Ashoka

Indian emperor, commander and Buddhist

"Ashok" and "Asoka" redirect here. For other uses, see Ashoka (disambiguation).

This article may require cleanup to meet Justapedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: erratic layout and prose. Please help improve this article if you can. (June 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

|

Ashoka

Priyadarśin Devanapriya Chakravartin
File:Ashoka's visit to the Ramagrama stupa Sanchi Stupa 1 Southern gateway.jpg

A c. 1st century BCE/CE relief from Sanchi, showing Ashoka on his chariot, visiting the Nagas at Ramagrama.[1][2]

3rd Mauryan Emperor
Reign| c. 268 – c. 232 BCE[3]
Coronation| 268 BCE[3]
Predecessor| Bindusara
Successor| Dasharatha

Born| c. 304 BCE
Pataliputra, Mauryan Empire
(adjacent to now Patna, Bihar, India)
Died| 232 BCE (aged c. 71 - 72)
Pataliputra, Mauryan Empire
(adjacent to now Patna, Bihar, India)
Spouses|

* Devi (Sri Lankan tradition)
* Karuvaki (own inscriptions)
* Padmavati (North Indian tradition)
* Asandhimitra (Sri Lankan tradition)
* Tishyaraksha (Sri Lankan and North Indian tradition)

Issue|

* Mahendra (Sri Lankan tradition)
* Sanghamitra (Sri Lankan tradition)
* Tivala (own inscriptions)
* Kunala (North Indian tradition)
* Charumati

Dynasty| Maurya
Father| Bindusara
Mother| Subhadrangi or Dharma[note 1]
Religion| Buddhism[4]

Ashoka (/əˈʃoʊkə/, IAST: Aśoka; also Asoka; c. 304 – 232 BCE), popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was a ruler of the Maurya Empire of India during c. 268 to 232 BCE. His empire covered a large part of the Indian subcontinent, stretching from present-day Afghanistan in the west to present-day Bangladesh in the east, with its capital at Pataliputra. A patron of Buddhism, he is credited with playing an important role in the spread of Buddhism across ancient Asia.

Much of the information about Ashoka comes from his Brahmi edicts, which are among the earliest long inscriptions of ancient India, and the Buddhist legends written centuries after his death. Ashoka was a son of Bindusara, and a grandson of the dynasty's founder Chandragupta. During his father's reign, he served as the governor of Ujjain in central India. According to some Buddhist legends, he also suppressed a revolt in Takshashila as a prince, and after his father's death, killed his brothers to ascend the throne.

Ashoka's edicts state that during his eighth regnal year (c. 260 BCE), he conquered Kalinga after a brutal war, and the destruction caused by the war made him repent violence. This claim is omitted in his inscriptions found in the Kalinga region, possibly because Ashoka considered it politically inappropriate to admit his remorse before the people of Kalinga, or because the claims made in the edicts are not fully accurate and are meant to impress the people of other regions. Ashoka subsequently devoted himself to the propagation of "dhamma" or righteous conduct, the major theme of the edicts.

Ashoka's edicts suggest that a few years after the Kalinga war, he was gradually drawn towards Buddhism. The Buddhist legends do not mention the Kalinga war at all, and variously state that Ashoka converted to Buddhism after being dissatisfied with the leaders of the other faiths or after witnessing miracles performed by Buddhist leaders. They credit Ashoka with establishing a large number of stupas, patronizing the Third Buddhist council, supporting Buddhist missionaries, making generous donations to the sangha, and even persecuting non-Buddhists. The historicity of these legends is debated among modern historians, as they are often inconsistent with the edicts and among themselves, contain mythological elements, and exaggerate Ashoka's wickedness before and his piousness after his conversion to Buddhism. Ashoka's own edicts suggest that he favoured Buddhism, but also patronized the other major contemporary faiths including Brahmanism, Jainism, and Ajivikaism.

Ashoka's existence as a historical king had almost been forgotten, but this changed with the decipherment of the Brahmi script in the 19th century. Historians connected the titles Priyadasi and Devanampriya mentioned in his edicts to the Ashoka of Buddhist legends, and established Ashoka's reputation as one of the greatest Indian emperors. The emblem of the modern Republic of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka.

## Contents

* 1 Sources of information
* 2 Names and titles
* 3 Date
* 4 Ancestry
* 5 As a prince
* 5.1 Rebellion at Taxila
* 5.2 Governor of Ujjain
* 6 Ascension to the throne
* 6.1 Date of ascension
* 7 Reign before Buddhist influence
* 8 Kalinga war and conversion to Buddhism
* 8.1 The Kalinga War
* 8.2 First contact with Buddhism
* 9 Reign after Buddhist influence
* 9.1 Construction of Stupas and Temples
* 9.2 Propagation of Dhamma
* 9.3 Third Buddhist Council
* 9.4 Buddhist missions
* 9.5 Violence after conversion
* 10 Last years
* 10.1 Tissarakkha as the queen
* 10.2 Death
* 11 Family
* 11.1 Queens
* 11.2 Sons
* 11.3 Daughters
* 11.4 Brothers
* 12 Imperial extent
* 13 Religion and philosophy
* 13.1 Relationship with Buddhism
* 13.2 Other religions
* 13.3 Dharma
* 13.3.1 Animal welfare
* 14 Foreign relations
* 14.1 Hellenistic world
* 15 Legends about past lives
* 16 Legacy
* 16.1 Architecture
* 16.2 Symbols
* 16.3 Inscriptions
* 16.4 Coinage
* 17 Modern scholarship
* 17.1 Rediscovery
* 17.2 Perceptions and historiography
* 17.3 Impact of pacifism
* 18 In art, film and literature
* 19 Notes
* 20 References
* 20.1 Bibliography
* 21 Further reading
* 22 External links

## Sources of information[edit | edit source]

Information about Ashoka comes from his inscriptions; other inscriptions that mention him or are possibly from his reign; and ancient literature, especially Buddhist texts.[5] These sources often contradict each other, although various historians have attempted to correlate their testimony.[6] Plenty is known or not known. So, for example, while Ashoka is often attributed with building many hospitals during his time, there is no clear evidence that any hospitals existed in ancient India during the 3rd century BC or that Ashoka was responsible for commissioning the construction of any.[7]

File:Ashoka Rock Edict at Junagadh.jpg

Ashoka's Major Rock Edict at Junagadh contains inscriptions by Ashoka (fourteen of the Edicts of Ashoka), Rudradaman I and Skandagupta.

Inscriptions

Ashoka's inscriptions are the earliest self-representations of imperial power in the Indian subcontinent.[8] However, these inscriptions are focused mainly on the topic of dhamma, and provide little information regarding other aspects of the Maurya state and society.[6] Even on the topic of dhamma, the content of these inscriptions cannot be taken at face value. In the words of American academic John S. Strong, it is sometimes helpful to think of Ashoka's messages as propaganda by a politician whose aim is to present a favourable image of himself and his administration, rather than record historical facts. [9]

A small number of other inscriptions also provide some information about Ashoka.[6] For example, he finds a mention in the 2nd century Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman.[10] An inscription discovered at Sirkap mentions a lost word beginning with "Priy", which is theorised to be Ashoka's title "Priyadarshi", although this is not certain.[11] Some other inscriptions, such as the Sohgaura copper plate inscription, have been tentatively dated to Ashoka's period by a section of scholars, although others contest this. [12]

Buddhist legends

Much of the information about Ashoka comes from Buddhist legends, which present him as a great, ideal king.[13] These legends appear in texts that are not contemporary to Ashoka and were composed by Buddhist authors, who used various stories to illustrate the impact of their faith on Ashoka. This makes it necessary to exercise caution while relying on them for historical information.[14] Among modern scholars, opinions range from downright dismissal of these legends as mythological to acceptance of all historical portions that seem plausible.[15]

The Buddhist legends about Ashoka exist in several languages, including Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan, Chinese, Burmese, Sinhala, Thai, Lao, and Khotanese. All these legends can be traced to two primary traditions:[16]

* the North Indian tradition preserved in the Sanskrit-language texts such as Divyavadana (including its constituent Ashokavadana); and Chinese sources such as A-yü wang chuan and A-yü wang ching.[16]
* the Sri Lankan tradition preserved in Pali-lanuage texts, such as Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, Vamsatthapakasini (a commentary on Mahavamsa), Buddhaghosha's commentary on the Vinaya, and Samanta-pasadika.[16][10]

There are several significant differences between the two traditions. For example, the Sri Lankan tradition emphasizes Ashoka's role in convening the Third Buddhist council, and his dispatch of several missionaries to distant regions, including his son Mahinda to Sri Lanka.[16] However, the North Indian tradition makes no mention of these events. It describes other events not found in the Sri Lankan tradition, such as a story about another son named Kunala. [17]

Even while narrating the common stories, the two traditions diverge in several ways. For example, both Ashokavadana and Mahavamsa mention that Ashoka's queen Tishyarakshita had the Bodhi Tree destroyed. In Ashokavadana, the queen manages to have the tree healed after she realises her mistake. In the Mahavamsa, she permanently destroys the tree, but only after a branch of the tree has been transplanted in Sri Lanka.[18] In another story, both the texts describe Ashoka's unsuccessful attempts to collect a relic of Gautama Buddha from Ramagrama. In Ashokavadana, he fails to do so because he cannot match the devotion of the Nagas who hold the relic; however, in the Mahavamsa, he fails to do so because the Buddha had destined the relic to be enshrined by King Dutthagamani of Sri Lanka. [19] Using such stories, the Mahavamsa glorifies Sri Lanka as the new preserve of Buddhism. [20]

File:013 King Asoka visits Ramagrama (33428090870).jpg

King Ashoka visits Ramagrama, to take relics of the Buddha from the Nagas, but in vain. Southern gateway, Stupa 1, Sanchi.[2]

Other sources

Numismatic, sculptural, and archaeological evidence supplements research on Ashoka.[21] Ashoka's name appears in the lists of Mauryan kings in the various Puranas. However, these texts do not provide further details about him, as their Brahmanical authors were not patronised by the Mauryans.[22] Other texts, such as the Arthashastra and Indica of Megasthenes, which provide general information about the Maurya period, can also be used to make inferences about Ashoka's reign.[23] However, the Arthashastra is a normative text that focuses on an ideal rather than a historical state, and its dating to the Mauryan period is a subject of debate. The Indica is a lost work, and only parts of it survive in the form of paraphrases in later writings.[6]

The 12th-century text Rajatarangini mentions a Kashmiri king Ashoka of Gonandiya dynasty who built several stupas: some scholars, such as Aurel Stein, have identified this king with the Maurya king Ashoka; others, such as Ananda W. P. Guruge dismiss this identification as inaccurate.[24]

Alternative interpretation of the epigraphic evidence

The Edicts and their declared authors

File:Major Rock Edicts and Major Pillar Edicts by Devanampiya Piyadasi.jpg

Edicts in the name of Piyadasi or Devanampiya Piyadasi ("King Piyadasi"):
File:Brown pog.svg: Major Rock Edicts
File:Brown 5C3317.svg: Major Pillar Edicts

File:Minor Rock Edicts and Minor Pillar Edicts of Ashoka.jpg

Edicts in the name of Ashoka or just "Devanampiya" ("King"), or both together:
File:Orange ff8040 pog.svg: Minor Rock Edicts
File:Orange F79A18.svg: Minor Pillar Edicts

The different areas covered by the two types of inscriptions, and their different content in respect to Buddhism, may point to different rulers.[25]

For some scholars such as Christopher I. Beckwith, Ashoka, whose name only appears in the Minor Rock Edicts, is not the same as king Piyadasi, or Devanampiya Piyadasi (i.e. "Beloved of the Gods Piyadasi", "Beloved of the Gods" being a fairly widespread title for "King"), who is named as the author of the Major Pillar Edicts and the Major Rock Edicts.[25]

Beckwith suggests that Piyadasi was living in the 3rd century BCE, was probably the son of Chandragupta Maurya known to the Greeks as Amitrochates, and only advocated for piety ("Dharma") in his Major Pillar Edicts and Major Rock Edicts, without ever mentioning Buddhism, the Buddha or the Samgha (the single notable exception is the 7th Edict of the Major Pillar Edicts which does mention the Samgha, but is a considered a later fake by Beckwith).[25] Also, the geographical spread of his inscription shows that Piyadasi ruled a vast Empire, contiguous with the Seleucid Empire in the West.[25]

On the contrary, for Beckwith, Ashoka was a later king of the 1st–2nd century CE, whose name only appears explicitly in the Minor Rock Edicts and allusively in the Minor Pillar Edicts, and who does mention the Buddha and the Samgha, explicitly promoting Buddhism.[25] The name "Priyadarsi" does occur in two of the minor edicts (Gujarra and Bairat), but Beckwith again considers them as later fabrications.[25] The minor inscriptions cover a very different and much smaller geographical area, clustering in Central India.[25] According to Beckwith, the inscriptions of this later Ashoka were typical of the later forms of "normative Buddhism", which are well attested from inscriptions and Gandhari manuscripts dated to the turn of the millennium, and around the time of the Kushan Empire.[25] The quality of the inscriptions of this Ashoka is significantly lower than the quality of the inscriptions of the earlier Piyadasi.[25]

## Names and titles[edit | edit source]

Names and titles of Ashoka

File:Devanampiyasa Asoka.jpg

"Devānampiyasa Asoka", in the Maski Edict of Ashoka.

File:Ashoka in Brahmi script.jpg

The name "Asoka" (𑀅𑀲𑁄𑀓 A-so-ka) in the Maski Minor Rock Edict.

File:Devanampiyena Piyadasi in the Lumbini Edict of Ashoka.jpg

Ashoka's title "Devanaṃpiyena Piyadasi" (𑀤𑁂𑀯𑀸𑀦𑀁𑀧𑀺𑀬𑁂𑀦 𑀧𑀺𑀬𑀤𑀲𑀺) in the Lumbini Minor Pillar Edict.

The name "A-shoka" literally means "without sorrow". According to an Ashokavadana legend, his mother gave him this name because his birth removed her sorrows.[26]

The name Priyadasi is associated with Ashoka in the 3rd–4th century CE Dipavamsa.[27][28] The term literally means "he who regards amiably", or "of gracious mien" (Sanskrit: Priya-darshi). It may have been a regnal name adopted by Ashoka.[29][30] A version of this name is used for Ashoka in Greek-language inscriptions: βασιλεὺς Πιοδασσης ("Basileus Piodassēs").[30]

Ashoka's inscriptions mention his title Devanampiya (Sanskrit: Devanampriya, "Beloved of the Gods"). The identification of Devanampiya and Ashoka as the same person is established by the Maski and Gujarra inscriptions, which use both these terms for the king.[31][32] The title was adopted by other kings, including the contemporary king Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura and Ashoka's descendant Dasharatha Maurya.[33]

## Date[edit | edit source]

File:Khalsi rock edict of Ashoka.jpg

The Major Rock Edict No.13 of Ashoka, mentions the Greek kings Antiochus, Ptolemy, Antigonus, Magas and Alexander by name, as recipients of his teachings.

The exact date of Ashoka's birth is not certain, as the extant contemporary Indian texts did not record such details. It is known that he lived in the 3rd century BCE, as his inscriptions mention several contemporary rulers whose dates are known with more certainty, such as Antiochus II Theos, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, Antigonus II Gonatas, Magas of Cyrene, and Alexander (of Epirus or Corinth).[34] Thus, Ashoka must have been born sometime in the late 4th century BCE or early 3rd century BCE (c. 304 BCE),[35]

Pataliputra at the time of Ashoka

File:Mauryan ruins of pillared hall at Kumrahar site of Pataliputra ASIEC 1912-13.jpg

Ruins of pillared hall at Kumrahar site at Pataliputra.

