Question

Explain the main features of Asoka’s policy of Dhamma

Answer 1

Main Features of Contents of the Dhamma (Edicts):

The edicts gave Asoka the opportunity to expound his dhamma. While different major rock edicts talk about various aspects of the dhamma, the Major Rock Edict XI contains an elaborate explanation of the dhamma, apart from dealing with charity and kinship of humanity.

It clearly indicates that Dhamma was a secular teaching. From this major rock edict as well as the other major rock edicts we can mention the following as the main features of the dhamma:

1. Major Rock Edict I:

Prohibition of animal sacrifices and festive fathering’s.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

2. Major Rock Edict II:

Describes the medical missions sent everywhere (land of Cholas, Pandyas, Satyaputras, Keralaputras, Ceylon, Antiochus) for men and animals. Plantation of medicinal herbs and trees and digging of wells along the roads.

3. Major Rock Edict III:

On 12 years of his consecration, Yuktas (subordinate officers) rajukas (rural administrators) and the Pradesikas (head of the districts) were ordered to tour every five years and propagate Dhamma. It also mentions about being generous to Brahmans and sramanas and obedient to one’s mother and father, friends and relatives.

4. Major Rock Edict IV:

The sound of the drum has become the sound of Dhamma showing the people the divine form.

5. Major Rock Edict V:

Mentions about the introduction of the institution of the dhamma-mahammatas, the officers of the Dhamma in his fourteenth year of reign. It also mentions about humane treat­ment of servants by masters and of prisoners by government officials.

6. Major Rock Edict VI:

It-makes the relationship between the king and his subjects via the Mahamattas more clear and now the Mahamattas are told to make their reports to the king at any time and place.

7. Major Rock Edict VII:

It pleads for toleration amongst all sects.

8. Major Rock Edict VIII:

In the tenth year of his reign Asoka went on a visit to Bodh-Gaya, to see the Bodhi-tree. Following this event he started a system of Dhamma-yatas which is described in this edict. Dhamma-yatas were occasions when he toured the country for the furtherance of Dhamma.

9. Major Rock Edict IX:

All ceremonies are useless except Dhamma which includes respect for others and regard even for slaves and servants and donations to sramanas and Brahmans.

10. Major Rock Edict X:

In this edict, Asoka denounces fame and glory and reasserts that the only glory he desires is that his subjects should follow the principles of Dhamma.

11. Major Rock Edict XI:

It contains a further explanation of Dhamma. Here he refers to the gift of Dhamma, the distribution of Dhamma, the kinship thorugh Dhamma.

12. Major Rock Edict XII:

It is a direct and emphatic plea for toleration amongst the various sects.

13. Major Rock Edict XIII:

It is among the most important document of Asokan history. It clearly states that the Kaling war took place eight years after his consecration.

It mentions about the replacements of bherighosa (sound of war drums) by dhammaghosa (sound of peace), i.e., con­quest through dhamma instead through war.