Abstract

           The dissertation entitled ‘The Concept of a Righteous King (Dhammarãjã)  in Theravada Buddhist Philosophy’ has three objectives:  1) to study the concept of a Righteous King (Dhammarãjã) in Hindu philosophy,  2) to study the concept of a Righteous King (Dhammarãjã) in Theravada Buddhist Philosophy and  3) to  critically analyze the concept of a Righteous King (Dhammarãjã) in Theravada Buddhist philosophy. This is a qualitative research.

              It was found in the study of the first objective that the kingship was the significant caste aspect of the ruler; he occupied the position of Dhammarãjã as well as Devarãjã ruling the country under the theocracy, aiming at getting the all castes living happily in Deva-state. In the second objective, it was found that the Dhammarãjã ruler in Theravada Buddhist philosophy should have a moral conduct and should have a moral obligation to society ruling the country by righteous means, politically aiming at making everyone good and happily living in  the righteous state. In the third objective, it was found that in Theravada Buddhist philosophy and Hindu philosophy, there are some similar aspects of the concept and some are opposed.

              In the research, the researcher does agree with the Dhammarãjã-ruling in Buddhist philosophy by which the rule of the Dhamma is used to achieve the political goal because this would lead to the end of the use of violence to achieve the political goal as was done in the belief of the divine power. Consequently, the happiness and fraternity of people in society would be actualized.

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