Edicts of Ashoka - Ashoka's conversion

Ashoka explains that he converted to Buddhism out of remorse for his conquest of the Kalingas around 264 BCE in eastern India (near the present-day state of Orissa): "Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, conquered the Kalingas eight years after his coronation. One hundred and fifty thousand were deported, one hundred thousand were killed and many more died (from other causes). After the Kalingas had been conquered, Beloved-of-the-Gods came to feel a strong inclination towards the Dhamma, a love for the Dhamma and for instruction in Dhamma. Now Beloved-of-the-Gods feels deep remorse for having conqu ...

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In order to propagate the Buddhist faith, Ashoka explains he sent emissaries to the Hellenistic kings as far as the Mediterranean, and to the peoples throughout India, claiming they were all converted to the Dharma as a result. He names the Greek rulers of the time, inheritors of the conquest of Alexander the Great, from Bactria to as far as Greece and North Africa, displaying an amazingly clear grasp of the political situation at the time. Edicts of Ashoka - Proselytism beyond India. "Now it is conq ...

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Ashoka allegedly took great care of the welfare of his (human and animal) populations and those beyond his borders, spreading the use of medicinal treatments, improving roadside facilities for more comfortable travel, and establishing “officers of the faith” throughout his territories to survey the welfare of the population and the propagation of the Dharma. Edicts of Ashoka - Medicinal treatments. “Everywhere within Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi's domain, and among the people beyond the b ...

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The Dharma preached by Ashoka is explained mainly in term of moral precepts, based on the doing of good deeds, respect for others, generosity and purity. Edicts of Ashoka - Right behaviour. "Dhamma is good, but what constitutes Dhamma? (It includes) little evil, much good, kindness, generosity, truthfulness and purity." Pilar Edict Nb2 (S. Dhammika) "And noble deeds of Dhamma and the practice of Dhamma consist of having kindness, generosity, truthfulness, purity, gentleness and goodness increase among the people." Rock Pilar Nb7 (S. Dhammika) See also:

Edicts of Ashoka, Edicts of Ashoka - Ashoka's conversion, Edicts of Ashoka - Ashoka's Proselytism, Edicts of Ashoka - Proselytism beyond India, Edicts of Ashoka - Proselytism within Ashoka's territories, Edicts of Ashoka - Moral precepts, Edicts of Ashoka - Right behaviour, Edicts of Ashoka - Benevolence, Edicts of Ashoka - Kindness to prisoners, Edicts of Ashoka - Respect for animal life, Edicts of Ashoka - Religious precepts, Edicts of Ashoka - Budddhism, Edicts of Ashoka - Belief in a next world, Edicts of Ashoka - Religious exchange, Edicts of Ashoka - Social welfare, Edicts of Ashoka - Medicinal treatments, Edicts of Ashoka - Roadside facilities, Edicts of Ashoka - Officers of the faith, Edicts of Ashoka - Notes, Edicts of Ashoka - Reference

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Edicts of Ashoka - Budddhism. Beyond spreading the moral virtues of Buddhism, Ashoka also insisted that the word of the Buddha be read and followed, in particular in monastic circles (the Sanghas): "Piyadasi, King of Magadha, saluting the Sangha and wishing them good health and happiness, speaks thus: You know, reverend sirs, how great my faith in the Buddha, the Dhamma and Sangha is. Whatever, reverend sirs, has been spoken by Lord Buddha, all that is well-spoken." Minor Rock Edict Nb3 (S. Dhammika) ...

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Edicts of Ashoka, Edicts of Ashoka - Ashoka's conversion, Edicts of Ashoka - Ashoka's Proselytism, Edicts of Ashoka - Proselytism beyond India, Edicts of Ashoka - Proselytism within Ashoka's territories, Edicts of Ashoka - Moral precepts, Edicts of Ashoka - Right behaviour, Edicts of Ashoka - Benevolence, Edicts of Ashoka - Kindness to prisoners, Edicts of Ashoka - Respect for animal life, Edicts of Ashoka - Religious precepts, Edicts of Ashoka - Budddhism, Edicts of Ashoka - Belief in a next world, Edicts of Ashoka - Religious exchange, Edicts of Ashoka - Social welfare, Edicts of Ashoka - Medicinal treatments, Edicts of Ashoka - Roadside facilities, Edicts of Ashoka - Officers of the faith, Edicts of Ashoka - Notes, Edicts of Ashoka - Reference

Read more here: » Edicts of Ashoka: Encyclopedia II - Edicts of Ashoka - Religious precepts