The Righteous Reign How King Asoka Institutionalized

The Righteous Reign: How King Asoka Institutionalized Buddhism Essay, Research Paper

Colin Wood

630-26-9442

The Righteous Reign:

How King Asoka Institutionalized Buddhism

Buddhism and Jainism in Ancient and Medieval India

Fall 2000

Proferes

.Dhamma sadhu, kiyam cu dhamme ti. Apasinave, bahu kayane, daya, dane, sace,

socaye. — Dhamma is good, but what constitutes Dhamma. (It includes) little evil, much

good, kindness, generosity, truthfulness and purity..

In the third century BC there lived a king described by the historian H.G. Wells as

a ruler who stood out .amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the

columns of history… and shines almost alone, a star.. Wells was referring to the

legendary Buddhist king, Asoka. The exact dates of Asoka.s birth and death are still

debated by scholars even today. However it is generally excepted that he was born

sometime late in the fourth century BC or early third century BC. Although Buddhist

literature preserved the legend of Asoka, for many years there was not any definitive

historical record of his reign. It was in the 19th century that these records were provided.

Many edicts were found in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. These edicts were

inscribed on rocks and pillars and exhibited Asoka.s reforms and policies. During his

reign (c. 265-238 BC; also given as c. 273-232 BC) Asoka practiced his policy of

.conquest by Dhamma (principles of right life).. The policy was three pronged;

administration based on Dhamma, instruction in Dhamma for the populace, and personal

practice of Dhamma by the ruler. The results of this practice were instantly visible

among Buddhist circles across India as well as in neighboring countries. The durability

and significance of these edicts are a testament to the legacy of King Asoka and are still

visible in everyday Buddhist life.

I. Administration based on Dhamma

Perhaps the most striking example of Asoka.s policy of administering his domain

based on the Dhamma is his adoption of Buddhist philosophy after his bloody conquest

of Kalinga. Centered in east-central India, Kalinga had recently succeeded from the

Magadhan dynasty in about 321 BC. Shortly thereafter Kings Asoka, in only his eighth

year of reign, reconquered the area in a battle described as one of the most brutal clashes

in Indian history. Supposedly the hardships suffered by the defeated people moved Asoka

to give up violent conquest. It was also about this time that Asoka spiritually embraced

Buddhism. The time was 261 BC Although Asoka had encountered Buddhism and

.formally. converted the year earlier, it was in 260 BC that he truly adhered to

Buddhism.s teachings. The first evidence of this true conversion is found in and edict

released after the war. In it, .he evinced great remorse at the carnage he had caused, and

expressed the desire to govern, please and protect his subjects according to Dhamma..

Asoka.s administration took several steps to implement this edict. Governing according

to Dhamma required Asoka to improve the quality of his subject.s lives. He created

public wells and rest houses, supported medical aid for both people and animals, and set

up provisions for the same benefits outside his realm.

Asoka was ever vigilant over his administration. While he worked to strengthen

and unify Buddhism, the occasional schism was unavoidable. In Asoka.s seventeenth

year of rule, differences of opinion arose among some Buddhism monks. .There were

many lazy and bad monks given to evil ways. These willful sanyasins were a curse to

Buddhism.. Asoka was upset by this trend. In order to save Buddhism from what he

considered a .total eclipse,. Asoka dismissed many monks. He then invited the

.serious-minded. monks to Ashokarama in Pataliputra for a conference. Asoka met with

each of the current great teachers of Buddhism and asked them .What did Lord Buddha

teach.. After long discussion, their ideals .came out clearly and unambiguously.. Asoka

now considered Buddhism stronger as a result of this conference.

While legislation played a large role in his administration, Asoka also relied on

persuasion to further the Buddhist cause. One of the main virtues found in his edicts was

ahimsa, or .non-injury.. This idea is a central concept of Buddhism and other Indian

traditions. Although Asoka kept his army, he did so only to prevent invasion, never for

the purpose of conquest. One way he used persuasion to influence the populace was to

encourage respect for one.s parents and good behavior towards friends and relatives.

Furthermore, good treatment of servants was encouraged and many game animals were

protected. The virtues supported by Asoka included, .Mercy, truthfulness, sexual purity,

gentleness, and contentment…. Realizing that the success of his policy rested with the

people, Asoka greatly advanced what was then cons

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