The Dhamma has two dimensions, a dimension of depth and a dimension of breadth. In its dimension of depth, the Dhamma leads to the overcoming of the world. But in its dimension of breadth, it embraces all facets of human existence and shows how all these different sides of human life can be transformed, elevated and ennobled, and finally absorbed into the comprehensive path leading to liberation.

In the course of his teaching mission, the Buddha associated with people from all walks of life. In his own words he said "Very often I dwell surrounded by monks and nuns, by laymen and laywomen, kings and princes, businessman and merchants, brahmins and recluses." Further the Buddha says: "If my teaching could only be practiced by monks and nuns but could not be practiced by laymen and laywomen, then my teaching would be defective in these two respects, it would be an imperfect doctrine." But then he adds: "My doctrine can be practiced by monks, by nuns, by laymen and laywomen, therefore it is a completely perfect and pure doctrine."