Authors : Poornima Gontiya

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 9 - September

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/jsyk3vy4

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26sep1158

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

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.

Keywords : Buddhism; Four Noble Truths; Noble Eightfold Path; Mindfulness; Ahiṃsā; Karuṇā; Emperor Aśoka; Buddhist Ethics; Conflict Resolution; Contemporary Significance.

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