10 rules for Good Government

The Buddha once said: 

"When the ruler of a country is just and good,the ministers become just and good,when the ministers are just and good,the higher officials become just and good,when the higher officials are just and good,the rank and file become just and good,when the rank and file become just and good,the people become just and good."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   ANGUTTARA NIKAYA

In the JATAKA stories,the Buddha gave 10 rules for Good Government,known as Dasa Raja Dharma .These ten rules can be applied even today by any government which wishes to rule the country peacefully.According to these rules a ruler must:

1.Be liberal and avoid selfishness,

2. Maintain a high moral character,

3. Be prepared to sacrifice his own pleasure for the well being of the subjects,

4. Be honest and maintain absolute integrity,

5. Be kind and gentle,

6. Lead a simple life for the subjects to emulate,

7. Be free from hatred of any kind,

8. Exercise non violence,

9. Practise patience,

10. Respect public opinion to promote peace and harmony.

Regarding the behaviour of rulers, He further advised:

1. A good ruler should act impartially and should not be biased and discriminate between one particular group of subjects against another.

2. A good ruler should not harbour any form of hatred against any of his subjects.

3. A good ruler should show no fear whatsoever in the enforcement of the law,if it is justifiable.

4. A good ruler must possess a clear understanding of the law to be enforced.It should not be enforced just because the ruler has the authority to enforce the law.It must be done in a reasonable manner and with common sense.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  CAKKAVATTI SIHANADA SUTTA