Korea Journal of Buddhist Studies ISSN:1598-0642(Print) 불교학연구

The history of Buddhism began with Gotama the Buddha’s enlightenment. The ascetic Gotama became a Buddha by attaining the knowledge of destruction of defilements(āsavakkhaya-ñāṇa) which is a quality of arahant. After his enlightenment, the Buddha taught his liberating teachings to his contemporaries who could understand his teachings for their welfare and happiness (hitasukha). As a result, many disciples, renunciant monks and nuns, and lay people experienced benefits through their faith and wisdom according to their abilities and efforts. Gotama the Buddha established a professional sangha community and led the members of sangha to the ultimate goal, ahahantship. He also continuously participated in social engagement by means of teaching to lay people. In this article, I try to demonstrate how the Buddha did his social engagement through his activity of teaching and transforming lay people.The Buddha taught his lay disciples as much as they could practice in their life. When lay people wanted worldly happiness, he inspired and suggested them the proper way of achieving this kind of happiness. He strongly stressed governing a country by the righteous Dharma of the king. He suggested lay people should gather their wealth by ardent effort, and also to share it with other people to live happy lives in this world. He recommended co-duty to members of society, opened their eyes to regarding and caring each other. He emphasized generosity(dāna ), moral precept(sīla ), and meditation practices which lead to heavenly states(brahmavihāra ) like loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. Ultimately, lay disciples were taught to get noble enlightenment at least steam-entry(sotappatti ) through understanding the impermanence of the phenomena. He led the lay disciples who had sensual desire because they also had the chance to travel the World-transcending(lokuttara ) path.In this manner, Gotama the Buddha engaged in positive social engagement to suggest worldly happiness, fortunate rebirth and ultimate happiness to his lay disciples according to their situation and abilities.