This is how a righteous ruler who rules his kingdom with high moral standards is described in Buddhism. Buddha taught us that a righteous ruler must develop ten merits (Dasa Kusal). Those are,

Refrain from killing beings.
Refrain from stealing belongings of other people.
Refrain from sexual misconducts.
Refrain from lying.
Refrain from divulge secrets.
Refrain from speaking harsh words.
Refrain from speaking meaningless words.
Refrain from desire for others’ belongings.
Refrain from hate others.
Refrain from following and practicing fictitious worshiping and free from false believes.

In the teachings of Buddha, it is also said that the righteous ruler after practiced these ten merits needs to rule his kingdom according to “ten ruling laws of Dhamma” (Dasa Raaja Dharma).

The righteous ruler should protect his fellow people under a kingdom of Dhamma. He should honor, worship, and practice the ten meritorious deeds mentioned above. He should live under a flag of these ten merits.

The righteous ruler should protect his army under a kingdom of Dhamma. He should honor, worship, and practice the ten meritorious deeds. He should live under a flag of these ten merits.

The righteous ruler should protect the people of the royal clan under a kingdom of Dhamma. He should honor, worship, and practice the ten meritorious deeds. He should live under a flag of these ten merits.

The righteous ruler should protect the Brahmins (upper class of the country) and householders under a kingdom of Dhamma. He should honor, worship, and practice the ten meritorious deeds. He should live under a flag of these ten merits.

The righteous ruler should protect the people of suburbs under a kingdom of Dhamma. He should honor, worship, and practice the ten meritorious deeds. He should live under a flag of these ten merits.

The righteous ruler should protect the monks and other ascetic groups under a kingdom of Dhamma. He should honor, worship, and practice the ten meritorious deeds. He should live under a flag of these ten merits.

The righteous ruler should protect animals who roam on earth and in the sky under a kingdom of Dhamma. He should honor, worship, and practice the ten meritorious deeds. He should live under a flag of these ten merits.

The righteous ruler must prevent any immoral activities to happen in the country.

He must also tend to the needs of the poor people of the country.

The righteous ruler must not use intoxicating substances like alcohols and drugs. He should consult Bhikkhus and ascetics, who are practicing moral qualities and trying to control their minds and eradicate defilements, to learn about the good and bad. By consulting them, he needs to learn what is best for him and to his kingdom. These consist of the knowledge about what the merits and demerits are, what needs to be done and not, things that could result in suffering for a tremendous period of time, and etc. He needs to go to them from time to time and learn and keep these moral qualities in his mind. Then, he should get rid of demerits and cultivate only the merits.

Because these ten ruling laws of Dhamma are protected by the ruler of the country, the resulting merits bring protection and prosperity to the whole country. How wise should the Supreme Buddha be to teach us such ruling methods? All the current problems we face around the world today exist because of the absence of these ten ruling instructions. May righteous rulers be born to this world with the help of the Order of Gautama Buddha!