Buddhist Principles and The Promotion of Public Welfare in Contemporary Society: An Integrative Approach to Sustainable Social Development

Abstract

This study analyzes Buddhist principles in relation to the creation of public welfare in contemporary society, viewing Buddhism as a holistic framework for integrated human and social development. The findings indicate that Buddhism places the alleviation of suffering and the promotion of collective well-being as its ultimate goal and can be systematically applied to sustainable social, economic, and political development beyond individual moral cultivation. The study reveals that Buddhist principles establish the foundation of public welfare through inner human development based on morality (sīla), mental cultivation (samādhi), and wisdom (paññā), which directly shape social behavior. Morality functions as a mechanism for regulating conduct and reducing conflict, mental cultivation enhances psychological stability and limits the influence of craving, while wisdom enables an understanding of social problems through causal reasoning and reduces attachment to self-centered interests. In the social dimension, the Four Principles of Social Solidarity (Saṅgahavatthu IV) promote coexistence grounded in generosity and mutual support, strengthening communities and social capital. In the economic dimension, Buddhism critiques development paradigms driven by greed and excessive consumption and proposes a Buddhist economic perspective emphasizing moderation, rationality, and collective responsibility. In the political dimension, the Ten Royal Virtues (Dasa-rājadhamma) and Buddhist governance principles highlight the ethical use of power for public welfare, guided by justice and accountability. In conclusion, Buddhist principles can be understood as a sustainable development framework that integrates inner human transformation with balanced social, economic, and political structures, contributing to public welfare and humane development in contemporary society.