Compare and contrast two business case studies Essay

Compare and contrast two business case studies - Essay Example Tesco’s great number of manpower and its powerful marketing strategy are the underlying strengths that make it dominant in its specified area of business. (ivythesis.typepad.com, 2011) Eden project aim is to promote the understanding and responsible management of vital relationship between plants and resources. The site covers 50 hectares and could hold 35 football pitches. The biomes are not covered y glass but in EFTE, a transparent high tech foil, contain more than 100000 plants from 5000 species. ? 86 million has been spent to autumn 2002. Staff almost doubled by 2002 to 650. The site has attracted over two million visitors in less than two years a benefit of ? billion to the Cornish economy is predicted for the period 2001-2011.The project was a brain child of a former record producer Tim Smith who started to formulate the idea when driving around the abandoned china clay pit just outside St Austell has become home to the largest conservatories (‘Biomes ‘Peter Long, 2004 p 824). The iconic build began in Cornwall in 1998 and was officially opened in March 2001; they had planned for 750000 visitors in the first 12 months instead 1.9 Million people made their way to former china clay Pit in England most Westerly County. Eden Project has given a huge boost to Cornwall’s economy creating more than 400 Jobs. ... One out of every three pounds spent in a supermarket goes to Tesco. It is the Britain’s biggest private employer with a workforce of 260,000 employees. (Poulter S 2005) In order to achieve steering- wheel -targets, Tesco’s HR strategy revolves around work simplification, performance management, challenging unwritten rules and rolling out core skills to all head office employees. This clearly highlights how business measures at Tesco are closely linked to performance management. Although the frontline employees are considered to be Tesco’s reflection to its customers, all employees have vital roles to play in achieving the organizations goals. This is done through an innovative induction programme that caters for styles of learning, different cultures and varying work commitments which ensures that every employee clearly understands his or her individual role in contributing to Tesco’s core values and purposes. Tesco ensures that employees understand how th eir actions affects the big ‘picture’ of the overall business by providing continuous training that creates a graphical journey through Tesco’s history, its values, core purpose, business goals, financial aims, commitment to customers and the marketing strategy. In order to keep lead over its rivals in the fiercely-competitive UK supermarket sector, Tesco has adopted a human-resource-led business strategy. The strategic policy started in the company’s supermarkets with an aim of improving customers’ service by freeing up stores employees. Tesco concentrates on clear definition of employees’ roles, activities and responsibilities to ensure that employees are accountable, responsible, consulted and informed. 13 key management techniques are

The report of Lenovos marketing strategy Essay Example for Free

The report of Lenovos marketing strategy Essay Lenovo, one of the successful firms of China , has been a global company. To identity the reasons and factors of success, we handled the report. Through scanning the books and references about Lenovo, we have some conclusions and opinions. With its leading-edge technology, easy to use, personalized design and wide range of solutions, the products are widely welcomed by users in China. Lenovo also has extensive product line for the Chinese market, including mobile handsets, servers,and digital products. Lenovo Groups development is broadly divided into three stages: the first stage is the start-ups and survival stages; The second stage is to solve the problem of  existence. ; the third is spending huge sums on the acquisition of IBMs PC division, and begin the development of international strategy. BRIEF INTRODUCTION Lenovo Group was established in 1984, invested 200,000 yuan by the CAS Institute of Computing, which 11 scientific and technical personnel founded. Today the company has become one of the worlds leading PC companies, combining with the former IBM Personal Computing Division. Lenovos fiscal year 2007/08 turnover of $ 16.4 billion. Since 1997 the sales of Lenovo in Chinas domestic market topped the first, and in the Asia-pacific market in successive years (except Japan) is among the best.Lenovo group was launched in 2004. In China, the market share of Lenovo PC products is nearly one-third. With its leading-edge technology, easy to use, personalized design and wide range of solutions, the products are widely welcomed by users in China. Lenovo also has extensive product line for the Chinese market, including mobile handsets, servers,and digital products. Lenovo Groups development is broadly divided into three stages: the first stage is the start-ups and survival stages; The second stage is to solve the problem of existence.; the third is spending huge sums on the acquisition of IBMs PC division, and begin the development of international strategy. FINDINGS The analysis of the marketing environment 1.The macro-marketing environment: The macro external environment for the development of the Lenovo Group has an important influence. The integration and adaptation of macroeconomic policy and social-economic environment ensures that the Lenovo Group can go better in the long-term strategic development of the road. 1.1 Political environment Lenovos political background is strong like the national support. Lenovo is founded by the Chinese academy of sciences institute of computer, with all kinds of computer professionals with technical strength, known as the birthplace of Chinese computer technology. 