Emperor Ashok & Buddhism

Ashoka the Great was one of the greatest emperors of India. He ruled from 268 to 232 BCE and his empire stretched from Kandhar, Taxila to Assam, Bengal and from Odisha, Maharashtra to Gujrat on western coast of India. Capital of his Magadha empire was Patliputra or modern Patna and provincial capitals were Ujjaini modern day Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and Taxila in modern Pakistan. The name Ashoka is also spelled as Ashok, Asoka or  Asok. The word Asok means 'free of sorrow'.

On his rock edicts he is referred in ancient Pali language as Devanampiya Piyadassi Raja( Sanskrit Devanampriya Priyadarshi Raja ) meaning 'beloved of gods, he who regards everyone with affection' raja. He is also referred to, in his rock edicts as Chakavatin Raja ( Sanskrit- Chakravarti Raja, a universal king).

Mauryan Dynasty 

Mauryan Dynasty was established by Chandragupta Maurya who raised an army with the help of Chanakya to overthrow Nanda Empire in 322 BCE. He went on to defeat Seleucus I and other satraps left by Alexander the Great on the west side of river Indus. After Chandragupta his son Bindusara and grandson Ashoka continued to expand and consolidate the empire. Mauryan Dynasty ran as under (figures are years Before Common Era0:

Chandragupta ( 322-297 ), Bindusara ( 297- 268 ), Ashoka ( 268-232 ), Dasharatha ( 232-224 ), Samprati ( 224-215 ), Shalishuka ( 215-202 ), Devavarman ( 202-195 ), Shatadhanvan ( 195-187 ) and Brihadratha ( 187-180 ) .

The Mauryan Dynasty started with Chandragupta Maurya overthrowing Dhana Nanda of Nanda empire and ended with killing of Mauryan King Brihadratha by his Senapati(general) Pushyamitra Shunga.  

Maximum extent of the Mauryan Empire, as shown by the location of Ashokan rock edicts and visualized by historians: Vincent Arthur Smith, R.C.Majumdar and historical geographer Joseph E. Schwartzberg, courtesy Wikipedia

The Prince Ashoka

Not much is known of Ashoka's early life including his definite date of birth. He was probably born in Patliputra to king Bindusara and queen Subhadrangi or Dhamma. As young prince he was made governor of Avantika with capital at Ujjaini modern day Ujjain. Here he had married Devi, daughter of wealthy merchant and a Buddhist follower. Son Mahinda and a daughter Sanghamitta ( names in Sanskrit are Mahendra and Sanghmitra) were born to them. During this period a rebellion broke out in Taxila where his elder brother Susim was posted as governor and who was unable to control the situation. Ashoka was quickly despatched by the king to Taxila. He crushed the rebellion with a heavy hand.

His ascension to the throne of Magadh Empire came in 268 BCE though there is no record of it and scholars have different views about this. It could be anytime between 265 to 272 BCE. During the period there seems to have been power struggle and Ashoka became the emperor of Magadh by violent means and many killings in royal family. 

Sources of information

Some of the information comes from Sanskrit texts such as Ashokavadana and Divyavadana. Some information is available in Chinese texts A-yu wang chuan and A-yu wang ching. Pali Language texts preserved in Sri Lanka which also mention Ashoka are Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, Vamsattapakasini and Samanta-pasadika. Buddhist legends about Ashoka find mention in many other languages viz, Tibetan, Burmese, Singhalese, Thai, Lao and Khatonese which are based mostly on ancient Sanskrit and Pali texts. 

Some other texts such as Arthshastra and 'Indica' by Greek ambassador Magasthanese  provide supplementary information.

Besides literature there are coins, rock edicts, pillars and cave inscriptions which shed light on Devanampriya Priyadarshi Raja. Archeological discoveries of Buddhist Stupas and Chaityas constructed during his reign also supplement the information on arts, culture and society of that time.

