were you motivated to join Pariyatti?

Shanti Maharjan: Motivated by the family especially the grandmother to join Pariyati.

Reena Tuladhar: Nepal Bauddha Pariyatti Sikkhà has been conducting Pariyatti Sikkhà since many years. I did not take interest in it in my schooling days. I studied Buddhism in my own way. But then, reading a book on Buddhism has been a work to be done in leisure for me.

So, it was never a serious job. Later, I realized myself to get into the programme.

Rupendra Maharjan: Initially, I was led by my mother to go to the monastery to join Pariyatti Sikkhà. After I understood importance of this education, I became very serious.

2. What are the advantages of studying Pariyatti Sikkhà?

Shanti Maharjan: Generally, Pariyatti Sikkhà teaches us moral science. This is the greatest advantage.

Reena Tuladhar: This has been a step to motivate people to study Buddhism seriously.

Rupendra Maharjan: - Pariyatti Sikkhà is associated with moral science. It helps in developing good qualities and positive attitude. It has helped many people to develop such a moral character. Therefore, many people are attracted to join the course.

3. How do you apply Pariyatti Sikkhà in your daily life?

Shanti Maharjan: By following pa¤^casãla I apply it in my daily life. The 5 principles are essential for householders. The five Sã^{la are -}

1. Not to kill others

2. Without (asking) permission, don’t take others’ possessions i.e. don’t be a thief.

3. Don’t be unchaste 4. Don’t tell lies.

5. Don’t drink beverages which make you drunk.

Reena Tuladhar: The basic teachings of Buddhism, like pa¤casãla, Buddha Påjà, prayer, Paritta patha etc. were already in my knowledge before joining Bauddha Pariyatti Sikkhà. Two of my teachers Ven. Ashvaghosh and Anàgàrika Dhammawati taught me basic teaching of the Buddha. I try my best to apply those teachings in my life as much as I can. But after completing the course in Pariyatti Sikkhà, I developed keen interest on Abhidhamma, Pàli Tipitaka, and history of Buddhism.

Regarding the application of Pariyatti Sikkhà in daily life, I am basically concentrating myself on not to harm others. At the same time, I also focus on accumulating good deeds and purifying the mind. There is still a long way ahead on this path of purification to attain Nibbà^na.

Rupendra Maharjan: It has made me sensible to perform the arduous task and has encouraged me to develop my career. I am against taking lives and in favour of loving others.

4. How do you feel the impact of Pariyatti Sikkhà in your life?

Shanti Maharjan: The Pariyatti Sikkhà teaches about morality, feel one's responsibility and also become practical. A man should be accordingly.

Reena Tuladhar: Abandon all evil, enter the state of goodness and purify one’s own mind. This is the concluding note of the whole Pariyatti Sikkhà^.

Rupendra Maharjan: Pariyatti Sikkhà has greatly influenced me.

It is enough to bring about changes in behaviors and attitudes. I concentrate mind through meditation.

5. What kind of role can Pariyatti Sikkhà play in modern times?

Shanti Maharjan: Pariyatti Sikkhà is very important. It is the study of the Buddha's teachings. It helps us to know about the true virtue.

Pariyatti Sikkhà can play significant role as the medium to provide knowledge, wisdom and perception to make human life successful.

Reena Tuladhar: The world today is full of social evils such as crimes, violence, terror corruption and dishonesty etc. The teaching of the Buddha is a must for the people of today’s world.

Rupendra Maharjan: Satisfaction is a great achievement. This is one of the themes of Pariyatti Sikkhà. It leads to peace and harmony.

Thus, in order to establish peace and harmony, Pariyatti Sikkhà will be helpful.

6. What are the features of Pariyatti?

Shanti Maharjan: We study to be professional so that it helps us to earn a living. It also increases standard of living. Pariyatti Study leads us to develop clearer understanding of the true nature of Dhamma.

Reena Tuladhar: The techniques of school/college studies enable students to obtain a source of livelihood, acquire worldly pleasures. Pariyatti Sikkhà, instead, brings awareness of moral duty on the students. If practiced thoroughly what is taught in Pariyatti Sikkhà^{, one} can live a life happily in peace and harmony.