File:Pataliputra capital, Bihar Museum, Patna, 3rd century BCE.jpg

The Pataliputra capital, 4th–3rd c. BCE.

Ashoka was probably born in the city of Pataliputra. Remains of the city from around that time have been found through excavations in central areas of the modern city of Patna.

## Ancestry[edit | edit source]

Ashoka's own inscriptions are fairly detailed but make no mention of his ancestors.[36] Other sources, such as the Puranas and the Mahavamsa state that his father was the Mauryan emperor Bindusara, and his grandfather was Chandragupta – the founder of the Empire.[37] The Ashokavadana also names his father as Bindusara, but traces his ancestry to Buddha's contemporary king Bimbisara, through Ajatashatru, Udayin, Munda, Kakavarnin, Sahalin, Tulakuchi, Mahamandala, Prasenajit, and Nanda.[38] The 16th century Tibetan monk Taranatha, whose account is a distorted version of the earlier traditions,[23] describes Ashoka as the illegitimate son of king Nemita of Champarana from the daughter of a merchant.[39]

Ashokavadana states that Ashoka's mother was the daughter of a Brahmin from Champa, and was prophesied to marry a king. Accordingly, her father took her to Pataliputra, where she was inducted into Bindusara's harem, and ultimately, became his chief queen.[40] The Ashokavadana does not mention her by name,[41] although other legends provide different names for her.[42] For example, the Asokavadanamala calls her Subhadrangi.[43][44] The Vamsatthapakasini or Mahavamsa-tika, a commentary on Mahavamsa, calls her "Dharma" ("Dhamma" in Pali), and states that she belonged to the Moriya Kshatriya clan.[44] A Divyavadana legend calls her Janapada-kalyani;[45] according to scholar Ananda W. P. Guruge, this is not a name, but an epithet.[43]

According to the 2nd-century historian Appian, Chandragupta entered into a marital alliance with the Greek ruler Seleucus I Nicator, which has led to speculation that either Chandragupta or his son Bindusara married a Greek princess. However, there is no evidence that Ashoka's mother or grandmother was Greek, and most historians have dismissed the idea.[46]

## As a prince[edit | edit source]

Ashoka's own inscriptions do not describe his early life, and much of the information on this topic comes from apocryphal legends written hundreds of years after him.[47] While these legends include obviously fictitious details such as narratives of Ashoka's past lives, they have some plausible historical information about Ashoka's period.[47][45]

According to the Ashokavadana, Bindusara disliked Ashoka because of his rough skin. One day, Bindusara asked the ascetic Pingala-vatsajiva to determine which of his sons was worthy of being his successor. He asked all the princes to assemble at the Garden of the Golden Pavilion on the ascetic's advice. Ashoka was reluctant to go because his father disliked him, but his mother convinced him to do so. When minister Radhagupta saw Ashoka leaving the capital for the Garden, he offered to provide the prince with a royal elephant for the travel.[48] At the Garden, Pingala-vatsajiva examined the princes and realised that Ashoka would be the next king. To avoid annoying Bindusara, the ascetic refused to name the successor. Instead, he said that one who had the best mount, seat, drink, vessel and food would be the next king; each time, Ashoka declared that he met the criterion. Later, he told Ashoka's mother that her son would be the next king, and on her advice, left the kingdom to avoid Bindusara's wrath.[49]

While legends suggest that Bindusara disliked Ashoka's ugly appearance, they also state that Bindusara gave him important responsibilities, such as suppressing a revolt in Takshashila (according to north Indian tradition) and governing Ujjain (according to Sri Lankan tradition). This suggests that Bindusara was impressed by the other qualities of the prince.[50] Another possibility is that he sent Ashoka to distant regions to keep him away from the imperial capital.[51]

### Rebellion at Taxila[edit | edit source]

File:Aramaic inscription at Taxila Museum.jpg

The Aramaic Inscription of Taxila probably mentions Ashoka.

According to the Ashokavadana, Bindusara dispatched prince Ashoka to suppress a rebellion in the city of Takshashila[52] (present-day Bhir Mound[53] in Pakistan). This episode is not mentioned in the Sri Lankan tradition, which instead states that Bindusara sent Ashoka to govern Ujjain. Two other Buddhist texts – Ashoka-sutra and Kunala-sutra – state that Bindusara appointed Ashoka as a viceroy in Gandhara (where Takshashila was located), not Ujjain. [50]

The Ashokavadana states that Bindusara provided Ashoka with a fourfold-army (comprising cavalry, elephants, chariots and infantry) but refused to provide any weapons for this army. Ashoka declared that weapons would appear before him if he was worthy of being a king, and then, the deities emerged from the earth and provided weapons to the army. When Ashoka reached Takshashila, the citizens welcomed him and told him that their rebellion was only against the evil ministers, not the king. Sometime later, Ashoka was similarly welcomed in the Khasa territory and the gods declared that he would go on to conquer the whole earth.[52]

Takshashila was a prosperous and geopolitically influential city, and historical evidence proves that by Ashoka's time, it was well-connected to the Mauryan capital Pataliputra by the Uttarapatha trade route.[54] However, no extant contemporary source mentions the Takshashila rebellion, and none of Ashoka's records states that he ever visited the city.[55] That said, the historicity of the legend about Ashoka's involvement in the Takshashila rebellion may be corroborated by an Aramaic-language inscription discovered at Sirkap near Taxila. The inscription includes a name that begins with the letters "prydr", and most scholars restore it as "Priyadarshi", which was the title of Ashoka.[50] Another evidence of Ashoka's connection to the city may be the name of the Dharmarajika Stupa near Taxila; the name suggests that it was built by Ashoka ("Dharma-raja"). [56]

The story about the deities miraculously bringing weapons to Ashoka may be the text's way of deifying Ashoka; or indicating that Bindusara – who disliked Ashoka – wanted him to fail in Takshashila. [57]

### Governor of Ujjain[edit | edit source]

According to the Mahavamsa, Bindusara appointed Ashoka as the viceroy of present-day Ujjain (Ujjeni),[50] which was an important administrative and commercial centre in the Avanti province of central India.[58] This tradition is corroborated by the Saru Maru inscription discovered in central India; this inscription states that he visited the place as a prince.[59] Ashoka's own rock edict mentions the presence of a prince viceroy at Ujjain during his reign,[60] which further supports the tradition that he himself served as a viceroy at Ujjain.[61]

File:Panguraria Top View Closeup detail.jpg

The Saru Maru commemorative inscription seems to mention the presence of Ashoka in the area of Ujjain as he was still a Prince.

Pataliputra was connected to Ujjain by multiple routes in Ashoka's time, and on the way, Ashoka entourage may have encamped at Rupnath, where his inscription has been found.[62]

According to the Sri Lankan tradition, Ashoka visited Vidisha, where he fell in love with a beautiful woman on his way to Ujjain. According to the Dipamvamsa and Mahamvamsa, the woman was Devi – the daughter of a merchant. According to the Mahabodhi-vamsa, she was Vidisha-Mahadevi and belonged to the Shakya clan of Gautama Buddha. The Buddhist chroniclers may have fabricated the Shakya connection to connect Ashoka's family to Buddha.[63] The Buddhist texts allude to her being a Buddhist in her later years but do not describe her conversion to Buddhism. Therefore, it is likely that she was already a Buddhist when she met Ashoka.[64]

The Mahavamsa states that Devi gave birth to Ashoka's son Mahinda in Ujjain, and two years later, to a daughter named Sanghamitta.[65] According to the Mahavamsa, Ashoka's son Mahinda was ordained at the age of 20 years, during the sixth year of Ashoka's reign. That means Mahinda must have been 14 years old when Ashoka ascended the throne. Even if Mahinda was born when Ashoka was as young as 20 years old, Ashoka must have ascended the throne at 34 years, which means he must have served as a viceroy for several years.[66]

## Ascension to the throne[edit | edit source]

Legends suggest that Ashoka was not the crown prince, and his ascension on the throne was disputed. [67]

Ashokavadana states that Bindusara's eldest son Susima once slapped a bald minister on his head in jest. The minister worried that after ascending the throne, Susima may jokingly hurt him with a sword. Therefore, he instigated five hundred ministers to support Ashoka's claim to the throne when the time came, noting that Ashoka was predicted to become a chakravartin (universal ruler).[68] Sometime later, Takshashila rebelled again, and Bindusara dispatched Susima to curb the rebellion. Shortly after, Bindusara fell ill and was expected to die soon. Susima was still in Takshashila, having been unsuccessful in suppressing the rebellion. Bindusara recalled him to the capital and asked Ashoka to march to Takshashila.[69] However, the ministers told him that Ashoka was ill and suggested that he temporarily install Ashoka on the throne until Susmia's return from Takshashila.[68] When Bindusara refused to do so, Ashoka declared that if the throne were rightfully his, the gods would crown him as the next king. At that instance, the gods did so, Bindusara died, and Ashoka's authority extended to the entire world, including the Yaksha territory located above the earth and the Naga territory located below the earth.[69] When Susima returned to the capital, Ashoka's newly appointed prime minister Radhagupta tricked him into a pit of charcoal. Susima died a painful death, and his general Bhadrayudha became a Buddhist monk.[70]

File:Sarnath Ashoka Lions with Dharma Wheel.jpg

The Lion Capital of Ashoka in Sarnath, showing its four Asiatic lions standing back to back, and symbolizing the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, supporting the Wheel of Moral law (Dharmachakra, reconstitution per Sarnath Museum notice).[71] The lions stand on a circular abacus, decorated with dharmachakras alternating with four animals in profile: horse, bull, elephant, and lion. The architectural bell below the abacus, is a stylized upside down lotus. Sarnath Museum.[72]

The Mahavamsa states that when Bindusara fell sick, Ashoka returned to Pataliputra from Ujjain and gained control of the capital. After his father's death, Ashoka had his eldest brother killed and ascended the throne.[64] The text also states that Ashoka killed ninety-nine of his half-brothers, including Sumana.[60] The Dipavamsa states that he killed a hundred of his brothers and was crowned four years later.[68] The Vamsatthapakasini adds that an Ajivika ascetic had predicted this massacre based on the interpretation of a dream of Ashoka's mother.[73] According to these accounts, only Ashoka's uterine brother Tissa was spared.[74] Other sources name the surviving brother Vitashoka, Vigatashoka, Sudatta (So-ta-to in A-yi-uang-chuan), or Sugatra (Siu-ka-tu-lu in Fen-pie-kung-te-hun).[74]

The figures such as 99 and 100 are exaggerated and seem to be a way of stating that Ashoka killed several of his brothers.[68] Taranatha states that Ashoka, who was an illegitimate son of his predecessor, killed six legitimate princes to ascend the throne.[39] It is possible that Ashoka was not the rightful heir to the throne and killed a brother (or brothers) to acquire the throne. However, the Buddhist sources have exaggerated the story, which attempts to portray him as evil before his conversion to Buddhism. Ashoka's Rock Edict No. 5 mentions officers whose duties include supervising the welfare of "the families of his brothers, sisters, and other relatives". This suggests that more than one of his brothers survived his ascension. However, some scholars oppose this suggestion, arguing that the inscription talks only about the families of his brothers, not the brothers themselves.[74]

### Date of ascension[edit | edit source]

According to the Sri Lankan texts Mahavamsa and the Dipavamsa, Ashoka ascended the throne 218 years after the death of Gautama Buddha and ruled for 37 years.[75] The date of the Buddha's death is itself a matter of debate,[76] and the North Indian tradition states that Ashoka ruled a hundred years after the Buddha's death, which has led to further debates about the date.[17]

Assuming that the Sri Lankan tradition is correct, and assuming that the Buddha died in 483 BCE – a date proposed by several scholars – Ashoka must have ascended the throne in 265 BCE.[76] The Puranas state that Ashoka's father Bindusara reigned for 25 years, not 28 years as specified in the Sri Lankan tradition.[37] If this is true, Ashoka's ascension can be dated three years earlier, to 268 BCE. Alternatively, if the Sri Lankan tradition is correct, but if we assume that the Buddha died in 486 BCE (a date supported by the Cantonese Dotted Record), Ashoka's ascension can be dated to 268 BCE.[76] The Mahavamsa states that Ashoka consecrated himself as the king four years after becoming a sovereign. This interregnum can be explained assuming that he fought a war of succession with other sons of Bindusara during these four years.[77]

The Ashokavadana contains a story about Ashoka's minister Yashas hiding the sun with his hand. Professor P. H. L. Eggermont theorised that this story was a reference to a partial solar eclipse that was seen in northern India on 4 May 249 BCE.[78] According to the Ashokavadana, Ashoka went on a pilgrimage to various Buddhist sites sometime after this eclipse. Ashoka's Rummindei pillar inscription states that he visited Lumbini during his 21st regnal year. Assuming this visit was a part of the pilgrimage described in the text, and assuming that Ashoka visited Lumbini around 1–2 years after the solar eclipse, the ascension date of 268–269 BCE seems more likely.[76][34] However, this theory is not universally accepted. For example, according to John S. Strong, the event described in the Ashokavadana has nothing to do with chronology, and Eggermont's interpretation grossly ignores the literary and religious context of the legend.[79]

## Reign before Buddhist influence[edit | edit source]

Both Sri Lankan and North Indian traditions assert that Ashoka was a violent person before Buddhism.[80] Taranatha also states that Ashoka was initially called "Kamashoka" because he spent many years in pleasurable pursuits (kama); he was then called "Chandashoka" ("Ashoka the fierce") because he spent some years performing evil deeds; and finally, he came to be known as Dhammashoka ("Ashoka the righteous") after his conversion to Buddhism.[81]

The Ashokavadana also calls him "Chandashoka", and describes several of his cruel acts:[82]

* The ministers who had helped him ascend the throne started treating him with contempt after his ascension. To test their loyalty, Ashoka gave them the absurd order of cutting down every flower-and fruit-bearing tree. When they failed to carry out this order, Ashoka personally cut off the heads of 500 ministers.[82]
* One day, during a stroll at a park, Ashoka and his concubines came across a beautiful Ashoka tree. The sight put him in an amorous mood, but the women did not enjoy caressing his rough skin. Sometime later, when Ashoka fell asleep, the resentful women chopped the flowers and the branches of his namesake tree. After Ashoka woke up, he burnt 500 of his concubines to death as punishment.[83]
* Alarmed by the king's involvement in such massacres, prime minister Radha-Gupta proposed hiring an executioner to carry out future mass killings to leave the king unsullied. Girika, a Magadha village boy who boasted that he could execute the whole of Jambudvipa, was hired for the purpose. He came to be known as Chandagirika ("Girika the fierce"), and on his request, Ashoka built a jail in Pataliputra.[83] Called Ashoka's Hell, the jail looked pleasant from the outside, but inside it, Girika brutally tortured the prisoners.[84]

The 5th-century Chinese traveller Faxian states that Ashoka personally visited the underworld to study torture methods there and then invented his methods. The 7th-century traveller Xuanzang claims to have seen a pillar marking the site of Ashoka's "Hell".[81]

The Mahavamsa also briefly alludes to Ashoka's cruelty, stating that Ashoka was earlier called Chandashoka because of his evil deeds but came to be called Dharmashoka because of his pious acts after his conversion to Buddhism.[85] However, unlike the north Indian tradition, the Sri Lankan texts do not mention any specific evil deeds performed by Ashoka, except his killing of 99 of his brothers.[80]

Such descriptions of Ashoka as an evil person before his conversion to Buddhism appear to be a fabrication of the Buddhist authors,[81] who attempted to present the change that Buddhism brought to him as a miracle.[80] In an attempt to dramatise this change, such legends exaggerate Ashoka's past wickedness and his piousness after the conversion.[86]

