Buddhism: Asoka Flashcards
Background
- Ancient significant figure in the 3rd century BCE
- One of the most influential figures in Buddhist history – reign marking transformative period for Buddhism
- Emperor of Mauryan Empire: early (ruthless, violent and blood thirsty + non buddhist), 8th year of reign launched campaign against Kalinga (260BCE) military killing 100, 000 people and animals MOST CRITICAL EVENT OF LIFE catalyst for profound transformation within heart and mind MOMENT OF CONVERSION: aftermath of blood conquest became remorseful –> ephipany recognised the fultilty of war, great suffering caused, renounced violence + embraced peaceful lifestyle of Buddhism: true victory not expansion of kingdom = escaping samsara. Freed captured prisoners, gave back conquered land.
o ‘Deeply pained by the killing, dying and deportation’ Rock Edict XIV
o Cruel Ashoka replaced by pious Ashoka Dharmasoka
Ashoka as a role model
- Universal, living example of how to apply Buddhist teachings to live a mindful and happy life
- Ongoing role model for Buddhists.
- Contributions helped shape its ethical framework, establish its presence in India and beyond and enrich the faith in ways that continue to resonate today.
- One of the only dominant ancient emperors to renounce conquest at height of power
Establish of Buddhist Infrastructure Development
Stupas, Temples, 7 Viharas: validated and strengthened the visibility of Buddhism across Indian subcontinent, endorsed as official state religion.
Big focus on puja but didnt have structures for communal gatherings
Gave meaning to theory/first physical evidence of Buddhist faith e.g. Pillars of Ashoka inscribed with messages about the dharma providing insights into Ashoka’s ethical vision and solidifying his role in shaping the practice of the faith.
New roads contributed to spread of Buddhism
Generosity: fresh water, hospitals
Establishment of Buddhist Infrastructure
Expression
Foundation for the practice and community life of Buddhism. Helped legitimise sacred sites essential to Buddhist today + gave rise to tradition of pilgrimage e.g. The great stupa at Sanchi: built by A in 3rd century BC, believed to hous the ashes of the Buddha, important pilgrimage site for Buddhist believers today seeking enlightenment through the teachings of Buddha. Spaces for communal worship, meditation and rituals in line with three jewels: Gave ordinary people greater access to key relics allowing all caste, establishing monasteries @ new pilgrimage places –> dharma = no longer philosophical, greater contact with the Sangha – gather to access dharma e.g. 2007 during festival of Wesak Dalai Lama visited and blessed great stupa at sanchi reciting mahayana mantra. Om Mani Padme Hum (“Praise to the Jewel in the Lotus”), which is closely associated with the Buddha’s teachings on compassion and enlightenment. The Dalai Lama emphasised that wisdom is attained through the Dharma, as it provides the path for practicing compassion. Increased accessibility read to and available providing areas to ‘Take refugee…’
temples: come together and learn to pay respect to the 3 jewels
Promoted unity and public gathering –> turned ‘individual’ religion into ‘community religon’
Permanent + physical structures where adherents can engage in worship.
- structures are still essential to buddhist worship NOW
Purification of the Sangha
Development
Ashokas rule = characterised by generosity to Sangha (monks + nuns lived comfortably e.g. food, clothing, medicine) –> unworthy men began joining to exploit generosity driven by green not devotion to 3 jewels. RESULT: diminished public respect for Sangha. Ashoka sponsored 3rd buddhist council (17th yr of reign). Asoka expelled over 60,000 corrupt members. Regained respect, removed heretical teachings and refocus of 3 jewels to ensure devotion + commitment to path of nirvana. Commissioned monks and nuns to go on missionary journeys marking the start of Buddhist Missionary work.
Purification of Sangha
Expression
Centralised the teachings of Buddhism, helped preserve tripitaka compiling Abhidhamma pitika (Theravada) = protect from dilution becoming universal so Buddhist has been able to adapt and thrive whilst still remaining ancorred to its teachings. Ensured Sanghas strength, longevity and universal understanding of Vinaya. DEVOUT SANGHA TODAY WHOM ADHERE TO 3 JEWELS
Furthering compassion as a Buddhist ideal
Developement
Ashokas WORDS + Actions repositioned compassion at heart of Buddhism.
Asked people to extend compassion towards slaves and servants, obedience - parents, generosity - friends/ relatives.
Concern for all living beings – abstain from killing (1st precept), vegetarianism
Edicts: instruct ordinary ppl on importance of compassion, generosity, truth and purity avoidance of 3 posions.
Furthering compassion as Buddhist ideal
Words
WORDS:
Spoke extensively about need for compassion, extend it indiscriminatley - mutual respect and understanding between different sects/beliefs - full religious freedom. 12th Major Rock Edict: “…honour another man’s sect, for by doing so one increases the influence of one’s own sect and benefits that of the other man…”
Furthering compassion as Buddhist ideal
Actions
Believed and acted on tenants of Buddhism: metta + karuna
Model: showed change, relieved suffering e.g. establishment of hospitals for animals + people “Everywhere King Ashoka has made arrangement for medical treatment for men and animals” rock edict II e.g. Buddhist Monastery in SYD supported local community through blood donation and support the local initiative of offering lunch to the local disability hostel and aged care.
