Ashoka Indian Ruler :: essays papers

Ashoka Indian RulerOne of the greatest rulers of Indias history is Ashoka (Asoka). Rulingfor thirty-eight years (274 B.C.-232 B.C.), he was mostly mentionedin his inscriptions as Devanampiya Piyadasi (Beloved of the gods). Asthe third emperor of the Mauryan dynasty, he was born in the year 304B.C. His greatest achievements were spreading Buddhism throughout hisempire and beyond. He set up an ideal government for his people andconquered many lands, expanding his kingdom. The knowledge of Ashokasearly mold is limited because little information was found. His edictsand inscriptions allowed us to understand his prevail and empire, andhave an insight into the events that took place during this remarkableperiod of history. Eight years after he took his throne, Ashokaspowerful armies attacked and conquered Kalinga (present day Orissa).Although he had conquered many other places, this knockdown-dragout war was thelast war he ever fought and a turning point of his career. He wasdisgusted by the extreme deaths of numerous civilians, especially theBrahmans. totally these misfortunes brought Ashoka to turn into a religiousruler compared to a military ruler. As he turned to Buddhism, heemphasized dharma (law of piety) and ahimsa (nonviolence). He realizedhe could non spread Buddhism all by himself and therefore appointedofficers to help promote the teachings. These officers were calledDhamma Mahamattas or Officers of Righteousness They were in chargeof providing welfare and happiness among the servants and masters.Preventing wrongful doings and ensuring special consideration was alsotheir duty. Emphasizing his role as king, he paid close attention towelfare, the building of roads and rest houses, planting healthfultrees, and setting up healing centers. In order to pursue ahimsa,Ashoka gave up his favorite hobby of hunting and forbade the killing ofanimals, spreading vegetarianism throughout India. Furthermore, hissoldiers were taught the golden rule- to execute to others the way youwant them to exercise to you, which is the basic law of life. In thenineteenth century, a large number of edicts written in Brahmi scriptcarved on rocks and stone pillars were discovered in India, proving theexistence of Ashoka. These edicts, found scattered in more than 30places throughout India, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan, are mainlyconcerned with moral principles Ashoka recommended, his transformation toBuddhism, his personality and his success as a king. The Minor Edictsis a summary of Ashokas instruction of dharma, which talks about thepurity of thoughts, kindness, thruthfulness, reverence, and other goodmorals of life. The 14 Rock Edicts were the major edicts, andAshoka Indian Ruler essays papersAshoka Indian RulerOne of the greatest rulers of Indias history is Ashoka (Asoka). Rulingfor thirty-eight years (274 B.C.-232 B.C.), he was chiefly mentionedin his inscriptions as Devanampiya Piyadasi (Beloved of the gods). Asthe third emperor of the Mauryan dynasty, he was born in the year 304B.C. His greatest achievements were spreading Buddhism throughout hisempire and beyond. He set up an ideal government for his people andconquered many lands, expanding his kingdom. The knowledge of Ashokasearly reign is limited because little information was found. His edictsand inscriptions allowed us to understand his reign and empire, andhave an insight into the events that took place during this remarkableperiod of history. Eight years after he took his throne, Ashokaspowerful armies attacked and conquered Kalinga (present day Orissa).Although he had conquered many other places, this dotty war was thelast war he ever fought and a turning point of his career. He wasdisgusted by the extreme deaths of numerous civilians, especially theBrahmans. exclusively these misfortunes brought Ashoka to turn into a religiousruler compared to a military ruler. As he turned to Buddhism, heemphasized dharma (law of piety) and ahimsa (nonviolence). He realizedhe could not spread Buddhism all by himself and therefore appointedofficers to help promote the teachings. These officers were calledDhamma Mahamattas or Officers of Righteousness They were in chargeof providing welfare and happiness among the servants and masters.Preventing wrongful doings and ensuring special consideration was alsotheir duty. Emphasizing his role as king, he paid close attention towelfare, the building of roads and rest houses, planting medicinaltrees, and setting up healing centers. In order to pursue ahimsa,Ashoka gave up his favorite hobby of hunting and forbade the killing ofanimals, spreading vegetarianism throughout India. Furthermore, hissoldiers were taught the golden rule- to behave to others the way youwant them to behave to you, which is the basic law of life. In thenineteenth century, a large number of edicts written in Brahmi scriptcarved on rocks and stone pillars were discovered in India, proving theexistence of Ashoka. These edicts, fo und scattered in more than 30places throughout India, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan, are mainlyconcerned with moral principles Ashoka recommended, his renewal toBuddhism, his personality and his success as a king. The Minor Edictsis a summary of Ashokas instruction of dharma, which talks about thepurity of thoughts, kindness, thruthfulness, reverence, and other goodmorals of life. The fourteen Rock Edicts were the major edicts, and