## Kalinga war and conversion to Buddhism[edit | edit source]

Main article: Kalinga war

File:Kanaganahalli inscribed panel portraying Asoka (perspective).jpg

Kanaganahalli inscribed panel portraying Asoka with Brahmi label "King Asoka", 1st–3rd century CE.[87]

Ashoka's inscriptions mention that he conquered the Kalinga region during his 8th regnal year: the destruction caused during the war made him repent violence, and in the subsequent years, he was drawn towards Buddhism.[88] Edict 13 of the Edicts of Ashoka Rock Inscriptions expresses the great remorse the king felt after observing the destruction of Kalinga:

> Directly, after the Kalingas had been annexed, began His Sacred Majesty's zealous protection of the Law of Piety, his love of that Law, and his inculcation of that Law. Thence arises the remorse of His Sacred Majesty for having conquered the Kalingas because the conquest of a country previously unconquered involves the slaughter, death, and carrying away captive of the people. That is a matter of profound sorrow and regret to His Sacred Majesty.[89]

On the other hand, the Sri Lankan tradition suggests that Ashoka was already a devoted Buddhist by his 8th regnal year, converted to Buddhism during his 4th regnal year, and constructed 84,000 viharas during his 5th–7th regnal years.[88] The Buddhist legends make no mention of the Kalinga campaign.[90]

Based on Sri Lankan tradition, some scholars, such as Eggermont, believe Ashoka converted to Buddhism before the Kalinga war.[91] Critics of this theory argue that if Ashoka were already a Buddhist, he would not have waged the violent Kalinga War. Eggermont explains this anomaly by theorising that Ashoka had his own interpretation of the "Middle Way".[92]

Some earlier writers believed that Ashoka dramatically converted to Buddhism after seeing the suffering caused by the war since his Major Rock Edict 13 states that he became closer to the dhamma after the annexation of Kalinga.[90] However, even if Ashoka converted to Buddhism after the war, epigraphic evidence suggests that his conversion was a gradual process rather than a dramatic event.[90] For example, in a Minor Rock Edict issued during his 13th regnal year (five years after the Kalinga campaign), he states that he had been an upasaka (lay Buddhist) for more than two and a half years, but did not make much progress; in the past year, he was drawn closer to the sangha and became a more ardent follower.[90]

### The Kalinga War[edit | edit source]

According to Ashoka's Major Rock Edict 13, he conquered Kalinga 8 years after ascending to the throne. The edict states that during his conquest of Kalinga, 100,000 men and animals were killed in action; many times that number "perished"; and 150,000 men and animals were carried away from Kalinga as captives. Ashoka states that the repentance of these sufferings caused him to devote himself to the practice and propagation of dharma.[93] He proclaims that he now considered the slaughter, death and deportation caused during the conquest of a country painful and deplorable; and that he considered the suffering caused to the religious people and householders even more deplorable.[93]

This edict has been inscribed at several places, including Erragudi, Girnar, Kalsi, Maneshra, Shahbazgarhi and Kandahar.[94] However, it is omitted in Ashoka's inscriptions found in the Kalinga region, where the Rock Edicts 13 and 14 have been replaced by two separate edicts that make no mention of Ashoka's remorse. It is possible that Ashoka did not consider it politically appropriate to make such a confession to the people of Kalinga.[95] Another possibility is the Kalinga war and its consequences, as described in Ashoka's rock edicts, are "more imaginary than real". This description is meant to impress those far removed from the scene, thus unable to verify its accuracy.[96]

Ancient sources do not mention any other military activity of Ashoka, although the 16th-century writer Taranatha claims that Ashoka conquered the entire Jambudvipa.[91]

### First contact with Buddhism[edit | edit source]

Different sources give different accounts of Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism. [81]

According to Sri Lankan tradition, Ashoka's father, Bindusara, was a devotee of Brahmanism, and his mother Dharma was a devotee of Ajivikas.[97] The Samantapasadika states that Ashoka followed non-Buddhist sects during the first three years of his reign.[98] The Sri Lankan texts add that Ashoka was not happy with the behaviour of the Brahmins who received his alms daily. His courtiers produced some Ajivika and Nigantha teachers before him, but these also failed to impress him. [99]

The Dipavamsa states that Ashoka invited several non-Buddhist religious leaders to his palace and bestowed great gifts upon them in the hope that they would answer a question posed by the king. The text does not state what the question was but mentions that none of the invitees were able to answer it.[100] One day, Ashoka saw a young Buddhist monk called Nigrodha (or Nyagrodha), who was looking for alms on a road in Pataliputra.[100] He was the king's nephew, although the king was not aware of this:[101] he was a posthumous son of Ashoka's eldest brother Sumana, whom Ashoka had killed during the conflict for the throne.[102] Ashoka was impressed by Nigrodha's tranquil and fearless appearance, and asked him to teach him his faith. In response, Nigrodha offered him a sermon on appamada (earnestness).[100] Impressed by the sermon, Ashoka offered Nigrodha 400,000 silver coins and 8 daily portions of rice.[103] The king became a Buddhist upasaka, and started visiting the Kukkutarama shrine at Pataliputra. At the temple, he met the Buddhist monk Moggaliputta Tissa, and became more devoted to the Buddhist faith.[99] The veracity of this story is not certain.[103] This legend about Ashoka's search for a worthy teacher may be aimed at explaining why Ashoka did not adopt Jainism, another major contemporary faith that advocates non-violence and compassion. The legend suggests that Ashoka was not attracted to Buddhism because he was looking for such a faith, rather, for a competent spiritual teacher.[104] The Sri Lankan tradition adds that during his sixth regnal year, Ashoka's son Mahinda became a Buddhist monk, and his daughter became a Buddhist nun.[105]

A story in Divyavadana attributes Ashoka's conversion to the Buddhist monk Samudra, who was an ex-merchant from Shravasti. According to this account, Samudra was imprisoned in Ashoka's "Hell", but saved himself using his miraculous powers. When Ashoka heard about this, he visited the monk, and was further impressed by a series of miracles performed by the monk. He then became a Buddhist.[106] A story in the Ashokavadana states that Samudra was a merchant's son, and was a 12-year-old boy when he met Ashoka; this account seems to be influenced by the Nigrodha story.[91]

The A-yu-wang-chuan states that a 7-year-old Buddhist converted Ashoka. Another story claims that the young boy ate 500 Brahmanas who were harassing Ashoka for being interested in Buddhism; these Brahmanas later miraculously turned into Buddhist bhikkus at the Kukkutarama monastery, which Ashoka visited.[106]

Several Buddhist establishments existed in various parts of India by the time of Ashoka's ascension. It is not clear which branch of the Buddhist sangha influenced him, but the one at his capital Pataliputra is a good candidate.[107] Another good candidate is the one at Mahabodhi: the Major Rock Edict 8 records his visit to the Bodhi Tree – the place of Buddha's enlightenment at Mahabodhi – after his tenth regnal year, and the minor rock edict issued during his 13th regnal year suggests that he had become a Buddhist around the same time.[107][90]

## Reign after Buddhist influence[edit | edit source]

### Construction of Stupas and Temples[edit | edit source]

File:Sanchi2.jpg

Stupa of Sanchi. The central stupa was built during the Mauryas, and enlarged during the Sungas, but the decorative gateway is dated to the later dynasty of the Satavahanas.

Both Mahavamsa and Ashokavadana state that Ashoka constructed 84,000 stupas or viharas.[108] According to the Mahavamsa, this activity took place during his fifth–seventh regnal years.[105]

The Ashokavadana states that Ashoka collected seven out of the eight relics of Gautama Buddha, and had their portions kept in 84,000 boxes made of gold, silver, cat's eye, and crystal. He ordered the construction of 84,000 stupas throughout the earth, in towns that had a population of 100,000 or more. He told Elder Yashas, a monk at the Kukkutarama monastery, that he wanted these stupas to be completed on the same day. Yashas stated that he would signal the completion time by eclipsing the sun with his hand. When he did so, the 84,000 stupas were completed at once.[19]

File:Bharhut relief with Diamond throne and Mahabodhi Temple around the Boddhi Tree.jpg

Illustration of the original Mahabodhi Temple temple built by Asoka at Bodh Gaya. At the center, the Vajrasana, or "Enlightenment Throne of the Buddha", with its supporting columns, being the object of adoration. A Pillar of Ashoka topped by an elephant appears in the right corner. Bharhut relief, 1st century BCE.[109]

File:Vajrasana, early 20th century.jpg

The rediscovered Vajrasana, or "Enlightenment Throne of the Buddha", at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya. It was built by Ashoka to commemorate the enlightenment of the Buddha, about two hundred years before him.[110][111]

The Mahavamsa states that Ashoka ordered construction of 84,000 viharas (monasteries) rather than the stupas to house the relics.[112] Like Ashokavadana, the Mahavamsa describes Ashoka's collection of the relics, but does not mention this episode in the context of the construction activities.[112] It states that Ashoka decided to construct the 84,000 viharas when Moggaliputta Tissa told him that there were 84,000 sections of the Buddha's Dhamma.[113] Ashoka himself began the construction of the Ashokarama vihara, and ordered subordinate kings to build the other viharas. Ashokarama was completed by the miraculous power of Thera Indagutta, and the news about the completion of the 84,000 viharas arrived from various cities on the same day.[19]

The construction of following stupas and viharas is credited to Ashoka:[citation needed]

* Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India
* Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India
* Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar, India
* Barabar Caves, Bihar, India
* Nalanda Mahavihara (some portions like Sariputta Stupa), Bihar, India
* Taxila University (some portions like Dharmarajika Stupa and Kunala Stupa), Taxila, Pakistan
* Bhir Mound (reconstructed), Taxila, Pakistan
* Bharhut stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India
* Deorkothar Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India
* Butkara Stupa, Swat, Pakistan
* Sannati Stupa, Karnataka, India
* Mir Rukun Stupa, Nawabshah, Pakistan

### Propagation of Dhamma[edit | edit source]

Ashoka's rock edicts suggest that during his eighth–ninth regnal years, he made a pilgrimage to the Bodhi Tree, started propagating dhamma, and performed social welfare activities. The welfare activities included establishment of medical treatment facilities for humans and animals; plantation of medicinal herbs; and digging of wells and plantation of trees along the roads. These activities were conducted in the neighbouring kingdoms, including those of the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Satiyaputras, Tamraparni, the Greek kingdom of Antiyoka.[114]

The edicts also state that during his tenth–eleventh regnal years, Ashoka became closer to the Buddhist sangha, and went on a tour of the empire that lasted for at least 256 days.[114]

By his 12th regnal year, Ashoka had started inscribing edicts to propagate dhamma, having ordered his officers (rajjukas and pradesikas) to tour their jurisdictions every five years for inspection and for preaching dhamma. By the next year, he had set up the post of the dharma-mahamatra.[114]

During his 14th regnal year, he commissioned the enlargement of the stupa of Buddha Kanakamuni.[114]

### Third Buddhist Council[edit | edit source]

Main article: Third Buddhist council

The Sri Lankan tradition presents a greater role for Ashoka in the Buddhist community.[16] In this tradition, Ashoka starts feeding monks on a large scale. His lavish patronage to the state patronage leads to many fake monks joining the sangha. The true Buddhist monks refuse to co-operate with these fake monks, and therefore, no uposatha ceremony is held for seven years. The king attempts to eradicate the fake monks, but during this attempt, an over-zealous minister ends up killing some real monks. The king then invites the elder monk Moggaliputta-Tissa, to help him expel non-Buddhists from the monastery founded by him at Pataliputra.[101] 60,000 monks (bhikkhus) convicted of being heretical are de-frocked in the ensuing process.[16] The uposatha ceremony is then held, and Tissa subsequently organises the Third Buddhist council,[115] during the 17th regnal year of Ashoka.[116] Tissa compiles Kathavatthu, a text that reaffirms Theravadin orthodoxy on several points.[115]

The North Indian tradition makes no mention of these events, which has led to doubts about the historicity of the Third Buddihst council.[17]

File:Nava Jetavana Temple - Shravasti - 014 King Asoka at the Third Council (9241725897).jpg

Ashoka and Monk Moggaliputta-Tissa at the Third Buddhist Council. Nava Jetavana, Shravasti.

Richard Gombrich argues that the non-corroboration of this story by inscriptional evidence cannot be used to dismiss it as completely unhistorical, as several of Ashoka's inscriptions may have been lost.[115] Gombrich also argues that Asohka's inscriptions prove that he was interested in maintaining the "unanimity and purity" of the Sangha.[117] For example, in his Minor Rock Edict 3, Ashoka recommends the members of the Sangha to study certain texts (most of which remain unidentified). Similarly, in an inscription found at Sanchi, Sarnath, and Kosam, Ashoka mandates that the dissident members of the sangha should be expelled, and expresses his desire to the Sangha remain united and flourish.[118][119]

The 8th century Buddhist pilgrim Yijing records another story about Ashoka's involvement in the Buddhist sangha. According to this story, the earlier king Bimbisara, who was a contemporary of the Gautama Buddha, once saw 18 fragments of a cloth and a stick in a dream. The Buddha interpreted the dream to mean that his philosophy would be divided into 18 schools after his death, and predicted that a king called Ashoka would unite these schools over a hundred years later.[73]

### Buddhist missions[edit | edit source]

In the Sri Lankan tradition, Moggaliputta-Tissa – who is patronised by Ashoka – sends out nine Buddhist missions to spread Buddhism in the "border areas" in c. 250 BCE. This tradition does not credit Ashoka directly with sending these missions. Each mission comprises five monks, and is headed by an elder.[120] To Sri Lanka, he sent his own son Mahinda, accompanied by four other Theras – Itthiya, Uttiya, Sambala and Bhaddasala.[16] Next, with Moggaliputta-Tissa's help, Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries to distant regions such as Kashmir, Gandhara, Himalayas, the land of the Yonas (Greeks), Maharashtra, Suvannabhumi, and Sri Lanka.[16]

The Sri Lankan tradition dates these missions to Ashoka's 18th regnal year, naming the following missionaries:[114]

* Mahinda to Sri Lanka
* Majjhantika to Kashmir and Gandhara
* Mahadeva to Mahisa-mandala (possibly modern Mysore region)
* Rakkhita to Vanavasa
* Dhammarakkhita the Greek to Aparantaka (western India)
* Maha-dhamma-rakkhita to Maharashtra
* Maharakkhita to the Greek country
* Majjhima to the Himalayas
* Soṇa and Uttara to Suvaṇṇabhūmi (possibly Lower Burma and Thailand)

The tradition adds that during his 19th regnal year, Ashoka's daughter Sanghamitta went to Sri Lanka to establish an order of nuns, taking a sapling of the sacred Bodhi Tree with her.[120][116]

The North Indian tradition makes no mention of these events.[17] Ashoka's own inscriptions also appear to omit any mention of these events, recording only one of his activities during this period: in his 19th regnal year, he donated the Khalatika Cave to ascetics to provide them a shelter during the rainy season. Ashoka's Pillar Edicts suggest that during the next year, he made pilgrimage to Lumbini – the place of Buddha's birth, and to the stupa of the Buddha Kanakamuni.[116]

The Rock Edict XIII states that Ashoka's won a "dhamma victory" by sending messengers to five kings and several other kingdoms. Whether these missions correspond to the Buddhist missions recorded in the Buddhist chronicles is debated.[121] Indologist Etienne Lamotte argues that the "dhamma" missionaries mentioned in Ashoka's inscriptions were probably not Buddhist monks, as this "dhamma" was not same as "Buddhism".[122] Moreover, the lists of destinations of the missions and the dates of the missions mentioned in the inscriptions do not tally the ones mentioned in the Buddhist legends.[123]

