Self-Development according to Buddhist Principles

Abstract

This article aims to present the concept of self-development according to Buddhist principles, showing that holistic human development requires the framework of the "Threefold Training" (Trisikkhā) — morality (sīla), concentration (samādhi), and wisdom (paññā) — as an integrated, sequential system that cultivates external behavior, the mind, and the intellect together. This is complemented by the principle of the "Four Developments" (Bhāvanā 4), which encompasses physical, moral, mental, and intellectual development across every dimension of life. The article further explains that self-development in Buddhist philosophy is a process of transformation from an ordinary being dominated by ignorance and defilements into one who has mastery over one’s own mind and clear insight into the law of cause and effect, leading to self-reliance and lifelong learning. The findings indicate that Buddhist self-development is an unending process that enables human beings to attain inner spiritual peace alongside balanced and sustainable success in worldly life.