Dasavidha-rājadhamma

Dasavidha-rājadhamma or "Ten Duties of a King," refers to duties that leaders of governments or organizations should follow.

Walpola Rahula states:

Of course the term ‘king’ (Raja) of old should be replaced today by the term ‘Government.’ ‘The Ten Duties of the King,’ therefore, apply today to all those constitute the government, such as head of state, ministers, political leaders, legislative and administrative officers, etc.

The ten duties

Dasavidha-rājadhamma consists 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 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.

Pali text

These ten points are found in the Kuddakanikāya and Jātaka tales. The ten points, in Pali, are:

Dānaŋ sīlaŋ pariccāgaŋ ājjavaŋ maddavaŋ tapaŋ akkodaŋ avihimsañca khantiñca avirodhanaŋ

Sources

• Rahula, Walpola. “The Social Teachings of the Buddha.” The Path of Compassion: Writings on Socially Engaged Buddhism. Ed. Fred Eppsteiner. Berkeley: Parallax Press & the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, 1988. 107–108.
• https://medium.com/@millersusens/buddha-ten-duties-of-the-king-dasa-ra-jadhamma-49b5085e4aa6