August 2014 Leadership Reflection

Leadership Reflection for August 2014:

Asoka the Great, Emperor of India

        During the month of August, people of Indic heritage throughout the world celebrate India’s Independence Day. On August 15, 1947, India became an independent republic under the leadership of Mohandas K. (Mahatma) Gandhi. To commemorate India’s 67^th birthday, here is a brief description of the reign of Asoka the Great (304-232 BCE), the exemplary Emperor of India (reigned 268-232 BCE), along with some quotations from his many edifying edicts, which are found throughout the country inscribed on rocks and pillars. Like every truly great leader in human history, King Asoka led by example and governed by persuasion, which are still the most effective tools for leaders to use as they strive to exert a positive influence on the world around them. By “practicing what he preached,” Asoka was able to promote wholesome social reforms, provide health care for humans and animals, and encourage interfaith understanding throughout his empire.

The Indian flag appeared on the first postage stamp of independent India in 1947. At the center of the flag is the Ashoka Chakra (“King Asoka’s Wheel [of the Dharma]”), which contains 24 spokes, one for each hour of the day. (Image Credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Summary of King Asoka’s Life and Legacy

Condensed (and Slightly Revised by RHC) from H. G. Wells’ Outline of History (1920) and A Short History of the World (1922) – Public Domain

        Asoka (268 to 232 BCE), one of the great monarchs of history, whose dominions extended from Afghanistan to Madras, is the only military monarch on record who abandoned warfare after victory. He had invaded Kalinga (260 BCE), a country along the east coast of Madras, perhaps with some intention of completing the conquest of the tip of the Indian peninsula. The expedition was successful, but he was disgusted by what he saw of the cruelties and horrors of war. He declared, in certain inscriptions that still exist, that he would no longer seek conquest by war, but by religion, and the rest of his life was devoted to the spreading of Buddhism throughout the world. He seems to have ruled his vast empire in peace and with great ability. He was no mere religious fanatic.

        His reign for eight-and-twenty years was one of the brightest interludes in the troubled history of mankind. He organized a great digging of wells in India and the planting of trees for shade. He founded hospitals and public gardens and gardens for the growing of medicinal herbs. He created a ministry for the care of the aborigines and subject races of India. He made provision for the education of women. He made vast benefactions to the Buddhist teaching orders, and tried to stimulate them to a better and more energetic criticism of their own accumulated literature. Missionaries went from Asoka to Kashmir, to Persia, to Ceylon and Alexandria.

        Such was Asoka, greatest of kings. He was far in advance of his age. Amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesties and graciousnesses and serenities and royal highnesses and the like, the name of Asoka shines, and shines, almost alone, a star. From the Volga to Japan his name is still honored. China, Tibet, and even India, though it has left his doctrine, preserve the tradition of his greatness. More living men cherish his memory today than have ever heard the names of Constantine or Charlemagne.

Passages from King Asoka’s Edicts (Excerpts)

Source: http://en.wikiquote.org

·        Dharma is good, but what constitutes Dharma? It includes little evil, much good, kindness, generosity, truthfulness, and purity.

·        Progress among the people through Dharma has been done by two means, by Dharma regulations and by persuasion. Of these, Dharma regulation is of little effect, while persuasion has much more effect.

·        [Asoka], Beloved-of-the-Gods, thinks that even those who do wrong should be forgiven where forgiveness is possible.

·    [Asoka], Beloved-of-the-Gods, speaks thus: Father and mother should be respected and so should elders, kindness to living beings should be made strong, and the truth should be spoken. In these ways, the Dharma should be promoted. Likewise, a teacher should be honored by his pupil and proper manners should be shown towards relations. This is an ancient rule that conduces to long life. Thus should one act.

·        Everywhere has Beloved-of-the-Gods, King [Asoka], made provision for two types of medical treatment: medical treatment for humans and medical treatment for animals. Wherever medical herbs suitable for humans or animals are not available, I have had them imported and grown. Wherever medical roots or fruits are not available, I have had them imported and grown. Along roads I have had wells dug and trees planted for the benefit of humans and animals.

· Beloved-of-the-Gods, King [Asoka], honors both ascetics and the householders of all religions, and he honors them with gifts and honors of various kinds. But Beloved-of-the-Gods, King [Asoka], does not value gifts and honors as much as he values this — that there should be growth in the essentials of all religions. Growth in essentials can be done in different ways, but all of them have as their root restraint in speech, that is, not praising one’s own religion, or condemning the religion of others without good cause. And if there is cause for criticism, it should be done in a mild way. But it is better to honor other religions for this reason: By so doing, one’s own religion benefits, and so do other religions, while doing otherwise harms one’s own religion and the religions of others. Whoever praises his own religion, due to excessive devotion, and condemns others with the thought, “Let me glorify my own religion,” only harms his own religion. Therefore contact between religions is good. One should listen to and respect the doctrines professed by others. Beloved-of-the-Gods, King [Asoka], desires that all should be well-learned in the good doctrines of other religions.