For most of India, Buddha’s teachings are a way of life and a path to reaching Nirvana. With his teachings brought about many new converts including King Asoka who had edicts made of the dharma for people to follow. Although Asoka seemingly respected and lived by the dharma, some of his beliefs and laws contradicted Buddha’s.
Buddha and Asoka both believe that the dharma is to be respected and follow, but Asoka’s idea of dharma focused more on society purposes especially within this world than for religious purposes as seen with Buddha’s. Both believe that people should live for others instead of themselves which Asoka demonstrates when trying to figure out how to better “the welfare and happiness of the people”, but with his actions comes …show more content…
In his second edict, Asoka makes mention of the fact that he has “given the gift of sight” along with others including “ the gift of life” while also giving himself the title “Beloved-of-the-Gods” (4.13). He even make statements that usually end with “good deeds have been done by me” which combined with earlier evidence, gives a sense of self and surely “self-praise” (3.13, 4.13). Other contradictions involved the attainment of happiness which Asoka focuses the majority of the edicts on. Buddha states that a person should “desire neither worldly nor heavenly pleasures” as well as saying that “the craving for a future life” and “the craving for happiness in the life” causes suffering, yet Asoka believes that following the dharma will help people achieve “happiness in this world and the next”(3.13, 4.13). Asoka’s outcomes classify as Buddha’s cravings and pleasures. In the fourth edict, Asoka mentions that prisoners can give gifts or fast in order to “make merit for the next world”, but Buddha states that actions like “sacrifices to gods”, “offerings to priests”, and any other “penances” to receive immortality cannot help a man (3.13, 4.13). Asoka is
Buddha and Asoka both believe that the dharma is to be respected and follow, but Asoka’s idea of dharma focused more on society purposes especially within this world than for religious purposes as seen with Buddha’s. Both believe that people should live for others instead of themselves which Asoka demonstrates when trying to figure out how to better “the welfare and happiness of the people”, but with his actions comes …show more content…
In his second edict, Asoka makes mention of the fact that he has “given the gift of sight” along with others including “ the gift of life” while also giving himself the title “Beloved-of-the-Gods” (4.13). He even make statements that usually end with “good deeds have been done by me” which combined with earlier evidence, gives a sense of self and surely “self-praise” (3.13, 4.13). Other contradictions involved the attainment of happiness which Asoka focuses the majority of the edicts on. Buddha states that a person should “desire neither worldly nor heavenly pleasures” as well as saying that “the craving for a future life” and “the craving for happiness in the life” causes suffering, yet Asoka believes that following the dharma will help people achieve “happiness in this world and the next”(3.13, 4.13). Asoka’s outcomes classify as Buddha’s cravings and pleasures. In the fourth edict, Asoka mentions that prisoners can give gifts or fast in order to “make merit for the next world”, but Buddha states that actions like “sacrifices to gods”, “offerings to priests”, and any other “penances” to receive immortality cannot help a man (3.13, 4.13). Asoka is