Ashoka and Dhamma
UNIT 21 ASOKA'S POLICY OF DHAMMA
Structure
Objectives Introduction Historical Background
21.2.1 Socio-Economic Background 21.2.2 Religious Conditions 21.2.3 Polity
Distributiop of Inscriptions Dhamma - Causes Contents of Dhamma Asoka's Dhamma as State Policy Dhamma - Interpretations Let Us Sum U p Key Words Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises
21.0 OBJECTIVES
This Unit deals with Asoka's Policy of Dhamma. After reading this Unit you will be able to understand: the historical background of the formulation of the policy of Dhamma, the way Dhamma figures prominently in Asokan Edicts, the essence of Asoka's policy of Dhamma as explained by him and as manifested in his welfare activities, paternal attitude, etc., the distinction between Asoka as an individual-a believer in Buddhism and Asoka as an emperor initiating a state policy, and the various means employed by Asoka to propagate his policy of Dhamma-the role of the Dhamma mahamatras.
21.1 INTRODUCTION
Asoka Maurya, succeeded to the Mauryan throne around 269 B.C. Many historians consider him as one of the greatest kings of the ancient world. His policy of Dhamma has been a topic of lively discussion among scholars. The word Dhamma is the Prakrit form of the Sanskrit word Dharma. Dharnma has been variously translated as piety, moral life, righteousness and so on, but the best way to understand what Asoka means by Dhamma is to read his edicts. The edicts were written primarily to explain to the people throughout the empire the principles of Dhamma. This is why most of the edicts have something o r the other to say about Dhamma, about how keen Asoka W S ; that his subjects should practise Dhamma and how keen he was that the affairs of the state too were carried out according to the principles of Dhamma. T o make principles of Dhamma accessible and understandable to all, he put up edicts or inscriptions at the important points throughout the empire and sent messengers of Dhamma outside the empire. It
Structure
Objectives Introduction Historical Background
21.2.1 Socio-Economic Background 21.2.2 Religious Conditions 21.2.3 Polity
Distributiop of Inscriptions Dhamma - Causes Contents of Dhamma Asoka's Dhamma as State Policy Dhamma - Interpretations Let Us Sum U p Key Words Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises
21.0 OBJECTIVES
This Unit deals with Asoka's Policy of Dhamma. After reading this Unit you will be able to understand: the historical background of the formulation of the policy of Dhamma, the way Dhamma figures prominently in Asokan Edicts, the essence of Asoka's policy of Dhamma as explained by him and as manifested in his welfare activities, paternal attitude, etc., the distinction between Asoka as an individual-a believer in Buddhism and Asoka as an emperor initiating a state policy, and the various means employed by Asoka to propagate his policy of Dhamma-the role of the Dhamma mahamatras.
21.1 INTRODUCTION
Asoka Maurya, succeeded to the Mauryan throne around 269 B.C. Many historians consider him as one of the greatest kings of the ancient world. His policy of Dhamma has been a topic of lively discussion among scholars. The word Dhamma is the Prakrit form of the Sanskrit word Dharma. Dharnma has been variously translated as piety, moral life, righteousness and so on, but the best way to understand what Asoka means by Dhamma is to read his edicts. The edicts were written primarily to explain to the people throughout the empire the principles of Dhamma. This is why most of the edicts have something o r the other to say about Dhamma, about how keen Asoka W S ; that his subjects should practise Dhamma and how keen he was that the affairs of the state too were carried out according to the principles of Dhamma. T o make principles of Dhamma accessible and understandable to all, he put up edicts or inscriptions at the important points throughout the empire and sent messengers of Dhamma outside the empire. It