Buddhist principles on Democracy

Democracy in buddhism

1.
Lecturer-: Ven. Polgolle Kusaladhamma Ven. B Dhammarama SIBA-BABL 14-13
4th Semester Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy Buddhist Social
& Political Philosophy

2. CONTENT
 Introduction
 What is Democracy
 Buddhist Sanga and Democracy
 Buddhist Approaches to Democracy
 Cakkavatti Kingship
 Conclusion
 References

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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)

6. BUDDHIST APPROACHES TO DEMOCRACY •

Mahasammatha
King – Aggaṅṅa Sutta • Seven conditions of welfare – Maha Parinibbāna
Sutta • Dasa rājadharma - Cakkavatti sīhanāda Sutta • Brahmavihāra •
Equality • Justice • Amity

7. 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

8. 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.

9. REFERENCES