ASOKA and the spread of Buddhism

Introduction

In one of his inscriptions, Asoka made an open confession of his faith in the Buddha, the Dharma (the Buddhist doctrine) and the Sangha (the Buddhist order of monks). He called the Buddha ‘Bhagavat’ – an epithet applied by a Hindu to the object of his loving devotion. He went on pilgrimage to the places of Buddha’s nativity and enlightenment and worshipped at the former place.

He took much interest in the exposition of the Buddhist Dharma or doctrine so that it might long endure.  As to the Sangha, he kept in close touch with it after his memorable visit to the fraternity a year or so after his conversion. He impressed on the clergy the need of a correct exposition of the true doctrine and appointed several officers for maintaining orders in the Brotherhood. He also took steps to maintain the integrity of the monasteries and also convened a council to during his reign to compile the Buddhist scriptures.

According to one view, he made a deep study of the Buddhist scriptures and undertook ‘tours of morality’, in which he visited the people of the country, instructing them in Dharma (morality and piety). The king was no longer seen only among the priests, hunters and soldiers but among the country folks lecturing on Dharma. He taught them that attainment of heaven is not the monopoly of the great alone. Even simple country folks could attain heaven if they follow Dharma.

The dominions of Asoka were very vast and were not possible for the king to visit the entire length and breadth of the country preaching Dharma. So he appointed royal officers in charge of revenue collection, judge, police and secretaries or clerks to publish rescripts on morality and set out on tours every five years to give instructions in morality. The rescripts and proclamations were supposed to be engraved on rocks and on existing stone pillars. Later special officials for propagating dharma were appointed called ‘Dharma Mahamantras’. They were religious officer and toured the entire length and breadth of the country preaching Asoka’s Dharma, also called ‘Dhamma’.

Even envoys went out to foreign courts so that people outside the empire could be taught morality and Dharma could be propagated. The most important example is of the south mission which was headed by Prince Mahindra, brother of Asoka. Devanampiya Tissa, the ruler of the island kingdom (modern Sri Lanka) got converted and his example was followed by his subjects. Even lower Burma and Sumatra were visited by the envoys to preach Buddhism.  Asoka helped Buddhism grow in western Asia also apart from south east.