In Service

During the last few days, I was on a huge reading spree. One of the books I finished was an English translation of the Buddha's Teaching. I've noticed one topic which I especially liked and decided to post here as it deals alot on in Service, a guide to good goverance:

Buddha's Teaching the BrotherHood - In Service

A wise ruler will temper his verdicts with compassion. He will try to consider each case with clear wisdom and then make his verdict in accord with the five principles.

The five principles are: First he must examine the truthfulness of the facts presented.

Second, he must ascertain that they fall within his jurisdiction. If he renders a judgment with full authority, it is effective, but if he does so without authority, it only causes complication; he should await the correct conditions.

Third, he must judge justly; that is , he must enter into the mind of the defendant. If he finds that the deed was done without criminal intent, he should discharge the man.

Fourth, he should pronouce his verdict with kindness but not harshness; that is, he should apply a proper punishment but should not go beyond that. A good rule will instruct a criminal with kindness and give him time to reflect on his mistakes.

Fifth, he should judge with sympathy but not with anger; that is, he should condemn the crime but not the criminal. He should let his judgement rest upon the foundation of sympathy, and he should use the occasion to try and make the criminal realize his mistakes.