Theravāda Buddhist Teachings in Multiple Dimensions: Toward the Common Goal of Liberation from Suffering

Abstract

This academic article argues that the content of the teachings of Theravāda Buddhism, when examined in terms of principles or theoretical frameworks, can be understood as multidimensional. However, when considered in terms of their essence, all Buddhist teachings are fundamentally centered on the cessation of suffering. The ultimate aim is to guide individuals to comprehend these principles and subsequently apply them in practice, thereby cultivating personal and collective well-being, and ultimately attaining liberation from suffering. In other words, an analysis of Buddhist teachings from a theoretical perspective reveals various dimensions and serves as the foundation for academic inquiries that explore these teachings from multiple viewpoints. Nevertheless, despite the possibility of interpreting them through diverse lenses, the core or essence of Buddhist teachings consistently reflects a unifying characteristic: they are rooted in the doctrine of Kammavāda—the emphasis on practice and ethical action. Thus, while the teachings of Theravāda Buddhism exhibit diverse and distinctive features, they are systematically interconnected. Some teachings directly reinforce and support one another, while others are linked more indirectly. Regardless of the form of connection, all teachings share a common underlying principle: the liberation from suffering through disciplined practice. This process enables individuals to progress from basic levels of happiness to more profound spiritual fulfillment—from mundane existence to the supramundane.