Ashoka and his Dhamma

Ashoka, often spelt Asoka, was the last significant emperor of India’s Mauryan dynasty, reigning from 238 to 238 BCE. During his reign (c. 265–238 BCE; alternatively cited as c. 273–232 BCE), he strongly supported Buddhism, which helped it spread over India. Following his successful but brutal conquest of the Kalinga kingdom on India’s east coast, Ashoka abandoned armed conquest in favour of “conquest by dharma.” Due to his faith in Buddhism, historians have differing perspectives about Ashoka’s Dhamma. Dhamma (the Prakrit form of dharma) is the subject of most of Ashoka’s inscriptions. The subject of Dhamma was universally appealing to individuals of all faiths. Dhamma did not have a set of norms or restrictions. Tolerance was Asoka’s favourite of the basic principles.

Ashok Pillar

1. The pillars created by King Ashoka between 268 and 232 BC are noteworthy in India’s architectural history. During King Ashoka’s rule in the 3rd century BCE, he spread a series of columns over Northern India.
2. One of the Ashoka pillars in Sarnath, known as the “Lion Capital of Ashoka,” has four lions. In 1950, a graphic rendition of Ashoka’s Lion Capital was adopted as India’s official emblem. The pillars were constructed in Buddhist monasteries and featured inscriptions honouring monks or commemorating King Ashoka’s visits. 
3. One of Ashoka’s first artistic projects was to build the pillars that can now be found all around what was once the Mauryan kingdom. The pillars range in height from 40 to 50 feet. 
4. They’re made of stone: one for the shaft and another for the capital. Almost all of the shafts were made from a single piece of stone. 
5. Labourers cut and dragged the stone from quarries in Mathura and Chunar, both Ashoka’s kingdoms in northern India. Each of the pillars weighs roughly 50 tonnes.
6.  Only 19 of the original pillars are still standing, and several are in pieces. In the 16th century, the first pillar was discovered.

Ashoka’s Palace 

The archaeological relics of Pataliputra’s old city, Ashoka’s Palace, are found at Kumrahar. The Arogya Vihar, a hypostyle 80-pillared hall led by early Indian medical practitioner Dhanvantari and considered the source of Ayurveda, a Buddhist Monastery Anand Bihar, and the Durakhi Devi Temple are among the Kumrahar ruins. The excavations in Kumrahar lasted four years, from 600 BC to 600 AD, and covered the periods of three important emperors: Haryanka king Ajatashatru and Mauryan kings Chandragupta and Ashoka.

List of Ashok Pillars

Below are a few renowned Ashok Pillar at many places in India:

• Ashok Pillar at Sarnath

1. Ashok Pillar at Allahabad
2.  Ashok pillar at Sanchi
3. Nandangarh Lauriya Patna’s Ashok Pillar

Ashoka and his Dhamma (Edicts) 

Ashoka was able to expound on his dhamma through the edicts. While many great rock edicts discuss different parts of the dhamma of Ashoka.

It is apparent that Dhamma was a non-religious doctrine. The following are the essential aspects of the dhamma that we may deduce from this great rock edict and other major rock edicts:

1. Major Rock Edict I:

 Animal sacrifices and festival gatherings are forbidden.

2. Major Rock Edict II:

Describes the Cholas’, Pandyas’, Satyaputras’, Keralaputras’, Ceylon’s, and Antiochus’ medical missions for men and animals dispatched all across the world. Along the roads, therapeutic herbs and trees are planted, and wells are dug.

3. Major Rock Edict III:

Yuktas (subordinate officers), Rajukas (rural administrators), and Pradesikas (heads of districts) were instructed to tour every five years and disseminate Dhamma after 12 years of his consecration. It also includes being obedient to one’s mother and father, friends, and relatives, as well as being generous to Brahmans and sramanas.

4. Major Rock Edict IV: 

The sound of the drum has transformed into the sound of Dhamma, revealing the divine form to the people.

5. Major Rock Edict V: 

In his fourteenth year of reign, he mentions the establishment of the dhamma-mahammatas, or officials of the Dhamma. It also discusses masters’ humane treatment of servants and government officials’ treatment of captives.

6. Major Rock Edict VI: 

It clarifies the king’s relationship with his subjects through the Mahamattas, and the Mahamattas are now required to report to the king at any time and location.

7. Major Rock Edict VII: 

It advocates for religious tolerance throughout the board.

8. Major Rock Edict VIII: 

Asoka paid a pilgrimage to Bodh-Gaya in the tenth year of his reign to see the Bodhi-tree. Following this occurrence, he established a Dhamma-yatas system, which is detailed in this edict.

9. Major Rock Edict IX: 

Except for Dhamma, which includes respect for others, including slaves and servants, as well as gifts to sramanas and Brahmans, other ceremonies are meaningless.

Conclusion

The great Ashoka was a popular ruler of the Maurya Dynasty. The Mauryan Empire survived 50 years after Ashoka’s death before gradually fading away. Brhadrata, the final Mauryan emperor, was slain by one of his generals, Pusyamitra Sunga, in 185 BCE. Although his dynasty did not govern for long after he died, the Vedas and his mandates, which may still be seen on Ashok pillars and Ashoka’s Palace today, carried on Ashoka’s beliefs and examples. Ashoka is also the only ruler to surrender after winning a battle. He did so after witnessing the carnage in the Kalinga war.