Rock and Pillar Edicts  

Ashoka conveyed his messages based on teachings of Buddha to the public by using inscriptions on rocks and pillars in many places in Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. These inscriptions proclaim adherence of Ashoka to Buddhist teachings. The pillars were called Dhamma-thamba in Pali and were built in or near Buddhis monasteries. Language used is Prakrit and scripts are in Brahmi, Greek, Kharoshti and Armaic. 

Major Rock Edicts are: 1. Kandahar edicts one in Greek script and other in Greek-Aramaic scripts, 2. Shahbaz Garhi, Pakistan in Kharoshti script, 3. Mansehra, Pakistan in Kharoshti script, 4. Kalsi, Dehradun, 5. Girnar, Gujrat, 6. Sopara, Maharashtra two fragmented edicts, 7. Dhauli, Odisha, 8. Jaugada, Odisha, 9. Sannati, Karnataka two separate edicts and two fragmented edicts and 10. Yerragudi, Andhra having major and minor edicts.

Major Pillar Edicts are : 1, Kandahar, Afghanistan, 2. Ranigat, Pakistan, 3. Delhi-Meerut pillar now in Delhi, 4. Delhi-Topra pillar now in Delhi, 5. Vishali, Bihar 6. Rampurva Bihar and 7. Lauriya-Araraj, Bihar. Two minor pillar edicts are in Lumbini, Nepal and one each in Sanchi, Sarnath and Prayagraj.  These pillars are the earliest known stone sculptures of 3rd century BCE. Two examples of rock and pillar edicts are given here under, both showing inclination of Ashoka in Buddhist teachings.

Minor Rock Edict Number 3 was discovered in Bhairat now called Virat Nagar in Rajasthan. Language of the edict is Prakrit and script Brahmi on a granite block. It reads: 

"Magadha king Piyadasin having saluted ( Buddhist ) Sangha hopes they are both well and comfortable. It is known to you, Sirs, how great is my reverence and faith in the Buddha, The Dharma and the Sangha. Whatever, Sirs, has been spoken by the blessed Buddha, all that is well spoken".

A minor pillar edict was discovered in Nigalihawa near Lumbini, Nepal where Ashoka visited in 249 BCE and erected the pillar. It was discovered in 1893 and is also known as Nigali Sagar Pillar Edict. The inscription reads as under:

"King Piyadasin in the 14th year of his reign enlarged for the second time the stupa of Buddha Kanakamuni and in 20th year of his reign, having come in person, paid reverence and set up a stone pillar". 

The King Ashoka

Father of King Bindusar fell ill Ashoka returned to Patliputra. Ashoka was not in consideration as successor to King Bindusar as six other brothers had claim on the throne. Ashoka was ambitious and adopted violent means to ascend the thorn. In various texts many stories have been mentioned about killings of six legitimate claimants. Some texts mention killing of 99 brothers, cousins and supporters of royal families by Ashoka or ordered by him. Year of Ashoka becoming a king also differs in various texts.

After becoming king Ashoka began expansion and consolidation of Magadha Empire. In 8th year of his reign, Ashoka attacked Kalinga with tremendous force. Kalinga was a prosperous state and had been under Nanda rule previously. Grandfather of Ashoka Chandragupta Maurya, had also attacked Kalinga but was repulsed. This time huge number of soldiers estimated to be 600,000 fought fierce war. This deadliest war was fought in Dhauli Hills in present day Odisha. Ashoka won but more than 250000 lost their lives. Thousands were seriously wounded and captured. Ashoka saw the battle field and was filled with remorse and sorrow. Rock Edict 13 reads as under: 

"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".

