Buddhist
Political Philosophy
The
Social and Political background contemporary to the Buddha
·
Ancient India geographically can divide in to
five parts.
01.
The middle India or
Majjhimadesa which consists with fourteen Janapadas such as Aṅga, Kosala, Kashi, Magadha, Videha, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa (or Vamsa), Kuru, Panchala, Machcha (or Matsya), Surasena, Assaka(or Asmaka), Avanti.
02.
The
Northern India or Uttrāpatha which consist two Janapadas such as Gandhāra and
Kamboja.
03.
The
western India or Aparantaka consist with Bharukacca, Mahāraṭṭha, Nāgadĩpa,
suppāraka and sĩhapura or Lāṭaraṭṭha.
04.
The
southern India or Dakkhiṇāpatha consist
with Assaka, Avanti mahājanpda and amarāvati, cola raṭṭha, kāliṅga, vanavasi and
suvannagiri etc.
05.
The
eastern India or Prācya consist with Tāmralipti, Vaṅga etc.
Among those five parts sixteen kingdoms mentioned in Buddhist as Mahajanapadas.
In ancient India political ruling system originated based on tribal units.
Those tribes are known as “Jana”. The term Janapada literary means foothold of
a tribe. In Anguttra Nikaya mentions about sixteen great kingdoms which exist
in ancient India in 6th century BC before Buddha appear.
·
Agganna Sutta mentions origination of society and
kingship. Pali canon mostly mentioned about three main dynasties, Shakya, Koliya (Vyaggpajja, Kola tree)
and Licchavi (Vajjiputtaka, repudiation, Vesali, 16 twins).
In Diganikaya
mention only about twelve Kingdoms. There no include
last four kingdoms. In CullaNiddesa add Kalinga
and Yona as Janapadas.
In MahaGovinda Sutta of Diga nikaya
mention seven Bharata with capitals as Kāliṅga - dhantapura, Assaka –
Pottana, Avanti – Mahissati, Sovra – Roruka,Videha – Mithila, Aṅga – Campa, and Kāsi –
Vārānasi. Contemporary to the Lord Buddha among those sixteen Janapadas four
kingdoms was more powerful than others, those are Magadha, Kosala,
Vatsa and Avanti. Apart from those sixteen Janapdas there were other small
republican states. According to Mahaprinibbana sutta
those are the sākyas of Kapilavattu, the Koliyans of Devadaha and Raramagama,
the Bhaggas of Sumsumāra hill, the Bulis of Allakappa, the Kālāmas of
Kesaputta, and the Mauryas of Pipphalivana.
02. Solasa Maha Janpda –
Sixteen Great Kingdoms
01.
Kāshi
Kasi was very
powerful kingdom before the Buddha born. Arians
who had settled around Varanasi were known as Kasis. Its capital was Bārānasĩ or Varanasi. There are
many other names also for Baranasi city such as Surundhana, Sudassana, Brahmmaddhana, Puphavati, Ramma and Molini.According
to Brahman texts it has established aside of bank of Varanavati river and Asi
because it named as Kasi. When Kasi were powerful, they have conquered Kosala
kingdom.
Kosala kings and Maghada kings also have
conquered Kasi several times. Contemporary to the Lord Buddha Kasi was sometimes
under Kosala kingdom and later under Magadha kingdom. Several times
accomplished war between Kosala and Magadha due to the Kasi. Finally King Bimbisaragave in marriagehis daughter to
king Kosala and presented Kasi to the king Kosala. According to Buddhist texts
can recognize Kasi as great centre of industry and trade. Further, mentioned
about relation between Savatti and Taxila with kingdom of Kasi. According to
the Jatakattakatha many kings of the Kasi named as Brahmadatta. Kasi was exceptional for comfortable production such as cloths,
perfume etc. Before 243 years of the Buddha 23rd Jain leader born in Kasi’s Queen Vāmavan.Social
background in the Kasi was free for the philosophers.
02. Kosala
Kingdom of Kosala located
to the north-west of Magadha (in the bank of Achiravati), in southern had the
river Ganges and its eastern had river Gandhak, Himalaya Mountain was its
northern boundary. Contemporary to the Buddha King Pasenadi was the king of Kingdom of Kosala. After him
his son king Vidudabha who
destroyed the Shakya clan. King
Vidudhaba’s son period Kosala combined with Kingdom of Magadha. Its
capital was Savatti. Saketa, Ayodya, and Benaras were the other cities. Kosala
Kingdom was divided in to two parts. The
river Sarayu divide the kingdom as Uttara Kosala and Dakkhina Kosala.