Rupendra Maharjan: Formal education helps people to be a successful person whereas Pariyatti helps people to become a human being Pariyatti Sikkhà leads the aspirants to develop moral character.

7. Do you have any suggestion for the expansion of Pariyatti Sikkhà in Nepal?

Shanti Maharjan: To spread Priyatti Sikkhà in our nation, at first it must be made compulsory subject in schools and colleges.

Reena Tuladhar: The most effective method to expand Pariyatti Sikkhà nationwide is to include Pariyatti in school and college curriculum.

Rupendra Maharjan: Because of the lack of manpower and financial resources, Pariyatti is lagging behind, the main thing is that there should be proper management to make it flourish nation wide.

8. How did you know about Pariyatti Sikkhà^?

Shanti Maharjan: When I was 3-4 years old, my grandmother used to take me in the local Buddhist Vihàra. She started teaching me Buddha Påjà, and on the other hand she recited various Buddhist stories.

Gradually, I case to know about the system of education in the Buddhist society. Later, I was also admitted in the Pariyatti programme.

Reena Tuladhar: Some Bhikkhus and Nuns who reside in local Theravada Vihàra informed me about the Pariyatti programme.

Rupendra Maharjan: My family is a Buddhist family. It was not uncommon for us to visit Vihàras on different occasions. I came to know about the all these things. Later on, I joined the course.

10. Did anyone support you for Pariyatti study?

Shanti Maharjan: Yes, my family, especially my mother.

Reena Tuladhar: Yes, my family members and especially, monks and nuns who continuously encouraged me until I finished the course.

Rupendra Maharjan: Especially, my mother supported me. My family also supported me for this study.

11. As a Pariyatti student, what is your opinion about Buddhism?

Shanti Maharjan: Buddhism helps to become successful and make life meaningful.

Reena Tuladhar: As a student of Pariyatti Sikkhà, I would like to say that what Buddha taught is the universal truth which is applicable to human beings as well as other sentient beings. So, Buddhism is the religion of all the sentient beings. A peaceful life can be lead using its teachings.

Rupendra Maharjan: Buddhism is one of the very successful world religions. Buddhism does not belong only to the Buddhists but also others because Buddhism helps the people to be human. It emphasizes to be moral first. As a Pariyatti student, I request all the people once to join Pariyatti study and to be a perfect human.

12. What are the weak and strong points of Pariyatti Sikkhà ⁱⁿ Nepal?

Shanti Maharjan: The weak points are:

1. Pariyatti Sikkhà is centralized in the Kathmandu only.

2. It is limited to certain places only.

3. Government attitude towards Pariyatti Sikkhà^.

The strong point is that the people are promoting Pariyatti Sikkhà with the help of monks. They have realized the significance of Pariyatti.

Reena Tuladhar: The weak point is:

1. The management is not systematic and scientific. It needs to be reformed as soon as possible.

2. The organization is not well managed.

The strong point is –

1. It has been successful in convincing people about its importance. Whoever have come to contact of Pariyatti Sikkhà have accepted it.

Rupendra Maharjan: The weak point of Pariyatti Sikkhà ^{is not} being able to provide sufficient and regular education while the strong point is that even though it is in not good condition, it is attracting my people with its views, ideas and thoughts.

13. What are the existing problems and how to solve them?

Shanti Maharjan: Existing problems:

There is no particular school collages for Pariyatti Sikkhà. Also only having degree in Pariyatti Sikkhà, one cannot survive.

Solution: Pariyatti Sikkhà must be as professional so that one can survive easily after getting degree of Pariyatti. There must be special provision for youngsters to attract them.

Reena Tuladhar: The existing problem is of financial and manpower. The whole organization is being handled with the help of Buddhist laity. Those who work for its development are volunteer both of these sources are temporary. To make Nepal Bauddha Pariyatti Sikkhà institutionalized in Nepal, the entire structure should be professionalized.

Rupendra Maharjan: The whole world is suffering .In order to establish peace; they must try to know that wars invite destruction Nahin Verena Verani Sammantidha Kudacanam.