1.2 Economic environment: The economic environment is good. The economic crisis lead to the overall economic environment tightening, but the development of computer industry  chain to maintain good growth momentum. 1.3 Social environment: China even the whole world still has a great purchasing power. Once the enterprise enter the market, the value of the firm will show up. 1.4 Technical environment: Lenovo Group, founded by the Institute of Computer Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. And it stands for the countrys highest level in the field of computer technology. 2. The micro-marketing environment: Marketing micro environment essentially refers to the the companys own environment and the business which is directly linked to units or individuals formed environment. 2.1 The threat of new distributors to potential industry: New competitors entering a certain segments of the market, can add new production capacity and a lot of resources, and fight for market share. The key lies in wether the new competitors can easily enter the fine market. This is the mainly due to the economies of scale, channel construction, the expected revenge factors. 2.1.1Possible entrants: the first one is the digital giants abroad which have not yet entered the Chinese market, and the others is downstream products, suppliers and retailers. 2.1.2The way of entrants : the appearance of new products, and the establish of a new brand. 2.1.3Potential entry barriers to entrant: economy of scale, product different barriers, capital demand barriers, the customer conversion cost, patent and proprietary technology. 2.2 The competition in the industry The product has a specific location, the users change to the existing brand are usually based on the disappointment. Because of the industry production capability, the computer industry is highly profitable high risk. 2.3. Substitute As Chinas entry into the WTO, the competition will post the professional business enterprise the threat. 2.4 The bargaining power of suppliers  Most of the PC software is provided by the supplier, and not by the manufacturer production. PC manufacturer bargaining ability, but in foreign  suppliers, local brands has obvious advantages. The buyers bargaining power:Through the analysis, Chinas PC industry has high barriers to entry so that there is no alternative goods and the purchaser bargain ability is low. For new entrants the competitive threat is various and widely effected, but due to a variety of reasons no matter at present or in future there will be still a number of entrants. 3. Lenovos SWOT analysis: Combined with the present situation of the development of the industry Lenovo laptop exactly exist problems and should establish rational marketing decision-making plan. 3.1. Advantage: Market share: Lenovo laptop channels throughout the whole of Asia market, market share to competitors than the other, with 30.6% of the market share comes to the first in line. Local brand experience and regional advantages: Lenovo has decades of experience in the Chinese mainland which can accurately grasp the local consumer demand, which is the strength of other brands do not have the advantage. Brand advantage: In the PC market, Lenovo brand of leadership in the Chinese market has more than many rivals, is the industry leader, and promoted step by step and accumulation. 3.2 Disadvantage: In addition to the Chinese market and overseas market, especially the north American market the ability of growth is weak. International operation experience compared to the Dell and HP has a gap, form although international, but did not reach the system. A lack of international experience, especially to the international complex economic form ability, to the risk control ability is not strong, it is the financial crisis led to Lenovo losses. Although the acquisition of the IBM PC business, full integration is not yet complete. 3.3 opportunity: The development of the consumer PC market, along with the rise of the notebook market as well as the popularity of the PC provides a good opportunity to Lenovo notebook in the consumer market. And there is a sales boom as Win7 listed the individual market. so Lenovo should seize the opportunity to capture the market. The Chinese government launch home appliance countryside sports, farmers for the PC has a strong demand. Lenovo  an seize the chance to go to Chinas vast countryside market.The domestic market having the rapid development , more and more consumers to buy the computer. 3.4 threat: The consumer market, facing the threat of the Hewlett-Packard, Dell is a strong competitor. A large number of new brand computer manufacturers produce cause confusion of market.The financial crisis is still not completely eliminate and global individual market is falling which affect the Lenovo shipments greatly since commercial personal market. 