According to the Pali
canonical text there were several wars
between King Pasenadi and king Ajasatta king of Madadha. The Buddha
preached many suttas in Savatti and many people take refuge of the Buddha. In
north side of kingdom of Kosala was Kapilavattu
of the Sakya. Historian says Kapilavattu also was under the Kosala. The Kalamas of Kasaputta and
also was under kosala power. King Kosala had great faith on Buddha because both
were in same country and same age. once king says “Bagavapi kosalo ahampi Kosalo…” His queen was Mallika who had great wisdom and
respect to the Buddha once advice to king to give Asadisa dana. Some Buddhist
text mentions his son and daughter entered to sanga order and attained to the
Arahantship. Jetavarama where
Buddha observe was mostly was built in Savatti which was capital of the Kosala
by Millionaire Anepidu. The
foremost lady disciple of the Buddha, Visaka build another monastery; Purvarama
for the Buddha in same city. King Bimbisara also built the monastery by name
Kajakarama for Buddha.
Beside the three
main dynasties mentioned before Kosala dynasty is the secondly mostly mentioned dynasty in the Pali canon. The king Pasenadi follow the Vedic teaching and respected to the six
great teachers also. According to Dhammacetiya
Sutta (Mii) Dahara Sutta (SN) king Kosala accepted Buddhism and was a
Buddhist king.The activities of the king Vidudaba show dictatorial ruling system in the kingdom.
03.
Aṅga
Aṅga Janapada was a
ancient Kingdom during time of Ramayana, Mahabharta and the Buddha. The Jain
Prajnapana says first group of Aryans
settled in Aṅga. On the north was the Ganges
River and it separated from the Magadha kingdom. Frequently in Pali literature
comes the name of kingdom of Aṅga. Its capital was Campa and it located
on the bank of Ganges River
and at a distance of 60 yojanas from Mitila. In ancient time it was known as Malini or Malina. In the Mahagovinda Suttanata says that King
Mahagovinda built the city of Champa. According to Mahaparinibbana sutta Campa was a one
city among six great cities of India. In one time Magadha also belongs to Aṅga. According to Vidura Jataka
Ragaha was the capital of this kingdom. Vinaya Pitaka says there were 80,000 villages in the Kingdom
of Anga. Contemporary to the Buddha political power of kingdom of Anga
completely lost and ruled under the
Magadha king Bimbisara. Anga was a prosperous country which used to go
to trade with many caravans. It was important centre of trade and commerce. Once Campa was ruled by king Asokas son,
Mahinda.
Sumangala vilasini
imply that because the kings are very pleasant in appearance this kingdom named
as Anga.
04. Magadha
Pali literature is replete with facts about Magadha and its capital
Giribbaja or Rajagaha. Later Pataliputra was the capital
of this country. Contemporary to the Buddha Anga also belonged to the Kingdom of Anga. The name Giribbja derived
because that city protected by five mountains such as Isigili, Vepulla, Vebhara,
Pandava, and Gijjhakuta. Vinaya pitaka says there were 80,000 villages.
Magadha statecraft was
under the dictator’s ruling system contemporary to the Buddha.
When king Ajasatta killed his father the people never raised against him but
king Kosala and Chandapajjotha raised against him. The people
could not criticize the king’s decision. The King Bimbisara was a great
beneficial king. He allowed to people to accept the religion according to their
wish. In Magadha kingdom lived many groups of Shramana and Brahmans.
The king Bimbisara request from the ascetic Siddhartha to agnise part of
the kingdom. King Ajasatta wasson in law of the King
Kosala because king’s mother was daughter of king Kosala.The King Ajasatta
known as “Vedehiputta” because his mother was Vedehi.
05.
Vajji or
Vriji
The tribe of Vajji
(defect) included eight or nine confederated clans. Among them Videhas,
Vajjis and Liccavis were important. Liccavis, and Vajjis mostly associated with
city of Vesali and it was their metropolis. Buddha went to
Vesali in several times invited by Liccavi. Pali canon reports
Vesali at that time was an opulent, prosperous and populous city.
