Budhhist Political Thought

Introduction

1. Gail Onwedt, Kancha Illaiah
   
   believe that buddha can be regarded as political philosopher, (not regarded in conventional sense)
1. many kings approached buddha to understand meaning of good governance and idea on inter-state relations
2. buddhism is other worldly religion, known as Protestentanism of east
3. challenged brahminical traditions like caste system
4. can be considered as egalitarian tradition, socialist tradition, republican tradition, rationalist tradition
5. deliberative democracy through organising councils, debate within sanghas
6. gives equal status to women
7. revolves around dhamma
8. buddhist literature consist of jatakas which give guidelines for kingship
1. other is Ashokan edicts
9. talks about chakra, mandla
1. dhamma chakra- to win heart; chakra not of chariot( hinduism) to win land
10. idea of philosopher king
1. king should be knowledgeable person, well aware of duties, devote for well being of people

Salient Features

1. origin of state
1. fall of man, corruption due to materialism
2. origin of king
1. 'mahasammat'
2. elected by council (republicanism)
3. qualities of king
1. philosopher king
2. wisdom, source of knowledge
3. knowledge brings morality, power brings corruption
4. buddhist foreign policy
1. peace and non-violence
2. wins other by Dhamma chakra
5. Upinder Kaur- political violence in ancient india
1. 3 major sources to understand idea of kingship and statecraft
1. Ashvaghosha's Buddhacharitam
1. has common with hindu text
2. Ashvaghosha belongs to Bahushrutiya school
3. presented Shudhodhan as ideal king
1. benevolent, paternalistic
2. but he loved son more than dhamma
3. kills enemies's pride with battle of virtue rather than pride
4. mentions Buddha as Sarvat Siddha: represents Karuna, Nischaya, Parakram, tejas, atmavatta
4. kingship is dangerous dillusion for kingdom is charming yet full of dangers
1. like golden castle in fire
2. food mixed with poison
3. lotus pond filled with crocodile
5. hence rational king prefers to leave his job
6. peace and kingship is incompatible
2. Asok vadanam 
1. buddha is a renouncer
2. ashoka is better example of king, addressed as 'priyadassi devanampriya'
3. king should serve humanity, promote toleration among different religions, forbid cruelty towards animals, send messengers of peace, follow policy of non-aggression towards neighbors
3. jatakas
2. heterogenous political discource in buddhism
3. buddhist text overemphasise on compassion 
6. Aggana Sutta
1. Greed, arrogance, lust, punishment destroyed king
7. Mahasudasana Sutta
1. power of overwhelming power can be handled only by treating state as a moral institution
2. king should be gentle, liberal, noble, modest, selfless
8. 3 principles
1. annica means nothing is permanent
2. annata means denial of self
3. dukha means world is full of sorrow
9. 4 noble truths
1. world is full of sorrow
2. ignorance is source of sorrow
3. liberation from ignorance means liberation from sorrow
10. to liberate from ignorance follow 8 fold path (4th truth)
1. right conduct
2. right speech
3. thinking
4. aspiration
5. beliefs
6. efforts
7. contemplation and meditation
8. source of livelihood
11. hinduism vs buddhism
    Hinduism     
    Buddhism     
    this worldly
    other worldly
    monarchy
    republic
    realist
    idealist
    geopolitics
    renunciation