Other scholars, such as Erich Frauwallner and Richard Gombrich, believe that the missions mentioned in the Sri Lankan tradition are historical.[123] According to these scholars, a part of this story is corroborated by archaeological evidence: the Vinaya Nidana mentions names of five monks, who are said to have gone to the Himalayan region; three of these names have been found inscribed on relic caskets found at Bhilsa (near Vidisha). These caskets have been dated to the early 2nd century BCE, and the inscription states that the monks are of the Himalayan school.[120] The missions may have set out from Vidisha in central India, as the caskets were discovered there, and as Mahinda is said to have stayed there for a month before setting out for Sri Lanka.[124]

According to Gombrich, the mission may have included representatives of other religions, and thus, Lamotte's objection about "dhamma" is not valid. The Buddhist chroniclers may have decided not to mention these non-Buddhists, so as not to sideline Buddhism.[125] Frauwallner and Gombrich also believe that Ashoka was directly responsible for the missions, since only a resourceful ruler could have sponsored such activities. The Sri Lankan chronicles, which belong to the Theravada school, exaggerate the role of the Theravadin monk Moggaliputta-Tissa in order to glorify their sect.[125]

Some historians argue that Buddhism became a major religion because of Ashoka's royal patronage.[126] However, epigraphic evidence suggests that the spread of Buddhism in north-western India and Deccan region was less because of Ashoka's missions, and more because of merchants, traders, landowners and the artisan guilds who supported Buddhist establishments.[127]

### Violence after conversion[edit | edit source]

According to the Ashokavadana, Ashoka resorted to violence even after converting to Buddhism. For example:[128]

* He slowly tortured Chandagirika to death in the "hell" prison.[128]
* He ordered a massacre of 18,000 heretics for a misdeed of one.[128]
* He launched a pogrom against the Jains, announcing a bounty on the head of any heretic; this resulted in the beheading of his own brother – Vitashoka.[128]

According to the Ashokavadana, a non-Buddhist in Pundravardhana drew a picture showing the Buddha bowing at the feet of the Nirgrantha leader Jnatiputra. The term nirgrantha ("free from bonds") was originally used for a pre-Jaina ascetic order, but later came to be used for Jaina monks.[129] "Jnatiputra" is identified with Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. The legend states that on complaint from a Buddhist devotee, Ashoka issued an order to arrest the non-Buddhist artist, and subsequently, another order to kill all the Ajivikas in Pundravardhana. Around 18,000 followers of the Ajivika sect were executed as a result of this order.[130][131] Sometime later, another Nirgrantha follower in Pataliputra drew a similar picture. Ashoka burnt him and his entire family alive in their house.[131] He also announced an award of one dinara (gold coin) to anyone who brought him the head of a Nirgrantha heretic. According to Ashokavadana, as a result of this order, his own brother was mistaken for a heretic and killed by a cowherd.[130] Ashoka realised his mistake, and withdrew the order.[129]

For several reasons, scholars say, these stories of persecutions of rival sects by Ashoka appear to be clear fabrications arising out of sectarian propaganda.[131][132][133]

## Last years[edit | edit source]

### Tissarakkha as the queen[edit | edit source]

Ashoka's last dated inscription - the Pillar Edict 4 is from his 26th regnal year.[116] The only source of information about Ashoka's later years are the Buddhist legends. The Sri Lankan tradition states that Ashoka's queen Asandhamitta died during his 29th regnal year, and in his 32nd regnal year, his wife Tissarakkha was given the title of queen.[116]

Both Mahavamsa and Ashokavadana state that Ashoka extended favours and attention to the Bodhi Tree, and a jealous Tissarakkha mistook "Bodhi" to be a mistress of Ashoka. She then used black magic to make the tree wither.[134] According to the Ashokavadana, she hired a sorceress to do the job, and when Ashoka explained that "Bodhi" was the name of a tree, she had the sorceress heal the tree.[135] According to the Mahavamsa, she completely destroyed the tree,[136] during Ashoka's 34th regnal year.[116]

The Ashokavadana states that Tissarakkha (called "Tishyarakshita" here) made sexual advances towards Ashoka's son Kunala, but Kunala rejected her. Subsequently, Ashoka granted Tissarakkha kingship for seven days, and during this period, she tortured and blinded Kunala.[137] Ashoka then threatened to "tear out her eyes, rip open her body with sharp rakes, impale her alive on a spit, cut off her nose with a saw, cut out her tongue with a razor." Kunala regained his eyesight miraculously, and pleaded for mercy for the queen, but Ashoka had her executed anyway.[134] Kshemendra's Avadana-kalpa-lata also narrates this legend, but seeks to improve Ashoka's image by stating that he forgave the queen after Kunala regained his eyesight.[138]

### Death[edit | edit source]

According to the Sri Lankan tradition, Ashoka died during his 37th regnal year,[116] which suggests that he died around 232 BCE.[139]

According to the Ashokavadana, the emperor fell severely ill during his last days. He started using state funds to make donations to the Buddhist sangha, prompting his ministers to deny him access to the state treasury. Ashoka then started donating his personal possessions, but was similarly restricted from doing so. On his deathbed, his only possession was the half of a myrobalan fruit, which he offered to the sangha as his final donation.[140] Such legends encourage generous donations to the sangha and highlight the role of the kingship in supporting the Buddhist faith.[45]

Legend states that during his cremation, his body burned for seven days and nights.[141]

## Family[edit | edit source]

File:Sanchi King Ashoka with his Queens, South Gate, Stupa no. 1.jpg

A king - most probably Ashoka - with his two queens and three attendants, in a relief at Sanchi.[2] The king's identification with Ashoka is suggested by a similar relief at Kanaganahalli, which bears his name.[142][2]

File:Kanaganahalli Asoka with inscription.jpg

Ashoka with his queen, at Kanaganahalli near Sannati, 1st–3rd century CE. The relief bears the inscription "Rāya Asoko" (𑀭𑀸𑀬 𑀅𑀲𑁄𑀓𑁄, "King Ashoka") in Brahmi script. It depicts the king with his queen, two attendants bearing fly-whisks, and one attendant bearing an umbrella.[142][2]

File:Emperor Ashoka and his Queen at the Deer Park.jpg

Emperor Ashoka and his Queen at the Deer Park. Sanchi relief.[2]

### Queens[edit | edit source]

Various sources mention five consorts of Ashoka: Devi (or Vedisa-Mahadevi-Shakyakumari), Karuvaki, Asandhimitra (Pali: Asandhimitta), Padmavati, and Tishyarakshita (Pali: Tissarakkha).[143]

Karuvaki is the only queen of Ashoka known from his own inscriptions: she is mentioned in an edict inscribed on a pillar at Allahabad. The inscription names her as the mother of prince Tivara, and orders the royal officers (mahamattas) to record her religious and charitable donations.[77] According to one theory, Tishyarakshita was the regnal name of Kaurvaki.[77]

According to the Mahavamsa, Ashoka's chief queen was Asandhimitta, who died four years before him.[77] It states that she was born as Ashoka's queen because in a previous life, she directed a pratyekabuddha to a honey merchant (who was later reborn as Ashoka).[144] Some later texts also state that she additionally gave the pratyekabuddha a piece of cloth made by her.[145] These texts include the Dasavatthuppakarana, the so-called Cambodian or Extended Mahavamsa (possibly from 9th–10th centuries), and the Trai Bhumi Katha (15th century).[145] These texts narrate another story: one day, Ashoka mocked Asandhamitta was enjoying a tasty piece of sugarcane without having earned it through her karma. Asandhamitta replied that all her enjoyments resulted from merit resulting from her own karma. Ashoka then challenged her to prove this by procuring 60,000 robes as an offering for monks.[145] At night, the guardian gods informed her about her past gift to the pratyekabuddha, and next day, she was able to miraculously procure the 60,000 robes. An impressed Ashoka makes her his favourite queen, and even offers to make her a sovereign ruler. Asandhamitta refuses the offer, but still invokes the jealousy of Ashoka's 16,000 other women. Ashoka proves her superiority by having 16,000 identical cakes baked with his royal seal hidden in only one of them. Each wife is asked to choose a cake, and only Asandhamitta gets the one with the royal seal.[146] The Trai Bhumi Katha claims that it was Asandhamitta who encouraged her husband to become a Buddhist, and to construct 84,000 stupas and 84,000 viharas.[147]

According to Mahavamsa, after Asandhamitta's death, Tissarakkha became the chief queen.[77] The Ashokavadana does not mention Asandhamitta at all, but does mention Tissarakkha as Tishyarakshita.[137] The Divyavadana mentions another queen called Padmavati, who was the mother of the crown-prince Kunala.[77]

As mentioned above, according to the Sri Lankan tradition, Ashoka fell in love with Devi (or Vidisha-Mahadevi), as a prince in central India.[63] After Ashoka's ascension to the throne, Devi chose to remain at Vidisha than move to the royal capital Pataliputra. According to the Mahavmsa, Ashoka's chief queen was Asandhamitta, not Devi: the text does not talk of any connection between the two women, so it is unlikely that Asandhamitta was another name for Devi.[148] The Sri Lankan tradition uses the word samvasa to describe the relationship between Ashoka and Devi, which modern scholars variously interpret as sexual relations outside marriage, or co-habitation as a married couple.[149] Those who argue that Ashoka did not marry Devi argue that their theory is corroborated by the fact that Devi did not become Ashoka's chief queen in Pataliputra after his ascension.[61] The Dipavamsa refers to two children of Ashoka and Devi – Mahinda and Sanghamitta.[150]

### Sons[edit | edit source]

Tivara, the son of Ashoka and Karuvaki, is the only of Ashoka's sons to be mentioned by name in the inscriptions.[77]

According to North Indian tradition, Ashoka had a son named Kunala.[17] Kunala had a son named Samprati.[77]

The Sri Lankan tradition mentions a son called Mahinda, who was sent to Sri Lanka as a Buddhist missionary; this son is not mentioned at all in the North Indian tradition.[16] The Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang states that Mahinda was Ashoka's younger brother (Vitashoka or Vigatashoka) rather than his illgetimate son.[151]

The Divyavadana mentions the crown-prince Kunala alias Dharmavivardhana, who was a son of queen Padmavati. According to Faxian, Dharmavivardhana was appointed as the governor of Gandhara.[77]

The Rajatarangini mentions Jalauka as a son of Ashoka.[77]

### Daughters[edit | edit source]

According to Sri Lankan tradition, Ashoka had a daughter named Sanghamitta, who became a Buddhist nun.[105] A section of historians, such as Romila Thapar, doubt the historicity of Sanghamitta, based on the following points:[152]

* The name "Sanghamitta", which literally means the friend of the Buddhist Order (sangha), is unusual, and the story of her going to Ceylon so that the Ceylonese queen could be ordained appears to be an exaggeration.[148]
* The Mahavamsa states that she married Ashoka's nephew Agnibrahma, and the couple had a son named Sumana. The contemporary laws regarding exogamy would have forbidden such a marriage between first cousins.[151]
* According to the Mahavamsa, she was 18 years old when she was ordained as a nun.[148] The narrative suggests that she was married two years earlier, and that her husband as well as her child were ordained. It is unlikely that she would have been allowed to become a nun with such a young child.[151]

Another source mentions that Ashoka had a daughter named Charumati, who married a kshatriya named Devapala.[77]

### Brothers[edit | edit source]

According to the Ashokavadana, Ashoka had an elder half-brother named Susima.[38] According to the Sri Lankan tradition, Ashoka killed his 99 half-brothers.[101]

Various sources mention that one of Ashoka's brothers survived his ascension, and narrate stories about his role in the Buddhist community.[153]

* According to Sri Lankan tradition, this brother was Tissa, who initially lived a luxurious life, without worrying about the world. To teach him a lesson, Ashoka put him on the throne for a few days, then accused him of being an usurper, and sentenced him to die after seven days. During these seven days, Tissa realised that the Buddhist monks gave up pleasure because they were aware of the eventual death. He then left the palace, and became an arhat.[74]
* The Theragatha commentary calls this brother Vitashoka. According to this legend, one day, Vitashoka saw a grey hair on his head, and realised that he had become old. He then retired to a monastery, and became an arhat.[129]
* Faxian calls the younger brother Mahendra, and states that Ashoka shamed him for his immoral behaviour. The brother than retired to a dark cave, where he meditated, and became an arhat. Ashoka invited him to return to the family, but he preferred to live alone on a hill. So, Ashoka had a hill built for him within Pataliputra.[129]
* The Ashoka-vadana states that Ashoka's brother was mistaken for a Nirgrantha, and killed during a massacre of the Nirgranthas ordered by Ashoka.[129]

## Imperial extent[edit | edit source]

File:Maurya Empire, c.250 BCE 2.png

Ashoka's empire stretched from Afghanistan to Bengal to southern India. Several modern maps depict it as covering nearly all of the Indian subcontinent, except the southern tip.[154]

File:Maurya Empire, c.250 BCE.png

Hermann Kulke and Dietmar Rothermund believe that Ashoka's empire did not include large parts of India, which were controlled by autonomous tribes.[154]

The extent of the territory controlled by Ashoka's predecessors is not certain, but it is possible that the empire of his grandfather Chandragupta extended across northern India from the western coast (Arabian Sea) to the eastern coast (Bay of Bengal), covering nearly two-thirds of the Indian subcontinent. Bindusara and Ashoka seem to have extended the empire southwards.[155] The distribution of Ashoka's inscriptions suggests that his empire included almost the entire Indian subcontinent, except its southernmost parts. The Rock Edicts 2 and 13 suggest that these southernmost parts were controlled by the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Keralaputras, and the Satiyaputras. In the north-west, Ashoka's kingdom extended up to Kandahar, to the east of the Seleucid Empire ruled by Antiochus II.[2] The capital of Ashoka's empire was Pataliputra in the Magadha region.[155]

## Religion and philosophy[edit | edit source]

### Relationship with Buddhism[edit | edit source]

File:Upasaka.jpg

The word Upāsaka (𑀉𑀧𑀸𑀲𑀓, "Buddhist lay follower", in the Brahmi script), used by Ashoka in his Minor Rock Edict No.1 to describe his affiliation to Buddhism (circa 258 BCE).

