Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c34.231

v2.c34.231

The Licchavis were greatly admired for their system of government. It was a republic (gaṇa, saṅgha), all the leading members of which were called rājā.²¹ They held full and frequent assemblies at which problems affecting either the whole republic or individual members were fully discussed. When the assembly drum was heard, all left other duties and assembled immediately in the Santhāgārasālā.²² Sometimes, as appears from the story of the conversion of Sīha, religion was also discussed at these meetings. The rules of procedure adopted²³ evidently resembled those followed in the upasampadā ordination of a monk.²⁴ Besides the rājās there were also numerous uparājās, senāpatis, and bhaṇḍāgārikas.²⁵ There was an elaborate judicial procedure by which any person charged with an offence was handed over, in turn, to the Vinicchayamahāmattas (inquirers), the Vohārikas (experts in law), Suttadharas (experts in tradition), the Aṭṭhakulakas (probably a judicial committee), the Senāpati, the Uparājā, and finally to the Rājā, who would inflict the proper sentence according to the paveṇipotthaka.²⁶