<p>Buddhism, traditionally seen as a spiritual and ethical path towards the liberation of the individual, has increasingly taken on an institutional role in modern Asian society. This systematic literature review examines the core principles of Buddhism, including ethical behavior (<i>Sīla</i>), attention (<i>Samādhi</i>), wisdom (<i>Paññā</i>, compassion, and mutual dependencean, translated into practice of shaping socio-cultural relations, education systems, and sectors of the economy. Synthesizing peer-reviewed studies across social sciences, education, economics, and religious studies, this review analyzes four thematic domains: (1) socio-cultural cohesion and intercultural dialogue, (2) transformation of education and institutional well-being, (3) economic engagement through tourism, health, and creative industries, and (4) cross-cutter applications in sustainability, peace development, and digital innovation. Guided by PRISMA methodology and thematic synthesis, this review filters out 91 complete text notes and includes 30 studies in final analysis, the findings reveal a consistent pattern in which Buddhist values support inclusive education, cultural resilience, and an ethically oriented economy, while also exposing tensions involving symbolic commodification and deprivation. The study concludes that Buddhism is most operating as a socio-institutional resource when it aligns with the possible governmental structures and institutions of society. By offering an integrative framework of applied Buddhism, this review provides insights for interdisciplinary scholarships, evidence-based policies, and sustainable development practices in Asia.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>