4. Lenovos market segments, the choice of target customers, market positioning (STP analysis) 4.1 Market segment: despite Lenovo is an old computer, it seems that there is no market selection problem, but when profits to maximize the enterprise management of long-term highest goal appeared. Lenovo will also can not bear the temptation of diversification, attack from the Internet, a series of new business, but soon found many new business water depth in waves, therefore decided to make strategic shrinkage and adjust. Later, Lenovo will and divided into two parts, one kind is small and medium-sized enterprise and the average consumer, small and medium-sized enterprise and further divided into medium customers and scattered type customers. One kind is often tender for purchasing clients, and further divided into global big customers combined with local customers, and whether the commercial market or consumption market, desktop computer or the laptop. Lenovos market segmentation levels are quite clear, and in each segment the market established deputy brand. Through the in-depth market research, a series of specialized value recreation, make the brand to look brand-new.Thus, market segmentation for a brand the growing importance of the, Lenovo because timely see this, suit the remedy to the case. According to the growing small and medium-sized enterprise commercial computer demand, Lenovo won the unshakable market share. In the future a period of time, Lenovo brand value management and considerable ascension space, also can become more sales though driving force is strong. 4.2. The market localization: Association with the main trend products and low-priced products to the aftermarket price of brand quality one-sided pressure to the other brands. Lenovo in the past ten years, has constant innovation and introduction of  more advanced technology and electronic products, which are inextricably linked with Lenovos strong backing of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Computer Science. Lenovo has a high-quality technical team. They have a number of senior researchers and engineers with years of experience in technical strength with a large number of Hong Kong and Taiwan manufacturers. Lenovo can not be surmounted, which proves the Chinese computer market leading brand strength is immeasurable.Lenovo chooses the low level of technology, and focus on market demand with the wide range of applications.The market is large, easy-to-commercialization of microcomputer products in the product form, from the development version upgrade start, rather than to start on the development machine. This is the Lenovo Groups goal, so that companies can integrate into the community with the fastest speed, and lay a solid foundation for further development in the future. CINCLUSIONS Lenovo, a global company, has gone through many challenges and difficulties. There are much experience in the growth of Lenovo. Although there are many reasons of the success, the main and crucial one is persistence. We are, of crouse, proud of the admirable achievement of Lenovo.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Ethanol And Biodiesel Environmental Sciences Essay

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Ethanol And Biodiesel Environmental Sciences Essay The worlds energy consumption has been increasing progressively since the industrial revolution 1. Global population is continuing to dramatically rise and the increase in economic development, particularly in China and India, over recent decades has contributed to increases in energy consumption 2. Currently, nearly 45 percent of Australias total energy consumption is accounted for by coal, with oil providing approximately 35 percent, natural gas supplying around 15 percent and green power providing just over 5 percent 2. Alternative fuels are stated to be a potentially viable alternative to the use of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels contribute to almost eighty percent of the total energy used in the world 3, 4. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources that are limited in their supply and the burning of fossil fuels on a global scale can produce air pollution, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), release significant amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), and contribute to g lobal warming 1, 3, 5, 6. Alternative fuels are considered to have a less adverse effect on the environment, and are stated to be a solution to the problems created by fossil fuels 1. The main difference between fossil derived fuels and alternative fuels is the oxygen content, with alternative fuels having 10-45 wt% oxygen compared to fossil fuels which contain almost none 7. In Australia, the alternative fuels industry is relatively small, but is gradually expanding particularly in regard to ethanol or biodiesel production8. Alternative fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel may prospectively provide an alternative for global fuel requirements. There are however, a number of drawbacks related to alternative fuels which may inhibit them from completely replacing fossil