Enhancing Teacher-Student Relationship with Buddhist Four Acts of Doing Favors (Sangaha-vatthu)

Abstract

This academic article aims to study the teacher-student relationship, its negative and positive impacts, and the teacher’s characteristics in fostering a positive relationship with students. The Buddhist concept of Four Acts of Doing Favors (Sangaha-vatthu) is also studied as a practical strategy to enhance the teacher-student relationship. Each factor of Sangaha-vatthu is analyzed, and some practical ways of applying Sangaha-vatthu to foster a positive relationship between teacher and students are presented. The acts of giving or showing generosity (dāna) such as imparting knowledge and providing some guidance develop students’ positive feelings and trust. Offering kind and convincing speech (piyavācā) promotes effective communication with students. To deliver verbal and non-verbal speech, the Buddhist principle of well-spoken speech (subhāsitā Vācā) is also considered. The speech is well-spoken when it is truthful, affectionate, beneficial, delivered at a proper time, and is from the good-will of the speaker. The third is useful conduct (atthacariyā) which aims for the benefits of three kinds: for one’s own benefits – the teacher (attattha), for others’ benefits – the students (parattha), and for both parties (ubhayattha) – teachers, students, and the community. Finally, maintaining equal treatment and consistency in behaviors (samānattatā) cultivates students’ confidence in their teachers which also helps them to be more open, to disclose themselves, and this enhances the relationship between teachers and students.