Dhamma: The Attributes and Virtues of Kingship

Abstract

The contribution of Buddhism to Indian thought has been quite significant. In the time of the Buddha there existed two types of Governments namely monarchical and republican or oligarchic. There are many suttas that discusses the origin of kingship and explain the practices and norms that should be followed by a virtuous ruler. The Jatakas make reference to ten norms a king has to follow as well as the right of the people to expel king who are not suitable. The duties of the ideal king namely, the Cakkavatti Raja are explained in the Cakkavatthisihanada Sutta. There in both the internal and external policies of such an ideal ruler are discussed. The fundamental features of these norms are protection and maintenance of all, including birds and breasts in the kingdom, eradication of all forms of corruption, securing economic stability and progress and sustaining men. How a king observance of Dhamma instead of its reverse benefits himself is told in a few stories. How a king who conquered wrath with mildness and badness with goodness and the bad with badness, and how kings allowed themselves to be captured and ill-treated by neighbouring kings only to gain back their freedom and their kingdom through their inherent goodness. The Paper will discuss all such issues in traditional and literary context.