Emperor Asoka’s challenged the adherents in his domain and beyond to follow Buddhist teachings more closely through the example of his own life, his edicts and the message of Dharma. The effects of his contributions involving the spread of Buddhism continue to impact the Sanga or worldwide community of faith.
Asoka (304–232 BCE) was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty. Eight years after his coronation, he invaded Orissa, overcame the opposition and became responsible for killing thousands as he sought to increase the size of his empire. Asoka became so saddened and disgusted by the cruelty and warfare that he renounced it and the violence within warfare.
Asoka changed his mental approach to life. He originally was a greedy, egotistical murderer who used violence as a means of furthering his own desires and aims. He seemed to show no compassion or empathy to other people or any other living being and was ruthless in the obtaining of his personal desire of power. After adopting the peaceful doctrines based on the teachings of the Buddha, spreading the principles of tolerance, equality, and public service, Asoka became a person of peace who had not only changed his own behaviour, but who went out of his way to challenge …show more content…
Why this happened is unknown. Buddhist writings suggest that decay had come before Asoka's death. Some scholars attribute the decline to economic pressures: revenues from taxing agriculture and trade that were inadequate in maintaining the large military and army of bureaucrats. Perhaps palace politics reduced the ability of Asoka's heirs to govern. Perhaps Asoka's heirs inherited from Asoka a pacifism that discouraged their using force in keeping the Maurya Empire together. Whatever the cause or causes, regions within the empire asserted their independence, and the empire disintegrated while the Maurya family, in Pataliputra, continued to
Asoka (304–232 BCE) was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty. Eight years after his coronation, he invaded Orissa, overcame the opposition and became responsible for killing thousands as he sought to increase the size of his empire. Asoka became so saddened and disgusted by the cruelty and warfare that he renounced it and the violence within warfare.
Asoka changed his mental approach to life. He originally was a greedy, egotistical murderer who used violence as a means of furthering his own desires and aims. He seemed to show no compassion or empathy to other people or any other living being and was ruthless in the obtaining of his personal desire of power. After adopting the peaceful doctrines based on the teachings of the Buddha, spreading the principles of tolerance, equality, and public service, Asoka became a person of peace who had not only changed his own behaviour, but who went out of his way to challenge …show more content…
Why this happened is unknown. Buddhist writings suggest that decay had come before Asoka's death. Some scholars attribute the decline to economic pressures: revenues from taxing agriculture and trade that were inadequate in maintaining the large military and army of bureaucrats. Perhaps palace politics reduced the ability of Asoka's heirs to govern. Perhaps Asoka's heirs inherited from Asoka a pacifism that discouraged their using force in keeping the Maurya Empire together. Whatever the cause or causes, regions within the empire asserted their independence, and the empire disintegrated while the Maurya family, in Pataliputra, continued to