Dhammadāyāda Sutta Promotes the Inheritance of Wisdom: Scholars Propose a Path to Global Peace in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape economies, societies, and human lifestyles around the world, scholars of Buddhism and technology ethics are advocating the application of principles from the Dhammadāyāda Sutta, an important discourse found in the Majjhima Nikāya, Mūlapaṇṇāsaka of the Sutta Piṭaka, as a framework for fostering peace and sustainability in the modern world.
The central teaching of the Dhammadāyāda Sutta encourages followers of Buddhism to become “heirs of the Dhamma” rather than “heirs of material gain.” The Buddha illustrates this principle through a hypothetical example involving two monks, demonstrating that one who sacrifices physical comfort in order to uphold the Dhamma and discipline is more worthy of respect than one who merely pursues personal convenience and material benefits.
In the latter part of the discourse, Venerable Sāriputta further elaborates on the importance of cultivating seclusion, abandoning unwholesome qualities, and overcoming mental defilements such as greed, hatred, and delusion, which are recognized as the root causes of personal and social conflicts. The practice of the Middle Way, embodied in the Noble Eightfold Path, is presented as the primary method for purifying the mind, developing wisdom, and attaining genuine peace.
Experts in AI ethics observe that the teachings of the Dhammadāyāda Sutta are highly relevant to the challenges of the digital age. Modern societies often place excessive emphasis on economic gain, prestige, and technological power while neglecting moral development and social responsibility. This imbalance can contribute to intense competition, inequality, and various forms of conflict.
Applying the concept of being an “heir of the Dhamma” in the AI era means prioritizing the cultivation and transmission of wisdom, ethical values, knowledge, and collective responsibility rather than using technology solely for personal or corporate gain. If leaders, organizations, and citizens focus on developing inner virtues alongside technological innovation, they can reduce social tensions and strengthen trust at both national and international levels.
Scholars conclude that the Dhammadāyāda Sutta offers a profound vision for human development. It teaches that the most valuable inheritance is not wealth or technology, but wisdom, virtue, and a life guided by the Middle Path. When humanity learns to employ technology with responsibility, compassion, and selflessness, the world will be better positioned to achieve lasting peace, justice, and sustainability in the age of Artificial Intelligence.




