Different Students, Different Perspectives : A Content Analysis of how Buddhism is Represented in Textbooks for Upper Secondary School

This study presents a comparative content analysis examining how Buddhism is represented in teaching materials for upper secondary schools in Sweden, with a focus on different student target audiences. Four textbooks were analyzed: two written for vocational training programs and two written for college preparatory programs. The purpose of the study is to investigate which underlying definitions of religion are expressed within the texts and to analyze similarities and differences between textbooks written for different target groups. The results indicate that a substantive definition of religion where most common and that lived religion and insider perspectives are rarely represented. Orientalism occurs when Buddhism is described through a Christian and Western perspective. Buddha's teachings, monastic life of monks and meditation are presented as essential knowledge. The learning materials written for college preparatory programs give more attention to details. What is unique about this study is that previous research has not paid attention to different target groups of students when examining teaching materials.