Abstract:
Since the pre-Buddhist era, a perfect relationship has been built between
religion and government. This research aims to identify the religious policies
made by the ancients during the Rajarata civilization period. The research
problem here is how the developed religious policies were used for social
solidarity and what is their utility. The research methodology used was the
analysis of the data collected through the library study under the historical
comparative method. Even when there is no specific religion, man is
motivated to live religiously based on nature. After the Mahindagamana, the
kings governed the country with religious ideas in mind. Accordingly, even
though King Dutugemunu was not present until the Mahathupa was
completed, he was determined to build Ruwanwelisaya without paying wages
before it was completed. He is a unique character in modern society because
of his compassion towards the unknown. Also, it is mentioned in the
chronicles that King Buddhadasa lived his life as a Bodhisattva with Dasaraja
Dhamma entertaining the people with four magazines. According to the
Mahavamsa, King Agbo followed the Ten Commandments and issued the
decree "No animal should perish" to ensure the safety of everyone's lives. In
the Vessagiri inscription No. 2 about the 4th King Mihindu, he is described as
a ruler who was perfect with compassion and pleased the hearts of all the
people. It is also stated in the Vevelketiya inscription, the Badulu Pillar
Inscription of King Kasyapa V, and the Padduvasnuwara inscription that the
rulers of this country have used Panchasheela(Five precepts) for their
governance policies. Thus religious values and humane qualities have
naturally been added to the way of life of the people through the formulation
of religious policies. It is clear that religion has been well used for the
formulation of state policies for the sake of social empathy and the
implementation of state policies through decrees and rules due to the state
respect that religion had and the ruler's doctrinal and mutual relationship
between each other.
