The pillars of Ashoka are a series of columns dispersed throughout the northern Indian subcontinent, and erected by the Mauryan king Ashoka during his reign in the 3rd century BCE. Many of the pillars are carved with proclamations reflecting Buddhist teachings: the Edicts of Ashoka. The most famous of the columns is the one that was erected at Sarnath, and is now exposed in the Sarnarth museum. It has been used as one of the cent ...

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The history of Buddhism spans from the 6th century BCE to the present, starting with the birth of the Buddha Siddharta Gautama. This makes it one of the oldest religions practiced today. Throughout this period, the religion evolved as it encountered various countries and cultures, adding to its original Indian foundation Hellenistic as well as Central Asian, East Asian, and Southeast Asian cultural elements. In the process, its geographical extent became considerable so as to affect at one time or another most of the Asian continent. The history of Buddhism is also characterized by the development of numerous movements and schisms, foremost among them the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions, punctuated by contrasting periods of expansion and retreat.

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Buddhist symbolism appeared from around the 3rd century BCE, and started with aniconic symbolism, avoiding direct representations of the Buddha. Anthropomorphic symbolism appeared from around the 1st century CE with the arts of Mathura and the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara, and were combined with the previous symbols. Various symbolic innovations were later introduced, especially through Tibetan Buddhism. Buddhist symbolism - Early aniconic symbols. Among the earliest and most common symbols of Buddhism ar ...

Including:

• Buddhist symbolism - Early aniconic symbols
• Buddhist symbolism - The 32 signs of a Great Man, and 80 Secondary Characteristics
• Buddhist symbolism - The Mudras
• Buddhist symbolism - The eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan & Nepali Buddhism
• Buddhist symbolism - International symbols of the World Fellowship of Buddhists

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Buddhist symbolism appeared from around the 3rd century BCE, and started with aniconic symbolism, avoiding direct representations of the Buddha. Anthropomorphic symbolism appeared from around the 1st century CE with the arts of Mathura and the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara, and were combined with the previous symbols. Various symbolic innovations were later introduced, especially through Tibetan Buddhism. Buddhist symbolism - Early aniconic symbols. Among the earliest and most common symbols of Buddhism ar ...

Including:

• Buddhist symbolism - Early aniconic symbols
• Buddhist symbolism - The 32 signs of a Great Man and 80 Secondary Characteristics
• Buddhist symbolism - The Mudras
• Buddhist symbolism - The eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan & Nepali Buddhism
• Buddhist symbolism - International symbols of the World Fellowship of Buddhists

Read more here: » Buddhist symbolism: Encyclopedia - Buddhist symbolism

The period of prominence of the Gupta dynasty is very often referred to as the Golden Age of India. It was under the rule of Samudragupta's son, Chandragupta II (very often referred to as Vikramaditya or Chandragupta Vikramaditya) spanning 375-413/15 AD, that the Gupta empire achieved its zenith. Chandragupta attained success by pursuing both a favorable marital alliance and an aggressive expansionist policy. In this his father and grandfather set the preced ...

Including:

• Chandragupta II - The Famous Iron Pillar
• Chandragupta II - Sources

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Among the earliest and most common symbols of Buddhism are the dharma wheel and the lotus flower. The dharma wheel, traditionally represented with eight spokes, can have a variety of meanings. It initially only meant royalty (concept of the "Monarch of the Wheel, or Chakravatin), but started to be used in a Buddhist context on the Pillars of Ashoka during the 3rd century BCE. The Dharma wheel is generally seen as referring to the historical process of teaching the buddhadharma; the eight spokes refer to the Noble Eightfold Path. The lotus, as well, can have several meanings, ...

See also:

Buddhist symbolism, Buddhist symbolism - Early aniconic symbols, Buddhist symbolism - The 32 signs of a Great Man and 80 Secondary Characteristics, Buddhist symbolism - The Mudras, Buddhist symbolism - The eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan & Nepali Buddhism, Buddhist symbolism - International symbols of the World Fellowship of Buddhists

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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 ...

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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Menander I - The Milinda Pañha. According to tradition, Menander embraced the Buddhist faith, as described in the Milinda Pañha, a classical Pali Buddhist text on the discussions between Milinda and the Buddhist sage Nāgasena. He is described as constantly accompanied by a guard of 500 Greek ("Yonaka") soldiers, and two of his counsellors are named Demetrius and Antiochus.

Menander I, Menander I - A renowned Indo-Greek king, Menander I - Menander and Buddhism, Menander I - The Milinda Pañha, Menander I - Other Indian accounts, Menander I - Menander the Just King of the Dharma, Menander I - The question of Menander's change of title, Menander I - Menander's death, Menander I - Succession, Menander I - Legacy, Menander I - Buddhism, Menander I - Representation of the Buddha, Menander I - Geography, Menander I - Notes

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Main article: Physical characteristics of the Buddha Although the Buddha was not represented in human form until around the 1st century CE (see Buddhist art), the Physical characteristics of the Buddha are described in one of the central texts of the traditional Pali canon, the Digha Nikaya, in the discourse titled "Sutra of the Marks" (Pali: Lakkhana Sutta) (D.iii.142ff.). These characteristics comprise 32 signs, "The 32 signs of a Great Man" (Pali: Lakkhana Mahapurisa 32), and were supplemented by a ...