One of only ancient emperors to renounce conquest @ height of power.
Compassion to all sentient beings (right action)
- Law of piety: a comprehensive policy promoting peace, tolerance, and social welfare It served as a moral code and a legal framework for his empire, encompassing all aspects of lifeEncouraged respect through respect for elders, teachers and parents, kindness to animals passed into history inspiring modern-day leaders e.g. the Dalai lama and his ongoing fight for the peaceful liberation of Tibet was awarded the noble peace prize for his insistence of not fighting back
Edicts: discuss values of compassion clarified the moral precepts of Buddhism and made accessible extension on 1st precept: ‘restraint in the killing and harming of living beings’ (5th major rock edict) having experienced brutalities of war sought to embody in personal life and governance
Ahimsa physically enacting and endorsing the 1st precept: issued against Vedic animal sacrifices banning hunting and slaughter of cattle story is a testament to the transformative power of change + modelled and strongly encouraged vegetarianism.
Challenged caste system: respect to all people went to rural towns so message would spread
Expression: ethical framework of Buddhism remains grounded in principals of metta and karuna. enables all adherents to live in adherence to the 3 jewels and middle way
Popularisation of Buddhism through missionaries
Legacy of establishing b as major religion
B4 ashoka: B = small religious sect in india vrying from popularity alongside hinduism and Jainism.
Ashoka: his duty to spread dharm and develop faith through peaceful missionaries
3rd buddhist council (17th reginal year): sent missions to 9 different countries. “Everywhere in my domain the Sangha shall go on inspection tours every five years for the purpose of Dhamma instruction” Edict III –> each mission sent 5 monks (recite dharma + vinaya) to bring Buddhism to a different ‘border region’
Decree to respect all religions: spread buddhism w/o devaluing.
Actively involved –> 10th year: toured empire with members of the Sangha spreading Dharma for almost 12 months
Missionaries
Immediate impacts
Popularisation of Buddhism, larger Sangha, beginning of establishment as major religion. Essential to the development of Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka and Mahayana and Vajrayana schools in Nepal and beyond. Ability to apply Buddhist teachings to his gov policy
Missionary
Lasting impact
Today:DEVOUT AND LARGE SANGHA 500 million adherents, 4th major religious tradition, ~6.6%, Diverse across China, Thailand, Myanmar, ensured ongoing existence and contribution to modern day culture + thought able to thrive and adapt to different cultures. Peaceful dissemination of teachings “honour another mans sect” Documentary Walk With Me (2017), monks and nuns from Plum Village walk slowly through New York City in silent meditation, creating a peaceful presence amid the chaos. w/o preaching or urging participation invite curiosity, allowing passersby to observe or join them on their own terms rather than actively proselytising in the spirit of Ashoka live buddhist teachings to “walk and wonder”
Reforming the Dharma as a code of ethics
Large part of administration empire devoted to correct observance of the dharma, shaped ethical lives of Buddhists by interpreting the dharma as a set of social and ethical principles. Reformation is contained in the Edicts: collection of 30+ inscriptions called ‘inscriptions of the Dharma’ scattered across ppillars, boulders and cave walls in places like modern day India and Nepal, own interpretations of the dharma made accessible for Buddhist across his empire that set out guidelines for ethical life. Used position to demonstrate how to live Buddhist ethics –> edicts = record of this. Model: enhanced ethical practices ensuring it was the practical application of Buddhist beliefs
Pillar Edict II enforces how to demonstrate the Dharma in a Buddhist life; “The Dharma is excellent. But wherein consists the Dharma? In these things: little impiety, many good deeds, compassion, liberality, truthfulness, and purity” further states “victory lies in them not in conquest; the delight is in the Dharma in this world and next” –> conquering ego to break out of samsara + reach nirvana
Dharma as code of ethics
Immediate impacts
Able to apply buddhist teachings to gov policy, First written evidence, ability to apply teachings of peace and harmony explicitly lef to the development of a peaceful and harmonious empire.
Dharma as code of ethics
Lasting
Start of formal dharma, Various languages: Adaptability of Buddhism to other ways of thinking. No longer purely philosophical: framed in practical and accessibly way, could be related to the lives of Buddhists (able to transcend time periods) used today e.g. Buddhist Relief Fund: Helps communities escape poverty and food insecurity via a foodbank. Promotes 3 core principles—refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha—reinforcing key elements of Buddhist practice. Interprets Dharma not as strict rules, but as a guide to virtuous living interconnected with others’ wellbeing.
Combines dharma practice with social and polical activism e.g. ecological example (DVA)