The Buddhist legends state that Ashoka converted to Buddhism,[156] although this has been debated by a section of scholars.[157] The Minor Rock Edict 1 leaves no doubt that Ashoka was a follower of Buddhism. In this edict, he calls himself an upasaka (a lay follower of Buddhism) and a sakya (i.e. Buddhist, after Gautama Buddha's title Shakya-Muni).[158] This and several other edicts are evidence of his Buddhist affiliation:[159]

* In his Minor Rock Edict 1, Ashoka adds that he did not make much progress for a year after becoming an upasaka, but then, he "went to" the Sangha, and made more progress. It is not certain what "going to" the Sangha means – the Buddhist tradition that he lived with monks may be an exaggeration, but it clearly means that Ashoka was drawn closer to Buddhism.[160]
* In his Minor Rock Edict 3, he calls himself an upasaka, and records his faith in the Buddha and the Sangha.[161][162]
* In the Major Rock Edict 8, he records his visit to Sambodhi (the sacred Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya), ten years after his coronation.[162]
* In the Lumbini (Rumminidei) inscription, he records his visit to the Buddha's birthplace, and declares his reverence for the Buddha and the sangha.[79]
* In the Nigalisagar inscription, he records his doubling in size of a stupa dedicated to a former Buddha, and his visit to the site for worship.[118]
* Some of his inscriptions reflect his interest in maintaining the Buddhist sangha (see #Purification of sangha below).[118]
* The Saru Maru inscription states that Ashoka dispatched the message while travelling to Upunita-vihara in Manema-desha. Although the identity of the destination is not certain, it was obviously a Buddhist monastery (vihara).[163]

### Other religions[edit | edit source]

A legend in the Buddhist text Vamsatthapakasini states that an Ajivika ascetic invited to interpret a dream of Ashoka's mother had predicted that he would patronise Buddhism and destroy 96 heretical sects.[73] However, such assertions are directly contradicted by Ashoka's own inscriptions. Ashoka's edicts, such as the Rock Edicts 6, 7, and 12, emphasise tolerance of all sects.[164] Similarly, in his Rock Edict 12, Ashoka honours people of all faiths.[165] In his inscriptions, Ashoka dedicates caves to non-Buddhist ascetics, and repeatedly states that both Brahmins and shramanas deserved respect. He also tells people "not to denigrate other sects, but to inform themselves about them".[160]

In fact, there is no evidence that Buddhism was a state religion under Ashoka.[166] None of Ashoka's extant edicts record his direct donations to the Buddhists. One inscription records donations by his queen Karuvaki, while the emperor is known to have donated the Barabar Caves to the Ajivikas.[167] There are some indirect references to his donations to Buddhists. For example, the Nigalisagar Pillar inscription records his enlargement of the Konakamana stupa.[168] Similarly, the Lumbini (Rumminidei) inscription states that he exempted the village of Buddha's birth from the land tax, and reduced the revenue tax to one-eighth.[169]

Ashoka appointed the dhamma-mahamatta officers, whose duties included the welfare of various religious sects, including the Buddhist sangha, Brahmins, Ajivikas, and Nirgranthas. The Rock Edicts 8 and 12, and the Pillar Edict 7, mandate donations to all religious sects.[170]

Ashoka's Minor Rock Edict 1 contains the phrase "amissā devā". According to one interpretation, the term "amissā" derives from the word "amṛṣa" ("false"), and thus, the phrase is a reference to Ashoka's belief in "true" and "false" gods. However, it is more likely that the term derives from the word "amiśra" ("not mingled"), and the phrase refers to celestial beings who did not mingle with humans. The inscription claims that the righteousness generated by adoption of dhamma by the humans attracted even the celestial gods who did not mingle with humans.[171]

### Dharma[edit | edit source]

Main article: Ashoka's policy of Dhamma

Ashoka's various inscriptions suggest that he devoted himself to the propagation of "Dharma" (Pali: Dhamma), a term that refers to the teachings of Gautama Buddha in the Buddhist circles.[172] However, Ashoka's own inscriptions do not mention Buddhist doctrines such as the Four Noble Truths or Nirvana.[79] The word "Dharma" has various connotations in the Indian religions, and can be generally translated as "law, duty, or righteousness".[172] In the Kandahar inscriptions of Ashoka, the word "Dharma" has been translated as eusebeia (Greek) and qsyt (Aramaic), which further suggests that his "Dharma" meant something more generic than Buddhism.[157]

The inscriptions suggest that for Ashoka, Dharma meant "a moral polity of active social concern, religious tolerance, ecological awareness, the observance of common ethical precepts, and the renunciation of war."[172] For example:

* Abolition of the death penalty (Pillar Edict IV)[160]
* Plantation of banyan trees and mango groves, and construction of resthouses and wells, every 800 metres (1⁄2 mile) along the roads. (Pillar Edict 7).[165]
* Restriction on killing of animals in the royal kitchen (Rock Edict 1); [165] the number of animals killed was limited to two peacocks and a deer daily, and in future, even these animals were not to be killed.[160]
* Provision of medical facilities for humans and animals (Rock Edict 2).[165]
* Encouragement of obedience to parents, "generosity toward priests and ascetics, and frugality in spending" (Rock Edict 3).[165]
* He "commissions officers to work for the welfare and happiness of the poor and aged" (Rock Edict 5)[165]
* Promotion of "the welfare of all beings so as to pay off his debt to living creatures and to work for their happiness in this world and the next." (Rock Edict 6)[165]

Modern scholars have variously understood this dhamma as a Buddhist lay ethic, a set of politico-moral ideas, a "sort of universal religion", or as an Ashokan innovation. On the other hand, it has also been interpreted as an essentially political ideology that sought to knit together a vast and diverse empire.[8]

Ashoka instituted a new category of officers called the dhamma-mahamattas, who were tasked with the welfare of the aged, the infirm, the women and children, and various religious sects. They were also sent on diplomatic missions to the Hellenistic kingdoms of west Asia, in order to propagate the dhamma.[170]

Historically, the image of Ashoka in the global Buddhist circles was based on legends (such as those mentioned in the Ashokavadana) rather than his rock edicts. This was because the Brahmi script in which these edicts were written was forgotten soon and remained undeciphered until its study by James Prinsep in the 19th century.[173] The writings of the Chinese Buddhist pilgrims such as Faxian and Xuanzang suggest that Ashoka's inscriptions mark the important sites associated with Gautama Buddha. These writers attribute Buddhism-related content to Ashoka's edicts, but this content does not match with the actual text of the inscriptions as determined by modern scholars after the decipherment of the Brahmi script. It is likely that the script was forgotten by the time of Faxian, who probably relied on local guides; these guides may have made up some Buddhism-related interpretations to gratify him, or may have themselves relied on faulty translations based on oral traditions. Xuanzang may have encountered a similar situation, or may have taken the supposed content of the inscriptions from Faxian's writings.[174] This theory is corroborated by the fact that some Brahmin scholars are known to have similarly come up with a fanciful interpretation of Ashoka pillar inscriptions, when requested to decipher them by the 14th century Muslim king Firuz Shah Tughlaq. According to Shams-i Siraj's Tarikh-i Firoz Shahi, after the king had these pillar transported from Topra and Mirat to Delhi as war trophies, these Brahmins told him that the inscriptions prophesied that nobody would be able to remove the pillars except a king named Firuz. Moreover, by this time, there were local traditions that attributed the erection of these pillars to the legendary hero Bhima.[175]

According to scholars such as Richard Gombrich, Ashoka's dharma shows Buddhist influence. For example, the Kalinga Separate Edict I seems to be inspired by Buddha's Advice to Sigala and his other sermons.[160]

#### Animal welfare[edit | edit source]

Ashoka's rock edicts declare that injuring living things is not good, and no animal should be slaughtered for sacrifice.[176] However, he did not prohibit common cattle slaughter or beef eating.[177]

He imposed a ban on killing of "all four-footed creatures that are neither useful nor edible", and of specific animal species including several birds, certain types of fish and bulls among others. He also banned killing of female goats, sheep and pigs that were nursing their young; as well as their young up to the age of six months. He also banned killing of all fish and castration of animals during certain periods such as Chaturmasa and Uposatha.[178][179]

Ashoka also abolished the royal hunting of animals and restricted the slaying of animals for food in the royal residence.[180] Because he banned hunting, created many veterinary clinics and eliminated meat eating on many holidays, the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka has been described as "one of the very few instances in world history of a government treating its animals as citizens who are as deserving of its protection as the human residents".[181]

## Foreign relations[edit | edit source]

File:Territories conquered by the Dharma according to Ashoka.jpg

Territories "conquered by the Dhamma" according to Major Rock Edict No.13 of Ashoka (260–218 BCE).[182][183]

It is well known that Ashoka sent dütas or emissaries to convey messages or letters, written or oral (rather both), to various people. The VIth Rock Edict about "oral orders" reveals this. It was later confirmed that it was not unusual to add oral messages to written ones, and the content of Ashoka's messages can be inferred likewise from the XIIIth Rock Edict: They were meant to spread his dhammavijaya, which he considered the highest victory and which he wished to propagate everywhere (including far beyond India). There is obvious and undeniable trace of cultural contact through the adoption of the Kharosthi script, and the idea of installing inscriptions might have travelled with this script, as Achaemenid influence is seen in some of the formulations used by Ashoka in his inscriptions. This indicates to us that Ashoka was indeed in contact with other cultures, and was an active part in mingling and spreading new cultural ideas beyond his own immediate walls.[184]

### Hellenistic world[edit | edit source]

In his rock edicts, Ashoka states that he had encouraged the transmission of Buddhism to the Hellenistic kingdoms to the west and that the Greeks in his dominion were converts to Buddhism and recipients of his envoys:

> Now it is conquest by Dhamma that Beloved-of-the-Gods considers to be the best conquest. And it (conquest by Dhamma) has been won here, on the borders, even six hundred yojanas away, where the Greek king Antiochos rules, beyond there where the four kings named Ptolemy, Antigonos, Magas and Alexander rule, likewise in the south among the Cholas, the Pandyas, and as far as Tamraparni. Here in the king's domain among the Greeks, the Kambojas, the Nabhakas, the Nabhapamktis, the Bhojas, the Pitinikas, the Andhras and the Palidas, everywhere people are following Beloved-of-the-Gods' instructions in Dhamma. Even where Beloved-of-the-Gods' envoys have not been, these people too, having heard of the practice of Dhamma and the ordinances and instructions in Dhamma given by Beloved-of-the-Gods, are following it and will continue to do so.

> — Edicts of Ashoka, Rock Edict (S. Dhammika)[185]

It is possible, but not certain, that Ashoka received letters from Greek rulers and was acquainted with the Hellenistic royal orders in the same way as he perhaps knew of the inscriptions of the Achaemenid kings, given the presence of ambassadors of Hellenistic kings in India (as well as the dütas sent by Ashoka himself).[184] Dionysius is reported to have been such a Greek ambassador at the court of Ashoka, sent by Ptolemy II Philadelphus,[186] who himself is mentioned in the Edicts of Ashoka as a recipient of the Buddhist proselytism of Ashoka. Some Hellenistic philosophers, such as Hegesias of Cyrene, who probably lived under the rule of King Magas, one of the supposed recipients of Buddhist emissaries from Asoka, are sometimes thought to have been influenced by Buddhist teachings.[187]

The Greeks in India even seem to have played an active role in the propagation of Buddhism, as some of the emissaries of Ashoka, such as Dharmaraksita, are described in Pali sources as leading Greek (Yona) Buddhist monks, active in spreading Buddhism (the Mahavamsa, XII).[188]

Some Greeks (Yavana) may have played an administrative role in the territories ruled by Ashoka. The Girnar inscription of Rudradaman records that during the rule of Ashoka, a Yavana Governor was in charge in the area of Girnar, Gujarat, mentioning his role in the construction of a water reservoir.[189]

It is thought that Ashoka's palace at Patna was modelled after the Achaemenid palace of Persepolis.[190]

## Legends about past lives[edit | edit source]

Buddhist legends mention stories about Ashoka's past lives. According to a Mahavamsa story, Ashoka, Nigrodha and Devnampiya Tissa were brothers in a previous life. In that life, a pratyekabuddha was looking for honey to cure another, sick pratyekabuddha. A woman directed him to a honey shop owned by the three brothers. Ashoka generously donated honey to the pratyekabuddha, and wished to become the sovereign ruler of Jambudvipa for this act of merit.[191] The woman wished to become his queen, and was reborn as Ashoka's wife Asandhamitta.[144] Later Pali texts credit her with an additional act of merit: she gifted the pratyekabuddha a piece of cloth made by her. These texts include the Dasavatthuppakarana, the so-called Cambodian or Extended Mahavamsa (possibly from 9th–10th centuries), and the Trai Bhumi Katha (15th century).[145]

According to an Ashokavadana story, Ashoka was born as Jaya in a prominent family of Rajagriha. When he was a little boy, he gave the Gautama Buddha dirt imagining it to be food. The Buddha approved of the donation, and Jaya declared that he would become a king by this act of merit. The text also state that Jaya's companion Vijaya was reborn as Ashoka's prime-minister Radhagupta.[192] In the later life, the Buddhist monk Upagupta tells Ashoka that his rough skin was caused by the impure gift of dirt in the previous life.[128] Some later texts repeat this story, without mentioning the negative implications of gifting dirt; these texts include Kumaralata's Kalpana-manditika, Aryashura's Jataka-mala, and the Maha-karma-vibhaga. The Chinese writer Pao Ch'eng's Shih chia ju lai ying hua lu asserts that an insignificant act like gifting dirt could not have been meritorious enough to cause Ashoka's future greatness. Instead, the text claims that in another past life, Ashoka commissioned a large number of Buddha statues as a king, and this act of merit caused him to become a great emperor in the next life.[193]

The 14th century Pali-language fairy tale Dasavatthuppakarana (possibly from c. 14th century) combines the stories about the merchant's gift of honey, and the boy's gift of dirt. It narrates a slightly different version of the Mahavamsa story, stating that it took place before the birth of the Gautama Buddha. It then states that the merchant was reborn as the boy who gifted dirt to the Buddha; however, in this case, the Buddha his attendant to Ānanda to create plaster from the dirt, which is used repair cracks in the monastery walls.[194]

## Legacy[edit | edit source]

In The Outline of History (1920), H. G. Wells wrote, "Amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesties and graciousnesses and serenities and royal highnesses and the like, the name of Ashoka shines, and shines, almost alone, a star."[195]

### Architecture[edit | edit source]

Besides the various stupas attributed to Ashoka, the pillars erected by him survive at various places in the Indian subcontinent.

Ashoka is often credited with the beginning of stone architecture in India, possibly following the introduction of stone-building techniques by the Greeks after Alexander the Great.[196] Before Ashoka's time, buildings were probably built in non-permanent material, such as wood, bamboo or thatch.[196][197] Ashoka may have rebuilt his palace in Pataliputra by replacing wooden material by stone,[198] and may also have used the help of foreign craftmen.[199] Ashoka also innovated by using the permanent qualities of stone for his written edicts, as well as his pillars with Buddhist symbolism.

* Ashok Sthamba.jpg

The Ashokan pillar at Lumbini, Nepal, Buddha's birthplace

* Diamond throne discovery.jpg

The Diamond throne at the Mahabodhi Temple, attributed to Ashoka

* Vajrasana front frieze design.jpg

Front frieze of the Diamond throne

* MauryanRingstone.JPG

Mauryan ringstone, with standing goddess. Northwest Pakistan. 3rd century BCE. British Museum

* Rampurva bull capital detail.jpg

Rampurva bull capital, detail of the abacus, with two "flame palmettes" framing a lotus surrounded by small rosette flowers.

### Symbols[edit | edit source]

Symbols of Ashoka

File:Sarnath capital.jpg

Ashoka's pillar capital of Sarnath. This sculpture has been adopted as the National Emblem of India.

File:Ashoka Chakra.svg

Ashoka Chakra, "the wheel of Righteousness" (Dharma in Sanskrit or Dhamma in Pali)"

Ashokan capitals were highly realistic and used a characteristic polished finish, Mauryan polish, giving a shiny appearance to the stone surface.[200] Lion Capital of Ashoka, the capital of one of the pillars erected by Ashoka features a carving of a spoked wheel, known as the Ashoka Chakra. This wheel represents the wheel of Dhamma set in motion by the Gautama Buddha, and appears on the flag of modern India. This capital also features sculptures of lions, which appear on the seal of India.[155]

### Inscriptions[edit | edit source]

File:AiKhanoumAndIndia.jpg

Distribution of the Edicts of Ashoka, and location of the contemporary Greek city of Ai-Khanoum.[201]

File:AsokaKandahar.jpg

The Kandahar Edict of Ashoka, a bilingual inscription (in Greek and Aramaic) by King Ashoka, discovered at Kandahar (National Museum of Afghanistan).

