Hello
Everyone –
During the month of August, people throughout the world celebrate India’s
Independence Day. On August 15, 1947, India became an independent
republic (within the Commonwealth of Nations) under the leadership of Mohandas
K. (Mahatma) Gandhi. To commemorate the Republic of India’s upcoming birthday,
here is a brief description of the reign of Ashoka 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
Ashoka 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,” Ashoka was able to
promote wholesome social reforms, provide health care for humans and animals,
and encourage interfaith understanding throughout his empire.
Summary
of King Ashoka’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
Ashoka (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 Ashoka to Kashmir, to
Persia, to Ceylon and Alexandria.
Such was Ashoka, 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 Ashoka 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 Ashoka’s Edicts (Excerpts)
Source:
http://en.wikiquote.org
·
King
[Ashoka] does not consider glory and fame to be of great account unless they
are achieved through having my subjects respect Dharma and practice Dharma,
both now and in the future.
·
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.
·
[Ashoka],
Beloved-of-the-Gods, thinks that even those who do wrong should be forgiven
where forgiveness is possible.
·
[Ashoka],
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 [Ashoka], 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 [Ashoka], 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 [Ashoka], 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 [Ashoka], desires
that all should be well-learned in the good doctrines of other religions.
Until
next time –
Rob
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.