Overview
When the King of Magadha intended to attack the Vajjian confederacy, he sent a minister to ask the Buddha for a prediction. Rather than prophesying military victory, the Buddha detailed seven social and political principles. He stated that as long as a society (or the monastic Saṅgha) upholds these seven, they will only prosper and cannot be conquered.
The List
- Meeting frequently: Holding regular, well-attended assemblies to discuss matters of importance.
- Acting in concord: Assembling in harmony, dispersing in harmony, and conducting the business of the society/Saṅgha in harmony.
- Upholding traditions: Not decreeing what has not been decreed, not abrogating what has been decreed, but proceeding according to the established ancient rules.
- Honoring elders: Honoring, respecting, revering, and saluting the elders of the community, considering them worthy of being heard.
- Protecting women (for laypeople) / Avoiding craving (for monastics): Not abducting or forcing women of the clans into marriage. (For the Saṅgha: Not falling under the power of arisen craving).
- Revering shrines (for laypeople) / Delighting in the forest (for monastics): Maintaining the ancient shrines and spiritual sites. (For the Saṅgha: Being devoted to forest dwellings).
- Protecting the holy ones (for laypeople) / Establishing mindfulness (for monastics): Providing righteous protection so that Arahats and monastics feel welcome to come and live in peace. (For the Saṅgha: Establishing mindfulness so that pure companions come and dwell in comfort).
Textual References
- Canonical: Mahāparinibbāna Sutta (DN 16) – The Buddha teaches these principles to the Magadhan minister Vassakāra, and subsequently adapts them for the Bhikkhu Saṅgha.