The edicts of Ashoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka, as well as boulders and cave walls, issued during his reign.[200] These inscriptions are dispersed throughout modern-day Pakistan and India, and represent the first tangible evidence of Buddhism. The edicts describe in detail the first wide expansion of Buddhism through the sponsorship of one of the most powerful kings of Indian history, offering more information about Ashoka's proselytism, moral precepts, religious precepts, and his notions of social and animal welfare.[202]

Before Ashoka, the royal communications appear to have been written on perishable materials such as palm leaves, birch barks, cotton cloth, and possibly wooden boards. While Ashoka's administration would have continued to use these materials, Ashoka also had his messages inscribed on rock edicts.[203] Ashoka probably got the idea of putting up these inscriptions from the neighbouring Achaemenid empire.[160] It is likely that Ashoka's messages were also inscribed on more perishable materials, such as wood, and sent to various parts of the empire. None of these records survive now.[11]

Scholars are still attempting to analyse both the expressed and implied political ideas of the Edicts (particularly in regard to imperial vision), and make inferences pertaining to how that vision was grappling with problems and political realities of a "virtually subcontinental, and culturally and economically highly variegated, 3rd century BCE Indian empire.[6] Nonetheless, it remains clear that Ashoka's Inscriptions represent the earliest corpus of royal inscriptions in the Indian subcontinent, and therefore prove to be a very important innovation in royal practices."[202]

Most of Ashoka's inscriptions are written in a mixture of various Prakrit dialects, in the Brahmi script.[204]

Several of Ashoka's inscriptions appear to have been set up near towns, on important routes, and at places of religious significance.[205] Many of the inscriptions have been discovered in hills, rock shelters, and places of local significance.[206] Various theories have been put forward about why Ashoka or his officials chose such places, including that they were centres of megalithic cultures,[207] were regarded as sacred spots in Ashoka's time, or that their physical grandeur may be symbolic of spiritual dominance.[208] Ashoka's inscriptions have not been found at major cities of the Maurya empire, such as Pataliputra, Vidisha, Ujjayini, and Taxila. [206] It is possible that many of these inscriptions are lost; the 7th century Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang refers to some of Ashoka's pillar edicts, which have not been discovered by modern researchers.[205]

It appears that Ashoka dispatched every message to his provincial governors, who in turn, relayed it to various officials in their territory.[209] For example, the Minor Rock Edict 1 appears in several versions at multiple places: all the versions state that Ashoka issued the proclamation while on a tour, having spent 256 days on tour. The number 256 indicates that the message was dispatched simultaneously to various places.[210] Three versions of a message, found at edicts in the neighbouring places in Karnataka (Brahmagiri, Siddapura, and Jatinga-Rameshwara), were sent from the southern province's capital Suvarnagiri to various places. All three versions contain the same message, preceded by an initial greeting from the arya-putra (presumably Ashoka's son and the provincial governor) and the mahamatras (officials) in Suvarnagiri.[209]

### Coinage[edit | edit source]

The caduceus appears as a symbol of the punch-marked coins of the Maurya Empire in India, in the 3rd–2nd century BCE. Numismatic research suggests that this symbol was the symbol of king Ashoka, his personal "Mudra".[211] This symbol was not used on the pre-Mauryan punch-marked coins, but only on coins of the Maurya period, together with the three arched-hill symbol, the "peacock on the hill", the triskelis and the Taxila mark.[212]

* Caduceus on Mauryan coin.jpg

Caduceus symbol on a Maurya-era punch-marked coin

* India Mauryan emperor Ashoka Punch-marked Coin.jpg

A punch-marked coin attributed to Ashoka[213]

* I15 1karshapana Maurya Ashoka MACW4229 1ar (8486624862).jpg

A Maurya-era silver coin of 1 karshapana, possibly from Ashoka's period, workshop of Mathura. Obverse: Symbols including a sun and an animal Reverse: Symbol Dimensions: 13.92 x 11.75 mm Weight: 3.4 g.

## Modern scholarship[edit | edit source]

### Rediscovery[edit | edit source]

Ashoka had almost been forgotten, but in the 19th century James Prinsep contributed in the revelation of historical sources. After deciphering the Brahmi script, Prinsep had originally identified the "Priyadasi" of the inscriptions he found with the King of Ceylon Devanampiya Tissa. However, in 1837, George Turnour discovered an important Sri Lankan manuscript (Dipavamsa, or "Island Chronicle" ) associating Piyadasi with Ashoka:

> "Two hundred and eighteen years after the beatitude of the Buddha, was the inauguration of Piyadassi, .... who, the grandson of Chandragupta, and the son of Bindusara, was at the time Governor of Ujjayani."

> — Dipavamsa.[27]

File:Rock edict- closer look.JPG

The Minor Rock Edict of Maski mentions the author as "Devanampriya Asoka", definitively linking both names, and confirming Ashoka as the author of the famous Edicts.

Since then, the association of "Devanampriya Priyadarsin" with Ashoka was confirmed through various inscriptions, and especially confirmed in the Minor Rock Edict inscription discovered in Maski, directly associating Ashoka with his regnal title Devanampriya ("Beloved-of-the-Gods"):[214][215]

> [A proclamation] of Devanampriya Asoka.
>  Two and a half years [and somewhat more] (have passed) since I am a Buddha-Sakya.
>  [A year and] somewhat more (has passed) [since] I have visited the Samgha and have shown zeal.
>  Those gods who formerly had been unmingled (with men) in Jambudvipa, have how become mingled (with them).
>  This object can be reached even by a lowly (person) who is devoted to morality.
>  One must not think thus, – (viz.) that only an exalted (person) may reach this.
>  Both the lowly and the exalted must be told : "If you act thus, this matter (will be) prosperous and of long duration, and will thus progress to one and a half.

> — Maski Minor Rock Edict of Ashoka.[216]

Another important historian was British archaeologist John Hubert Marshall, who was director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India. His main interests were Sanchi and Sarnath, in addition to Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Sir Alexander Cunningham, a British archaeologist and army engineer, and often known as the father of the Archaeological Survey of India, unveiled heritage sites like the Bharhut Stupa, Sarnath, Sanchi, and the Mahabodhi Temple. Mortimer Wheeler, a British archaeologist, also exposed Ashokan historical sources, especially the Taxila.[citation needed]

### Perceptions and historiography[edit | edit source]

The use of Buddhist sources in reconstructing the life of Ashoka has had a strong influence on perceptions of Ashoka, as well as the interpretations of his Edicts. Building on traditional accounts, early scholars regarded Ashoka as a primarily Buddhist monarch who underwent a conversion from the Vedic religion to Buddhism and was actively engaged in sponsoring and supporting the Buddhist monastic institution. Some scholars have tended to question this assessment. Romila Thappar writes about Ashoka that "We need to see him both as a statesman in the context of inheriting and sustaining an empire in a particular historical period, and as a person with a strong commitment to changing society through what might be called the propagation of social ethics."[217] The only source of information not attributable to Buddhist sources are the Ashokan Edicts, and these do not explicitly state that Ashoka was a Buddhist. In his edicts, Ashoka expresses support for all the major religions of his time: Buddhism, Brahmanism, Jainism, and Ajivikaism, and his edicts addressed to the population at large (there are some addressed specifically to Buddhists; this is not the case for the other religions) generally focus on moral themes members of all the religions would accept. For example, Amartya Sen writes, "The Indian Emperor Ashoka in the third century BCE presented many political inscriptions in favor of tolerance and individual freedom, both as a part of state policy and in the relation of different people to each other".[218]

However, the edicts alone strongly indicate that he was a Buddhist. In one edict he belittles rituals, and he banned Vedic animal sacrifices; these strongly suggest that he at least did not look to the Vedic tradition for guidance. Furthermore, many edicts are expressed to Buddhists alone; in one, Ashoka declares himself to be an "upasaka", and in another he demonstrates a close familiarity with Buddhist texts. He erected rock pillars at Buddhist holy sites, but did not do so for the sites of other religions. He also used the word "dhamma" to refer to qualities of the heart that underlie moral action; this was an exclusively Buddhist use of the word. However, he used the word more in the spirit than as a strict code of conduct. Romila Thappar writes, "His dhamma did not derive from divine inspiration, even if its observance promised heaven. It was more in keeping with the ethic conditioned by the logic of given situations. His logic of Dhamma was intended to influence the conduct of categories of people, in relation to each other. Especially where they involved unequal relationships."[217] Finally, he promotes ideals that correspond to the first three steps of the Buddha's graduated discourse.[219]

Much of the knowledge about Ashoka comes from the several inscriptions that he had carved on pillars and rocks throughout the empire. All his inscriptions present him as compassionate and loving. In the Kalinga rock edits, he addresses his people as his "children" and mentions that as a father he desires their good.[220]

### Impact of pacifism[edit | edit source]

After Ashoka's death, the Maurya dynasty declined rapidly. The various Puranas provide different details about Ashoka's successors, but all agree that they had relatively short reigns. The empire seems to have weakened, fragmented, and suffered an invasion from the Bactrian Greeks.[142]

Some historians, such as H. C. Raychaudhuri, have argued that Ashoka's pacifism undermined the "military backbone" of the Maurya empire. Others, such as Romila Thapar, have suggested that the extent and impact of his pacifism have been "grossly exaggerated".[221]

## In art, film and literature[edit | edit source]

File:Asoka's Queen.jpg

A c. 1910 painting by Abanindranath Tagore (1871–1951) depicting Ashoka's queen standing in front of the railings of the Buddhist monument at Sanchi (Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh).

* Jaishankar Prasad composed Ashoka ki Chinta (Ashoka's Anxiety), a poem that portrays Ashoka's feelings during the war on Kalinga.
* Ashoka, a 1922 Indian silent historical film about the emperor produced by Madan Theatres.[222]
* The Nine Unknown, a 1923 novel by Talbot Mundy about the "Nine Unknown Men", a fictional secret society founded by Ashoka.
* Samrat Ashok, a 1928 Indian silent film by Bhagwati Prasad Mishra.[222]
* Ashok Kumar is a 1941 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Raja Chandrasekhar. The film stars V. Nagayya as Ashoka.
* Samrat Ashok is a 1947 Indian Hindi-language film by K.B. Lall.[223]
* Uttar-Priyadarshi (The Final Beatitude), a verse-play written by poet Agyeya depicting his redemption, was adapted to stage in 1996 by theatre director, Ratan Thiyam and has since been performed in many parts of the world.[224][225]
* In 1973, Amar Chitra Katha released a graphic novel based on the life of Ashoka.
* In Piers Anthony's series of space opera novels, the main character mentions Ashoka as a model for administrators to strive for.
* Samrat Ashok is a 1992 Indian Telugu-language film about the emperor by N. T. Rama Rao with Rao also playing the titular role.[223]
* Aśoka is a 2001 epic Indian historical drama film directed and co-written by Santosh Sivan. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan as Ashoka.
* In 2002, Mason Jennings released the song "Emperor Ashoka" on his Living in the Moment EP. It is based on the life of Ashoka.
* In 2013, Christopher C. Doyle released his debut novel, The Mahabharata Secret, in which he wrote about Ashoka hiding a dangerous secret for the well-being of India.
* 2014's The Emperor's Riddles, a fiction mystery thriller novel by Satyarth Nayak, traces the evolution of Ashoka and his esoteric legend of the Nine Unknown Men.
* In 2015, Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat, a television serial by Ashok Banker, based on the life of Ashoka, began airing on Colors TV where Siddharth Nigam played the role of Ashoka.
* Bharatvarsh is an Indian television historical documentary series, hosted by actor-director Anupam Kher on Hindi news channel ABP News. The series stars Aham Sharma as Ashoka.[226]

## Notes[edit | edit source]

1. ^ The North Indian sources indicate Subhadrangi as the name of Ashoka's mother, while the Sri Lankan sources mention her as Dharma

