The Role of Buddhism in Building a Healthy Society

Abstract

This academic article proposes a new body of knowledge in the form of the “Buddhist-Based Sustainable Well-being Society Model”, which conceptualizes Buddhism as a moral mechanism influencing the development of well-being at the individual, community, and societal levels. The model is grounded in key Buddhist principles, particularly the Threefold Training (Sīla, Samādhi, Paññā) and the Noble Eightfold Path, which are essential in cultivating inner well-being as a foundational element for building a sustainable and harmonious society.

The model comprises five dimensions of well-being—physical, mental, social, intellectual, and spiritual—each linked to specific Buddhist teachings and resulting in tangible life outcomes. For instance, abstaining from unwholesome behaviors fosters physical well-being, mindfulness practice enhances emotional stability, and principles like Aparihāniya-dhamma and Sangahavatthu strengthen social cohesion. Structurally, the model identifies key institutional mechanisms such as temples, Buddhist schools, and community-engaged monks, which serve as cultural and spiritual hubs that support education, psychological healing, and community-based well-being in practical and sustained ways. Furthermore, this model integrates seamlessly with contemporary development frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and participatory development approaches. It transforms internal moral consciousness into public policy innovations that drive inclusive well-being across all societal sectors. The core contribution of this new model is its elevation of Buddhism from a spiritual tradition to a systemic framework capable of generating dynamic and context-sensitive pathways to sustainable well-being in modern Thai society—bridging internal values with participatory and structural development.