<p>The guiding principles of an ideal king it to follow is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasavidha-r%C4%81jadhamma" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Dasavidha-rājadhamma</a></p>
<blockquote>
<ol>
<li><p>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 interests.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Sīla (morality) — practicing physical and mental morals, and being a good example of others.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Pariccāga (altruism), being generous and avoiding selfishness, practicing altruism.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Ājjava (honesty) — being honest and sincere towards others, performing one's duties with loyalty and sincerity to others.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Maddava (gentleness) — having gentle temperament, avoiding arrogance and never defaming others.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Tapa (self controlling) — destroying passion and performing duties without indolence.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Akkodha (non-anger) — being free from hatred and remaining calm in the midst of confusion.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Avihimsa (non-violence) — exercising non-violence, not being vengeful.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Khanti (forbearance) — practicing patience, and trembling to serve public interests.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Avirodhana (uprightness) — respecting opinions of other persons, avoiding prejudice and promoting public peace and order.</p>
</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<p>King <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashoka" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Asoka</a> incorporated this into his rule and perhaps some other monarchs historically.</p>
<p>Sri Lankan constitution does gives the following provision.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the
foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State
to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring to all
religions the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e).</p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.parliament.lk/files/pdf/constitution.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">THE CONSTITUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA (As amended up to 15th May 2015) Revised Edition – 2015</a></p>
<p>Thai Monarchy seem to have it engrained:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Thai concepts of monarchy have their origins in Sukhothai, founded in the early part of the 13th century and generally regarded as the first truly independent Thai kingdom. Here, particularly under the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great (1275-1317), was born the ideal of a paternalistic ruler alert to the needs of his people and aware of the fact that his duty was to guide them. <strong>Such forms part of Dasavidha-rājadhamma, or the ten precepts of kingship, which – rooted in the tradition of Theravada Buddhism – encompasses such virtues as willingness to give and sacrifice for a greater good, morality, honesty, open-mindedness, diligence, compassion, perseverance and righteousness.</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.thailandtoday.in.th/monarchy/thai-monarchy" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Thai Monarchy</a></p>
<p>But not sure the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasavidha-r%C4%81jadhamma" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Dasavidha-rājadhamma</a> is directly found in the constitution or any legislature any of the modern day Buddhist countries. At least it is not the case in Sri Lanka. Mainly because the constitution and legislature is modeled what was inherited from the British rule and constitutions and legislation of other countries.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-10T10:29:35.487Z
Sorry if this is a contentious question but does it mean when you say that, for example, Thailand or Bhutan "do not have Buddhist law in their parliament/government"?
ChrisW
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-10T10:38:13.087Z
@ChrisW I mean, I want to know if there's Buddhist law for Buddhist country and if there then what is it.
Swapnil
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-10T10:41:55.957Z
@Swapnil That is why I'm asking Suminda to explain why he claims that countries "don't have this in law".
ChrisW
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-10T10:46:18.890Z
@ChrisW I think there's no regulation and compulsion to follow law/rules because Buddhism is peace and liberty. Isn't it? And maybe because of politics.
Swapnil
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-16T13:45:58.083Z
Buddhism is not a law imposed. There are Sheela or 'way of life' which Buddhists voluntarily follow, which would help in realizing Nibbhana. One follows because s/he wants to. If everyone in a country follows Buddhist way of life 100% there would be no need for laws. Self discipline through understanding is the key.
Sampath
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-10T10:04:03.387Z
2017-05-11T04:54:24.707Z
2020-06-17T09:56:10.877Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>Does Asian countries has Buddhist law in their parliament/government?
Is there thing like this?
As we can see that Asian countries like Japan, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Mongolia, South-Korea, North-Korea, Hongkong. In these counties mostly people are Buddhist so I've to know if there is Buddhist law for parliament or government for Buddhist country. And if there what is it or what it'd be?</p>

<buddhist><laws><politics>
What would a Buddhist country's law be?
# What would a Buddhist country's law be?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-05-10)

Does Asian countries has Buddhist law in their parliament/government?
Is there thing like this?
As we can see that Asian countries like Japan, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Mongolia, South-Korea, North-Korea, Hongkong. In these counties mostly people are Buddhist so I've to know if there is Buddhist law for parliament or government for Buddhist country. And if there what is it or what it'd be?

**Tags:** buddhist, laws, politics


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-05-10. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

The guiding principles of an ideal king it to follow is the [Dasavidha-rājadhamma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasavidha-r%C4%81jadhamma)

> 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 interests.
> 2. Sīla (morality) — practicing physical and mental morals, and being a good example of others.
> 3. Pariccāga (altruism), being generous and avoiding selfishness, practicing altruism.
> 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, avoiding arrogance and never defaming others.
> 6. Tapa (self controlling) — destroying passion and performing duties without indolence.
> 7. Akkodha (non-anger) — being free from hatred and remaining calm in the midst of confusion.
> 8. Avihimsa (non-violence) — exercising non-violence, not being vengeful.
> 9. Khanti (forbearance) — practicing patience, and trembling to serve public interests.
> 10. Avirodhana (uprightness) — respecting opinions of other persons, avoiding prejudice and promoting public peace and order.

King [Asoka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashoka) incorporated this into his rule and perhaps some other monarchs historically.

Sri Lankan constitution does gives the following provision.

> The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the
> foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State
> to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring to all
> religions the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e).

[THE CONSTITUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA (As amended up to 15th May 2015) Revised Edition – 2015](http://www.parliament.lk/files/pdf/constitution.pdf)

Thai Monarchy seem to have it engrained:

> Thai concepts of monarchy have their origins in Sukhothai, founded in the early part of the 13th century and generally regarded as the first truly independent Thai kingdom. Here, particularly under the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great (1275-1317), was born the ideal of a paternalistic ruler alert to the needs of his people and aware of the fact that his duty was to guide them. **Such forms part of Dasavidha-rājadhamma, or the ten precepts of kingship, which – rooted in the tradition of Theravada Buddhism – encompasses such virtues as willingness to give and sacrifice for a greater good, morality, honesty, open-mindedness, diligence, compassion, perseverance and righteousness.**

[Thai Monarchy](http://www.thailandtoday.in.th/monarchy/thai-monarchy)

But not sure the [Dasavidha-rājadhamma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasavidha-r%C4%81jadhamma) is directly found in the constitution or any legislature any of the modern day Buddhist countries. At least it is not the case in Sri Lanka. Mainly because the constitution and legislature is modeled what was inherited from the British rule and constitutions and legislation of other countries.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Sorry if this is a contentious question but does it mean when you say that, for example, Thailand or Bhutan "do not have Buddhist law in their parliament/government"?  
> **username_0**: @username_2 I mean, I want to know if there's Buddhist law for Buddhist country and if there then what is it.  
> **username_2**: @username_0 That is why I'm asking Suminda to explain why he claims that countries "don't have this in law".  
> **username_0**: @username_2 I think there's no regulation and compulsion to follow law/rules because Buddhism is peace and liberty. Isn't it? And maybe because of politics.  
> **username_3**: Buddhism is not a law imposed. There are Sheela or 'way of life' which Buddhists voluntarily follow, which would help in realizing Nibbhana. One follows because s/he wants to. If everyone in a country follows Buddhist way of life 100% there would be no need for laws. Self discipline through understanding is the key.  

---

