Democracy on Buddhistic Approach Panya Klaydesh* Sukit Chaimusik** Pachabodee Yaemsoonthorn*** Abstract This article describes the Buddhist principle compatible with the democratic principle. Interpretation of Buddhism and democracy is more generally attempted to describe in the same accord to assure that Buddhism will be accepted compatible with the current modern government. There are two compatible characteristics as 1. The democratic principle of the Buddhist monastic community: 1) Government of the Bhikkhus, by the Bhikkhus, for the Bhikkhus2) All Bhikkhus are equalunder the law (Dhamma and Vinaya)3) All Bhikkhus can participate to comment and advise the Sangha 4) Decision-making by all Bhikkhus 2. The democratic principles in the Buddhist teaching which are similar to Democratic principle nowadays as 1) People Participation 2) Equality 3) Freedom 4) Majority. Keywords: Democracy, Buddhistic Approach 1. Introduction democracy is widely utilized and extended Democracy is currently accepted by into the religious beliefs in two manners: a wide range of people around the world. 1) contradictory to the religious principle It is also supported by several scholars as -- the democratic principle denies the the best government. The principle of religious concept, incompatible with any * Assistant Professor., Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khonkaen Campus ** Associate Professor., Graduate School, Mahamakut Buddhist University *** Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khonkaen Campus 138 ธรรมทรรศน์ ปีที่ ๑๗ ฉบับที่ ๒ ประจ�ำเดือน พฤษภำคม - สิงหำคม ๒๕๖๐ democratic principle, and 2) consistent with synonymous. Both systems delegate the the religious principle -- the religious principle power to govern their elected representatives. is harmoniously interpreted in line with the In a republic, however, these officials are democratic principle to assure that it is the expected to act on their own best judgment world’s best principle of government. of the needs and interests of the country. Similarly, this article describes the Buddhist The officials in a democracy more generally principle compatible with the democratic and directly reflect the known or ascertained principle. Even though Buddhism has not views of their constituents, sometimes directly indicated democracy since it came subordinating their own judgment. after for a long time, the Buddhist concept Ideas that have kindled the struggle and principle are partly compatible with for democracy in the modern world are the the democratic principle. rights of man and the dignity of the individual which have expressed this attitude. In this 2. Meaning and concept of Democracy sense, the history of democracy records The origins of the term democracy the growth in scope of man’s sense of can be traced back to Ancient Greece. Like moral concern. Moreover, this democratic other words ending with ‘cracy’(for example, moral sense generally implies something autocracy, aristocracy and bureaucracy), about not only the goals that man should democracy is derived from the Greek word seek but also the spirit in which they seek Kratos, meaning power, or rule. Democracy them. A man of democratic temper will thus means ‘rule by the demos’; (the pursue human welfare, but he will not do demos referring to ‘the people’, although so in a context of rigid ranks and hierarchies. the Greeks originally used this to mean ‘the For he seeks more than the improvement poor’ or ‘the many’). Plato and Aristotle in of man’s material condition, he seeks their Ancient Greece viewed democracy as a development of man’s material condition; system of rule by the masses at the expense he seeks their development as independent of wisdom and property. individuals and their entrance as full Although often used interchangeably, participants into the enterprises of their the terms democracy and republic are not community. To believe in democracy is to ปีที่ ๑๗ ฉบับที่ ๒ ประจ�ำเดือน พฤษภำคม - สิงหำคม ๒๕๖๐ ธรรมทรรศน์ 139 wish to help individuals by giving them the continuous involvement in decision-making, tools to help themselves.1 through devices such as referendum, mass Democracy gives so much freedom meeting, or even interactive television. The to the individual and leaves so much to his alternative and more common form of powers of judgment and self-discipline; it democratic participation is the act of voting, depends more than most other forms of which the central feature of what is usually government on an unspoken atmosphere called representative democracy. When and on the willing allegiance of most of its citizen vote, they do not so much make citizens to certain moral principles. A the decisions that structure their own chosen democratic form of government may exist lives that will make those decision on their in a society where this atmosphere and behalf. What gives voting its democratic moral outlook are weak or still in the process character, however is that, if the election of development. But in any society where is competitive, it empowers the public to