The Pedagogy of Silence: Spiritual Purification and Moral Education in Islamic Sufism and Japanese Zen Buddhism
Eskiyeni (Online)/Eskiyeni December 31, 2025 Muhammet Mustafa Bayraktar 1 citation
This article compares how Islamic Sufism and Japanese Zen Buddhism approach spiritual purification and moral education. Although both traditions use silence, contemplation, experiential learning, discipline, and a strong teacher–student relationship, their ultimate aims differ: Sufism seeks nearness to God and divine truth, while Zen pursues mental clarity and realization of emptiness (śūnyatā). By examining primary sources and academic literature through hermeneutical and comparative analysis, the study highlights universal pedagogical principles—such as silence for tranquility, practice for internalizing virtues, and holistic development integrating intellect, emotion, and spirit—that could inform modern moral and character education.