3.6.12

Lesson 3.6.12 Cakkavattisuttaṃ – The Duties of a Righteous King

The Introduction to the Cakkavattisutta relates one of the rare, inspiring examples of governance that envisioned not only the welfare of all but also fostered the spiritual growth of all subjects. It refers to the historical King Asoka who implemented and accomplished the ideal of a cakkavatti, a righteous king, as described in this sutta. Even though the Cakkavattisutta is often characterised as a ‘fairy tale’ or ‘fable’ (There is no historical evidence of the kings mentioned in it. Even the tale of King Daḷhanemi and his successors seems to be a later addition to the Dīgha Nikāya and of no historical proof.), it is still worthwhile to contemplate the valuable ‘guidelines’ provided in it. While today the upkeep of an economy based on profit-making and exploitation often dominates over the wellbeing of its citizens, the Cakkavattisutta emphasizes the opposite values of care, support and welfare. It also illustrates how the neglect of these wholesome values inevitably leads to poverty, crime, and other calamities, including living shorter lives.