Seven ways to rule a country
When the Buddha was staying in
The
king deliberated: “No matter how fortified and strong is their army, it would still be quite easy to defeat Vajji considering
my country's present military prowess.”
Full
of confidence, he sent his minister to pay homage to the Buddha on his behalf,
and to report to the Buddha thus:" The people of Vajji are too proud of
their strength to be obeisant to me. I wonder if the Buddha has any advice to
give me if I were to invade them.”
He asked his envoy to listen carefully to what
the Buddha had to say, and then report it to him without amiss. He knew that
the Buddha's words would never be false.
When
the minister arrived to pay homage to the Buddha, he did everything as
instructed by King Ajatasatru.
The
Buddha had forseen the purpose of his visit, and he deliberately revealed to
Ananda, who was fanning him from behind, the seven ways of ruling which had
made Vajji so strong: “Ananda! Have
you heard about the regular forums held in Vajji for the general public to
discuss on important matters?”
Ananda
answered: “Yes! I have heard of it.”
“Ananda! If old and young can get on well, the country
is bound to be strong and stable, and nobody could really harm them. Ananda! Have
you heard that the king and his courtiers have such a good relationship that
they respect and care for each other?”
“Yes!
This is definitely the case.”
“Ananda! If seniors and juniors can get on so well,
their country is bound to be strong and stable, and no one can invade them. Ananda!
Have you heard that the people of Vajji abide by the law and never infringe on
their conventions?”
“Yes!
I have heard about it.”
“Ananda! If all of them are so obedient, their country
is bound to be strong and stable, and nobody can encroach on them. Ananda! Have
you heard that the people of
Vajji are pious towards their parents and respectful towards their
teachers and elders?”
“Yes!
So I have heard.”
“If
they act this way, their country is bound to be strong and stable, and no one
would dare to attack them. Ananda! Have you heard that the people of Vajji do
venerate their temples and ancestors' halls as a sign of respect towards the dead
and the spirits?”
“Yes,
I have heard about it.”
“If
all the people are like that, their country is bound to be strong and stable,
and nobody will invade them. Ananda! Have you heard that the couples of Vajji
do respect one aother and are never
involved in adulterous acts or even firtations?”
“Yes!
I have heard of it.”
“If
they can really be so harmonious, their country is bound to be strong and
stable, and none will dare attempt to harm them. Ananda! Have you heard that
the people of Vajji are devoutly respectful towards the Sramanas and dedicated
to the duty of supporting the Dharma?”
“Yes!
I have definitely heard of this.”
“If
they are like this, their country is bound to be strong and stable, and no one
will ever attack them.”
On
hearing this conversation between the Buddha and Ananda, the miniater remarked:
“If the people of Vajji only practise one of the above ways you
mentioned, they are already strong enough to prevent an attack on them, and now
they are actually doing all seven of them. I have to bid farewell as I have
some other matters to attend to.”
The
Buddha replied: “Very well, but you have to be very careful with the
timing and your disposition.”
[The expedient wisdom of the Buddha
had prevented bloodshed.]