democratic government can be said to be ‘kick the rascal out’, and it thus makes reasonably safe, certain attitudes will be politicians publicly accountable. deeply ingrained and certain ideals will Perhaps a more helpful starting be widely shared.2 Most conceptions of point from which to consider the nature of democracy are based on the principle of democracy is Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg ‘government by the people’. This implies Address, delivered in 1864 at the height of that, in effect, people govern themselveswhich the American Civil War. He extolled the they participate in making the crucial virtues of what he called “government of decisions that structure their lives and the people, by the people, and for the determine the fate of their society. This people”. This have made clear that democracy participation can take a number of forms. links government to the people. The precise However, in the case of direct democracy, nature of democratic rule has been the popular participation entails direct and subject of severe ideological and political 1 Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Inc., The Power of the Democratic Idea, (Bombay : Popular Prakasshan, 1967), p. 2. 2 Ibid., p. 1. 140 ธรรมทรรศน์ ปีที่ ๑๗ ฉบับที่ ๒ ประจ�ำเดือน พฤษภำคม - สิงหำคม ๒๕๖๐ debate. Whether or not this definition can do for you ask what you can do for describes the political process in so-called your country.” This is the reminder for Western democracies is a matter of opinion. citizens to have recognition of their Democracy is an emotive term which too duties on their rights which are concept of many implies the freedom of the individual democratization. to participate in those decisions which However, the simple notion of ‘rule affect his life. This suggests that the individual by the people’does not get us very far. In should be directly and regularly involved Bernard Crick’s word, “democracy is in the political process. Only then will the perhaps the most promiscuous word in the ideal of government by the people world of public affairs”.A term that can become a reality. However, from a pluralist mean anything to anyone is in danger of perspective, there is no inconsistency meaning nothing at all. Amongst the between democracy and the exclusion of meanings that have been attached to the the majority from active participation in the word ‘democracy’ is follows:4 political process. From this viewpoint, 1. a system of rule by the poor and democracy is seen as a system of disadvantaged. representative government whereby a 2. a form of government in which plurality of elites represents the range of the people rule themselves directly and interests in society. The pluralist perspective continuously, without the needsof profes- therefore implies that representative sional politicians or public officials. government is the only way the democratic 3. a society based on equal ideal can be realized in contemporary opportunity and individual merit, rather society.3 As a saying of the former Ameri- than hierarchy and privilege. can President, John F. Kennedy had been 4. a system of welfare and said at his oathing ceremony for presi- redistribution aimed at narrowing social dency in 1961 “Ask not what your country inequalities. 3 Michael Haralambos and Robin Heald, Sociology Themes and Perspectives, (New Delhi : Oxford University Press, 2004), p. 135. 4 Andrew Heywood, Politics, (NewYork : Palgrave, 2002), p. 68. ปีที่ ๑๗ ฉบับที่ ๒ ประจ�ำเดือน พฤษภำคม - สิงหำคม ๒๕๖๐ ธรรมทรรศน์ 141 5. a system of decision making model of democracy.5 based on the principle of majority rule. 6. a system of rule that secures the 3. Democracy in Buddhism rights and interest of minorities by placing Main characteristic of democratic check upon the power of the majority. system is the people in a state are equal 7. a mean of filling public offices under the law although they have the right through a competitive struggle for the and freedom under the limitation by law. popular vote. Democracy is not best political system but 8. a system of government that is better than other systems in present. serve the interest of the people regardless Buddhism is not democracy but some of of their participation in political life. its feature is similar. We can study and The phrase ‘rule of the people’ analyze the similarity of both democracy may define democratic principle is best and Buddhism. viewed as a mosaic, the element of which, When we consider the Buddhism in by themselves, or in variety of combinations a point of democratic view, it can be with each other, generate different models considered into two scopes as: of democracy. The model of democracy, 1. In narrow sense, we can in each case, depends upon which principles consider only in the Sangha community. are combined and, among them, which are 2. In broader sense, we can privileged. Thus, freedom and equality are consider generally in Buddhist teaching. identified as the central justificatory 3.1 Democracy and Sangha principles of democracy, and autonomy as community.