A Critical Analysis of the View that the Buddhist Tenfold Virtue of the King is Good Governance

Abstract

This research paper is a documentary study using a method of content analysis of the Pali Canon, its Commentaries and other related documents. Its objective is to critically analyze the view that the Buddhist Tenfold Virtue of the King is Good Governance. Findings show that the Buddhist Tenfold Virtue of the King presupposes virtue theory, which focuses on good character and good leadership, while Good Governance presupposes duty theory, which focuses on good rules, regulations or structures. Therefore, although one may in principle explain the Buddhist Tenfold Virtue of the King to be identical, congruent or inclusive of Good Governance, a problem still arises because of the conflicting presuppositions. The Buddhist Tenfold Virtue of the King focuses on the person while Good Governance focuses on system or structure. Importantly, some of the principles of the Buddhist Tenfold Virtue of the King and Good Governance are incompatible. Therefore, the view that equates the Buddhist Tenfold Virtue of the King with Good Governance is not correct in terms of both presuppositions and principles. In Thai society, integrity is included as a principle of Good Governance in order to allow religious virtues such as the Buddhist Tenfold Virtue of the King to be a part of it. As a result, Good Governance covers both person or leader and system or structure, which agrees with Total Theory. However, the Buddhist Tenfold Virtue of the King is only a part of Good Governance. Moreover, in practice, Thai society applies both of them in the personal and structural levels, which oversteps their original presuppositions and principles.