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KPI Congress 15 th 41

According to the Mahãparinibbãna Sutta, when the Buddha was staying at the
Sãrandada Shrine in Vesãlĩ, the Buddha himself had preached the Vajjians the seven
conditions of welfare (sattãparihãniye dhamme) (D.II.75; Rhys Davids 1989: 80).
The Buddha assured Vassakãra, Prime Minister of Ajãtasattu, King of Magadha, who
intended to invade the Vajjian republic, as long as the Vajjians were steadfast in their
conduct and righteous administration it was impossible.

So long as these [seven] conditions [of welfare] shall continue to exist among
the Vajjians, so long as the Vajiians shall be well instructed in those [seven]
conditions, so long may we expect them not to decline, but to prosper (D.II.75; Rhys
Davids 1989: 80).

This forthright declaration of the Buddha to Vassakãra shows his conviction that
those seven principles were undoubtedly united and made stronger the Vajjian
republican governance ensuring its growth and prosperity. As long as the Vajjians
adhered to those seven principles, they were unconquerable militarily as King
Aj?tasattu aspired (D.II.72; Rhys Davids 1989: 76).

In the Mahãparinibbãna Sutta, the Buddha addressed Ananda and taught him
the seven conditions of the welfare of the Vajjian confederation that he had preached
earlier to the Vajjians.

‘So long, Ananda,’ rejoined the Blessed One, (1) ‘as the Vajjians foregather
thus often, and frequent the public meetings of their clan; so long may they be
expected not to decline, but to prosper.’… ‘So long, Ananda, (2) as the Vajjians
meet together in concord, and rise in concord, and carry out their undertakings
in concord—so long (3) as they enact nothing not already established, abrogate
nothing that has been already enacted, and act in accordance with the ancient
institutions of the Vajjians, as established in former days—so long as (4) as
they honour and esteem and revere and support the Vajjian elders, and hold it a
point of duty to hearken to their words—so long (5) as no woman or girls
belonging to their clans are detained among them by force or abduction—so
long (6) as they honour and esteem and revere and support the Vajjian shrines
in town or country, and allow not the proper offerings and rites, as formerly
given and performed, to fall into desuetude—so long (7) as the rightful
protection, defence, and support shall be fully provided for the Arahants among
them, so that Arahants from a distance may enter the realm, and the Arahants
therein may live at ease—so long may the Vajjians be expected not to decline,
but to prosper (D.II.73-74; Rhys Davids 1989: 79-80). International panel discussion

In light of state mechanisms of the welfare states in the modern world,
it becomes very clear some of the principles included in the seven conditions (e.g.,
respect and protection for women, children, religious persons, etc.) are key features
of advanced civilization and democratic principles of good administration that can
generate an efficient and healthy system of governance.