fuels without technological or genetic advancements 9. Outline This paper aims to examine the advantages and disadvantages of alternative fuels. The discussion will commence by defining alternative fuels and a number of relevant terms. The analysis will then consider ethanol as an alternative fuel and an overview of ethanol production. Subsequently, biodiesels and an overview of biodiesel production will be examined. Following this, the advantages and disadvantages of alternative fuels will be considered. Lastly, the main arguments of this account will be summarised. Definitions Alternative fuels are a sustainable form of energy, are fuels that have not derived from petroleum and can include alcohols, biofuels, hydrogen, natural gas and propane 1. They are commonly solid, liquid or gas biofuels acquired from biomass, vegetable oil, or generated from agricultural food crops 6, 10. A viable alternative fuel must be economical, supply a net energy gain, be beneficial to the environment, and be able to be produced in considerable volumes with limited detrimental impacts6. The alternative fuels that are currently prevalent throughout the world are ethanol and biodiesel 7, 11, 12. Ethanol also referred to as ethyl alcohol, is a colourless liquid alcohol, less dense than water, with the chemical formula C2H5OH 13. Biodiesel is a carbon-neutral fuel that is a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters 13, 14. Alcohols: Ethanol Ethanol is one of the most widely utilized liquid biofuels that can be combined with gasoline to create an ethanol blend fuel, or it can be used in pure form 7, 13. It may be derived by fermenting carbohydrates obtained from natural sugars, starches or cellulosic biomass in plants including sugar cane, corn or straw 7, 15. Generally, this process involves the yeast driven fermentation of glucose in which the energy from the glucose is concentrated in the ethanol and CO2 is released as seen in equation 1 13. 13 The USA and Brazil are presently the two major producers of bioethanol with corn and sugar cane the primary base plants for the US and Brazil, respectively 16, 17. Current fuel yield for corn ethanol has been demonstrated at 1135 1900 L/hectare; to achieve 50 percent of American transport fuel demands, more than 157 percent of USA cropland would need to be utilized 17. In 2005/2006, Australia produced and consumed 41 million litres of ethanol fuel 8. Use and production of ethanol, however has been demonstrated to be increasing 8. In Australia, since 2003, the maximum allowed limit of ethanol in ethanol-petrol blends has been 10 percent 8. In 2007, there were three ethanol production facilities operating in Australia that generated ethanol from grains, such as sorghum and wheat, and from sugar cane, with production capacities of over 150 million litres annually 8. Biodiesels Biodiesel generation emerged in the late 1990s and has continued to rapidly increase 13. Biodiesels are produced from a variety of seed plant oils, such as soybean, palm or rapeseed oil, or from animal fats 10, 15, 18. They are mostly manufactured through the process of transesterification 18. Transesterification involves the mixing and of an oil with alcohol in the presence of a catalyst, such as sodium hydroxide, which reacts to create biodiesel and glycerine 18. The triglyceridies in the oil or fat are converted into a glycerine molecule and three methyl esters of long chain fatty acid molecules (Figure 1)13.The glycerin by-product is not in market demand due to the excess produced from biodiesel generation and recently been discovered to convert into propylene glycol, which has a large market, and acetol 13. Biodiesel manufactured from soybean produces more than 90 percent more energy than is needed to generate it 13. Figure : Transesterification of a triglyceride 18. Biodiesel is manufactured globally, with the USA and Germany dominating the market 20. Around the world, over 1.5 million tonnes of biodiesel is generated annually 15. In 2005/2006 Australia produced and consumed 16 million litres of biodiesel fuel 8. Use and production of biodiesels has increased since8. In Australia biodiesel can be utilized as a replacement for diesel or in a biodiesel-diesel blend of between 5 and 20 percent biodiesel 8. Investigations into utilizing canola or mustard for biodiesel production are occurring in southern Australia while currently, a range of fats and oils are used, such as tallow 8. In Australia, biodiesel production capacity is greater than ethanol production capacity 8. Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative Fuels Alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel have numerous advantages and disadvantages regarding environmental and societal impacts. The replacement of fossil fuels with alternative fuels could result in a decrease of CO2 emissions, a decrease in air pollution, reduce acid rain and decrease global warming3. Additional benefits include sustainability, fuel security, regional development and a decrease in rural poverty 7, 21. The land area required to generate sufficient alternative fuel to meet demands however, may compete directly with agriculture requirements, water use, may cause pollution from the use of herbicides and pesticides, and could result in the destruction of natural habitats and a decrease in biodiversity 3, 21, 22. In developing countries, the expansion of the alternative fuel industry could increase deforestation, decreasing the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis 12. The prices obtained for the sale of, for example, Australian produced alter native fuels is variable and depends on domestic prices for petrol and diesel, the world prices of oil and the Australian exchange rate 8. Ethanol Advantages There are several advantages concerning the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is removed by the crop used for ethanol generation, resulting in the process being carbon neutral 15. Using ethanol over fossil derived fuels can result in a reduction of CO2 up to 75 percent 24. Higher densities of ethanol fuel and air can be combusted in an engine compared to petroleum due to ethanols constricted boiling point range and higher latent heat of vaporization (Table 1) 10, 16. Additionally, higher energy density can be achieved in the engine due to a lower stoichiometric air to fuel ratio 10, 16.This may produce enhanced engine efficiency and elevated power outputs in ethanol fuelled vehicles when contrasted to petroleum fuelled vehicles. The use of ethanol as an alternative fuel can result in lower pollution emissions compared to fossil fuels, particularly regarding particulates, alkenes, aromatics and carbon monoxide 13. Disadvantages There are disadvantages associated with the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel. At present, ethanol is not economically competitive 15, 24. Expensive production costs associated with ethanol can be generated due to the use of water for irrigation, herbicides and pesticides, fertilisers, and machinery maintenance 11. Other expenses may be accrued from wages, insurance, land charges, and depreciation of farm assets 11. Ethanol has a lower amount of energy generated per litre combusted, is more corrosive than gasoline and is toxic to ecosystems 13, 20. The use of pure ethanol is limited in colder climates by their low vapour pressures 13. Ethanol production from crops is stated to cause environmental degradation such as dust and exhaust emissions, displacement of alternative land uses, pollution of surface and ground water systems, increased turbidity in surface waters, salinity and bioaccumulation of some pesticides 9, 11. There are a number of environmental problems related to corn generated ethanol such as denitrification, erosion, and nitrogen leaching 9, 11. Ethanol crops are generally inefficient and the yields vary dramatically between various crops 15, 17. The disadvantages noted above indicate that currently, ethanol is not a viable alternative fuel. Biodiesel Advantages A number of advantages are linked with the use of biodiesel fuel over fossil derived diesel fuel. Biodiesel production is stated to be sustainable, environmentally friendly, nontoxic, and biodegradable 1, 5, 10. Biodiesels properties are alike the properties of fossil derived diesel, Table 1, suggesting it can be used unmodified in indirect injection diesel engines 5, 16. Table 1 demonstrates that biodiesel has a higher flash point than petroleum-based diesel making it is safer to store and transport 10, 16. Biodiesel burns cleanly, and the emissions produced have fewer pollutants including less carbon monoxide, sulphates and sulphur oxides, hydrocarbons, nitrogen and particulates 1, 5. It also has a small increase in fuel economy and superior lubricity compared to fossil derived diesel, which can reduce engine wear 7; 14. Disadvantages There are many disadvantages regarding the use of biodiesel as an alternative fuel. Biodiesel production from crops competes with food supply, can detrimentally impact the environmental through nitrogen and phosphorus leaching, and loss of biodiversity 6, 7. Biodiesel generally generates lower power and torque than petroleum-based diesel and can have a higher fuel consumption 10. Biodiesels are also not currently economically competitive 6. They are stated to have higher emissions of nitrous oxides and cold start problems 7. The biodegradability of biodiesel can create problems regarding fuel stability and long-term storage 14. Methyl ester fatty acids deteriorate in conditions with high temperatures, sunlight, oxygen or non-ferrous metals 14. The disadvantages noted above indicate that currently, biodiesel may not be a viable alternative fuel. Conclusion Alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel have both advantages and disadvantages regarding impacts on the environment. Ethanol is usually produced through the fermentation of carbohydrates while biodiesel is generally produced by transesterification. Within Australia, the industry of alternative fuels is steadily expanding. Advantages of alternative fuels may include decreased emissions and air pollution, reduced impact on global warming, sustainability, fuel security, regional development and a decrease in rural poverty. Disadvantages of alternative fuels may include land use competition, water use competition, pollution from the use of herbicides and pesticides, deforestation, the destruction of natural habitats, and a decrease in biodiversity. Currently, the production and use of the alternative fuels ethanol and biodiesel do not appear to be viable.

