Buddhist Attitude of Politic

Buddhist attitude of politic emphasizes non-violence and peace as a universal message. According to Kūtadanta Sutta one country has full of trouble people. The Cakkavattisīhanāda-sutta clearly states that poorness (dāliddiya) is the cause of immorality and crimes such as stealing, falsehood, violence, hatred, cruelty, etc. Kings or governments tried to suppress crime through punishment.

  

The Kūtadanta-sutta explains how futile this is.  In this sutta, Bodhisatta advised the king that you should not do such a killing sacrifice and you have to organize the society. Then, in order to develop the country three progress steps were explained like that; to those who are engaged in cultivating crops and raising cattle, support grain and fodder, to those in trade; give capital; to those in government service, provide proper living wages.

Then those people, being intent on their own job, will not harm the kingdom. Your revenues (resource) will be great. The land will be tranquil and not beset by thieve. And the people with joy in their heart, will play with their children, and will live in open house.  These three steps are very important to eliminate the troubles and to develop the countries.

In Aggañña-sutta of Dighanikaya, the Buddha explained the origins of social aspects like politic, economic, etc. According to that Sutta, there are two aspects in this world;

(1) Sanvatta-destroy,

(2) Vivatta-beginning.

After this world destroys, beings mostly born in the Ābhassara Brahma world. 

Then pass away from it, mostly reborn in this world. They saw the savory earth and ate it. After taking it, their self-luminance disappeared. And the moon, the sun, creepers and rice, etc, appeared step by step. Their bodies became coarser. Then the male and female organs developed. Then they treated sexual activity and started family life. From that time, they gathered rice for both meals, for two days and more.

So, they had to divide up the rice. Later, stealing arose among them. Because of arising evil things, they elected a person to prevent from doing these bad manners.

In Jātaka, the Buddha had given “Ten Duties of the King. They are charity (dāna), morality (sīla), giving up (pariccāga), honesty (ajjava), kindness and gentleness (maddava), self-control (tapa), non-hatred (akkodha), non-violence (avihimsa), patience (khantī) and non-opposition (avirodha). In Anguttara Nikāya, the Buddha said that if the ruler of a country is just and good, the followers, i.e. ministers, officers and people will just and good. Besides, the Buddha stopped the tension between the Sakyas and the Koliyas who were about to wage war over the waters of Rohinī River. And He also prevented King Ajātasattu, the son of Vimbisaya in Rajagir from attacking the kingdom of Vajjīs.

So, these suttas are very important as far as Buddhist Attitude to Ethics and Politics. Therefore, Buddhist attitude of politic emphasizes non-violence and peace as a universal message. These are Buddhist attitudes of politic for harmony of human life.