Chakravartin

From Buddhist Encyclopedia

Chakravartin (Sanskrit: चक्रवर्तिन्, cakravartin) is a term used in India and in the Buddhist religion for a universal and just ruler. The original meaning derives from the dharma chakra or the wheel of dharma. It can be understood to mean 'he who turns the wheel (of dharma)', thus he who maintains the universal law (dharma). This law of necessity should apply across the whole world, and this ruler is therefore considered a universal ruler.

Among Buddhists, the term may be understood to apply to the Buddha, as a spiritual ruler. Sometimes it is understood to mean an ideal secular ruler, who rules by law in the secular world, as the Buddha does in the spiritual world.

In Hindu India, the term has sometimes been used for the Maurya emperor Ashoka. It has not been generally used for any other historic figure.

The word occurs sometimes as a name in Hindu communities in India, especially in the east of the country.