ASHOKA'SDHARN,,IA 1. Dharmavijaya("Transcendentalism") RockedictXIII: The Kalingacountrywas conquered King Priyadarshi the eighthyear of his by in reign.

One hundredand fifty thousand werecarriedaway captive, one persons hundredthousand wereslain,and many timesthat numberdied. lmmediately after the Kalingashad beenconquered, King Priyadarshi became intensely devotedto the study of Dharma,to the love of Dharma, of and to the inculcation Dharma. The Beloved the Gods,conqueror the Kalingas, movedto of of is remorse of now. For he hasfelt profoundsorrowand regretbecause conquest the a peoplepreviously unconquered involvedslaughter, and deportation... death, Thus all men share the misfortune, in and this weighson King Priyadarshi's mind...King Priyadarshi now thinksthat evena personwho wrongshim must be forgivenfor wrongs that can be forgiven... seeks induceeventhe forest to peoplewho havecomeunder his dominionto adopt this way of life and this ideal... desires securi$,self-control, impartiality, for and cheerfulness all living (Dharmavijaya) most creatures... King Priyadarshi considers moralconquest the importantconquest. hasachieved He this moralconquest, repeatedly both here and amongthe people living beyondthe borders his kingdorn, of evenas far away as six hundredyojanas(3000miles),where the Yonaking Antiyoka rules (AntiochusIl Theosof Syria,261-246 BCE),and evenbeyondAntiyoka in the realmsof the four kings namedTuramaya(PtolmeyII Philadelphas 285-247), Antikini (Abtogonos Conatosof Macedonia,278-258), Maba (Magasof Cyrene, 300-258), Alikasudara(Alexanderof Epirus and and to the south ,272-258), amongthe Cholas and the Pandyas... Wherever conquest achieved Dharma, is by it producessatisfaction. Satisfaction firmly established conquest Dharma. is by by Evensatisfaction, however,is of little importance. King Priyadarshi attaches valueultimatelyonly to consequences actionin the otherworld (futurelife)... of 'This is good,hereand hereafter. their pleasure pleasure Dharma Let be in (Dharma-rati). this aloneis good, hereand hereafter.' For Pillaredict l: It is difficultto achieve happiness, eitherin this world of the next,except by intenselove of Dharma,intense self-examination, intense obedience, intense fear of sin, and intenseenthusiasm. as a resultof my instructiory Yet regardfor Dharmaand love of Dharma haveincreased day by day and will continueto -increase. officialsof all ranks-- high, low, and intermediate act in accord My with the precepts my instructiory of and by their exampleand influencethey are ableto recallfickle-mindedpeopleto their drV... For theseare their rules:to governaccordingto Dharma,to advancepeople's happiness accordingto Dharma,and to protectthem accordingto Dharma.

2. Non-violence(Ahimsa) RockedictlV: Formany hundredyearsin the past, slaughter animals, of crueltyto living creatures, discourtesy relatives, to and disrespect brahminsand renunciates for hasbeenincreasing. now because King Priyadarshi's But of practice the of Dharma,the soundof war-drumshasbecome call of Dharma,summoning the the peopleto exhibitions the chariots the gods,elephants, of of fireworks, and otherheavenly displays. King Priyadarshi's inculcation Dharmahasincreased, of beyondanythingobserved many hundreds years, in of abstention from killing animals and from crueltyto living beings, kindliness humanand family in relations, respect brahmins for and renunciates, obedience motherand and to fatherand elders... RockedictI: Many hundredsof living creatures were formerly slaughtered every day for the curriesin the kitchens His Majesty. present, of At when this Edicton Dharmais beinginscribed, only threeliving creatures killed daily, two peacocks a are and deer,and the deeris not slaughtered regularly. the future,not eventhese In three animals shallbe slaughtered... 3. Religious pluralism and universal education Maskirock edict: For more than two and a half years, havebeena lay disciple (upasaka) the I of (Orderof Monks and Buddha.More than a yearago,I attended upon the Samgha Nuns),and sincethen I havebeenenergetic my efforts... in Bhabra rockedict: King Priyadarshi Magadha of conveys greetings the Samgha his to and wishes them good healthand prosperity.You know, Reverend Sirs,the extentof my reverence and faith in the Buddha,the Dharma,and the Samgha. for Whatever the Lord Buddha hassaid,Reverend Sirs,is of coursewell said... Pi l l a re di ctV l l : My officers charged with the spread Dharmaareoccupied of with variouskinds of services beneficial renunciates to and householders, they are empowered and to concern themselves with all sects. haveorderedsomeof them to look after I the careof the Brahminand Ajivika sects, someto work among the Jainas, and someamongthe variousotherreligious sects. Differentofficials thus assigned are specifically the affairsof differentreligions, to but my officersfor spreading Dharmaare occupiedwith all sects. RockedictsVII:

