The Buddha intervenes in a Political Dispute thinking “it is my duty…”

Last updated on: October 10, 2016 at 10:02 pm by Justin Whitaker

The Buddha intervenes in a Political Dispute thinking “it is my duty…” 2016-10-10T22:02:16-06:00 Justin Whitaker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Today’s Daily Buddha Vaccana from the Digital Pali Reader contains a poignant tale, taken from the commentary to the Dhammapada, in particular the chapter on happiness. There, the Buddha literally thinks, “it is my duty to go” deal with disputing parties.*

Add to that some good humorous attacks, one group calling the other “lepers” and “those who have slept with their sisters” and the other calling their opponents “brats” and saying they live up in trees. Fairly tame by current political standards, sadly.

It is said that the Sakyans and the Koliyans dammed the waters of the Rohini River between Kapilavatthu and Koliya and cultivated the fields on both sides of the river. During the month of Jetthamula, the crops began to wilt, and the workers employed by both cities assembled. Those of Koliya said: “If the water is diverted to both sides of the river there will not be enough for both of us. As our crops will ripen with a single watering, let us have the water.” But the Sakyans replied: “After your granaries are full, we will not be able to face taking our valuables and with basket and bags in hand, go begging from your doors. Our crops will ripen with a single watering, so let us have the water.”

“We will not give it to you.”

“And we will not let you have it.”

Talk grew bitter, one person struck another, the blow was returned, fighting broke out, and as they fought they cast aspersions upon the origin of the each other’s royal families. The Koliyans workers said: “Take your brats and go where you belong. How can we be harmed by the elephants, horses, shields and weapons of those have slept with their own sisters like dogs and jackals?” The Sakyan workers replied: “You lepers, take your brats and go where you belong. How can we be harmed by the elephants, horses, shields and weapons of miserable outcasts who live up jujube trees like animals.” Both groups went and reported the quarrel to the ministers who were in charge of the work, who in turn reported it to the royal households. The Sakyans prepared for battle, saying: “We will show them the strength and power of those who have slept with their sisters.” The Koliyans prepared for battle, saying: “We will show them the strength and power of those who live up jujube trees.”

As the Lord surveyed the world at dawn he saw his kinsmen and thought: “If I do not go, these people will destroy each other. It is my duty to go to them.” He passed through the air to where his kinsmen were gathered, and seated himself cross-legged in the air in the middle of the Rohini River. When the Lord’s kinsmen saw him they put down their weapons and worshipped him. Then the Lord said: “What is this quarrel about, great king?”

“We know not, reverend sir.”

“Then who would know?”

“The commander-in-chief of the army will know.”

When asked, the commander-in-chief suggested the viceroy might know. Thus the Lord asked one after the other with none of them knowing the cause of the quarrel, until the workers were asked. They replied: “The quarrel is about the water.”

Then the Lord said to the king: “What is the value of water, great king?”

“Very little, reverend sir.”

“What is the value of a warrior?”

“A warrior, reverend sir, is beyond price.” Then the Lord said: “Then is it right that for a little water you should kill warriors who are beyond price?”

They were all silent. Then the Lord said: “Great kings, why do you act thus? Were I not here today, you would cause a river of blood to flow. Your actions are unworthy. You live in hatred, given to the five kinds of hatred. I live full of love. You live sick with passions. I live free from sickness. You live chasing after the five kinds of sense pleasures. I live in contentment.”

— Dhp-a.254**

Thus, following on from yesterday’s post, there may be not only good wisdom, but a sort of duty toward, wise people in engaging in political affairs – even when those political affairs involve people who are a bit unreasonable and unruly.

* In fact the Buddha thinks “it would be proper/right for me to go.” (mayā gantuṃ vaṭṭatī)
** As a commentary to the Dhammapada, it’s quite certain that the material derives from hundreds of years after the Buddha lived. So we might be a bit skeptical about whether this historically ever happened. Comparing it, however, with other texts it does seem consistent with what the Buddha would have done and said. See, for instance, the Fruits of the Reclusive Life.

Previous Post

October 8, 2016

Defeating a Demagogue: Donald Trump, Stephen Colbert, and some Buddhist thought on Politics

Next Post

October 12, 2016 Thich Nhat Hanh 90th birthday photo

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Academia Activism American Buddhism Art Book review Buddhism Buddhism Today Buddhist Ethics Burma/Myanmar China Christianity Commodification Environment Gender Happiness Health Humor India Interfaith Islam Japanese Buddhism Kant Media / News Meditation mindfulness Photography Poetry Politics quicktakes Running Teaching Technology Thailand Theism/Atheism Theravada Tibet Tibetan Buddhism Travels Uncategorized Unitarian Universalism video Western Philosophy Zen

Select a Month June 2021 January 2021 November 2020 August 2020 July 2020 March 2020 January 2020 October 2019 August 2019 June 2019 May 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 November 2004 September 2004 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz