The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s4.t1.3

c10.s4.t1.3

The *idea* of the jury is therefore at least as old as Śâkya (sixth century B. C.). Evidently it was an well-established institution in the public law of his time. By advocating and adopting the system for the settlement of disputes in ecclesiastical matters this spiritual doctor gave but another evidence of his strong civic and legal sense. “If, O *bhikkhus*”, said he on one occasion, “whilst the case is being inquired into by those *bhikkhus*, pointless speeches are brought forth, and the sense of any single utterance is not clear, I enjoin upon you, O *bhikkhus*, to settle the case by referring it to a jury or commission (*ubbahika*).”¹