ASHOKAN EDICTS AND POLICY OF DHAMMA - HISTORY
News: A rock & two pillars: How 3 Ashokan-era edicts found their place in Delhi
What's in the news?
● In the heart of South Delhi, near Kalkaji temple in the East of Kailash, one can find a piece of history that pre-dates the Chahamanas, Lodhis, and Khiljis, by several centuries.
● The rock edict, one among several scattered in different parts of the country, narrates emperor Ashoka’s policy of Dhamma, which he began to disseminate after embracing Buddhism and ahimsa (non-violence) following his conquest in the bloody battle for Kalinga.
Ashoka’s Edicts and Inscriptions:
● The first tangible evidence of Buddhism is represented by the rock and pillar edicts of Asoka detailing the wide expansion of Buddhism through the sponsorship of one of the most powerful kings of Indian history.
● These edicts mention that Buddhism reached as far as the Mediterranean, and many Buddhist monuments were created in a wide area.
● Buddhism and the Buddha are mentioned, the edicts focus on social and moral precepts rather than religious practices or the philosophical dimension of Buddhism.
● In these inscriptions, Ashoka refers to himself as “Beloved of the Gods” and “King Priya-darshi.”
● The inscriptions found in the eastern part of India were written in the Magadhi language, using the Brahmi script.
● In the western part of India, the language used is closer to Sanskrit, using the Kharosthi script, one extract of Edict 13 in the Greek language, and one bilingual edict written in Greek and Aramaic.
● These edicts were decoded by British archaeologist and historian James Prinsep.
● Major themes:
○ Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism,
○ The description of his efforts to spread Buddhism,
○ His moral and religious precepts,
○ His social and animal welfare program.
Pillars:
● About:
○ Ashoka pillars, (usually made of chunar sandstone), as a symbol of the state, assumed a great significance in the entire Mauryan Empire.
● Objective:
○ The main objective was to disseminate the Buddhist ideology and court orders in the entire Mauryan empire.
● Language:
○ While most Ashoka pillar edicts were in Pali and Prakrit language, few were written in Greek or Aramaic language also.
● Architecture:
○ Mauryan pillars mainly comprise of four parts:
○ Shaft:
■ A long shaft formed the base and was made up of a single piece of stone or monolith.
○ Capital:
■ On top of the shaft lay the capital, which was either lotus-shaped or bell-shaped.
○ Abacus:
■ Above the capital, there was a circular or rectangular base known as the abacus.
○ Capital Figure:
■ All the capital figures (usually animals like a bull, lion, elephant, etc) are vigorous and carved standing on a square or circular abacus.
Major Rock Edicts:
1. Major Rock Edict I:
● Prohibits animal slaughter. Bans festive gatherings and killings of animals.
● Only two peacocks and one deer were killed in Asoka’s kitchen.
● He wished to discontinue this practice of killing two peacocks and one deer as well.
2. Major Rock Edict II:
● Provides care for man and animals, describes Chola, Pandya, Satyaputra and Keralputra Kingdoms of South India.
3. Major Rock Edict III:
● Generosity to Brahmans. Issued after 12 years of Asoka’s coronation.
● It says that the Yuktas (subordinate officers and Pradesikas (district Heads) along with Rajukas (Rural officers) shall go to all areas of the kingdom every five years and spread the Dhamma Policy of Asoka.
4. Major Rock Edict IV:
● Dhammaghosa is ideal and not Bherighosa. Impact of Dhamma on society.
5. Major Rock Edict V:
● Concerns about the policy towards slaves.
● He mentions in this rock edict “Every Human is my child…''Appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras is mentioned in this edict.
6. Major Rock Edict VI:
● Describes King’s desire to get informed about the conditions of the people constantly.
● Talks about welfare measures.
7. Major Rock Edict VII:
● Requests tolerance for all religions
8. Major Rock Edict VIII:
● Describes Asoka’s first Dhamma Yatra to Bodhgaya & Bodhi Tree.
9. Major Rock Edict IX:
● Condemns popular ceremonies. Stress in ceremonies of Dhamma.
10. Major Rock Edict X:
● Condemns the desire for fame and glory. Stresses on popularity of Dhamma.
11. Major Rock Edict XI:
● Elaborates Dhamma
12. Major Rock Edict XII:
● Directed and determined request for tolerance among different religious sects.
13. Major Rock Edict XIII:
● Asoka’s victory over Kalinga.
● Victory of Asoka’s Dhamma over Greek Kings, Antiochus, Ptolemy, Antigonus, Magas, Alexander and Cholas, Pandyas etc.
● This is the Largest Edict. It mentions Kamboj, Nabhaks, Bhoja, Andhra etc.
14. Major Rock Edict XIV:
● Describes engraving of inscriptions in different parts of the country.
Pillar edicts:
1. Pillar Edict I:
● Asoka’s principle of protection to people.
2. Pillar Edict II:
● Defines Dhamma as the minimum of sins, many virtues, compassion, liberality, truthfulness, and purity.
3. Pillar Edict III:
● Abolishes sins of harshness, cruelty, anger, pride, etc.
4. Pillar Edict IV:
● Deals with duties of Rajukas.
5. Pillar Edict V:
● List of animals and birds which should not be killed on some days and another list of animals which have not to be killed at all.
6. Pillar Edict VI:
● Dhamma policy
7. Pillar Edict VII:
● Works done by Asoka for Dhamma policy.
Minor Pillar Inscriptions:
1. Rummindei Pillar Inscription:
● Asokha’s visit to Lumbini & exemption of Lumbini from tax.
2. Nigalisagar Pillar Inscription, Nepal:
● It mentions that Asoka increased the height of the stupa of Buddha Konagamana to its double size.
Major Pillar Inscriptions:
1. Sarnath Lion Capital:
● Near Varanasi was built by Ashoka in commemoration of Dharmachakrapravartana or the first sermon of Buddha.
2. Vaishali Pillar, Bihar, single lion, with no inscription.
3. Some other pillars:
● Sankissa Pillar, Uttar Pradesh
● Lauriya-Nandangarh, Champaran, Bihar.
● Lauriya-Araraj, Champaran, Bihar
● Allahabad pillar, Uttar Pradesh.
Go back to basics:
Ashoka's Policy of Dhamma:
● Rhe principles of Dhamma were so formulated as to be acceptable to people belonging to different communities and following any religious sect.
● Dhamma was not given any formal definition or structure. It emphasised on toleration and general behaviour.
Features of Dhamma:
● Dhamma stressed on dual toleration such that it emphasised on
○ Toleration of people themselves.
○ Toleration of their various beliefs and ideas.
● Showing consideration towards slaves and servants.
● Obedience to elders.
● Generosity towards the needy, Brahmanas and Sramanas, etc.
● Asoka also pleaded for tolerance of different religious sects in an attempt to create a sense of harmony.
● The policy of Dhamma also laid stress on non-violence.
○ Non-violence was to be practised by giving up war and conquests and also as a restraint on the killing of animals.
○ However, Asoka realized that a certain display of his political might may be necessary to keep the primitive forest tribes in check.
● The policy of Dhamma also included certain welfare measures, like planting of trees, digging of wells, etc.
● Asoka attacked ceremonies and sacrifices practiced regularly on various occasions as meaningless.
● A group of officers known as the Dhamma Mahamattas were instituted to implement and publicise the various aspects of Dhamma.
○ Asoka thrust a very heavy responsibility on them to carry his message to the various sections of the society.
○ However, they seem gradually to have developed into a type of priesthood of Dhamma with great powers and soon began to interfere in politics as well.