It had 7707 pinnacled buildings, 7707 Aramas, 7707 lotus ponds and 7707
kings. When Lord Buddha was Kitagiri in Vesali Sakyan ladies
came to meat Buddha to take ordination. In Vesali held 2nd
Buddhist council also. Mahaparinbbana Sutta mention about the existence
of concord and amity among the Liccavis. They have especial judicial
system which never punish to innocent. Vajjis had friendly political relation
with Magadha and Vesali. King Bimbisara married liccavi’s princes and
king Kosala also associate with friendship with them. Mahaparinbbana
Sutta says king Ajasatta was suppose to conquered liccavi’s country and
finally he succeed.
06.
Malla
The Kingdom of Malla
divided in to two parts. Its capitals were kusinara or
Kusavati and Pava. Other very impotent cities in this kingdom were
Bhoganagara, Anupiya, Uruvelakappa, and Mahavana. They were in Northern south
Asia. The Maha parinibbana sutta mentions Buddha decided to passed away in sala
grove of Malla. A first there was monarchical ruling system and
later it became to republican system. This republican ruing system was
known as Gahna. According to Mahaparinibbana Sutta Ananda thera
request from the Buddha to not to passed away in a small city like
Kusinara and choose another big city like Campa, Rajagaha,
Savatti, Saketa, Kosambi, and Banarasi. According to texts Mallas were
brave warlike people. During medieval period Malla migrated to Nepal and they
are even today known as Malla Rajas.
07.
Chedi or
Cheti
It was located near Jumna
and Kuru. Its capital was Sottivati nagara. It had other names which mention in
Mahabarata like Suktimati or Suktisahvaya. Other important cities
were Sahajati nad Tripuri. Vedabbha Jataka says road from Kasi to Cedi
was full of thieves and unsafe. In Buddhist pali text there are many
suttas mention about kingdom of chedi. The name chedi can find in Rigveda.
In Cetiya Jataka mention about the kingdom and names of the
kings. According to the Vessantara Jataka the kingdom of queen
Madri was Cethi.
08.
Vamsa or
Vatsa
Its capital was Kausambi
modern Kosam near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. Vatsas are to be an offshoot of
the Kuru. It has monarchical ruling system. It was a very prosperous city where
large number of millionaire lived. According to Mahaparinibbana sutta Vamsa was
a city which Ananda thera suggested to Buddha to parinibbana. There lived
famous leader of Jatila Bavari. Contemporary to the Buddha it was ruled by king
Udayana. He was warlike king very powerful, at the begging he against t
Buddhism but later he followed Buddhism. King Chandapajjota conquered the Vatsa
kingdom.
09.
Kuru
In ancient report mentioned Kuru consist with Uttra
Kuru and Dakkhina Kuru. Rigveda also mention about specially Uttara Kuru
Janapada. Ancient texts named it as kurukshetra or Thaneswar. The country of
the Kurus roughly corresponded to the modern Thanesar, state of Delhi and Meerut district of Uttar
Pradesh. The
Papancasudani says there was a janapada called Kuru and its kings was known as
Kurus. The famous Sutta on independent of thinking Klama sutta Buddha preached
in Kammasadhamma town which was a town of Kuru. In Maha Nidana sutta
Mahasatipattana Sutta mentioned about Kuru. In Papncasudani report story of the
origin of the Kuru. Once king mahamandatu a cakkvatti king conquered
Pubbavideha, Aparagoyana and Uttarakuru. When they return large number of
people settled here and built this Janapada. The Purana says origin of Kuru
from the Puru-Bharata family. The founder of Kurukshestra was son of king
Samvarsana called Kuru. According to Sutasoma Jataka capital of Kuru was
Indaprastha. Contemporary to the Buddha Kuru was ruled by king Koravya. They
had reputation of great wisdom and good health from ancient time. The Kurus
changedd to republic form of government from monarchy during 5th Century B.C.,
and in the fourth century BC Kautilya’s Arthashatra attests the Kurus following
the Rajashabdopajivin constitution.
10. Panchala
It was divided in to two
parts by names Uttara Pancala and Dakkhina Pancala. The bagiravati make
dividing line. It separated by River Ganges from kuru. The Panchalas were located in the north of India
and east of the Kurus. They were located between the
Himalayan ranges and river GAṅga. It roughly
corresponded to modern Budaun, Farrukhabad and the adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh. According
to Divyavadana capital of Uttra Pancala was Hastinapura. But Kumbakara Jataka
says capital of Uttrapancala was Kampillanagara and king Dummukha ruled there.
