Page 120 - Applied Buddhism

of Buddhist kingdoms, and in the later nation states of Myanmar,
Sri Lanka, Thailand and Cambodia, they do not wield powers like
Secularism is disliked by that of Caliphs or Popes. And in China, Buddhist monks were also
Secularism religious leaders because it influential in that they were invited to serve as national teachers to

the court but nonetheless they did not wield political power like
and represents a loss to the religion. that of Popes or Caliphs. This has largely to do with the teachings
But what is seen as a loss to
Freedom religion, is in reality the loss and the example set by the Buddha himself. The Buddha was a
prince who chose to become a monk. After his renunciation and
of power by the people who
of Religion claimed to be leaders of that while living as an ascetic in search of truth he met King Bimbisara,
who offered him half of his kingdom in an attempt to entice the
religion, not religion per se. former prince to return to the political arena. The Buddha declined
the offer saying that his objective was to attain Enlightenment. This
was the first example of someone forsaking political power for a
religious career.

Secularism
After becoming the Buddha, He traveled the length and breadth
of North India teaching the Dharma – the truths that He discovered.
Secularism is viewed by some God-based religions in disdain,
due largely to the bitter experiences that they have undergone under Occasionally He was involved in politics, such as settling conflicts
the canopy of secularisation. The West and the Muslim world went and disputes, stopping wars, and advising kings and ministers about
through a period of ecclesiastical rule in which the church and the importance of virtues, but He never held on to political power.
the caliphs played a dominant role in the affairs of the state. The For example, when the Koliyas and the Sakyas were about to go to
eventual separation of religion and state, known as secularisation, war over the waters of Rohini, the Buddha counseled both sides and
was a painful experience for the two religious authorities who saw eventually prevented an impending war. Through a conversation
their power diminished and even annihilated. Hence, their dislike with his disciple Ananda, the Buddha indirectly conveyed a message
or disdain for anything secular. to King Ajatassatu not to invade the Vajji confederation. On another
occasion, the Buddha sat in the middle of the road, instead of in the
shade of nearby trees, to stop the advance of King Vadidabu’s army
Buddhist nations, however, went through a period of
“secularisation” – if it may be so called, in a much different manner, who was about to invade the Sakya kingdom. The Buddha also
at least in magnitude and degree, from their counter parts in the preached the ten virtues of kings (Dasa Dhamma Raja) to royalties
West and the Muslim world. Buddhism did not go through a history and the Seven Factors of Non-Regression for the governance of a
of political dominance, except in the unusual case of Tibet. Whilst democratic republic.
undeniably the Sangha played an important role in the political affairs

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