Ashoka’s Dhamma discussed by Harsh
Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers in entire history of mankind. His name shines like a star in the galaxy of greatest rulers seen by humanity. During his long rule of 37 years, Ashoka took various measure for the welfare of its subjects and strengthening his empire by the mean of peace. He was equally successful in the both fields of war and peace. Dhamma was one of the major initiatives taken by Ashoka the Great.
Ashokan inscriptions are the major source which provides information about the nature and character of the Dhamma. These inscriptions were especially issued by Ashoka for propagating the ideas , which spread all over his empire. There are 14 major edicts of Ashoka, minor rock edicts, pillar edicts and cave inscriptions. All these provided detail about the dhamma of Ashoka.
Also read : Mauryan Empire – Nature and Polity
Ashokan Inscriptions and Their Importance
Magadha Empire – Urban Administration
IVC – Indus Valley Civilization – Decline and Continuity
What was Dhamma?
Dhamma is a word of Prakrit language which is similar to the Sanskrit word, Dharma. The term Dharma generally synonymous with the word Religion, but that’s not the only meaning of Dharma in Indian culture. It was most commonly used for the duties and responsibilities of a person or an institution.
For example, Rashtra Dharma means duties of a person towards state, Pitra dharma – duties towards the father, Bhrata dharma – duties towards brother etc. Th impartial examination of the contents of Ashoka’s Dhamma revealed that it was an ethical moral code of conduct propounded by Ashoka for the all-round progress of his subjects.
Contents of Ashoka’s Dhamma
The information provided by the Ashoka’s edicts throw light on the content of Dhamma. In the 2nd pillar edicts, Ashoka asks himself what is Dhamma? And he replies in 2nd and 7th pillar edicts. Content can be broadly divided into two categories of dos and don’ts. As first category consist of appreciable aspects of human behavior and second category consists of those aspects of human behavior which were to be discouraged.
The appreciable aspects consist; respect of parents and teachers, donations to Brahmans and Sharman’s, truthfulness, non-violence, faithfulness, pity, kindness and good words. The elements of behavior that were discouraged by Ashoka’s Dhamma were; jealousness, greedy behavior, deception, pride, anger, abusing or criticizing the religions of other and selfishness.
Nature and Character of Ashoka’s Dhamma
It was progressive and liberal as did not impose any restriction on the peoples as it was endeavored to widen the scope of human progress. Simplicity was the hallmark of the Ashoka’s Dhamma as it was free from the rituals and ceremonies and complex philosophies. It was equalitarian in outlook as it treated every human as equal.
It was non-discriminatory as it treated every religion idea, belief, social status and practices with respect and equally. The nature of content was non-violent as it essentially an ethical moral concept. It was cosmopolitan and universal in its outlook as its world view presented by Dhamma could be followed by anyone without any difficulty. Doctrine of peaceful co-existence was inherent in every message of it.
So, it was tolerant in nature. Elements of imperialistic outlook can also be seen in nature and character of Dhamma because it was used as a mean of state control by Emperor Ashoka. It was a comprehensive concept but its outlook was inclusive as it touched upon every sphere of a human life like economic, religious, and economic. It was essentially secular as it was far above the scope of religion.
How did Dhamma Propagated by Ashoka?
The contents of Dhamma were inscribed by Ashoka on the rock and pillars and they were installed throughout the length and breadth of Mauryan Empire. Edicts were written in the language of common masses, so that every can read them. These edicts were included in the welfare taken by Ashoka for his subjects.
According to the 5th Major Rock edict, Ashoka appointed a special class of officers who known as Dhamma Mahamatras in his 14th reginal year to propagate the message of Dhamma. These officers were to travel across the empire and spread the message among peoples. Dhamma Yatras were undertaken by Ashoka to propagate the message. The traditions of hunting or pleasure were given up in favor of Dhamma Yatras.
Ashoka visited Lumbini in his 20th reginal year, recorded on the Lumbini pillar edict of Ashoka. Royal officials were ordered to visited their areas at least once in five years so that grievances of peoples could be addressed along with the propagation of Dhamma, this came to known as Anusamyana. Royal ambassadors were sent by Ashoka to his neighbor kingdoms to spread the message.
13th Major rock edicts of Ashoka informs that these ambassadors were sent to territories of Ptolemy of Philadelphus, Alexander of Epirus, Magas of Cyrene, Antiochus of Syria, Antigonus of Macedonia etc. Public discourses were organized to spread the message. It was also propagated by organizing exhibitions of its effects which portrayed that the followers of this was going to heaven and non-follower going to end in hell.
Impact of Dhamma
It helped Ashoka in strengthening the foundation of his empire. Ashoka could achieve the consolidation of this great empire. This help in maintaining the socio-religious stability in the society. No significant crisis of any type was witnessed by during the reign of king Ashoka. Reign of Ashoka was remained free from challenges of revolts and rebellions as; during his father’s reign, three revolts took place.
It helped Ashoka to ensure ethical, moral upliftment of his subjects. Ashoka could achieve the objective of creating a welfare state. It greatly strengthened the soft power of Mauryan empire. It imparted new orientation to Mauryan imperialism. Ashoka could successfully carry out extensive culture conquest by using Dhamma.
Though Dhamma declined after the death of Ashoka but the spread of it continued as an integral part of Indian culture and this spread can be seen in Indian culture even today.