See also:

Buddhist symbolism, Buddhist symbolism - Early aniconic symbols, Buddhist symbolism - The 32 signs of a Great Man, and 80 Secondary Characteristics, Buddhist symbolism - The Mudras, Buddhist symbolism - The eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan & Nepali Buddhism, Buddhist symbolism - International symbols of the World Fellowship of Buddhists

Read more here: » Buddhist symbolism: Encyclopedia II - Buddhist symbolism - The 32 signs of a Great Man, and 80 Secondary Characteristics

Plutarch (Praec. reip. ger. 28, 6) reports that Menander died in camp while on campaign, thereby differing with the version of the Milindapanha. Plutarch gives Menander as an example of benevolent rule, contrasting him with disliked tyrants such as Dionysus, and goes on explaining that his subject towns disputed about the honour of his burial, ultimately sharing his ashes among them and placing them in "monuments" (possibly stupas), in a manner reminiscent of the funerals of the Buddha [11]. ...

See also:

Menander I, Menander I - A renowned Indo-Greek king, Menander I - Menander and Buddhism, Menander I - The Milinda Pañha, Menander I - Other Indian accounts, Menander I - Menander the Just King of the Dharma, Menander I - The question of Menander's change of title, Menander I - Menander's death, Menander I - Succession, Menander I - Legacy, Menander I - Buddhism, Menander I - Representation of the Buddha, Menander I - Geography, Menander I - Notes

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Mint mark 244 on a coin of Menander II Mint mark 244 on a regency coin of Agathokleia Mint mark 227 on a regency coin of Agathokleia Mint mark 244 on a coin of Strato I ...

See also:

Menander I, Menander I - A renowned Indo-Greek king, Menander I - Menander and Buddhism, Menander I - The Milinda Pañha, Menander I - Other Indian accounts, Menander I - Menander the Just King of the Dharma, Menander I - The question of Menander's change of title, Menander I - Menander's death, Menander I - Succession, Menander I - Legacy, Menander I - Buddhism, Menander I - Representation of the Buddha, Menander I - Geography, Menander I - Notes

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Menander I - Buddhism. Main article: Greco-Buddhism After the reign of Menander I, his son Strato I and several subsequent Indo-Greek rulers, such as Amyntas, Nicias, Peukolaos, Hermaeus, and Hippostratos, depicted themselves or their Greek deities forming with the right hand a symbolic gesture identical to the Buddhist vitarka mudra (thumb and index joined together, with other fingers extended), which in Buddhism signifies the transmission of the Buddha's teaching. At the same time, right after the ...

See also:

Menander I, Menander I - A renowned Indo-Greek king, Menander I - Menander and Buddhism, Menander I - The Milinda Pañha, Menander I - Other Indian accounts, Menander I - Menander the Just King of the Dharma, Menander I - The question of Menander's change of title, Menander I - Menander's death, Menander I - Succession, Menander I - Legacy, Menander I - Buddhism, Menander I - Representation of the Buddha, Menander I - Geography, Menander I - Notes

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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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Tibetan Buddhists make use of a particular set of eight auspicious symbols, ashtamangala, in household and public art. Some common interpretations are given along with each symbol although different teachers may give different interpretations: The right-turning white conch shell, representing the beautiful sound of the spread of the dharma teaching The endless knot, representing the inter-twining of wisdom and compassion The golden fish, representing the state of fearless suspension in a harmless ocean o ...

See also:

Buddhist symbolism, Buddhist symbolism - Early aniconic symbols, Buddhist symbolism - The 32 signs of a Great Man and 80 Secondary Characteristics, Buddhist symbolism - The Mudras, Buddhist symbolism - The eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan & Nepali Buddhism, Buddhist symbolism - International symbols of the World Fellowship of Buddhists

Read more here: » Buddhist symbolism: Encyclopedia II - Buddhist symbolism - The eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan & Nepali Buddhism

Main article: Physical characteristics of the Buddha Although the Buddha was not represented in human form until around the 1st century CE (see Buddhist art), the Physical characteristics of the Buddha are described in one of the central texts of the traditional Pali canon, the Digha Nikaya, in the discourse titled "Sutra of the Marks" (Pali: Lakkhana Sutta) (D.iii.142ff.). These characteristics comprise 32 signs, "The 32 signs of a Great Man" (Pali: Lakkhana Mahapurisa 32), and were supplemented by a ...

See also:

Buddhist symbolism, Buddhist symbolism - Early aniconic symbols, Buddhist symbolism - The 32 signs of a Great Man and 80 Secondary Characteristics, Buddhist symbolism - The Mudras, Buddhist symbolism - The eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan & Nepali Buddhism, Buddhist symbolism - International symbols of the World Fellowship of Buddhists

Read more here: » Buddhist symbolism: Encyclopedia II - Buddhist symbolism - The 32 signs of a Great Man and 80 Secondary Characteristics

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 ...

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

Read more here: » Edicts of Ashoka: Encyclopedia II - Edicts of Ashoka - Ashoka's conversion

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) ...

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

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

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 ...

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

Read more here: » Edicts of Ashoka: Encyclopedia II - Edicts of Ashoka - Social welfare

His territories covered the eastern dominions of the divided Greek empire of Bactria (from the areas of the Panjshir and Kapisa) and extended to the modern Pakistani province of Punjab with diffuse tributaries to the south and east, probably as far as Mathura. His capital is supposed to have been Sagala, a very prosperous city in northern Punjab (modern Sialkot). He is one of the few Bactrian kings mentioned by Greek authors, among them Apollodorus of Artemita, quoted by Strabo, who claims that the Greeks from Bactria were even ...

See also:

Menander I, Menander I - A renowned Indo-Greek king, Menander I - Menander and Buddhism, Menander I - The Milinda Pañha, Menander I - Other Indian accounts, Menander I - Menander the Just King of the Dharma, Menander I - The question of Menander's change of title, Menander I - Menander's death, Menander I - Succession, Menander I - Legacy, Menander I - Buddhism, Menander I - Representation of the Buddha, Menander I - Geography, Menander I - Notes

Read more here: » Menander I: Encyclopedia II - Menander I - A renowned Indo-Greek king