King Ajatashatru Asks the Buddha: What Use Are Monastics to the Nation?

When politics and religion meet, the question posed by King Ajatashatru regarding the role of monastics remains profoundly relevant. The Buddha responded with a deep sutra outlining two essential goals for practitioners. On a clear, breezy night under the moonlight, King Ajatashatru—the ruler who had once killed his father to seize the throne—turned to his ministers and expressed his desire to meet a highly virtuous ascetic. His inquiry was not meant for idle conversation but struck at the core of societal value: "What benefit do monastics bring to the country and society? What do they gain from their practice?" This is a question that every leader has pondered, and one that each of us on the spiritual path must ask ourselves.

### The Question of a King

When King Ajatashatru raised this issue, the six contemporary non-Buddhist teachers offered evasive answers. They presented their own theories and religious doctrines but failed to touch the true concerns in the king's heart. He remained silent, offering no objection, yet internally he did not accept their responses. It was only when his physician, Jivaka, introduced him to the Buddha that the king decided to make the visit. Venerable Thich Chan Quang observed:

"Monastics must be able to answer the question: what benefit do we offer to the nation? We must understand the sentiments of leaders and compare them with our own spiritual goals to see if they align."

Consequently, the Buddha taught King Ajatashatru through an extensive sutra, detailing step-by-step practices ranging from moral discipline to meditative concentration and wisdom. This teaching demonstrated that monastics are indeed a precious asset to society.

### When Politics and Religion Meet

This sutra represents an encounter between two perspectives: the political view sees religion as a component of society, while the practitioner views politics as the context for practicing the Dharma. Venerable Thich Chan Quang emphasized the importance of facing this intersection without avoidance:

"We live within a society and a political system; we are always influenced by our country and its governance, never escaping it. Here, we must learn to apply Buddhist principles so that we can live harmoniously and peacefully within that system, contributing many benefits to society."

History shows that devout kings lacking decisiveness, such as Emperor Wu of Liang, could inadvertently cause disaster for their nations. Conversely, pragmatic rulers like Ajatashatru, Ashoka, or Tang Taizong, after finding the correct path of practice, became illustrious protectors of the Dharma. This illustrates that religion and politics need to support one another rather than stand in opposition.

### Two Goals of the Monastic

According to the teachings in this discourse, monastics must uphold two primary objectives. The first goal is to benefit the community, the nation, and society. This reflects altruism, a concern shared by all leaders. The second goal is to strive for enlightenment and liberation, achieving the profound aim of religion which transcends worldly needs.

Venerable Thich Chan Quang clarified further:

"We have two goals. One is to provide benefit to society, and the other is to achieve the deep objective set by our religion. Both of these goals are rooted in moral principle."

If one focuses solely on the second goal while turning away from life, the practitioner becomes selfish, and ethical standards decline. We often see this in those who speak ill of one another, compete for followers, or create discord within the community. These are consequences of a flawed initial perspective.

### Lessons for Us Today

The Samaññaphala Sutta is not just for kings; it serves as a reminder for each of us. When entering the path of practice, remember that your presence should bring benefit to those around you. From cultivating personal virtue and diligent practice to living kindly and harmonizing with the community, all these actions express the first goal. Through this foundation, the mind gradually becomes pure and wisdom brightens—this is the realization of the second goal.

In today’s era, where religious and political divisions can lead to conflict, we have even greater opportunities to demonstrate the understanding and compassion of Buddhists. The Buddha taught: "Practitioners should not speak ill of one another." This is a warning that everyone must keep in mind.

Begin with the most immediate aspects of life: being good to your family, friends, and colleagues. This is how we answer King Ajatashatru’s question—not through theory, but through the way we live our lives.