Introduction
Asoka, an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, is one of the most important followers of Buddhism. During his rule, Buddhism had spread widely throughout the world and became the leading religion. Asoka was initially a follower of Hinduism. At the start of his rule, he governed his empire in a way his predecessors did. The people described him as a cruel ruler. He sought to expand his territory. He invaded Kalinga and saw the deaths of many people. He regretted his actions and felt the sorrow and grief of the families who were abandoned by the people who died in the war. After the war to conquer Kalinga, he was converted to Buddhism. He applied the social ethic of Buddhism as leading principle during his reign and showed compassion for his people.
The edicts of Asoka, which are disseminated through stone pillars, show how he employed Buddhism in his reign. The edicts ordered officials to help the poor and the elderly. It also declares that officials must make deeds that will benefit the people. His adoption of Buddhism in his rule made his rule effective. He also set missions that will expand Buddhism throughout the world. He built monuments that show significant events in the life of Buddha. His contributions also set a good example to his fellow Buddhist making him a good model to other rulers. He is also remembered as a good-hearted ruler that desires what is good for his people. Asoka contributed in the expansion of Buddhism throughout the world by means of fully embracing this religion, being a good example to his fellow Buddhist, and doing acts that will help Buddhism to expand.
Asoka’s Early Years as the Emperor
Sources describe Asoka as a wicked and harsh ruler in his early years as the emperor. Sanskrit sources tell the violent personality of Asoka. He made his palace a terrifying place wherein innocent visitors and passers-by had terrible deaths. He also beheaded 500 ministers and burned 500 court ladies until they die. He built a torture chamber that is depicted as a "Paradisal Hell". It was described as such because of its beautiful exterior yet it was used for execution for prisoners. In this chamber, prisoners experienced ruthless torture and they were not allowed to leave alive. He also expanded the empire by using military force and imposed cruel rules on criminals.
Asoka’s Conversion to Buddhism
Asoka ruled his people in a way his ancestor did. He thought that it was a responsibility of the head of state to extend his power by expanding his territory. It was according to the philosophy that it was right to seek for power. Using this philosophy, he aimed to conquer Kalinga. The war that took place was the most cruel war that happened in history. During the war, about 150,000 men and animals were captured. Also, about 100,000 people were killed. Asoka successfully invaded Kalinga. As he walked through the land of Kalinga being satisfied with the success, he saw the scattered dead bodies and heard the cry of their families. Although he achieved his goal, he regretted his action. After the war, he realized how the war caused the merciless death of many people. The war also brought hunger and deadly diseases to the people. He also sympathized with the families who were abandoned by the dead family members and those who were held as captives. This suffering of Asoka was transcribed in Rock Edict XIII. The edict also tells the important event in Asoka’s life wherein he was converted to Buddhism. The edict declared that years after the conquest of Kalinga, he had a pilgrimage to the tree of enlightenment of Buddha, which is the Bodhi Tree, and was blessed. The information transcribed on the edict tells that Asoka was not suddenly converted to Buddhism after the conquest. Rather, the conversion was a steady process and brought him closer to Buddhism.
There was no information relating Asoka’s predecessors with Buddhism. This made Asoka to be the first emperor to support Buddhism. Asoka’s acceptance of Buddhism gave Buddhist institutions support. This situation didn’t cause a debate. Aside from living his life as a Buddhist, he also adopted the principle of Buddhism in ruling his kingdom. This action made his reign effective. His works also led to the spread of Buddhism throughout the empire and other kingdoms as well. He also served as a model for his people and his fellow Buddhist rulers.
Employing Buddhism to Asoka’s Reign
Asoka was greatly affected by the unfavorable effects of the war. To show his repentance for the result of the conquest of Kalinga and as a practice of Buddhism, he devoted himself to fulfill his duties through the observance of Dharma which represents proper behavior. Adopting the policy of Dharma is an action to give solution to the problems encountered by the empire. During the early years of his reign, the empire had a complex situation brought by the difference in culture, and social and political beliefs. Asoka, being the ruler of the empire, had to resolve the problem by either using force to maintain the structure or to give a new set of norms that is agreeable to his people who had varying religious beliefs and social traditions.
Adherence to Dharma also seeks to promote Buddhist morality. He encouraged implementing policies with patience and giving only light punishment. Even if they continue their conquest, they should observe Dharma as the real conquest. With this aim for the conquest, their action could give happiness to all people. He also taught his people to respect their parents and their teachers, to respect and not to betray their friends, and to care for their slaves and servants. These teachings were transcribed in his edict.
Aside from the teachings, Asoka also thought that it was his responsibility to improve the way of life of his people. He set up rest-houses for travelers, gave medical support to the people and to the animals, and also helped other areas that were beyond his territory. He assigned the officials to watch over the orphans and the elderly. He also instructed them to implement the rule fairly throughout the empire. Asoka also showed compassion to the prisoners. He gave small financial help to the prisoners who were released and persuade them to make good deeds that will help them to improve their lives. He also replaced hunting trips with pilgrimage on sites that are related to Buddha. He also protected non-food animals and banned animal sacrifice in the capital.
Asoka gave great importance to Buddhism in his empire. On the other hand, he supported other religions as well. For Asoka, religious traditions contribute to the spiritual development of a person. Thus, respect should be given to one’s tradition and prevent criticizing others. He also encouraged religions to have a fair competition for converts and show respect to each religion.
Asoka built shrines and memorial pillars during pilgrimage to Buddhist sites. He also built Stupas and disseminated its relics throughout India. This action helped in promoting the practice of their devotion at Stupas.
Life as a Buddhist and His Contribution in Expanding Buddhism
Many outstanding information described Asoka as a model of Buddhist devotion. Asoka was able to achieve an elated state through which a supernatural phenomenon can happen. He was able to do this through devotion and practice of meditation. A common supernatural phenomenon is the non-burning of the body that is put into the flame. This situation also shows that he was able to go beyond death.
Asoka contributed to the spread of Buddhism in various ways. He planned to build 84,000 Stupas. This work made Asoka famous to the pilgrims that visit every Stupa. Before the popularization of Stupa, Buddhists showed their devotion to the Bodhi tree or the tree of awakening which is the tree wherein Buddha was awakened. Making offerings, tying pennants, and watering the tree were some forms of showing the Buddhist devotion. The Stupas were originally built as funeral tombs for kings, saints, and heroes. Later on, the Stupas became significant to the Buddhist because of the relics that they contained which symbolizes Buddha’s passing into final Nirvana at his death. Thereafter, the Stupas became the main focus of the devotion. Buddhist believed that the relics in the Stupas possessed the power to awaken the mind since they have been a part of an awakened body. Also, they believed that those who show their devotion around the Stupa having the relic will be blessed.
The relics of Buddha was said to be initially divided to the eight kings after the cremation of Buddha. Every king built a Stupa that will contain the relics. However, the relics were swept away by the flood. Asoka search for gathered relics and distributed them in the Stupas that he built.
The Buddhist Stupa that can be found in central India was well-conserved in its original form. This Stupa was built or was restored by Asoka. The carved images on the gateways of the Stupa showed the symbolic events in the final life of Buddha. The Stupa has a dome shape that is depicted a kumbha or pot. This shape symbolizes the vase of plenty of the Indians and reminds the people to uphold the Dharma. The Stupa has a pole and disc on top of it which serves as ceremonial umbrellas which symbolizes royalty in India. The umbrellas also show the spiritual power of Buddha. They also symbolize the tree of awakening. In some Stupas, many platforms were added under the dome to elevate it. It is made to show the layers of the structure which symbolizes a set of spiritual characteristics. The top part is also combined into a spire that shows the knowledge and powers of Buddha. Currently, Stupas became known with the term “Pagoda” which means “container of the elements”.
Aside from building Stupas, Asoka was also known for his teachings. The basis for his code of moral conduct which can be found in his edicts is the principles of Buddhism. He taught his subjects to adopt the principles of reward and repentance for action. He also emphasizes that this principle must not only applied in one daily life but also in the next life. He also pointed out that this action could bring happiness not only in one’s present life but also in the next birth.