Carl Orffs Philosophies In Music Education :: essays research papers

While Carl Orff is a very seminal composer of the 20th century, his greatest success and influence has been in the field of Music Education. Born on July 10th in Munich, Germany in 1895, Orff refused to speak about his past almost as if he were ashamed of it. What we do know, however, is that Orff came from a Bavarian family who was very active in the German military. His father's regiment band would often play through some of the young Orff's first attempts at composing. Although Orff was adamant about the secrecy of his past, Moser's Musik Lexicon says that he studied in the Munich Academy of Music until 1914. Orff then served in the military in the first world war. After the war, he held various positions in the Mannheim and Darmstadt opera houses then returned home to Munich to further study music. In 1925, and for the rest of his life, Orff was the head of a department and co-founder of the Guenther School for gymnastics, music, and dance in Munich where he worked with musical beginners. This is where he developed his Music Education theories. In 1937, Orff's Carmina Burana premiered in Frankfurt, Germany. Needless to say, it was a great success. With the success of Carmina Burana, Orff orphaned all of his previous works except for Catulli Carmina and the En trata which were rewritten to be acceptable by Orff. One of Orff's most admired composers was Monteverdi. In fact, much of Orff's work was based on ancient material. Orff said: I am often asked why I nearly always select old material, fairy tales and legends for my stage works. I do not look upon them as old, but rather as valid material. The time element disappears, and only the spiritual power remains. My entire interest is in the expression of spiritual realities. I write for the theater in order to convey a spiritual attitude.1 What Orff is trying to say here is that he does not use "old" material, but material that is good enough to be used again. If one eliminates the fact that this material was written many years ago, then there is nothing to stop that material from being any less legitimate in recent times. Orff's work in Music Education has been astounding. In the early 1920's, Orff worked with Mary Wigman. Wigman was a pupil of Emile Jaques-Dalcroze, another very influential name in Music Education. In fact, Orff's approach to music is very similar to Dalcroze's, but Orff focuses on education through percussion instruments. In 1924, Orff joined Dorthee Guenther and together

Greek Mythology and Immediate Satisfaction Essay

In Euripides Medea is in a state of struggle with her husband Jason. At one point she and Jason settled down and have established a family, they have also attained a degree of fame and respectability. But then Jason ends up abandoning Medea along with their two children because he fell in love with Glauce, this turn of events has crushed Medea emotionally. She is at a point where she curses her own existence. Meanwhile Jason ended up remarrying Glauce who is the daughter of Creon the king of Corinth. Creon banishes Medea and her children from the city. I believe Creon knows that there might be a possibility of Medea plotting revenge. That is why he has taken this action. Medea continues her quest for justice. Medea begs Creon for another extra day to stay so that she can plot a revenge for Creon and Glauce. Medea has spoken to Jason trying to sympathize bringing him into her confidence and sent with her children a poisonous coronet and a dress made out of gold to kill Glauce. They accepted the gift and Glauce has also worn it, .Glauce died from the robe and so did Creon after he had embraced her and absorbed the poison himself. She also ended up killing her own children’s. She did this to make Jason suffer; everything Jason had valued has been lost through the deaths that conclude the tragedy. I believe what Medea did was wrong. Taking her anger out on her children and also Jason’s new wife is not the right thing to do. I don’t think a human being has the right to take one’s life that should be up to god. I understand what Medea went through is very hard. Any person that would love someone dearly and go through what Medea went through would obviously be very hurt. It may cause anyone to plot revenge. The id from freud’s conception has played a part for Medea. She demands immediate satisfaction and when that happened she experienced pleasure. The ego was when she sent the dress and the coronet to Glauce. The ego has no concept of right or wrong; something is good simply if it achieves its end of satisfying without causing harm to itself or to the id. she accomplished her plan by sending the coronet and the dress. The super ego is when she leaves Coronth.

