Buddhism is not mere philosophy because philosophy deals mainly with knowledge but it is not concerned with translating the knowledge into practice in daily living. Buddhism lay special emphasis on practice and realisation. The philosopher sees the miseries and disappointments of life but, unlike the Buddha, he offers no practical solution to overcome our frustrations which are part of the unsatisfactory nature of life. The philosopher merely pushes his thoughts to dead ends. Philosophy is very well and good but it has failed to quench spiritual thirst. However, philosophy has enriched our intellectual imagination and diminished dogmatic assurance which closes the mind against further progress. To that extend, Buddhism values philosophy.

Remember that the chief aim of the Buddhist life is to attain enlightenment and spiritual freedom. Enlightenment vanquishes ignorance which lies at the root of birth and death. However this vanquishing of ignorance cannot be achieved except by the exercise of one’s will power; all other attempts—especially mere intellectual attempts—are utterly futile. This is why the Buddha concluded, “These (metaphysical) questions are not calculated to profit; they are not concerned with the Dhamma (the teachings of the Buddha); they do not lead to right conduct, or to detachment, or to purifications from lust, or to quietude, or to a calm heart, or to real knowledge, or to higher insight, or to Nibbana. In place of metaphysical speculation, the Buddha was more concerned with teaching a practical understanding of the Four Noble Truths that he discovered: what the origin of suffering is; what the cessation of suffering is; how to overcome suffering and to the final salvation. For these truths are all practical matters to be fully understand and realised by anyone who really desires to accomplish the great act of emancipation.