The Buddha on the impact of principled and unprincipled leadership

In the many discourses on governance by the Buddha reported in the Tipi?aka, there is a profound discourse known as the Adhammikasutta (AN 4.70) that sheds light on the far-reaching consequences of leadership — both unprincipled and principled.

This remarkable sutta offers insights into the Buddha’s concerns about the moral fabric of society, illustrating how the impact of those in power can cascade through every layer of existence.

The Buddha begins with a candid and fearless observation on the state of unprincipled leadership:

“At a time when kings are unprincipled, royal officials become unprincipled.”

Yasmi?, bhikkhave, samaye rājāno adhammikā honti, rājāyuttāpi tasmi? samaye adhammikā honti.

This statement underscores a fundamental principle: the behaviour of leaders sets the tone for those who follow. When leaders lack integrity, it trickles down, influencing their officials and subsequently the entire administrative structure.

The Buddha continues to unravel the chain reaction that unprincipled leadership ignites:

“When royal officials are unprincipled, brahmins and householders become unprincipled. When brahmins and householders are unprincipled, the people of town and country become unprincipled.”

Rājāyuttesu adhammikesu brāhma?agahapatikāpi tasmi? samaye adhammikā honti. Brāhma?agahapatikesu adhammikesu negamajānapadāpi tasmi? samaye adhammikā honti.

This sequence vividly depicts the pervasive impact of corruption, highlighting how the decay of ethical standards in the upper echelons of power spreads to the grassroots of society.

Then the Buddha's discourse delves even deeper, linking human morality to cosmic order. He describes how the unrighteousness of society disrupts natural phenomena:

“When the people of town and country are unprincipled, the courses of the moon and sun become erratic... the stars and constellations... the days and nights... the months and fortnights... the seasons and years become erratic.”

Negamajānapadesu adhammikesu visama? candimasūriyā parivattanti... visama? nakkhattāni tārakarūpāni parivattanti... visama? rattindivā parivattanti... visama? māsaddhamāsā parivattanti... visama? utusa?vaccharā parivattanti.

This linkage between human conduct and natural order emphasises the interconnectedness of all things. The Buddha implies that moral disintegration leads to chaos not just within society but within the very fabric of the universe.

Such an extraordinary vision encourages a holistic understanding of ethics, where human actions are seen as integral to maintaining harmony in the world.

The sutta further explains the practical repercussions of such cosmic disruptions:

“The blowing of the winds becomes erratic and chaotic... the deities are angered... the heavens don’t provide enough rain... the crops ripen erratically.”

Visama? vātā vāyanti visamā apa?jasā... devatā parikupitā bhavanti... devo na sammā dhāra? anuppavecchati... visamapākāni sassāni bhavanti.

These disruptions result in tangible hardships for people, who become “short-lived, ugly, weak, and sickly.”

Visamapākāni, bhikkhave, sassāni manussā paribhu?jantā appāyukā honti dubba??ā ca bavhābādhā ca.

In contrast, the Buddha presents a vision of a society governed by principled leadership:

“At a time when kings are principled, royal officials become principled... brahmins and householders... people of town and country become principled.”

Yasmi?, bhikkhave, samaye rājāno dhammikā honti, rājāyuttāpi tasmi? samaye dhammikā honti... brāhma?agahapatikāpi tasmi? samaye dhammikā honti... negamajānapadāpi tasmi? samaye dhammikā honti.

This illustrates the transformative power of principled leadership, suggesting that integrity at the top fosters integrity throughout the societal hierarchy.

Under principled leadership, the Buddha explains, the natural and cosmic orders are restored:

“The courses of the sun and moon become regular... the stars and constellations... the days and nights... the months and fortnights... the seasons and years become regular.”

Sama? candimasūriyā parivattanti... sama? nakkhattāni tārakarūpāni parivattanti... sama? rattindivā parivattanti... sama? māsaddhamāsā parivattanti... sama? utusa?vaccharā parivattanti.

This regularity leads to a harmonious natural environment where “the blowing of the winds becomes regular and orderly... the deities are not angered... the heavens provide plenty of rain... the crops ripen well.”

Sama? vātā vāyanti samā pa?jasā... devatā aparikupitā bhavanti... devo sammā dhāra? anuppavecchati... samapākāni sassāni bhavanti.

Consequently, people who consume these well-ripened crops become “long-lived, beautiful, strong, and healthy.”

Samapākāni, bhikkhave, sassāni manussā paribhu?jantā dīghāyukā ca honti va??avanto ca balavanto ca appābādhā cāti.

This discourse serves as a powerful reminder that the moral integrity of leaders is not just a private virtue but a public necessity. The Buddha’s words challenge contemporary leaders to uphold integrity, knowing that their conduct affects not only their immediate circle but the entire world.

In a time of global uncertainties and ethical dilemmas, the Adhammikasutta offers wisdom, calling for principled leadership that fosters harmony, prosperity, and health in society and beyond.

From an environmental perspective, the Adhammikasutta highlights the interconnectedness of ethical leadership, societal well-being and the use of natural resources.

The Buddha's incisive observations are relevant today as they were some 2,500 years ago, urging us to reflect on the ripple effects of our actions and the profound impact of leadership on the existence of people.

Source: Numbered Discourses 4.70 A?guttara Nikāya 4.70 7. Fitting Deeds 7. Pattakammavagga Unprincipled Adhammikasutta