Buddhism and its Influence on Humankind: A Comprehensive Analysis of Buddhist Philosophy, Ethics and Contemporary Applications
Poornima Gontiya
International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology October 2, 2026 DOI: 10.38124/ijisrt/26sep1158 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Buddhism |
| Key points | Argues that Buddhism offers a durable framework for human well-being through the Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path, that meditation and mindfulness produce psychological transformation now supported by neuroscience, and that Buddhist ethics of ahiṃsā, karuṇā, and interdependence can address modern challenges in conflict, environment, mental health, and social justice. Cites Aśoka's post-Kalinga transformation, Gandhi's non-violent resistance, and the spread of mindfulness-based therapies as evidence of enduring relevance. |
Abstract
Buddhism, one of the world's major philosophical and spiritual traditions, transcends religious practice to encompass ethics, psychology, and a practical framework for human well-being that has shaped civilisations for over 2,500 years. This paper examines Buddhism's profound influence on humankind through three interconnected dimensions: (1) the foundational teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path as a timeless diagnostic framework for human suffering; (2) the psychological transformation of the individual through meditation and mindfulness practices, now validated by contemporary neuroscience; and (3) the application of Buddhist ethics ahiṃsā, karuṇā, and interdependence in addressing 21st-century global challenges including conflict resolution, environmental sustainability, mental health, and social justice. Drawing on Pāli canonical sources, historical evidence, peer-reviewed neuroscientific studies, and crossnational case studies, the paper demonstrates that the Buddha's message remains urgently relevant today. Emperor Aśoka's transformation after the Kalinga War, Gandhi's non-violent resistance, and the global adoption of mindfulness-based therapies collectively attest to Buddhism's enduring capacity to promote inner peace and global harmony.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on buddhism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental balance and well-being: Building bridges between Buddhism and Western psychology. | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Buddhist Modernism and the Rhetoric of Meditative Experience | 1995 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Buddhist and Psychological Perspectives on Emotions and Well-Being | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Too Early to Tell: The Potential Impact and Challenges—Ethical and Otherwise—Inherent in the Mainstreaming of Dharma in an Increasingly Dystopian World | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| From self to nonself: The Nonself Theory | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |