Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 168

Sec. IX]
STUDIES INTHE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
143
There was a legislative procedure to send the bill to a select committee composed of a few members for its further study and acceptance1 in some cases. The study of the following passage of the Mahagovinda Suttanta of the Digha-nikāya clearly suggests that some officers were appointed for recording the proceedings of resolutions and minutes of legislative function of this parliament (Gana).
"The thirty-three gods assembled in the Hall of good counsel to discuss a certain matter, the four kings were receivers of spoken words and the four kings were receivers of the admonition given with respect to matter under discussion especi ally in the Mote hall".
According to Rockhill a Nayaka (chief administrative officer) was elected by the ruling Licchavi community, probably to execute the laws passed by the parliament.
Judicial System
The Buddhist texts clearly show that an elaborate judicial procedure was followed by the Licchavi Republic for protecting the liberty of its citizens and administering proper justice in any criminal case which gave rise to law-suit and came up before the court for adjudication.
The highest judicial authority in the state was the president king who presided over the supreme court of this Republic and was assisted in his work of administering justice by a judicial minister" who could be even an outsider or a paid officer. Besides these, there was a body of judges appointed by the government, viz., Viniccaya-Mahamattas (Justices), Voharikas (Lawyer-Judges who were well-versed in law and custom), Suttadharas (Doctors of law who held the thread of law and
1 Cullavagga-IV, 14, 24; S.B.E. XX, p. 54; XXVI, p. 56. MG. Digha-Nikaya XIX, 14; Pali text Society edition, Vol. II, pp. 22-25.
3 Dialogues of the Buddha, p. 263, pt. II 1 f. (Sacred Books of the Buddhist (East) Vol. III, pp. 263-64n).
4 Rockhill, Life of the Buddha, p. 62.
5 Turnour, J. A. S. B. VII, pp. 994, 95,