Lecturer-: Ven. Polgolle Kusaladhamma

Ven. B Dhammarama

SIBA-BABL 14-13

4th Semester

Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy

Buddhist Social & Political Philosophy

CONTENT

Introduction

What is Democracy

Buddhist Sanga and Democracy

Buddhist Approaches to Democracy

Cakkavatti Kingship

Conclusion

References

INTRODUCTION

“Bahujanahitāya...bahujanasukhāya…lokānukampāya”

This Dhamma for the good of the many, for the happiness of

the many, and out of compassion for the world

There is an inseparable affinity between Buddhism and Democracy. The

Buddha’s teaching definitely encourages democratic ideas and institutions.

This is shown within the community of the Buddhist monk. All disciples in

the Buddhist community have the equal rights to speech, act, and think

without any religious authority and also, respect the human dignity as well

as humanity. Those are the main principles of Democracy.

He made the Sanga, the community of monk, it is an absolutely democratic

institution. Even the modern idea of voting proxy is found in the Buddha’s

code of discipline. And also, the life of the Buddha is a remarkable record of

a fully developed social consciousness.

WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?

The word democracy is derived

from the Greek word

Dēmos = the people

Kratos = power or rule

Democracy is the government

of the

by the

for the People

BUDDHIST SANGA AND DEMOCRACY

The term ‘Sanga’ definitely indicates a kind of political organization. - J.P. Sharma

Sangha is a system of government formed by the Bhikkhus for the

Bhikkhus and of the Bhikkhus - G. De

Caratha Bhikkhave janapada cārikan bahujana hitāya… sukhāya… - Mahāvaggapāli

Agatānāgata catuddisa sanga (The sanga of the four quarters)

System of punishment

The court system

Kappiya kuti (all Sangika property or provisions belonging to the

whole Sanga was stored)

BUDDHIST APPROACHES TO DEMOCRACY

• Mahasammatha King – Aggaṅṅa Sutta

• Seven conditions of welfare – Maha Parinibbāna Sutta

• Dasa rājadharma - Cakkavatti sīhanāda Sutta

• Brahmavihāra

• Equality

• Justice

• Amity

CAKKAVATTI KINGSHIP

Ten Royal virtues.......

Dāna - Be liberal & avoid selfishness

Sīla - Maintain a high moral character

Pariccāga - Be prepared to sacrifice own pleasure for others

Ājjava - Be honest & maintain absolute integrity

Majjava - Be kind & gentle

Tapa - Lead a simple life for the subjects to emulate

Akkodha - Be free from hatred of any kind

Avihinsā - Develop the non-violence

Khantī - Practice patience

Avirodhatā - Respect public opinions to promote peace & harmony

CONCLUSION

There is a very affinity between Buddhism and Democracy. The Buddha

appeared on account of democracy at a time when autocracy was prevalent in

India. Most of the states were feudal, being under a king as in the case of the

Buddha’s own clan, the Sakyans. The path which the Buddha and his disciples

had shown us has not been forgotten. King Ashoka and Mahatma Gandhi

followed the same path and strength of the nation was raised.

Even though Buddhist principles and democracy have very close relationship,

the doctrine preached by the Buddha is not based on political philosophy.

Sometimes the Buddha is said to be a social reformer and he condemned the

cast system, recognized the equality of people.

However, Buddhism is a 100% democratic religion with the freedom of

speech, act, and think. There is no any religious commandment or law in

Buddhism to control the people.

REFERENCES

Primary Sources • Mahavagga Pali, Translated by Nanamoli Bhikkhu.

• Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (1998), Book of the Discipline, Buddhist Publication Society,

Sangaraja Mawatha, Kandy.

• Digha Nikaya, Buddha Jayanthi Tripitaka, Nadimala, Colombo.

Secondary Sources • Ven. Dhammarathana T (2006), The Buddha and his vision for the Modern World,

Badullagammana Sri Sumanasara Nayake Abhinandana Shastriya Snagahaya.

• Dr. Saddatissa Maha Thera T (2008), Buddhist Ethics, Allen & Unwin Ltd.

Dictionary • Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary.

Sinhala Sources • Mahavagga Pali in Vinaya Pitakaya, Buddha Jayanthi Tripitaka, Nadimala, Colombo.