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ^ Lahiri 2015, pp. 295–296.
2. ^ a b c d e f g Singh 2017, p. 162.
3. ^ a b Singh 2008, p. 331.
4. ^ Strong, John S. (2002–2003). Faure, Bernard (ed.). "Aśoka's Wives and the Ambiguities of Buddhist Kingship". Cahiers d'Extrême-Asie. Paris: École française d'Extrême-Orient. 13: 35–54. doi:10.3406/asie.2002.1176. eISSN 2117-6272. ISSN 0766-1177. JSTOR 44167352. Archived from the original on 8 August 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
5. ^ Thapar 1961, pp. 5–8.
6. ^ a b c d e Singh 2012, p. 132.
7. ^ Kenneth Zysk. Asceticism And Healing in Ancient India Medicine in the Buddhist Monastery. Oxford University Press, 1991, 44. Link to book.
8. ^ a b Singh 2012, p. 131.
9. ^ Strong 1995, p. 141.
10. ^ a b Thapar 1961, p. 8.
11. ^ a b Thapar 1961, p. 7.
12. ^ Thapar 1961, pp. 7–8.
13. ^ Singh 2008, pp. 331–332.
14. ^ Thapar 1961, pp. 8–9.
15. ^ Strong 1989, p. 12.
16. ^ a b c d e f g h i Strong 1995, p. 143.
17. ^ a b c d e Strong 1995, p. 144.
18. ^ Strong 1995, pp. 152–154.
19. ^ a b c Strong 1995, p. 155.
20. ^ Strong 1995, pp. 154–157.
21. ^ Thapar 1961, p. 11.
22. ^ Thapar 1995, p. 15.
23. ^ a b Thapar 1961, p. 9.
24. ^ Guruge, Review 1995, pp. 185–188.
25. ^ a b c d e f g h i Beckwith, Christopher I. (2017). Greek Buddha: Pyrrho's Encounter with Early Buddhism in Central Asia. Princeton University Press. pp. 226–250. ISBN 978-0-691-17632-1. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
26. ^ Strong 1989, p. 205.
27. ^ a b Allen 2012, p. 79.
28. ^ The Dîpavaṃsa: An Ancient Buddhist Historical Record. Williams and Norgate. 1879. pp. 147–148.
29. ^ Thapar 1961, pp. 226–227.
30. ^ a b Sircar, D. C. (1979). Asokan studies. p. 113.
31. ^ Strong 1989, p. 11.
32. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 129.
33. ^ Thapar 1961, p. 226.
34. ^ a b Lahiri 2015, p. 25.
35. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 24.
36. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 26.
37. ^ a b Thapar 1961, p. 13.
38. ^ a b Strong 1989, p. 204.
39. ^ a b Thapar 1961, pp. 25–26.
40. ^ Strong 1989, pp. 204–205.
41. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 323:"In the Ashokavadana, Ashoka's mother is not named."
42. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 31.
43. ^ a b Guruge 1993, p. 19.
44. ^ a b Mookerji 1962, p. 2.
45. ^ a b c Singh 2008, p. 332.
46. ^ Thapar 1961, p. 20.
47. ^ a b Lahiri 2015, p. 27.
48. ^ Strong 1989, p. 206.
49. ^ Strong 1989, p. 207.
50. ^ a b c d Thapar 1961, p. 21.
51. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 65.
52. ^ a b Strong 1989, p. 208.
53. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 66.
54. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 70.
55. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 66-67.
56. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 68.
57. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 67.
58. ^ Lahiri 2015, pp. 89–90.
59. ^ Allen 2012, p. 154.
60. ^ a b Guruge 1993, p. 28.
61. ^ a b Lahiri 2015, p. 98.
62. ^ Lahiri 2015, pp. 94–95.
63. ^ a b Thapar 1961, pp. 22–23.
64. ^ a b Lahiri 2015, p. 101.
65. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 97.
66. ^ Thapar 1961, pp. 24–25.
67. ^ Thapar 1961, p. 25.
68. ^ a b c d Lahiri 2015, p. 102.
69. ^ a b Strong 1989, p. 209.
70. ^ Strong 1989, p. 210.
71. ^ Allen 2012, p. 15: "Only fragments were found of the Wheel of the Moral Law, which the four lions had originally supported."
72. ^ "Lion Capital of Ashoka At Sarnath Archaeological Museum Near Varanasi India". YouTube. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
73. ^ a b c Thapar 1961, p. 26.
74. ^ a b c d Thapar 1961, p. 27.
75. ^ Thapar 1961, pp. 13–14.
76. ^ a b c d Thapar 1961, p. 14.
77. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Thapar 1961, p. 30.
78. ^ Strong 1989, pp. 12–13.
79. ^ a b c Strong 1989, p. 13.
80. ^ a b c Guruge, Unresolved 1995, p. 46.
81. ^ a b c d Thapar 1961, p. 29.
82. ^ a b Lahiri 2015, p. 105.
83. ^ a b Lahiri 2015, p. 106.
84. ^ Lahiri 2015, pp. 106–107.
85. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 107.
86. ^ Charles Drekmeier (1962). Kingship and Community in Early India. Stanford University Press. pp. 173. ISBN 978-0-8047-0114-3. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
87. ^ Indian Archaeology 1997–98 (PDF). ASI. p. Plate 72. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
88. ^ a b Guruge, Unresolved 1995, pp. 49–50.
89. ^ Smith, Vincent (1920). Asoka: The Buddhist Emperor of India . Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 185 - via Wikisource.
90. ^ a b c d e Thapar 1995, p. 18.
91. ^ a b c Thapar 1961, p. 36.
92. ^ Thapar 1961, p. 33.
93. ^ a b Guruge, Unresolved 1995, p. 38.
94. ^ Guruge, Unresolved 1995, p. 37.
95. ^ Thapar 1995, pp. 30–31.
96. ^ Guruge, Unresolved 1995, p. 56.
97. ^ Guruge, Unresolved 1995, p. 42.
98. ^ Guruge, Unresolved 1995, p. 43.
99. ^ a b Guruge, Unresolved 1995, p. 47.
100. ^ a b c Lahiri 2015, p. 109.
101. ^ a b c Gombrich 1995, p. 7.
102. ^ Thapar 1961, p. 34.
103. ^ a b Lahiri 2015, p. 110.
104. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 108.
105. ^ a b c Guruge, Unresolved 1995, p. 49.
106. ^ a b Thapar 1961, p. 35.
107. ^ a b Lahiri 2015, p. 135.
108. ^ Strong 1995, pp. 154–155.
109. ^ Mahâbodhi, Cunningham p.4ff
110. ^ Allen 2012.
111. ^ "Ashoka did build the Diamond Throne at Bodh Gaya to stand in for the Buddha and to mark the place of his enlightenment" in Ching, Francis D. K.; Jarzombek, Mark M.; Prakash, Vikramaditya (23 March 2017). A Global History of Architecture. John Wiley & Sons. p. 570\. ISBN 978-1-118-98160-3. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
112. ^ a b Strong 1995, p. 158.
113. ^ Strong 1995, p. 159.
114. ^ a b c d e Guruge, Unresolved 1995, p. 50.
115. ^ a b c Gombrich 1995, p. 8.
116. ^ a b c d e f g Guruge, Unresolved 1995, p. 51.
117. ^ Gombrich 1995, pp. 8–9.
118. ^ a b c Gombrich 1995, p. 5.
119. ^ Guruge, Unresolved 1995, p. 45.
120. ^ a b c Gombrich 1995, p. 10.
121. ^ Gombrich 1995, p. 6.
122. ^ Gombrich 1995, pp. 10–11.
123. ^ a b Gombrich 1995, p. 11.
124. ^ Gombrich 1995, pp. 11–12.
125. ^ a b Gombrich 1995, p. 12.
126. ^ Thapar 1995, p. 32.
127. ^ Thapar 1995, p. 36.
128. ^ a b c d e Strong 1995, p. 149.
129. ^ a b c d e Thapar 1961, p. 28.
130. ^ a b Strong 1989, p. 232.
131. ^ a b c Beni Madhab Barua (5 May 2010). The Ajivikas. General Books. pp. 68–69. ISBN 978-1-152-74433-2. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
132. ^ Steven L. Danver (22 December 2010). Popular Controversies in World History: Investigating History's Intriguing Questions: Investigating History's Intriguing Questions. ABC-CLIO. p. 99\. ISBN 978-1-59884-078-0. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
133. ^ Le Phuoc (March 2010). Buddhist Architecture. Grafikol. p. 32\. ISBN 978-0-9844043-0-8. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
134. ^ a b Strong 1995, p. 152.
135. ^ Strong 1995, pp. 152–153.
136. ^ Strong 1995, p. 153.
137. ^ a b Strong 1995, p. 151.
138. ^ Strong 1995, p. 165.
139. ^ Kosmin 2014, p. 36.
140. ^ Strong 1989, p. 18.
141. ^ Strong, John (2007). Relics of the Buddha. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. p. 149\. ISBN 978-81-208-3139-1. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
142. ^ a b c Singh 2008, p. 333.
143. ^ Mookerji 1962, p. 9.
144. ^ a b Strong 1995, pp. 146–147.
145. ^ a b c d Strong 1995, p. 166.
146. ^ Strong 1995, p. 167.
147. ^ Strong 1995, pp. 167–168.
148. ^ a b c Thapar 1961, p. 23.
149. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 97-98.
150. ^ Thapar 1961, p. 22.
151. ^ a b c Thapar 1961, p. 24.
152. ^ Thapar 1961, pp. 23–24.
153. ^ Thapar 1961, pp. 27–28.
154. ^ a b Hermann Kulke; Dietmar Rothermund (2004). A History of India. Psychology Press. pp. 69–70. ISBN 978-0-415-32920-0. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
155. ^ a b c Gombrich 1995, p. 1.
156. ^ Strong 1989, p. 15.
157. ^ a b Strong 1995, p. 142.
158. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 134.
159. ^ Guruge, Unresolved 1995, pp. 43–44.
160. ^ a b c d e f Gombrich 1995, p. 3.
161. ^ Thapar 1995, pp. 19–20.
162. ^ a b Guruge, Unresolved 1995, p. 44.
163. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 157.
164. ^ Thapar 1995, p. 29.
165. ^ a b c d e f g Strong 1989, p. 4.
166. ^ Thapar 1961, p. 37.
167. ^ Thapar 1995, p. 19.
168. ^ Thapar 1995, pp. 20–21.
169. ^ Thapar 1995, p. 20.
170. ^ a b Thapar 1995, p. 31.
171. ^ Thapar 1995, pp. 21–22.
172. ^ a b c Strong 1989, pp. 3–4.
173. ^ Strong 1989, p. 5.
174. ^ Strong 1989, pp. 6–9.
175. ^ Strong 1989, pp. 9–10.
176. ^ Fitzgerald 2004, p. 120.
177. ^ Simoons, Frederick J. (1994). Eat Not This Flesh: Food Avoidances from Prehistory to the Present (2nd ed.). Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. p. 108\. ISBN 978-0-299-14254-4. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
178. ^ "The Edicts of King Asoka". Translated by Dhammika, Ven. S. Buddhist Publication Society. 1994. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016.
179. ^ D.R. Bhandarkar, R. G. Bhandarkar (2000). Asoka. Asian Educational Services. pp. 314–315. ISBN 9788120613331. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
180. ^ Gerald Irving A. Dare Draper; Michael A. Meyer; H. McCoubrey (1998). Reflections on Law and Armed Conflicts: The Selected Works on the Laws of War by the Late Professor Colonel G.I.A.D. Draper, Obe. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. p. 44\. ISBN 978-90-411-0557-8. Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
181. ^ Phelps, Norm (2007). The Longest Struggle: Animal Advocacy from Pythagoras to Peta. Lantern Books. ISBN 978-1590561065.
182. ^ Kosmin 2014, p. 57.
183. ^ Thomas Mc Evilly "The shape of ancient thought", Allworth Press, New York, 2002, p.368
184. ^ a b Oskar von Hinüber (2010). "Did Hellenistic Kings Send Letters to Aśoka?". Journal of the American Oriental Society. Freiburg. 130 (2): 262–265.
185. ^ The Edicts of King Ashoka: an English rendering by Ven. S. Dhammika Archived 10 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Access to Insight: Readings in Theravāda Buddhism. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
186. ^ "Pliny the Elder, "The Natural History", 6, 21". Archived from the original on 28 July 2013.
187. ^ Preus, Anthony (2015). Historical Dictionary of Ancient Greek Philosophy. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 184\. ISBN 978-1-4422-4639-3. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
188. ^ Full text of the Mahavamsa Click chapter XII Archived 5 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine
189. ^ The Idea of Ancient India: Essays on Religion, Politics, and Archaeology by Upinder Singh p.18 Archived 29 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine
190. ^ De la Croix, Horst; Tansey, Richard G.; Kirkpatrick, Diane (1991). Gardner's Art Through the Ages (9th ed.). Thomson/Wadsworth. p. 428. ISBN 0-15-503769-2.
191. ^ Strong 1995, p. 146.
192. ^ Strong 1995, p. 147.
193. ^ Strong 1995, p. 163.
194. ^ Strong 1995, p. 163-165.
195. ^ Nayanjot Lahiri (5 August 2015). Ashoka in Ancient India. Harvard University Press. pp. 20–. ISBN 978-0-674-91525-1. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
196. ^ a b Introduction to Indian Architecture Bindia Thapar, Tuttle Publishing, 2012, p.21 Archived 29 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine "Ashoka used the knowledge of stone craft to begin the tradition of stone architecture in India, dedicated to Buddhism."
197. ^ Kleiner, Fred S. (5 January 2009). Gardner's Art through the Ages: Non-Western Perspectives, Fred S. Kleiner, Cengage Learning, 2009, p14. ISBN 9780495573678. Archived from the original on 26 December 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
198. ^ Mookerji 1962, p. 96.
199. ^ "Ashoka was known to be a great builder who may have even imported craftsmen from abroad to build royal monuments." Monuments, Power and Poverty in India: From Ashoka to the Raj, A. S. Bhalla, I.B.Tauris, 2015 p.18 [1] Archived 26 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine
200. ^ a b Irwin, John (1973). "'Aśokan' Pillars: A Reassessment of the Evidence". The Burlington Magazine. 115 (848): 706–720. ISSN 0007-6287.
201. ^ Reference: "India: The Ancient Past" p.113, Burjor Avari, Routledge, ISBN 0-415-35615-6
202. ^ a b Singh 2012.
203. ^ Lahiri 2015, pp. 120–121.
204. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 126.
205. ^ a b Thapar 1961, p. 6.
206. ^ a b Lahiri 2015, p. 143.
207. ^ Thapar 1995, p. 23.
208. ^ Lahiri 2015, pp. 143–157.
209. ^ a b Lahiri 2015, p. 127.
210. ^ Lahiri 2015, p. 133.
211. ^ Indian Numismatics, Damodar Dharmanand Kosambi, Orient Blackswan, 1981, p.73 [2] Archived 15 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine
212. ^ Malwa Through the Ages, from the Earliest Times to 1305 A.D, Kailash Chand Jain, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., 1972, p.134 [3] Archived 24 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine
213. ^ Mitchiner, Michael (1978). Oriental Coins & Their Values: The Ancient and Classical World 600 B.C. - A.D. 650. Hawkins Publications. p. 544\. ISBN 978-0-9041731-6-1.
214. ^ The Cambridge Shorter History of India. CUP Archive. p. 42\. Archived from the original on 25 December 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
215. ^ Gupta, Subhadra Sen (2009). Ashoka. Penguin UK. p. 13\. ISBN 9788184758078. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
216. ^ Inscriptions of Asoka. New Edition by E. Hultzsch (in Sanskrit). 1925. pp. 174–175.
217. ^ a b Thappar, Romila (13 November 2009). "Ashoka – A Retrospective". Economic and Political Weekly. 44 (45): 31–37.
218. ^ Sen, Amartya (Summer 1998). "Universal Truths and the Westernizing Illusion". Harvard International Review. 20 (3): 40–43.
219. ^ Richard Robinson, Willard Johnson, and Thanissaro Bhikkhu, Buddhist Religions, fifth ed., Wadsworth 2005, page 59.
220. ^ The Edicts of King Ashoka Archived 28 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine, English translation (1993) by Ven. S. Dhammika. ISBN 955-24-0104-6. Retrieved 21 February 2009
221. ^ Singh 2012, p. 131, 143.
222. ^ a b R. K. Verma (2000). Filmography: Silent Cinema, 1913-1934. M. Verma. p. 150\. ISBN 978-81-7525-224-0. Archived from the original on 2 October 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
223. ^ a b Ashish Rajadhyaksha; Paul Willemen (10 July 2014). Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. Taylor & Francis. p. 43\. ISBN 978-1-135-94325-7. Archived from the original on 10 March 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
224. ^ Jefferson, Margo (27 October 2000). "Next Wave Festival Review; In Stirring Ritual Steps, Past and Present Unfold". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 31 June 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2018. `{{cite news}}`: Check date values in: `|archive-date=` (help)
225. ^ Renouf, Renee (December 2000). "Review: Uttarpriyadarshi". Balletco. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012.
226. ^ "'Bharatvarsh' – ABP News brings a captivating saga of legendary Indians with Anupam Kher". 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016.

### Bibliography[edit | edit source]

* Allen, Charles (2012). Ashoka: The Search for India's Lost Emperor. Hachette. ISBN 978-1-408-70388-5. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
* Bentley, Jerry (1993). Old World Encounters: Cross-Cultural Contacts and Exchanges in Pre-Modern Times. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195076400.
* Fitzgerald, James L., ed. (2004). The Mahabharata. Vol. 7\. The University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-25250-7. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
* Gombrich, Richard (1995). "Aśoka – The Great Upāsaka". In Anuradha Seneviratna (ed.). King Aśoka and Buddhism: Historical and Literary Studies. Buddhist Publication Society. ISBN 978-955-24-0065-0. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
* Guruge, Ananda W. P. (1993). Aśoka, the Righteous: A Definitive Biography. Central Cultural Fund. ISBN 978-955-9226-00-0. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
* Guruge, Ananda W. P. (1995). "Emperor Aśoka and Buddhism: Unresolved Discrepancies between Buddhist Tradition & Aśokan Inscriptions". In Anuradha Seneviratna (ed.). King Aśoka and Buddhism: Historical and Literary Studies. Buddhist Publication Society. ISBN 978-955-24-0065-0. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
* Guruge, Ananda W. P. (1995). "Emperor Aśoka's Place in History: A Review of Prevalent Opinions". In Anuradha Seneviratna (ed.). King Aśoka and Buddhism: Historical and Literary Studies. Buddhist Publication Society. ISBN 978-955-24-0065-0. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
* Kosmin, Paul J. (2014), The Land of the Elephant Kings: Space, Territory, and Ideology in Seleucid Empire, Harvard University Press, ISBN 978-0-674-72882-0, archived from the original on 8 May 2021, retrieved 24 September 2018
* Lahiri, Nayanjot (2015). Ashoka in Ancient India. Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674057777. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
* Mookerji, Radhakumud (1962). Aśoka (3rd revised ed.). Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0582-8. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
* Singh, Upinder (2017). Political Violence in Ancient India. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-97527-9. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
* Singh, Upinder (2008). A history of ancient and early medieval India : from the Stone Age to the 12th century. New Delhi: Pearson Education. ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
* Singh, Upinder (2012). "Governing the State and the Self: Political Philosophy and Practice in the Edicts of Aśoka". South Asian Studies. University of Delhi. 28 (2): 131–145. doi:10.1080/02666030.2012.725581. S2CID 143362618.
* Strong, John S. (1995). "Images of Aśoka: Some Indian and Sri Lankan Legends and their Development". In Anuradha Seneviratna (ed.). King Aśoka and Buddhism: Historical and Literary Studies. Buddhist Publication Society. ISBN 978-955-24-0065-0. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
* Strong, John S. (1989). The Legend of King Aśoka: A Study and Translation of the Aśokāvadāna. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0616-0. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
* Thapar, Romila (1995). "Aśoka and Buddhism as Reflected in the Aśokan Edicts". In Anuradha Seneviratna (ed.). King Aśoka and Buddhism: Historical and Literary Studies. Buddhist Publication Society. ISBN 978-955-24-0065-0. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
* Thapar, Romila (1961). Aśoka and the Decline of the Mauryas. Oxford University Press. OCLC 736554. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
* Thapar, Romila (1980) [First published 1961]. Aśoka and the Decline of the Mauryas (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. OCLC 736554. SBN 19-660379 6.

