Ten Duties of the King

Maybe a little idealistic, but 2 or 3 of these "duties" would be nice to see in any of the current slave lords.

The basic framework of Buddhist ethics for rulers is set out
in the "Ten Duties of the King" (dasa-raja-dhamma):


1. Dana -- liberality, generosity, charity. The ruler should
not have craving and attachment for wealth and property, but
should give it away for the welfare of the people.

2. Sila -- a high and moral character. He should never
destroy life, cheat, steal and exploit others, commit
adultery, utter falsehood, or take intoxicating drinks.

3. Pariccaga -- sacrificing everything for the good of the
people. He must be prepared to give up all personal comfort,
name and fame, and even his life, in the interest of the
people.

4. Ajjava -- honesty and integrity. He must be free from fear
and favour in the discharge of his duties, must be sincere in
his intentions, and must not deceive the public.

5. Maddava -- kindness and gentleness. He must possess a
genial temperament.

6. Tapa -- austerity of habits. He must lead a simple life,
and should not indulge in a life of luxury. He must have
self-control.

7. Akkodha -- freedom from envy, ill-will, enmity. He should
bear no grudge against anybody.

8. Avihimsa -- non-violence, which means not only that he
should harm nobody, but that he should try to promote peace by
avoiding and preventing war, and everything which involves
violence and destruction of life.

9. Khanti -- patience, forbearance, tolerance, understanding.
He must be able to bear hardships, difficulties and insults
without losing his temper.

10. Avirodha -- non-opposition, non-obstruction, that is to
say that he should not oppose the will of the people, should
not obstruct any measures that are conducive to the welfare of
the people. In other words he should rule in harmony with the
people.

(Translation taken from "What the Buddha Taught", Walpola
Rahula, 1959)
source

i have just one problem with this

does anyone need laws that should be in everyones character from the get go

to me its like how to be a better person/ruler.

that has been the biggest problem i have with religion the how to guiide to be a human,

those thoughts and beliefs should always come within granted upbringing and envioronment makes those to me most difficult at best.

but i can say that all people should strive for.

the basis of all morality and knowing the fundamental difference between right and wrong and if you wouldnt do it to yourself why do it to others.


my 2 cents.

reply to post by BlackOops


Could be reinterpreted as 10 duties of a conscious human being. There's no reason to say only a ruler needs these qualities. What use is such a ruler if all of the people are ignorant, arrogant etc...?

reply to post by neo96


I agree with ya. It read well on the website. It seems the world of government is taking its toll on a lot of us. It's just hard to believe that we see the same faces on the msm everyday and still have no idea who these clowns are.

reply to post by lifeissacred


My best guess is to rule by example. I have lead up to 40 people before and that was hard enough.

reply to post by BlackOops


True, but the point I was trying to make is what good is a leader with these qualities if the people he's leading don't share them. He wouldn't be much of a leader, just another face in the crowd.