Aspects of Early Buddhist Sociological Thought

This work investigates early Buddhism as a socially engaged and ethically grounded tradition. It opens with a discussion of how Buddhism may be defined in relation to religion, philosophy, science, ethics, and the Middle Path, arguing that Buddhism avoids speculative extremes while offering a practical philosophy of life rooted in right understanding and social concern. The book then studies Dhamma in relation to medicine and sociology, showing how early Buddhist texts address sickness, health, monastic discipline, medical care, Jīvaka, patients, attendants, and ethical responsibility. It further examines Buddhist chanting as a practice that supports psychological confidence and social solidarity, before turning to Buddhist aesthetics through beauty, melody, poetry, nature, rapture, and the sentiment of release. A major section analyzes Buddhist symbols for religious edification, including the Wheel of Law, Bodhi Tree, Footprint, vacant seat, Stupa, Buddha statue, Great Man concept, mudrās, lotus motif, and swastika. The final chapters address death from a Buddhist psychological and sociological perspective, identify the causes and cures of social conflict, and explain how early Buddhism redefined women’s social role through the Bhikkhunī order, marriage, motherhood, chastity, family life, and social dignity.