Dasavidha-rājadhamma ("tenfold virtue of the ruler") is one of the

Buddhist Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...

dhamma Dharma (; , ) is a key concept in various Indian religions. The term ''dharma'' does not have a single, clear translation and conveys a multifaceted idea. Etymologically, it comes from the Sanskrit ''dhr-'', meaning ''to hold'' or ''to support' ...

that

ruler A ruler, sometimes called a rule, scale, line gauge, or metre/meter stick, is an instrument used to make length measurements, whereby a length is read from a series of markings called "rules" along an edge of the device. Usually, the instr ...

s of people, organisations, companies, offices, countries or other organs are purposed to hold. It could be found in Sutta, Khuddakanikāya, Jātaka, stating:

Composition

Dasavidha-rājadhamma composes of: 1. Dāna (charity) – being prepared to sacrifice one's own pleasure for the well-being of the public, such as giving away one's belongings or other things to support or assist others, including giving knowledge and serving

public interest In social science and economics, public interest is "the welfare or well-being of the general public" and society. While it has earlier philosophical roots and is considered to be at the core of democratic theories of government, often paired ...

s. 2. Sīla (morality) – practicing physical and mental morals, and being a good example of others. 3. Pariccāga (altruism) – being generous and avoiding

selfishness Selfishness is being concerned excessively or exclusively for oneself or one's own advantage, pleasure, or welfare, regardless of others. Selfishness is the opposite of ''altruism'' or selflessness, and has also been contrasted (as by C. S. Lewis ...

, practicing

altruism Altruism is the concern for the well-being of others, independently of personal benefit or reciprocity. The word ''altruism'' was popularised (and possibly coined) by the French philosopher Auguste Comte in French, as , for an antonym of egoi ...

. 4. Ājjava (honesty) – being honest and sincere towards others, performing one's duties with loyalty and sincerity to others. 5. Maddava (gentleness) – having gentle

temperament In psychology, temperament broadly refers to consistent individual differences in behavior that are biologically based and are relatively independent of learning, system of values and attitudes. Some researchers point to association of tempera ...

, avoiding

arrogance Hubris (; ), or less frequently hybris (), is extreme or excessive pride or dangerous overconfidence and complacency, often in combination with (or synonymous with) arrogance. Hubris, arrogance, and pretension are related to the need for vi ...

and never defaming others. 6. Tapa (self controlling) – destroying passion and performing duties without indolence. 7. Akkodha (non-anger) – being free from

hatred Hatred or hate is an intense negative emotional response towards certain people, things or ideas, usually related to opposition or revulsion toward something. Hatred is often associated with intense feelings of anger, contempt, and disgust. Hat ...

and remaining calm in the midst of

confusion In psychology, confusion is the quality or emotional state of being bewildered or unclear. The term "acute mental confusion"

. 8. Avihimsa (non-violence) – exercising non-violence, not being vengeful. 9. Khanti (forbearance) – practicing

patience or forbearance, is the ability to endure difficult or undesired long-term circumstances. Patience involves perseverance or tolerance in the face of delay, provocation, or stress without responding negatively, such as reacting with disrespect ...

, and trembling to serve public interests. 10. Avirodhana (uprightness) – respecting opinions of other persons, avoiding

prejudice Prejudice can be an affect (psychology), affective feeling towards a person based on their perceived In-group and out-group, social group membership. The word is often used to refer to a preconceived (usually unfavourable) evaluation or classifi ...

and promoting public peace and order.

History

Historically, there is a man who exemplifies the tenfold virtue of the ruler, namely King

Asoka Ashoka, also known as Asoka or Aśoka ( ; , ; – 232 BCE), and popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was Emperor of Magadha from until his death in 232 BCE, and the third ruler from the Mauryan dynasty. His empire covered a large p ...

(304–232 BCE), who ruled India for forty-one years. Initially, the King was a great warrior general, winning many battles, and continued to expand the Indian empire during the first eight years of his reign. After one particularly bloody, but victorious, campaign, the King took in the sight of the battleground, and seeing the carnage all around him, famously cried out, "What have I done?". Following this, he embraced

Buddhism Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...

, establishing a just kingdom along Buddhist lines and was known as 'Dhammasoka' or "Asoka, the holder of dhamma". He promoted wildlife protection, banning hunting for sport, built universities, hospitals for people and animals, and constructed irrigation systems for trade and agriculture. The King also renounced the use of violence, ceasing all military campaigns against his neighbors, instead sending monks and nuns abroad to spread the Buddhist Teachings on wisdom and kindness. Indeed, a son and daughter of King Asoka’s who were monk and nun took Buddhism to

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...

, where it remains the predominant faith to this day. This is not to say that he promoted Buddhism at the expense of other religions, however, as he also encouraged tolerance and understanding between different creeds and ethnic groups. King Asoka is remembered by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike as an example of a truly compassionate and just ruler, who lived according to the tenfold virtue of the ruler.Forest Wisdom. (2007, August 12). ''Buddhism by number: ten duties of the king.'' nline Available: < http://forestwisdom.blogspot.com/2007/08/buddhism-by-numbers-10-duties-of-king.html >. (Accessed: 19 October 2008).

References

* The Royal Institute of Thailand. (2005). ''The Royal Institute's Dictionary of International Religious Terms.'' (Second edition with amendment).

Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...

: Arun Publishing House Co., Ltd.
The Secretariat of the Cabinet of Thailand

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dasavidha-rajadhamma Buddhist philosophical concepts Buddhism and politics

Composition

History

See also

References

External links