Chapter 6 - A Psycho-ethical Philosophy

As the Dhamma is the embodiment of natural or universal principles, as mentioned above, Buddhism is therefore in the strictest sense of the term, neither a religion nor a philosophy, nor an ism as known in many parts of the globe. The Dhamma discovered by the Buddha through His supreme enlightenment is for every individual the practice to improve self discipline, self- morality, self purification, to develop self enlightenment and to strive for self emancipation from the miseries of life in Samsara (round of rebirths).

The Buddha not only showed the ways and means for the attainment of supramundane wisdom (lokuttara nana), but also prescribed social principles to solve the various problems of the different classes of mankind in His time. These social principles laid down by Him over 2,500 years ago are still fresh and quite applicable to the present age of scientific achievement and computer era.

The Scholars of Buddhism might find that different branches of study, such as philosophy, psychology, ethics, sociology and many others in modern cultural arts, are so to speak, embraced in His Teaching. This is one of the reasons why it is not easy for us to define exactly whether the Dhamma of the Buddha is a philosophy , psychology, ethics or sociology. That is why Theravada Buddhist scholars in particular prefer to call it "Buddha dhamma" or "Buddha desana" or "Dhamma" or psycho ethical philosophy" instead of Buddhism.