of in King Priyadarshi wishesmembers all faithsto live everywhere his kingdom. For they all seekmasteryof the senses and purity of mind. Men are differentin and and they rnayperformthe wholeof their inclinations passions, however, of their dutiesor only part.Evenif one is not ableto makelavishgifts,mastery devotionare commendable the senses, and steadfast purity of mind, gratitude, and essential... R o c ke di ctX l l : members religious of King Priyadarshi ordersand honorsmen of all faiths, Yet laymenalike,with giftsand variousmarksof esteem. he doesnot value to eithergiftsor honorsas much as growth in the qualities essential religionin This growth may takemany forms,but its root is in guarding men of all faiths. the to one'sown faithand disparaging faith of others one'sspeech avoid extolling immoderately. faithsof The improperly, when the occasion appropriate, or, is or to By othersdeserve be honoredfor one reason another. honoringthem,one to a exalts one'sown faith and at the sametime performs service the faithof concordaloneis commendable, through concordmen may others... Therefore for the by learnand respect conception Dharmaaccepted others.King Priyadarshi of sound desires doctrines and to acquire men of all faithsto know eachother's is the promotionof eachman's doctrines... objective thesemeasures of The of particular faith and the glorification Dharma. RockedictXI: of the Thereis no gift that canequalthe gift of Dharma, establishment human or relations Dharma,the distribution wealththroughDharma, kinshipin of on D h a r ma . 4. Compassionate welfare policy Maskiedict: (l . . . 1 n a m b u d vi p a n d i a ), eg o dswho for mer ly th had no r elations with men have J is now beenassociated with them.But this resultwhich I haveachieved within to the powerevenof a poor man if he is devotedto Dharma.It is incorrect suppose that it is limited to the rich. Poorand rich shouldbe told: 'lf you actin this way, this praiseworthy achievement endurea longtime and will be rvill augmented time and a half.' a 5. Monarchicaldecentralization RockedictVl: was not transacted reportsmadeat all hoursof the ln the past,statebusiness or to day. I have therefore madearrangements that officialsmay haveaccess me -- rvhenI and may reporton the affairsof my peopleat all timesand in all places am eating, when I am in the haremor my innerapartments, when I am attending in to the cattle,, when I am walking or engaged religiousexercises.now attend I when a donationor proclamation to the affairsof the peoplein all places. And

that I haveorderedverbally, an urgentmatterwhich I havedelegated rny or to high officials, causes debateor a disputein the Council,this must be reported a to me immediately, all hoursand in all places. at These my orders.I am never are completely in satisfildwith my rvorkor my vigilance carryingout publicaffairs. welfaremy highest duty, and its exercise the I consider promotionof the people's is groundedin work and constant application. taskis more importantto me No than promotingthe well-being the people. of Suchwork as I accomplish contributes discharging debt I owe to all living creatures makethem to the to huppy in this world and in the next... R o c ke d i ctV l l l : King Priyadarshi doesnot consider insofar glory or renownof greatvalueexcept as the people, present at and in the future,hearof his practice the Dharmaand of themselves in accordance live with the Dharrna... thispurposehe desires For glory and fame... R o c ke d i ctV l l l : In the pastkingsusedto go on pleasure tours.On these tours,they huntedand indulgedin otherpastimes. King Priyadarshi, however, became enlightened in wisdom ten yearsafterhis coronation. Since then his tourshavebeenDharmatours.He visitsbrahmins and renunciates makesgiftsto them;he visitsthe and agedand givesthem money;he visitsthe peopleof rural areas, instructing them in the Dharmaand discussing with them... it takesgreatpleasure these. in