Transcript Asoka

Development of Buddhism
Asoka
Titles – Piyadasi; Chakravartin and
‘beloved of the gods’
The conversion of Asoka to Buddhism is a
major factor in the development of the
religion, along with the proliferation of sects
and convening of councils
Introduction on Asoka
1. It took c250 years for the Sangha
to fully impress a monarch.
2. 160 years after the Buddha’s
death, the Jain, Chandagupta
Maurya established his dynasty
and enlarged Magadha.
Introduction on Asoka
3. Asoka was his grandson who inherited
the empire in 272 B.C.E. – 268 B.C.E.
4. He adopted the Kautilyan theory of
statecraft of good karma by conquest of
lands.
5. The violent Kalingan campaign converted
Asoka to the cultivation of peace and he
became a lay Buddhist.
Asoka used four ‘tactics’ to spread
his social and ethical dharma
1. By persuasion – the stone pillars
(rock edicts). These urged role
responsibility and non – violence,
benevolence and charity.
2. By legislation – setting up welfare
centres, officers, parks and
banning sacrifices.
Asoka used four ‘tactics’ to spread
his social and ethical dharma
3.
Through the 3rd Council – At
Patilaputra, his capital. Asoka
sided with the Sthviras against
the Sarvastavadins. He agreed on
the three baskets of The Pali
Canon and sent missionaries
Evidence for Asoka as a factor
favouring Buddhism.
1. Increased the popularity of
Buddhism at home and abroad.
2. Buddhism became a universal
religion during his rule.
3. Asoka improved the status and
influence of the Sangha.
Evidence for Asoka as a factor
favouring Buddhism.
4. Asoka encouraged and
established peace, tolerance and
morality.
5. Asoka made it easy to be a monk
or a lay devotee
6. Asoka incorporated and tolerated
non Buddhist elements – all
inclusive; a Buddhist ideal!
Evidence against Asoka as a factor
favouring Buddhism.
1. Asoka antagonised Brahmins.
2. Asoka antagonised other sects.
3. Asoka weakened the dharma by
encouraging other sects to
practice their beliefs freely.
Evidence against Asoka as a factor
favouring Buddhism.
4. Asoka was an autocrat.
5. Asoka used Buddhism for his clever
political ends.
6. Asoka made it too easy to become a
Monk.
7. Asoka separated out sila from the other
trainings on the Eightfold Path –can it
ever be separated out?
Conclusion on Asoka
1. His empire crumbled within 50
years
2. He only ever promoted morality3.
3. Missionaries were sent to Sri
Lanka; Kashmir; Gandhara;
Himalayas; Malaya; Southern
India; Egypt and Syria
Conclusion on Asoka
4. Buddhism had become a popular
cult by the time of Asoka’s death
5. The three fold relationship
envisaged by the Buddha for the
survival of Buddhism of The
Sangha, the King and the people
had become a reality