From Chandasoka to Dhammasoka 

Many Buddhist texts mention Ashoka as 'Chanda' or 'cruel Asoka' because of killings of brothers and cousins to get to the throne and for waging devastating war on Kalinga. After the war he called many religious gurus in order to find a way out of his sorrow. One day he found Nigrodha on the streets of Patliputra. Nigrodha was a Buddhist monk and nephew of the Ashoka. Ashoka had killed father of Nigrodha in his attempt to become king. However, Nigrodha was calm and fearless. Ashoka did not recognize him but was impressed and asked Nigrodha to teach him. Nigrodha offered him sermons. Ashoka later visited a Buddhist shrine Kukkutrama where he met monk Moggalaputta Tissa who happened to be his cousin. Ashoka then became a Buddhist Upasaka. 

Another story In Divyavadana states that Ashoka met a merchant turned monk Samudra, who helped him become a follower of Buddha. He thus became a Dharmasoka from Chandasoka. 

Ashoka went for a pilgrimage and later created 84000 Buddhist edicts, pillars, stupas, chaityas and Viharas. The figure 84000 seems high and difficult to verify. Nevertheless lots of these architectural marvels have survived to tell the stories about Ashoka and his administration.

Third Buddhist Council 

He spent lots of funds on helping, clothing and feeding monks and religious institutions. This led to rise in corrupt practices and mushrooming of fake monks and heretics. With the help of Moggaliputta Tissa he cleaned up institutions and got rid of malpractices. Thousands of fake monks were defrocked. 

A Council of one thousand Buddhist Monks was called in 247 BCE at Ashokarama in Patliputra. Monk Tissa presided over the proceedings which went on for nine months. In order to refute doctrinal heresy and wrong interpretations, Tissa wrote a book Kathavatthu. This book forms fifth part of scriptures in Abhidhamma Pitaka and reaffirms Theravadian views of Buddhism.

 Buddhist Missions 

Ashoka decided to spread the teachings of Buddha through missionary activities. He along with Tissa formed nine groups each having a senior monk and five other monks and despatched them to various borders as under: 

1. Mahendra and Sanghmittra to Sri Lanka, 

2. Majjhantika to Kashmir and Kandahar. 

3. Maharakhita to Land of Yonas the Greeks, 

4. Majjhima to Himalayan areas, 

5. Dharamrakshita to central India, 

6. Mahadeva to Mahisamandala (Mysore ),

7. Mahadhammarakshita to Maharashtra, 

8. Rakhita to North Kannada and 

9. Sona and Uttara to Lower Burma and Thailand. As a result of these missions Buddhism spread at a fast pace in many south Asian countries.  

Rock edict 13 states that Ashoka won a 'Dharma victory' by sending missions to five kings and many countries. 

Stupas 

Following stupas were constructed or reconstructed by Ashoka: 

1. Sanchi Stupa MP, 

2. Sarnath Stupa UP, 

3. Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, Bihar, 

4. Nalanda Mahavihara, Bihar some portions, 

5.Taxila University Pakistan some portions, 

6. Bhir Mound Pakistan reconstructed, 

7. Bharhut Stupa, MP, 

8. Deorkothar Stupa, MP, 

9. Butkara Stupa, Swat, Pakistan, 

10. Sannati Stupa, Karnataka and 

11. Mir Rukun Stupa Nawabshah, Pakistan. 

Propagation of Precepts 

His messages on morality, ethics, social and animal welfare, respect for elders etc. were based on Buddhist teachings. He tried to spread these through engravings on rocks, pillars and through his regional level officials. Some of these are:

Abolition of death sentence as mentioned in Pillar Edict No. 13, 

Plantation of banana trees and mango groves along the roads, construction of rest houses and wells every half a mile as in Pillar Edict No. 7, 

Restriction on killing of animals for food as in Rock Edict No. 1, 

Encouragement of obedience to parents, generosity towards priests and ascetics and frugality in expenditure in Rock Edict No. 3, 

Asked officers to work for welfare of poor and aged in Rock Edict No. 5. 

Symbol of 'Wheel of Dhamma' or Ashok Chakra has found a place in modern Indian national flag. Another item found on top of Sarnath Pillar, four lions sitting back to back, is also used as a national emblem of India. 

Sanchi Stupa