As the benefits of the teaching here and now the Buddha's teaching leads to material and social well-being. However, material and social well-being is not the final goal of the Buddha's teaching. The final goal is the attainment of Nibbana. From the Buddhist perspective, seeking material or economic welfare alone degrades human life to the level of animal life. To become concerned only with eating, sleeping, reproducing, gaining pleasures, etc., is to degrade the potential value of human life.

Therefore, the Buddha teaches that the economic and social stability that come from the application of this teaching should serve as the foundation for higher spiritual development. Though economic and social benefits are of secondary value, they are nevertheless indispensable for the practice of the path. In order to practice the Dhamma properly a secure material foundation, a peaceful and beneficent government, and a free society are required. Therefore material well-being and the pursuit of the spiritual goal are mutually supportive.