According to Mahabharata capital of Southern Pancala was ahicchatra or
Chatravati. In UmmaggaJataka mentioned about Pancla king name King Culani
brahmadatta. It had republican ruling system in 6th and 5th
century BC. The kings followed the Kautilya's Arthashastra.
11.
Machcha or
Matsya
It was located south or
south west of Indraprasastha and to the south of Surasena. It lay to the south of the Kurus and west of the Yamuna, which separated them from the Panchalas. Its capital was Viratanagara or Vairat.
It named from that name using its founder king’s name Virata. It roughly
located to the former state of Jaipur in Rajasthan, and included the whole of Alwar with portions of Bharatpur. Contemporary to the Buddha King sujata ruled
Chedi and Matsya both Janapadas.
12.
Surasena
Its capital was Mathura
or Madhura. The country
of the Surasenas lay to the south-west of Matsya and west of Yamuna. It was 4
yojans distances from the Sankassa from where Buddha descent the heaven. In
Mathura city also happen very impotent incident when Buddha live. Many Jataka
stories mention about Mathura city. Vayu Purana says King Madhu the king of
daityas and his son king Lavana ruled the Madhura. Rama killed king Lavana and
built Mathura. There was republic ruling system. The king Surasena helped to
Buddhism to promote Buddhism in Mathura.He was one of the chief
disciples of Buddha and aimed at spreading his knowledge and wisdom all through
his kingdom. Ther was a famous place to worship Lord Krishna. Later king of
Magadha kingdom conquered the Surasena.
13. Assaka or Ashmaka
It was located in Dakshinapatha or southern India. Contemporary to the Buddha it
was located on the bank of Godhavari. The River Godavri separated Asaka from
Mullkas or Alkas. According to
Mahagovinda sutta of Diga Nikaya Potana or potanagara was the capital city of
Assaka. It was known as potali also. In Sutta nipata mention about
another Assaka country which was in Dakkhinapatha. Famous Jatila teacher Baveri
lived banke of River Godavari. Vimanavattu mention about a Assaka king ordinate
near Mahakccana. In many Jataka stories mention about Asska kings and city.
Panini also mention about Assakas.
14. Avanti
Dipavansa says capital of
Avanti was Ujjeni. Avanti corresponds to modern Malwa Nimar and adjoining the
parts of central province. Ancient Avanti had divide in to two parts by names
northern part and southern part. The River Vetravati made this division. The
capital of northern part was Ujjeni and the capital of southern part was
Mahissati or Mahismati. Diga NIkaya says Mahissati was the city of king
Vessanbhu. In Avanti also flourished Buddhism well. Many leading Uddhsit monks
came from Avanti such as Isidisi, Isidatta, Sonakutikanna, Udana, and
mahakaccana. Later Avanti became a part of Magadha kingdom.
15. Gandhara
The Gandharas established since the Vedic age on
the banks of River Kubha. Gandaras
were very ancient people. Its capital was famous Taxila. In Mahabharata and
many Buddhist Jataka stories and pali literature have mentioned about it.
Oldest vedic text Rigveda also mention about Gandhara. The kingdom Gandhara
included Taxila, Pushkaravati and Kasmir. According to one school of
scholars, the Gandharas and Kambojas were cognate people. They expanded their
territory into Punjab. After 3rd
council Mahamoggaliputtatissa thera sent Majjantika thera to Kasmira Gandara
for propagation of Buddhism. Jataka stories says about trade relation between
taxila and vedeha and teaching institute of Taxila. Pāṇini, the
Indian genius of grammar and Kautiliya are the world renowned products of Taxila
University. After 6th
century BC Gandhara was conquered by Persian kings. In Asokas period it was
under him. Gandharas were a furious people, well-trained in the art of war.
Gandhara was found by King Gandhaa who was the son of Aruddha. Contemporary to
the Lord Buddha King Pukkusati ruled the country.
16. Kamboja
Kambojas are also included in the Uttarapatha,
North West division of India, sides of the Hindukush. Camboja must be located
in North West India not for from Gandhara. Nandipura was the only city of
Kamboja. Sumangalavilasisni says Kamboja was the home of horses. Kunala Jataka
says how Kambojian people catch the horses. They associated with Gandhara,
Drada and Bahlika kingdoms and cities. Many Jataka stories mantion about
Kamboja. Sasanavansa report that after 235 years of the Buddha’s passing away
Maharakkhita thera went to Yonaka desa to establish Buddhasana in Kamboja. It
had republican ruling system. The Kambojas were supposed to have both Indian
and Iranian similarities.
