Buddha as a Leader

The Buddha has often been described as one of the greatest leaders of all time. But just
what characterizes a good leader? What are the duties and qualities of good leadership? And
what can we learn from the Buddha as a leader that we can apply to our chaotic world?
The Leader as Visionary
Like the captain of a ship, a leader must have a definite goal; only then can he chart his
course and steer his ship in the right direction. Having given up his royal rights, wealth and
family, Prince Siddhartha had one goal to find the cause of suffering and a way out of
suffering. Despite much hardship and setback, he never veered from his course but
persevered till he gained Enlightenment.
But the Buddha did not stop there. He made it his mission to lead all sentient beings out of
the samsaric cycle of suffering. It is this vision which defined his forty-five years of teaching
and shaped his role as leader of an order(sangha) and a following that is still growing strong
today.
Guided by this vision, the Buddhas mission was an all-embracing one. It is a mission
founded on compassion and love for all sentient beings, regardless of race, creed or status
quo. Addressing his first group of disciples, the Buddha instructed them to go forth and
spread the teachings for the good and happiness of the many. In this respect, the Buddha
was revolutionary, displaying extreme courage in his advocacy for the emancipation of the
persons belonging to all the four castes, in his dismissal of the Brahmin as the supreme
authority and in his admission of women to the sangha.
The Leader as Role Model
A leader must be an exemplary figure, someone we can respect and emulate. The Buddha,
having purified himself through many lifetimes, embodied all the Perfections (paramita). He
was extraordinary, virtuous and righteous in every thought, word and deed. He says as he
does and does as he says. Such integrity and consistency won him the trust of his followers.
As a leader, the Buddha led by example. His simple and humble lifestyle is a reflection of his
teachings. In his daily routine, the Buddha wasted no time on idleness and frivolity. For
forty-five years, he devoted his time and effort for the good of others, starting his day
before dawn and working till midnight.
Compare this with many world leaders who live in the laps of luxury while half of the worlds
population suffer from poverty and hunger, and we can understand why many people
lament the lack of good leaders in our times. In his advice to the rulers of his time, the
Buddha emphasized the importance of leadership according to the Dharma.

A ruler must first establish himself in piety and righteousness, and avoid all the vices.
Sovereignty and the rule of power are subjected to the rule of righteousness, not the rule of
force. Here is the ideal model of a value-based leadership. The Buddha highlighted ten
principles which a ruler ought to be possess:
1. Dana alms-giving
2. Sila morality
3. Parricaga unselfishness
4. Ajjava integrity
5. Maddava gentleness
6. Tapo self-restraint
7. Akkhoda non-anger
8. Avihimsa non-violence
9. Khanti patience
10. Avirodhana agreeability
The Leader as Mediator
As a leader, the Buddha demonstrated both skills in mediation and impartiality in judgment.
In the Ummagga Jataka, as Prince Mahausadha, the Bodhisattva (the Buddha in a previous
birth) showed his ability to resolve problems and arguments. As advisor to the King, he
displayed wit and intelligence in the protection of his people.
The Buddha displayed his skills at resolving conflicts between opposing parties on several
occasions. Once a dispute broke out between the Sakyans, to which the Buddha belonged,
and the Koliyas, to which his mother, Queen Maya, belonged. Unable to arrive at an
agreement over the distribution of the waters of the river Rohini, the two parties were on
the verge of war. The Buddha settled the dispute by asking:What do you consider as more
valuable water or human lives?
The Leader as Manager
The Buddha was a great human resource manager. With an acute knowledge of human
beings, he knew the strengths and weaknesses of those around him. Based on their
dominant traits, the Buddha categorised people into six groups:
1. those lustful and passionate

2. those with hatred and anger

3. those with delusion
4. those with faith and confidence
5. those with wisdom and intelligence
6. those with hesitation and doubt
He delegated duties to his followers in accordance with their abilities and temperament. In
addition, he showed his appreciation by conferring upon them due respect and recognition.
Trainers of managerial leadership could learn much from the Buddha in this respect to
develop an effective workforce.
The Leader as Protector
The Jataka stories, which tell of the previous births of the Buddha, abound with numerous
examples of the Bodhisattvas courage and self-sacrificial spirit to safeguard the interests of
his group. In the Mahakapi Jataka, the Bodhisattva in a previous birth was the leader of a
troop of monkeys living in the
Himalayas.
One day, the king of the state saw that the forest was abundant with mango trees, set his
men upon the monkeys. To flee from the kings men, the Bodhisattva used some bamboo
vines to build a bridge so that the monkeys could cross over to the other river bank.
Unfortunately the bamboo vines were too short.
To bridge the gap, the Bodhisattva stretched himself out, clinging on to one side with his
hands and the other with his tail so that the monkeys could cross over on his back. Among
the monkeys was Devadatta, his arch-enemy. Seeing his opponent in a disadvantaged
position, he stamped hard on his back as he made his way across.
The Bodhisattva was in immense pain but remained clinging on to the bamboo vines till the
last monkey was safely across. The king, upon witnessing such a courageous and selfless
act by such a monkey, ordered his men to bring himdown from the trees and tried to save
him. Asked why he endangered his life to save his subjects the Bodhisattva replied:O King!
Verily my body is broken. But my mind is still sound; I uplifted only those over whom I
exercised my royal powers for so long.?
After the Bodhisattvas death, the king in honour his self-sacrificing spirit, erected a shrine
and ordered that daily offerings be made.
Another aspect in which the Buddha exercised his role as a protector is in teachings of the
Buddha was open to all, in the Buddhas four-fold party of monks, nuns, lay men and lay
women followers, admission was not so liberal.
While this may invite criticisms that the Buddha was prejudicial, it is necessary not for his
personal interests but to protect the Buddhist community from corruptive and evil forces
and to ensure its long-term survival. The Buddha also set out criteria and rules and

regulations, especially the vinaya code, to protect the well-being and order of his
community
The Leader Shows the Way
During his 45 years of missionary work, many followers became enlightened after listening
to his teachings. 2500 years later, the Buddha continues to inspire millions of people around
the world to follow his path. This, above all else, is the most important role of the Buddha as
a leader one who is able to inspire others to bring out the best in themselves, to develop
their full potential and gain the ultimate goal of Nirvana.