Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian ruler of the Mauryan Empire who governed practically the entire Indian subcontinent from 268 to 232 BCE. Ashoka encouraged the spread of Buddhism across ancient Asia. Many consider Ashoka to be one of India's greatest kings, expanding Chandragupta's empire to rule over territory ranging from present-day Afghanistan in the west to present-day Bangladesh in the east. This article will explain to you the Asoka and Buddhism which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Kalinga War

• At its zenith, Ashoka's realm spanned from Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east.
• Except for modern-day Kerala and Tamil Nadu, as well as modern-day Sri Lanka, it covered nearly the whole Indian subcontinent.
• Ashoka issued multiple edicts across India, including modern-day Nepal and Pakistan.
• According to Ashoka's inscriptions, he conquered the Kalinga region, the resulting destruction led him to repentance, and in the years that followed, he was drawn to Buddhism.
• According to Major Rock Edict 13, Ashoka attacked Kalinga eight years after ascending to the throne.
• The Kingdom of Kalinga was located on the beach south of Pataliputra and prospered greatly from trade.
• The Mauryan Empire surrounded Kalinga, and the two policies plainly profited financially from their collaboration.

Kalinga War - Outcome

• The Kingdom of Kalinga was located on the seashore south of Pataliputra and gained tremendous prosperity from commerce.
• The Mauryan Empire encircled Kalinga, and the two policies clearly benefited financially as a result of their cooperation.
• The cause of the Kalinga campaign is uncertain, but Ashoka attacked the kingdom around 261 BCE, murdering 100,000 residents, deporting 150,000 more, and leaving many more to die of illness and starvation.
• According to legend, Ashoka travelled across the battlefield, gazing at the dead and damage, and had a deep conversion of heart.
• Ashoka eventually abandoned battle and accepted Buddhism, although this was not a dramatic conversion, but rather a gradual acceptance of Buddha's teachings, which he may or may not have been familiar with.
• It is certainly plausible that Ashoka was aware of Buddha's teaching before Kalinga and simply did not take it to heart, not allowing it to influence his actions in any manner.

Ashoka and Buddhism

• According to his own Edicts of Ashoka, Ashoka himself conducted the battle with Kalinga, which concluded in 261 BC, completing in the eighth year of Ashoka's rule, and he was able to destroy the Kalingas.
• During the battle, entire cities were devastated, and over a hundred thousand people were slaughtered.
• The atrocities of war so horrified him that he vowed to avoid violence for the rest of his life and became a Buddhist.
• The Kalinga conflict is clearly described in Ashoka's 13th Rock Edict.
• From Chandashoka, he became Dharmashoka (the holy Ashoka).
• He became a Buddhist. A Buddhist monk named Moggaliputta Tissa became his guru.
• Around 250 BC, Ashoka presided over the third Buddhist Council in Pataliputra, which was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa.

Reign after Kalinga War

• According to both Mahavamsa and Ashokavadana, Ashoka built 84,000 stupas or viharas.
• This occurred during his fifth–seventh regnal years, according to the Mahavamsa.
• According to the Ashokavadana, Ashoka acquired seven of Gautama Buddha's eight relics and had their halves placed in 84,000 boxes composed of gold, silver, cat's eye, and crystal.
• The Mahavamsa discusses Ashoka's relic collecting but does not mention it in the context of the construction efforts.
• Ashoka asserts in his rock edicts that he supported the propagation of Buddhism to the Hellenistic countries to the west, and that the Greeks in his dominion were Buddhist converts and receivers of his envoys.

Propagation of Dhamma

• Dhamma's programme was an earnest attempt to solve some of the issues and problems that a complicated society faced.
• According to Ashoka's rock edicts, during his eighth–ninth regnal years, he undertook a visit to the Bodhi Tree, began preaching dhamma, and engaged in social welfare initiatives.
• Human and animal welfare efforts included the building of medical treatment facilities, the planting of medicinal plants, the drilling of wells, and the planting of trees along highways.
• These operations were carried out in neighbouring kingdoms such as the Cholas, Pandyas, Satyaputra, Tamraparni, and the Greek state of Antiyoka.
• Other social projects, like tree planting and well digging, are also part of Dhamma's approach.
• Ashoka thought ceremonies and sacrifices were pointless.

Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa

• The Mahavamsa is a painstakingly preserved historical chronicle of Sri Lanka written in Pali in the style of an epic poem.
• The Buddha made three trips to the Island, according to the Dipavamsa.
• Emperor Ashoka's voyage to Sri Lanka, the transplantation of the bodhi tree, and the creation of the Mahavihara are all covered in Mahavamsa.
• Ashoka was converted to Buddhism by his nephew Nigrodha, who became a monk at the early age of seven, according to Buddhist books Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa.
• According to the Divyavadana, Ashoka was converted by Samudra, a merchant-turned-monk.

Third Buddhist Council

• Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty patronised the event.
• It was held at Pataliputra around 250 BC.
• Mogaliputta Tissa presided over the council.
• The main goal was to rid Buddhism of opportunistic groups and corruption in the Sangha.
• The Abhidhamma Pitaka was written here, bringing the contemporary Pali Tipitaka nearly to completion.
• Buddhist missionaries were dispatched to many countries.
• Hinayana Buddhism was preached by Emperor Ashoka.

Conclusion

The Mauryan Empire's third king was Ashoka the Great. Ashoka promoted the spread of Buddhism across ancient Asia. The reason for the Kalinga campaign is unknown. According to mythology, Ashoka walked over the battlefield, looking at the dead and the destruction, and had a profound conversion of heart. Ashoka finally gave up the fight and adopted Buddhism.