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The Righteous State in Buddhism, as Articulated in Selected Discourses from the Sutta Piṭaka

Authors

  • Rev Morawaka Dhammarakkhitha Strathclyde University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58762/jupen.v17i1.154

Keywords:

Social values, Peace, Governance, Righteous State

Abstract

Buddhism directly shows the path to get rid of existence (saṃsāra), but even the Buddha and his disciples lived in society. Therefore, the Buddha tried to promote social virtues, duties and responsibilities necessary for a better social pattern. The Anukampaka, Vyagghapajja and Sigālovāda discourses include the teachings required to secure social values. According to the Rajja Sutta of Saṃyutta Nikāya, the Buddha’s attitude was to see a governance that does not kill or harm others. The Buddha preached the king Kosala once that there is no real winner in war, and it destroys social harmony as well. So, Buddhism focuses not only on creating a good governance, but also a society with moral people, and building a good State in the combination of both. Here, the problem to be solved through my research is to what extent can that relationship be used to create a righteous State? This is based on selected discourses of Sutta Piṭaka, Pali commentaries, and secondary sources in this regard. The primary finding of this study is that for a righteous State, it is not a good society or a good governance individually, but the combination of both is vital to build a righteous State. 

References

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Published

2024-10-07

Versions

How to Cite

Dhammarakkhitha, R. M. (2024). The Righteous State in Buddhism, as Articulated in Selected Discourses from the Sutta Piṭaka. Jurnal Pencerahan, 17(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.58762/jupen.v17i1.154

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