CHAPTER 7 LESSON 3 Buddhism and India’s Golden Age Asoka ...

CHAPTER 7 LESSON 3 Buddhism and India's Golden Age

Asoka: "Beloved-of-the-Gods"

Asoka was one of India's greatest rulers. His grandfather, Chandragupta Maurya, founded the Maurya Empire in 321 B.C. Asoka, its third emperor, ruled from about 269 to 232 B.C.

Asoka began his rule as a conqueror. He set out to bring the entire Indian peninsula under his control. Asoka succeeded in conquering the Kalinga territory (now known as Orissa) on India's east coast. Later, Asoka described the casualties of this war: "One hundred and fifty thousand were deported, one hundred thousand were killed and many more died." Instead of being proud of his victory, Asoka was disgusted by the cruelty of war. He expressed "deep remorse for having conquered the Kalingas." He also said that he was "deeply pained by the killing, dying and deportation that take place when an unconquered country is conquered." As a result, he decided to give up war and become a peaceful ruler. Asoka became a practicing Buddhist. Buddhists are pacifists, or people who oppose war. The reason for their pacifism is that Buddhists believe that all life is sacred. Asoka tried to rule according to Buddhist teachings.

Asoka set up schools for the study of Buddhism. He sent out missionaries to Kashmir and Persia. One of the missionaries was Asoka's son, Mahinda. Mahinda traveled to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), where he converted many people to Buddhism. Although Asoka encouraged the study and practice of Buddhism, he respected all religions. He also urged his subjects to be tolerant of other religions.

From Fiction to Fact In the 19th century, European scholars began translating a great deal of Indian literature. They found many stories about Asoka. He was presented as a cruel ruler who had killed his brothers to gain the throne. The stories went on to tell how his conversion to Buddhism turned him into a wise and fair ruler. At first, these stories seemed too good to be true. Scholars viewed the stories as being nothing but myth. Then, two things happened.

In 1837, James Prinsep translated an inscription by a king called "Beloved-of-theGods, King Piyadasi." The ancient inscription was one of several found on pillars and rocks in India. Prinsep was the first person to translate one. The inscription turned out to be a series of edicts, or decrees. In time, scholars discovered and translated many more edicts by King Piyadasi. These inscriptions were not like those by other ancient rulers, who recorded their conquests. The inscriptions by Piyadasi talked of reforms. They told how to create a just society. Scholars began to wonder whether Asoka and King Piyadasi might the same king.

A second discovery in 1915 confirmed that Asoka and Piyadasi were the same ruler. An edict had been translated that contained the name "Asoka." After almost 700 years, one of the world's greatest rulers had again come to light.

Pillars and Rocks The edicts translated by Prinsep had been inscribed on a stone pillar in the city of Delhi. Nine more of these pillars survive. Each pillar is between 40 and 50 feet high, and may weigh as much as 50 tons. All of the pillars are made from stone quarried south of Varanasi in eastern India. They were dragged long distances to major cities or to other important sites. The distance from Varanasi to Delhi, for example, is roughly 300 miles. In addition to being inscribed, each pillar was capped with a carved figure. These figures might be a lion, a bull, or a horse. A few of these figures still survive and are masterpieces of Indian sculpture. One pillar stands at the birthplace of the Buddha. It was raised in memory of Asoka's visit to this sacred site. Although the pillars have been standing for centuries, their highly polished surfaces continue to shine.

There are more than 30 carved inscriptions. In addition to the pillars, edicts were inscribed on large rocks with suitable surfaces for carving. They occur not only in India, but also in the neighboring countries of

Chapter 7, Lesson 3 13

History Makers

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CHAPTER 7

HISTORY MAKERS: ASOKA CONTINUED

Nepal and Pakistan. Some are even found in Afghanistan. The language of the edicts varies according to their location. Asoka's edicts make up India's oldest body of written work. (Some older works exist, but no one has been able to translate them.)

Scholars believe that the edicts were written in Asoka's own words. They inform the people of Asoka's reforms. The edicts also teach morality. Asoka saw himself as a parent to his subjects. He tried to teach them moral values. Among the values he encouraged were generosity, moderation in spending, and respect for elders and teachers. Asoka urged people not to harm life in any form. He also recommended certain "qualities of heart." These include kindness, honesty, gratitude, purity, enthusiasm, and self-control. In one edict, Asoka states that he desires "welfare and happiness both in this world and the next" for everyone.

Scholars have divided the rock edicts into three categories: the Fourteen Rock Edicts, the Kalinga Rock Edicts, and the Minor Rock Edicts. In one of the Fourteen Rock Edicts, Asoka makes clear his priority as a ruler: "I consider the welfare of all to be my duty. . . . There is no better work than promoting the welfare of all the people."

In the Kalinga Rock Edicts, Asoka instructs his officials to act fairly. He also makes plain that he does not plan to attack India's neighbors: "The people of the unconquered territories beyond the borders might think: `What is the king's intentions towards us?' My only intention is that they live without fear of me, that they may trust me and that I may give them happiness, not sorrow."

Asoka refers to the Seven Pillars as Dhamma pillars. Dhamma is a moral state of being that Asoka encourages his people to strive for. He defines Dhamma as including "little evil, much good, kindness, generosity, truthfulness, and purity."

Asoka ruled for nearly 40 years. Following his conquest of Kalinga, his reign was one of peace. Asoka's edicts were intended to inform

14 Chapter 7, Lesson 3

History Makers

and to teach his subjects and the rulers who would follow him. Unfortunately, the kings who followed him were not as skillful in ruling as Asoka was. Soon after Asoka's death, the Maurya Empire declined.

Review Questions 1. How did James Prinsep help scholars realize that Asoka was a real historic figure?

2. What is the main source of information about Asoka?

3. How did scholars learn that King Piyadasi and Asoka were the same person?

Critical Thinking 4. Comparing and Contrasting What is the main difference between the inscriptions left by Asoka and those left by other ancient rulers?

5. Recognizing Causes What changed Asoka from a cruel ruler to one who promoted peace and justice?

6. Making Inferences Why do you think that more heads of government don't pursue policies of peaceful co-existence?

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