Buddhist Education in Vietnam

Almost 85% of the entire population of Vietnam is Buddhist . The main reason for this vast acceptance of Buddhism is its very early entrance in Vietnam. Buddhism entered Vietnam in the beginning of second century. This was the Common Era and can be called as the first phase of the Buddhist education in Vietnam .The very first Buddhist education was given by a Taoist named Meou-Po, who later converted to Buddhism . According to many historians, even before this Taoist, some form of Buddhist education could be seen when the Chinese missionaries came to Vietnam .The Chinese missionaries came in Vietnam during the rule of Si-Nhiep. Later, two Indian monks also came from India to Vietnam, in order to practice and preach Buddhism. Ma Ha Ky Vuc and Khau Da La stayed in Vietnam for some time, later Khau Da La left whereas Ma Ha Ky Vuc stayed. Ma Ha Ky Vuc was a very religious man and used to fast for several days. According to him this helped purify his body and soul. These two Buddhist monk s first came to Northern Vietnam, which was called as Giao-Chi at that time. Mau-Bac, a Chinese Buddhist later came to Vietnam, in order to preach his religion.At that time China was the centre of a serious political conflict, hence many scholars in order to learn and preach at peace, came to Vietnam. This was a breakthrough for the Buddhism. These were the first people ever to bring in Buddhism in Vietnam. They were refugees from China and Pilgrims from India. As time passed by Buddhism became more accepted and most practiced religion in Vietnam. BEGINNING OF BUDDHIST EDUCATION A Hindu price, Gautama who did not like the idea of Hindu caste system, was the founder of Buddhism.Gautama did not believe that any man could be superior to the other and as Hinduism Brahmans are considered superior, he left this religion . Gautama had spent many years wandering and meditating. In the end he found answers to all his questions and hence found the path of enlightenment, â€Å"nirvana†. According to Buddhism, nirvana is the path to endless serenity. It is free from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Moreover, a person will achieve salvation if he believes in the four noble truths.These four noble truths are that a man suffers in all his consecutive lives; the reason for his sufferings is his wants for earthly things, when the person frees himself from all the wants of earthly things he then achieves deliverance. The last noble truth says that a person can achieve deliverance by following the eightfold noble path . So how did Buddhism actually spread? During the time Si-Nhiep ruled Giao-Chi, it was considered as a safe place. Mau-Bac came to Vietnam looking for peace and tranquility. After coming to Vietnam, he studied Buddhism from an Indian monk named Ksudra .Ma Ha Ky Vuc who also came to Vietnam got together with Mau-Bac and started preaching their religion. Ksudra also started helping them, hence people in Vietnam, who never knew what Buddhism was, started learning and accepting it. These were the very first people to start preaching and teaching Buddhism. Their teaching is the very early form of teachings found in Vietnam. After these, many Buddhist monks came to Vietnam. Khang Tang Hoi and Cuong Luong Lau were two monks who made a lot of difference. They translated many Buddhist books into Chinese.As Vietnamese culture at that time was influenced a lot by Chinese and Chinese was the official language used , hence translating these books made a lot of difference to people who could not read or write other languages . PHASES OF VIETNAMESE BUDDHISM The history of Buddhist education in Vietnam can be studied by dividing it into four separate phases or periods. – The formation of Buddhism in Vietnam. This started from the common era and lasted till the end of Chinese dominion – Climax of Buddhism. Buddhism was at its peak during the independence – The decadence after the Le Dynasty– Revival period. This starte d in the beginning of the 20th century and has not ended yet. The period before the Common Era lays the foundation for the beginning and development of Buddhist education in Vietnam. It was the time when Siddhartha Gautama, who will later attain enlightenment and will be called as ‘Buddha’ was born. As he was born in India, Indians were the first to learn Buddhism. Later when Buddhism came to China, many Chinese monks went to Vietnam in order to spread Buddhism. However, it believed that the Chinese and Indian merchants came to Vietnam for trading.They brought monks with them saying that the monks