## Further reading[edit | edit source]

* Harry Falk (2006). Aśokan Sites and Artefacts: A Source-book with Bibliography. Von Zabern. ISBN 978-3-8053-3712-0.
* Patrick Olivelle; Janice Leoshko; Himanshu Prabha Ray (2012). Reimagining Asoka: Memory and History. Oxford University Press India. ISBN 978-0-19-807800-5.
* E. Hultzsch (1925). Inscriptions of Asoka: New Edition. Government of India.
* Rongxi, Li (1993). The Biographical Scripture of King Aśoka: Translated from the Chinese of Saṃghapāla (PDF). Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research. ISBN 978-0-9625618-4-9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2022.
* Nikam, N. A.; McKeon, Richard (1959). The Edicts of Aśoka. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
* James Merry MacPhail (1918). Asoka. London: Oxford University Press.

## External links[edit | edit source]

* Media related to Ashoka at Wikimedia Commons
* File:Wikiquote-logo.svg Quotations related to Ashoka at Wikiquote
* Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Asoka" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
* Ashoka at Curlie
* BBC Radio 4: Sunil Khilnani, Incarnations: Ashoka.
* BBC Radio 4: Melvyn Bragg with Richard Gombrich et al., In Our Time, Ashoka the Great.

Edicts of Ashoka
(Ruled 269-232 BCE)

Regnal years
of Ashoka  | Type of Edict
(and location of the inscriptions)  | Geographical location
Year 8  | End of the Kalinga War and conversion to the "Dharma" |

Ashoka is located in South Asia

Bahapur

Bahapur

Gujarra

Gujarra

Saru Maru

Saru Maru

Udegolam

Udegolam

Nittur

Nittur

Maski

Maski

Siddapur

Siddapur

Brahmagiri

Brahmagiri

Jatinga

Jatinga

Pakilgundu

Pakilgundu

Rajula Mandagiri

Rajula Mandagiri

Yerragudi

Yerragudi

Sasaram

Sasaram

Rupnath

Rupnath

Bairat

Bairat

Bhabru

Bhabru

Ahraura

Ahraura

Barabar

Barabar

Taxila (Aramaic)

Taxila
(Aramaic)

Laghman (Aramaic)

Laghman
(Aramaic)

Maski Palkigundu Gavimath Jatinga/Rameshwara

Maski
Palkigundu
Gavimath
Jatinga/Rameshwara

Rajula/Mandagiri Brahmagiri Udegolam Siddapur Nittur

Rajula/Mandagiri
Brahmagiri
Udegolam
Siddapur
Nittur

Ahraura Sasaram

Ahraura
Sasaram

Kandahar (Greek and Aramaic)

Kandahar
(Greek and Aramaic)

Kandahar

Kandahar

Yerragudi

Yerragudi

Girnar

Girnar

Dhauli

Dhauli

Khalsi

Khalsi

Sopara

Sopara

Jaugada

Jaugada

Shahbazgarhi

Shahbazgarhi

Mansehra

Mansehra

Sannati

Sannati

Sarnath

Sarnath

Sanchi

Sanchi

Lumbini Nigali Sagar

Lumbini
Nigali Sagar

Nigali Sagar

Nigali Sagar

Nandangarh

Nandangarh

Kosambi

Kosambi

Topra

Topra

MeerutFile:7 Local Superclusters (blank 2).png

MeerutFile:7 Local Superclusters (blank 2).png

Araraj

Araraj

Araraj,Rampurva

Araraj,Rampurva

Rampurva

Rampurva

Ai Khanoum
(Greek city)

Pataliputra

Ujjain

class=notpageimage|

File:Orange ff8040 pog.svg Location of the Minor Rock Edicts (Edicts 1, 2 & 3)
File:Purple pog.svg Other inscriptions often classified as Minor Rock Edicts.
File:Brown pog.svg Location of the Major Rock Edicts.
File:Orange F79A18.svg Location of the Minor Pillar Edicts.
File:Brown 5C3317.svg Original location of the Major Pillar Edicts.
File:Red pog.svg Capital cities

Year 10[1] | Minor Rock Edicts | Related events:
Visit to the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya
Construction of the Mahabodhi Temple and Diamond throne in Bodh Gaya
Predication throughout India.
Dissenssions in the Sangha
Third Buddhist Council
In Indian language: Sohgaura inscription
Erection of the Pillars of Ashoka
Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription
(in Greek and Aramaic, Kandahar)
Minor Rock Edicts in Aramaic:
Laghman Inscription, Taxila inscription
Year 11 and later  | Minor Rock Edicts (n°1, n°2 and n°3)
(Panguraria, Maski, Palkigundu and Gavimath, Bahapur/Srinivaspuri, Bairat, Ahraura, Gujarra, Sasaram, Rajula Mandagiri, Yerragudi, Udegolam, Nittur, Brahmagiri, Siddapur, Jatinga-Rameshwara)
Year 12 and later[1] | Barabar Caves inscriptions | Major Rock Edicts
Minor Pillar Edicts | Major Rock Edicts in Greek: Edicts n°12-13 (Kandahar)

Major Rock Edicts in Indian language:
Edicts No.1 ~ No.14
(in Kharoshthi script: Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra Edicts
(in Brahmi script: Kalsi, Girnar, Sopara, Sannati, Yerragudi, Delhi Edicts)
Major Rock Edicts 1–10, 14, Separate Edicts 1&2:
(Dhauli, Jaugada)
Schism Edict, Queen's Edict
(Sarnath Sanchi Allahabad)
Lumbini inscription, Nigali Sagar inscription
Year 26, 27
and later[1] | Major Pillar Edicts
In Indian language:
Major Pillar Edicts No.1 ~ No.7
(Allahabad pillar Delhi-Meerut Delhi-Topra Rampurva Lauria Nandangarh Lauriya-Araraj Amaravati)

Derived inscriptions in Aramaic, on rock:
Kandahar, Edict No.7[2][3] and Pul-i-Darunteh, Edict No.5 or No.7[3]

1. ^ a b c Yailenko,Les maximes delphiques d'Aï Khanoum et la formation de la doctrine du dhamma d'Asoka, 1990, p. 243 Archived 12 June 2019 at the Wayback Machine.
2. ^ Inscriptions of Asoka de D.C. Sircar p. 30 Archived 19 April 2022 at the Wayback Machine
3. ^ a b Handbuch der Orientalistik de Kurt A. Behrendt p. 39 Archived 9 April 2022 at the Wayback Machine

* v
* t
* e

Topics in Buddhism

* Outline Outline
* Glossary
* Index

Foundations|

* Four Noble Truths
* Three Jewels
* Buddha
* Dharma
* Sangha
* Noble Eightfold Path
* Nirvana
* Middle Way

The Buddha|

* Tathāgata
* Birthday
* Four sights
* Eight Great Events
* Great Renunciation
* Physical characteristics
* Life of Buddha in art
* Footprint
* Relics
* Iconography in Laos and Thailand
* Films
* Miracles
* Family
* Suddhodāna (father)
* Māyā (mother)
* Mahapajapati Gotamī (aunt, adoptive mother)
* Yaśodharā (wife)
* Rāhula (son)
* Ānanda (cousin)
* Devadatta (cousin)
* Places where the Buddha stayed
* Buddha in world religions

Bodhisattvas|

* Avalokiteśvara
* Guanyin
* Mañjuśrī
* Mahāsthāmaprāpta
* Ākāśagarbha
* Kṣitigarbha
* Samantabhadra
* Vajrapāṇi
* Skanda
* Tārā
* Metteyya/Maitreya

Disciples|

* Kaundinya
* Assaji
* Sāriputta
* Mahamoggallāna
* Ānanda
* Mahākassapa
* Aṅgulimāla
* Anuruddha
* Mahākaccana
* Nanda
* Subhūti
* Punna
* Upāli
* Mahapajapati Gotamī
* Khema
* Uppalavanna
* Asita
* Channa
* Yasa

Key concepts|

* Avidyā (Ignorance)
* Bardo
* Bodhicitta
* Buddha-nature
* Dhamma theory
* Dharma
* Enlightenment
* Five hindrances
* Indriya
* Karma
* Kleshas
* Mental factors
* Mindstream
* Parinirvana
* Pratītyasamutpāda
* Rebirth
* Saṃsāra
* Saṅkhāra
* Skandha
* Śūnyatā
* Taṇhā (Craving)
* Tathātā
* Ten Fetters
* Three marks of existence
* Anicca
* Dukkha
* Anatta
* Two truths doctrine

Cosmology|

* Ten spiritual realms
* Six realms
* Deva realm
* Human realm
* Asura realm
* Hungry Ghost realm
* Animal realm
* Naraka
* Three planes of existence

Branches|

* Mahayana
* Zen
* Chinese Chan
* Japanese Zen
* Korean Seon
* Vietnamese Thiền
* Pure Land
* Tiantai
* Huayan
* Risshū
* Nichiren
* Madhyamaka
* Yogachara
* Vajrayana
* Tibetan Buddhism
* Chinese Esoteric Buddhism
* Shingon
* Dzogchen
* Theravada
* Navayana
* Early Buddhist schools
* Pre-sectarian Buddhism
* Basic points unifying Theravāda and Mahāyāna

Practices|

* Bhavana
* Bodhipakkhiyādhammā
* Brahmavihara
* Mettā
* Karuṇā
* Mudita
* Upekkha
* Buddhābhiṣeka
* Dāna
* Devotion
* Deity yoga
* Dhyāna
* Faith
* Five Strengths
* Iddhipada
* Meditation
* Mantras
* Kammaṭṭhāna
* Recollection
* Smarana
* Anapanasati
* Samatha
* Vipassanā (Vipassana movement)
* Shikantaza
* Zazen
* Koan
* Ganana
* Mandala
* Tonglen
* Tantra
* Tertön
* Terma
* Merit
* Mindfulness
* Mindful Yoga
* Satipatthana
* Nekkhamma
* Pāramitā
* Paritta
* Puja
* Offerings
* Prostration
* Chanting
* Refuge
* Sādhu
* Satya
* Sacca
* Seven Factors of Enlightenment
* Sati
* Dhamma vicaya
* Pīti
* Passaddhi
* Śīla
* Five precepts
* Eight precepts
* Bodhisattva vow
* Pratimokṣa
* Threefold Training
* Śīla
* Samadhi
* Prajñā
* Vīrya
* Four Right Exertions
* Twenty-two vows of Ambedkar

Nirvana|

* Bodhi
* Bodhisattva
* Buddhahood
* Pratyekabuddha
* Four stages of enlightenment
* Sotāpanna
* Sakadagami
* Anāgāmi
* Arhat

Monasticism|

* Bhikkhu
* Bhikkhunī
* Śrāmaṇera
* Śrāmaṇerī
* Anagārika
* Ajahn
* Sayadaw
* Zen master
* Rōshi
* Lama
* Rinpoche
* Geshe
* Tulku
* Kappiya
* Donchee
* Householder
* Upāsaka and Upāsikā
* Achar
* Śrāvaka
* The ten principal disciples
* Shaolin Monastery

Major figures|

* Gautama Buddha
* Buddhaghosa
* Nagasena
* Bodhidharma
* Nagarjuna
* Asanga
* Vasubandhu
* Buddhapālita
* Atiśa
* Padmasambhāva
* Aśvaghoṣa
* Kumārajīva
* Nichiren
* B. R. Ambedkar
* Songtsen Gampo
* Emperor Wen of Sui
* Dalai Lama
* Panchen Lama
* Karmapa
* Saraha
* Shamarpa
* Thích Nhất Hạnh
* Naropa
* Xuanzang
* Zhiyi

Texts|

* Early Buddhist Texts
* Tripiṭaka
* Mahayana sutras
* Pāli Canon
* Chinese Buddhist canon
* Tibetan Buddhist canon
* Dhammapada
* Sutra
* Vinaya
* Madhyamakālaṃkāra
* Abhidharmadīpa

Countries|

* Afghanistan
* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* Cambodia
* China
* India
* Indonesia
* Japan
* Korea
* Laos
* Malaysia
* Maldives
* Mongolia
* Myanmar
* Nepal
* Pakistan
* Philippines
* Russia
* Kalmykia
* Buryatia
* Singapore
* Sri Lanka
* Taiwan
* Thailand
* Tibet
* Vietnam
* Middle East
* Iran
* Western countries
* Argentina
* Australia
* Brazil
* France
* United Kingdom
* United States
* Venezuela

History|

* Timeline
* Ashoka
* Kanishka
* Buddhist councils
* History of Buddhism in India
* Decline of Buddhism in India
* Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution
* Greco-Buddhism
* Menander I
* Buddhism and the Roman world
* Buddhism in the West
* Silk Road transmission of Buddhism
* Persecution of Buddhists
* Banishment of Buddhist monks from Nepal
* Buddhist crisis
* Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism
* Buddhist modernism
* Vipassana movement
* 969 Movement
* Women in Buddhism

Philosophy|

* Abhidharma
* Atomism
* Buddhology
* Creator
* Buddhism and democracy
* Economics
* Eight Consciousnesses
* Engaged Buddhism
* Eschatology
* Ethics
* Evolution
* Humanism
* Logic
* Reality
* Secular Buddhism
* Socialism
* The unanswered questions

Culture|

* Architecture
* Temple
* Vihāra
* Kyaung
* Wat
* Ordination hall
* Stupa
* Pagoda
* Burmese pagoda
* Candi
* Dzong architecture
* List of Buddhist architecture in China
* Japanese Buddhist architecture
* Korean Buddhist temples
* Thai temple art and architecture
* Tibetan Buddhist architecture
* Art
* Greco-Buddhist
* Bodhi Tree
* Budai
* Buddha in art
* Calendar
* Cuisine
* Funeral
* Holidays
* Vesak
* Uposatha
* Māgha Pūjā
* Asalha Puja
* Vassa
* Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
* Kasaya
* Mahabodhi Temple
* Mantra
* Om mani padme hum
* Mudra
* Music
* Pilgrimage
* Lumbini
* Maya Devi Temple
* Bodh Gaya
* Sarnath
* Kushinagar
* Poetry
* Prayer beads
* Hama Yumi
* Prayer wheel
* Symbolism
* Dharmachakra
* Flag
* Bhavacakra
* Swastika
* Thangka
* Temple of the Tooth
* Vegetarianism

Miscellaneous|

* Abhijñā
* Amitābha
* Brahmā
* Dharma talk
* Hinayana
* Kalpa
* Koliya
* Lineage
* Māra
* Ṛddhi
* Siddhi
* Sacred languages
* Pāḷi
* Sanskrit

Comparison|

* Baháʼí Faith
* Christianity
* Influences
* Comparison
* East Asian religions
* Gnosticism
* Hinduism
* Jainism
* Judaism
* Psychology
* Science
* Theosophy
* Violence
* Western philosophy

Lists|

* Bodhisattvas
* Buddhas
* Buddhists
* Suttas
* Sutras
* Temples
* Festivals

* Category

*[c.]: circa
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template