The Buddhist concept of
leadership could be crystallized from the way Buddha provided a training
opportunity for his followers. He believed that young men should respect and
learn from seniors. There were eighty elders of the monks that the Buddha
described as experts in various disciplines. Their personal integrity and
attainment were such as to remind others that there is much to learn from such
elders. One Buddha praised Sariputto and Moggallan as a measure of ideal
behavior. This again shows another quality of leadership that is implied in
Buddhism. Leaders should educate others for leadership. They have to see their
talents, appreciate them, and encourage and imagine others. When teaching
teachers, Buddha said that a good teacher introduced his students to his
colleagues. There were opportunities that the Buddha represented capable senior
followers to take responsibility for the training of young disciples and
watched their activities. Agganna Sutta provides us with the leadership
qualities that the early men expect from their leader. They are said to have
approached a "physically attractive, pleasant, and capable (abhirupataro,
pasadikataro, mahesakkataro) person and asked him to take his leadership, in
other words, seeking a balanced person with great and enjoyable
qualities." Advice provided to political leaders also provides more The
Etymological definition of the term "rajah", ie "Dhammena janam
ranjetiti raja," meant that the king as the leader of the people should be
satisfied with a noble policy, and any leader would be satisfied with his good
policy. a boss who still orders and uses harsh measures to keep his orders, and
with good communication techniques, he should make them respected not by force
but by pleasurable ways, and he should be a pleasant person to live with.
In the cakkavatti sihanada
sutta the Buddha enumerates five characteristics an ideal ruler shows in his
dealings: 1 Atthannu (able discriminate good from bad) 2 Dhammannu (knows
righteousness) 3 Mattannu (knows the limit of punishment etc.) 4 Kalannu (Knows
suitable time for court work, pleasure and tour) 5 Parisannu (Knows his
assembly; as to what type of people are they). A political leader, according to
Buddhism, should have a high degree of moral integrity. It is especially so
when a monarchical system is prevailing. The king normally has enormous power
centred upon him which an immoral king could abuse. To prevent such abuse,
Buddhism proposes that they should train themselves in 10 principles called
raja Dhamma. 1. Dana (generosity) 2. Sila (morality) 3. Pariccaga
(philanthropy) 4. Ajjava (Uprightness) 5. Maddava (Gentleness) 6. Tapa
(Self-control) 7. Akkodha (Absence of anger) 8. Avihimsa (Non-violence) 9.
Khanti (patience) 10. Avirodha (Non obstruction) Leaders should be morally
integral, compassionate and must have a clear vision and mission. They should
not abuse their leadership for self-glorification or personal gain. They have
to be good communicators and be able to represent the group as persons able to
talk for the group.