|
Next
day the Senapati called another meeting of the
Sakya Sangh to have his plan of mobilisation considered by the Sangh.
When the Sangh met, he proposed that he be permitted to proclaim an
order calling to arms for the war against the
Koliyas every Sakya between the ages of 20 and 50. The meeting was
attended by both sides, those who at the previous meeting of the Sangh
had voted in favour of a declaration of war as well as those who had
voted against it. For those who had voted in favour there was no
difficulty in accepting the proposal of the Senapati. It was a natural
consequence of their earlier decision. But the minority who had voted
against it had a problem to face. Their problem was to submit or not to
submit to the decision of the majority. The minority was determined not
to submit to the majority. That is the reason why they had decided to be
present at the meeting. Unfortunately, none of them had the courage to
say so openly. Perhaps they knew the consequences of opposing the
majority. Seeing that his supporters were silent,
Siddharth stood up, and addressing the
Sangh, said:
“Friends! You may do what you like. You have a majority on your side,
but I am sorry to say I shall oppose your decision in favour of
mobilisation. I shall not join your army and I shall not take part in
the war." The
Senapati, replying to Siddharth
Gautama, said: “Do remember the vows you had taken when you were
admitted to the membership of the Sangh. If you break any of them you
will expose yourself to public shame." Siddharth replied:
“Yes, I have pledged myself to safeguard the best interests of the
Sakyas by my body, mind and money. But I
do not think that this war is in the best interests of the Sakyas. What
is public shame to me before the best interests of the Sakyas?
“Siddharth proceeded to caution the Sangh by reminding it of another
event where Sakyas have become the vassals of the King of
Kosala by reason of their quarrels with
the Koliyas.”It is not difficult to
imagine," he said,” that this war will give him a greater
handle to further reduce the freedom of the Sakyas." The Senapati grew
angry and addressing Siddharth, said: “Your eloquence will not help
you. You must obey the majority decision of the Sangh. You are perhaps
counting upon the fact that the Sangh has no power to order an offender
to be hanged or to exile him without the sanction of the King of the
Kosalas and that the King of the
Kosalas will not give permission if either
of the two sentences was passed against you by the Sangh."
" But remember the Sangh has other ways of
punishing you. The Sangh can declare a social boycott against your
family and the Sangh can confiscate your family lands. For this the
Sangh does not have to obtain the permission of the King of the
Kosalas." Siddhartha realised
the consequences that would follow if he continued his opposition to the
Sangh in its plan of war against the
Koliyas. He had three alternatives to
consider joining the forces and participating in the war; to consent to
being hanged or exiled; and to allow the members of his family to be
condemned to a social boycott and confiscation of property. He was firm
in not accepting the first. As to the third he felt it was unthinkable.
Under the circumstances he felt that the second alternative was the
best. Accordingly, Siddhartha spoke to the Sangh.
“Please do not punish my family. Do not put them in distress by
subjecting them to a social boycott. Do not make them destitute by
confiscating their land which is their only means of livelihood. They
are innocent. I am the guilty person. Let me alone suffer for my stand
which is not liked by the majority. Sentence me to death or exile,
whichever you like. I will willingly accept it and
I promise I shall not appeal to the King
of the Kosalas". |