Natural Law in Buddhism and Plato’s World of Ideas

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the concept of “natural law” in Buddhism in comparison with the concept of the “World of Forms” proposed by Plato. The objective is to understand the structure of reality and the fundamental principles underlying all phenomena in both systems of thought. Buddhism explains natural law through the principles of conditionality (idappaccayata), dependent origination, and the Three Marks of Existence, which illustrate causal relationships and the impermanent nature of all things. In contrast, Plato proposes that the World of Forms represents ultimate reality, serving as the eternal and unchanging archetype of all phenomena in the empirical world. The findings reveal that while both perspectives share a common aim in the pursuit of ultimate truth, they differ significantly in their methodologies and metaphysical foundations. Buddhism emphasizes process, causality, and arising-and-ceasing phenomena, whereas Plato underscores permanence and the eternal nature of Forms. These findings highlight the diverse philosophical perspectives between Eastern and Western traditions and provide a significant foundation for further in-depth comparative philosophical studies.