His made his works upholding Dharma which includes compassion, honesty, chastity, tenderness, and kindness. He hoped that by doing his deeds, it will influence his people to follow his examples. He wished that his people will show respect to their parents, to the elderly, and to the officials of other religions. He also desired that his people will show compassion for the poor and the slaves. Asoka stopped the brutal punishment to the criminals and banned the killing of any animal. All this deeds were aimed at the attainment of a better life for the people throughout the empire and the expansion of Buddhism.
Expansion of Buddhism
Asoka’s implementation of Buddhist principle made his reign effective. It improved the quality of life of his people. His works also resulted to the expansion of Buddhism. Later on, he continued to expand Buddhism throughout the world. To achieve this goal, he set out Buddhist missionary activities. Sources recorded the missionary activities of monks to the border areas. The edicts of Asoka also tell us that he established embassies to the lands beyond his empire and promoted his beliefs. Unlike the previous conquest that aimed to conquer a territory, this time, it is a conquest by Dharma. He explored other countries such as Syria, Egypt and Macedonia, and Thailand.
Asoka gave the task to his son, Thera Mahinda, to set the mission in Sri Lanka. Before he starts his task, Mahinda waited until Tissa succeeded the throne. Tissa has been a friend of Asoka even before Tissa’s succession to the throne. He sent ambassadors to Asoka and gave him presents. Asoka gave Tissa what is needed for the royal consecration in return. Mahinda and Tissa met after the consecration at Missakapabbata on a full-moon day of Poson which is around May or June. Mahinda did his mission of spreading Buddhism. He taught Dharma to Tissa. Mahinda’s task was a success as Tissa, together with his followers, embraced Buddhism.
Tissa offered his royal Mahamegha Park to the Sangha. It was also in this place that he built the first Stupa in Sri Lanka. The wife of Tissa’s brother, Anula, showed aspired to become a Buddhist nun. To make her a nun, Asoka’s daughter, Theri Sanghamitta, was sent to Sri Lanka bringing a branch of the Bodhi Tree with her. She was also accompanied by different clans who will perform the rituals. 116 the branch was then planted at the Mahamegha Park. Sanghamitta instituted the organization of the nuns while Mahinda instituted the organization of the monks in Sri Lanka.
He also set up religious discussions for Buddhist and non-Buddhist. He encouraged Buddhist monks to write religious documents and helped them to accomplish this work. Asoka sent monks to other places and gave them the mission to deliver his messages. The messages of Asoka suggest promoting Dharma to its recipients. This action shows that Asoka was able to establish connections with other nations and was an important contributor to the expansion of Buddhism beyond his empire.
Asoka as a Model for Rulers
The works of Asoka set an example among Buddhist. Many Buddhist rulers all over the world considered him as their role model. Other leaders followed his example. In Sri Lanka, at least five kings banned the killing of animals. Jayavarman VII, The great Khmer ruler, regard himself as a living Buddha and followed Asoka’s way of ruling his subjects compassion and thinking the welfare of his men. Buddhist emperor Lian-u-thi of the fifth-century China lived with monks in a monastery.
Conclusion
Asoka was originally cruel and violent. He harmed and killed many people during the early years if his reign. He brought terror to his people. Although he committed these wicked actions, he was able to realize the consequences of his action and was able to change for the better. He embraced Buddhism and change his way of living. He gave importance to Buddhism in his reign by applying its principle. He governed his people by doing things that will benefit them. He trained his officials to implement rules fairly and do their task in accordance to Dharma. From being a wicked leader, Asoka became known as a compassionate ruler who regarded his people as his children. He established public works that will benefit his people. He also lifted the violent punishments and even helped prisoners to live a good life.
Asoka’s works made Buddhism spread throughout the kingdom. He encouraged pilgrimage in sites that are related to Buddha and built shrines and memorial pillars that are dedicated to Buddha. He also set out missionary activities beyond his empire to promote Buddhism in other nations. Nonetheless, he showed fair treatment and supported other religions as well. Asoka's works set a good example to other rulers in the Buddhist world. His edicts that were transcribed on rocks and stone pillars let the people know his works and contributions. His life as a Buddhist did not only change his personal life but also his change gave benefit to his people and helped in expansion of Buddhism throughout the world.
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