The great monarch (or leader) would necessarily be endowed with the quality of understanding the dhamma and acting accordingly, i.e. as dictated by the prerogatives of righteousness. ‘Dhamma’ in general would refer to the core teachings of the Buddha. ‘Righteousness’ (in this context) therefore would have to draw from the recommended distinctions of right and wrong, good and bad as expounded by Siddhartha Gauthama, the All-Knowing, in terms of the interests and wellbeing of the larger polity, sustainability of lives, livelihoods and indeed the particular state. While conceding that the term is culture-bound, a privileging of the righteousness article (if you will) in matters of governance clearly denotes a willingness or desire to err in favour of the public good.
Given the overwhelming centrality of things Buddhist pertaining to history, heritage, culture, social organization and political process in
The beauty of the Buddha Vachana (The Word of the Buddha) is its applicability in multiple contexts and moreover the encyclopedic proportions of relevant material on a wide range of subjects. The overwhelming quality has a drawback in that it makes for picking and choosing in order to buttress particular line of argument or justify particular decision or course of action. I propose that a privileging of fundamental tenets is what would give us the dimensions of ‘righteousness’ relevant to this exercise.
First and foremost a righteous leader would subject him/herself to the discipline associated with the Panchaseela (would not kill, would not steal, would not engage in inappropriate acts of lustful nature, would not lie and would not avail of alcoholic substances) and this discipline would find articulation in all laws enacted and thereby find reflection in the structures of governance. A righteous leader would not sanction capital punishment, for example, and would ensure that the barbarous practice is outlawed. Neither would such a leader pilfer the Treasury or leave any room for any and all acts of theft. In short, he/she would correct all systemic flaws that compromise the full and effective functioning of law and order.
A righteous leader would be fully cognizant of the Ashta Loka Dharma (profit-loss, joy-sorrow, praise-blame and fame-vilification) and relevant vicissitudes. Cognizant also of the transient nature of all things, he/she would exercise circumspection at all times and treat all these ups and downs with equanimity. Such a leader would not be swayed by or have ego inflated in times of triumph nor be despondent and helpless when misfortune strikes. Such a leader, endowed thus with fortitude, would earn the respect and trust of the citizenry.
A righteous leader would strive to act with fidelity to the Sathara Brahma Viharana (kindness, compassion, equanimity and being joyful at another’s happiness). Such a leader would earn the affection and support of the citizenry because he/she would be seen as just, good, strong and humane and devoid of qualities such as greed, envy, ill-will and tendency to be extreme in response.
A righteous leader would embody the qualities that constitute the Sathara Sangraha Vastu (the four kinds of hospitality). Such a leader would be pleasant in speech, would be generous and giving, benevolent and helpful in conduct and at all times affirm the principle of equality. Such a leader would therefore be just and gracious and accordingly will win the love, affection, trust and support of his/her people.
A righteous leader, furthermore, would be conversant about the Noble Eight Fold Path to the extent that he/she would use it as a guide to fashion thought, word and deed, refer to it when in doubt or when forced to choose among several options. A leader benefits much from striving to abide by the following (in their elaborations and interrelationships): Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration (where ‘right’ could meet ‘perfect’ or ‘ideal’). In reflecting on any issue prior to making pronouncement or intervening and also in retrospection the Noble Eight Fold Path can operate as guide as well as benchmark against which a particular course of action can be assessed.
It is in this manner that a leader acquires the right to be called righteous. The Dhamma is replete with innumerable insights, points for reflections and guidelines for action, all of which the wise ruler who wishes to remain righteous can draw heavily from. A leader who takes the trouble to understand and internalize these ideals would be better equipped to deal with adversity. A leader who in thought, word and deed gives on-the-ground meaning to these notions would find that power accrues to him/her almost without solicitation. Conversely, a leader who is ignorant of and consequently violates these fundamental tenets of being and engagement risks losing everything or else will remain in power illegally or on account of coercive instruments at his/her disposal. It would be a brief reign at best and never one that history will record with anything except disdain. Such are the conclusions arrived at upon reflecting on the quality of dhammagngnu proposed by the Buddha as a requisite trait for a good king and of course the implications of its absence.
Sabbe Satta Bhavantu Sukitatta. May all beings be happy.
3 comments:
To the author:
With the level of fluency that you have in this language and the elite education you seem to have obtained, you could have easily ended up a snobbish non-Sinhala, non-Buddhist, non-Sri Lankan. It is a treasure for a country and its youth that you've remained what you are. This article will remain in the folder of my "treasured articles" till my kids are grown up enough to read and understand it.
As further input into non-Budhist thinking, when growing up it was "cool" to be Christian as they were the westernised elite and all the others were Yakkos. With age and wisdom we realise how superficial and foolish that thinking was. There are still many who would sell their soul for dollars, trips or residency in the west or simply to associate with people from the west. This is at a time when most intelectuals in the west have realized their folly and are seeking guidance from eastern philosophies. The Kalu sudhas/Colombians should be ashamed. Get educated, hate the regime but please dont insult the country or it's people. The majority is Sinhala Budhist who are a very tolerant people. Far more tolerant than many others throughout human history. Keep annoying them and insulting them and your own "God" will punish you.
@Anonymous:On tolerance
Yes, it is funny to see how some nations advise the Sinhala Buddhists on tolerance.
In Kandy, in the vicinity of the Dalada Maligawa, there is a Chrisitian church and a Muslim mosque. Try the equal in the vicinity of European cathedrals similar significance in Milano or in Cologne!!
In the US, the dark coloured weren't allowed to drink water from taps allowed only for the white coloured until not long ago. In Sri Lanka, for example there is no history of Sinhalese prohibiting other races to take a bath from "Pin Lindas" - and that in a history of 2500 years.
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