A lead free piezoelectric material, bismuth sodium barium titanate $(Bi_{0.5}Na_{0.5})_{0.94}Ba_{0.06}TiO_3$ (BNBT), was considered as an environment-friendly alternatives for the current PZT system. A perovskite BNBT was synthesized by conventional bulk ceramic processing technique. In order to improve piezoelectric properties, $La_2O_3$ as a dopant was incorporated into the BNBT system up to 0.025 moi, ana the effects on subsequent the piezoelectric ana dielectric properties were systematically investigated. With increasing $La_2O_3$ contents, the equilibrium grain shape was remarkably evidenced and sintered density was increased. Piezoelectric and dielectric properties were s]town to have maximum values at the $La_2O_3$ contents of 0.02 mol. $La^{3+}$ ions seemed to act as a softener in the BNBT system and to enhance dielectric and piezoelectric properties in this study.