were the â€Å"calmer of the sea† These monks started preaching their religion in Vietnam. It was easy for them to teach their religion to many people at a time, as Luy-Lau, later known as Ha-Bac was the centre of all trading activities. All the merchants who came here to trade, and merchants who were travelling between India and China, stopped here to rest, therefore, monks were able to spread their religion very easily. Many missionary activities were started as a result. Monasteries were built and Buddhism became important.This was the first time ever in the history of Vietnam, that monasteries were built . The next period or phase proved to be best for Vietnamese Buddhism. In this period Buddhist studies were at their peak and many famous people and rulers converted to this religion. It was when King Dinh Tien Hoang came in to power. Buddhism has its own hierarchy of monks and priests who were accepted by the court. Buddhism was now supported by the royal court and this helped many positive changes to take place. Buddhists were now respected and were considered as learned people.They were asked advice by the royal court and the rulers before taking decisions. This helped them get involved in many political and religious decisions and hence providing many decisions to be taken according to them. This era truly proved to be the best for Buddhist studies and it became one of the most predominant religions. After this, many kings and emperors converted to Buddhism. Many laws came into practice in this era, which were influenced by Buddhism, and hence were in favor of the Buddhists. Van Hanh became a Buddhist in this period.He is known as the meditation master and has influenced many people to convert to Buddhism. Any ruler who was not Buddhists was at least the supporter of Buddhism and this was a very positive point for the Buddhists. In 1010 A. D, almost eight monasteries were built in Ha Bac. All other monasteries and Buddhist temples were also repaired. Tripitaka texts, which were in China initially, were brought in Vietnam. Thousands of Buddha statues and paintings were made and set up. Festivals were set up. Many new monasteries such as Sung Kharh monastery and monastery at Mount Ba were built. In 1086 A.d Dai Lam monastery was built in Ha Bac. Later in 1118 A. D Thien Phat was built which had almost 1,000 Buddha statu es . BUDDHIST STUDIES The entire Buddhist education comes from the studies of Buddha, who is the supreme teacher. All of the studies root from saddha, which is the faith in triple Gem. Depdnding upon these studies the students are taught according to the five rules. The students should know the rules, their reason and their appliance in daily lives. Most importantly, they should appreciate all these rules and believe in them. The students should know what is generosity and self sacrifice.These are essential elements that help the students overcome their worldly desires, their selfishness and greed. These five moral rules are dependent on each other. A student can gain by suta, which is by extensive reading of Buddhism texts. According to Buddhist studies the knowledge of a person is dependent on his inside belief of truth i. e. Dhamma. Calm and insight are the two main elements of any Buddhist teaching. In Buddhist education tasks and wisdom are dependent on each other. A student ca n attain wisdom by deep investigation, discussion and intelligence.This wisdom was the basic instruments which lead Buddha to salvation. This wisdom is the crown of all educations of Buddhism. Without wisdom, education is incomplete. Before French, people were chosen based on their education. These were officials known as â€Å"mandarins†. Learning was very important in those times. It was not just education but it lead a person to intellectual understanding, social standing, wealth and power. Buddhism came directly from India, hence there are many words in Vietnamese Buddhism which are influenced or are taken directly from India. The word Buddha is also taken as it is.However, as the Vietnamese culture is influenced a lot from the Chinese, hence when Chinese monks came to Vietnam, the word Buddha was replaced by the word Phat. In those days, Buddhism in Vietnam was influenced by Theravada Buddhism. It was seen as religion which helped good people and punished the bad. It was very difficult to teach Buddhism at that time as very little literature was available. Vietnamese had no written script; hence a few translations were made in Chinese. The era between 544 and 602 was an independent era and was helpful in spreading Buddhism