Buddhist Political Thought

• Intro:
• political thought Based on ideals of buddhism
• emerged around 6th centruy BC during the time of Mahajanapads

• though the world identifies buddha as the messenger of peace and spirituality, scholars like Upinder kaur,Gail omvidt and kancha iliah considered Buddha as first social and political philosopher. Said many Kings like Bimbisara, ajatsatru went to Buddha for guidance .

Upinder kaur	Gail omvedt	Kancha ilaiah

• ideas:
• Digha nikaya talks about origin of state-
• Initially an ideal state existed . But with time people became corrupt and greedy and the need for a central authority was felt to main peace and order (akin to hobbes social contract)
• king: was called mahasammat (the great elect)
• his duty was to uphold dharma and ensure material and spiritual well being of his subject ( rajadhamma)
• king was elected from an assemby (buddhist sanghas), which shows its republican and democratic nature . People chose among themselvses the noblest of all who was knowledgable,liberal,gentle,modest,selfless. This is similar to plato’s philosopher king with the difference that the king was not supreme. He was placed under the dhamma.
• king should be chakravartysamrat: His foreign policy must not be guided by force but by principles of righteousness
• righeousness of action, deed and thought. Comes near to socratic tradition that focuses on virtues
• Buddhism focussed on maintaining peace and harmony—>non violence towards humans and animals
• Focussed on ideals like justice,liberty,equality,fraternity and welfare state.
• The Buddhist sanghas were open for all. Buddhism did not believe in discrimination.
• Ashoka in his edicts talks about conquering minds(dhamma-ghosha) rather than conquering lands (bherighosh).
• duty and moral obligation of each one according to his role.
• buddhist political thought is subject to test of rationality,reason and logic.
• Buddha emphasised on “madhyama marg” akin to Aristotle’s middle path.
• for some scholars Buddhist political thought was a counter hegemony of kshtriya-vaishya coalition to counter the hegemony of brahminical thought.
• Ashwaghosh-in his book buddhacharita writes:  kingship is a dangerous deluison. For kingdom is charming yet full of dangers. A crown of thorns, a golden Castle on fire, delicious food with poison. Kingship and calmness are like water and fire, incompatible.

• Conclusion: Buddhist political thought made politics more egalitarian, republican as well as peaceful.