Question

Explain the main principles of Ashoka’s dhamma.

Answer 1

Dhamma is a set of edicts that formed a policy of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka Maurya (Devanāgarī: अशोक, IAST: Aśoka), who succeeded to the Mauryanthrone in modern-day India around 269 B.C.[1] Many historians[which?] consider him one of the greatest kings of ancient India for his policies of public welfare. His policy of Dhamma has been debated by intellectuals.[2][3]

Ashoka The GreatMaurya Samrat

A "Chakravartin" ruler, 1st century BCE/CE. Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati. Preserved at Musee Guimet

Reign268–232 BCECoronation268 BCEPredecessorBindusaraSuccessorDasharathaBorn304 BCE, Close to 7 Aug
Pataliputra, PatnaDied232 BCE (aged 72)
Pataliputra, PatnaBurialCremated 232 BCE, less than 24 hours after death
Ashes immersed in the Ganges River, possibly at VaranasiDynastyMauryaReligionBuddhism

Definition
The word Dhamma is the Prakrit form of the Sanskrit word Dharma. There have been attempts to define and find equivalent English words for it, such as "piety", "moral life" and "righteousness" but scholars could not translate it into English because it was coined and used in a specific context. The word Dharmahas multiple meanings in the literature and thought of ancient India. The best way to understand what Ashoka means by Dhamma is to read his edicts, which were written to explain the principles of Dhamma to the people of that time throughout the empire.

Dhamma was not a particular religious faith or practice, or an arbitrary formulated royal policy. Dharma related to generalized norms of social behavior and activities; Ashoka tried to synthesize various social norms which were current in his time. It cannot be understood by assuming it is one of the various religions that existed at that time. To understand why and how Ashoka formulated Dharma and its meaning, one must understand the characteristics of the time in which he lived and to refer to Buddhist, Brahmanical and other texts where norms of social behavior are explained.

Some historians link Ashoka’s policy of dhamma with Buddhism. According to V.A. Smith , Ashoka actually became a Buddhist monk for a short span of his life. Smith believes that he was both a monk and a monarch at the same time. D.R. Bhandarkar claims that Ashoka was a Buddhist and his policy of dhamma was actually original Buddhism as preached by the Budhha. Radha Kumud Mookerji also formulates that as far as the personal religion of Ashoka is concerned, it may be taken as Buddhism.

Answer 2

Answer:

Ashoka's Dhamma has the following salient points-

Ashoka's Dhamma has the following salient points- 1) Respect for elders and love for children.

Ashoka's Dhamma has the following salient points- 1) Respect for elders and love for children. 2) Ahimsa or non-violence.

Ashoka's Dhamma has the following salient points- 1) Respect for elders and love for children. 2) Ahimsa or non-violence. 3) Good deeds or good karma would give happiness to man in the next birth.

Ashoka's Dhamma has the following salient points- 1) Respect for elders and love for children. 2) Ahimsa or non-violence. 3) Good deeds or good karma would give happiness to man in the next birth. 4) He taught people to respect all religions.

Ashoka's Dhamma has the following salient points- 1) Respect for elders and love for children. 2) Ahimsa or non-violence. 3) Good deeds or good karma would give happiness to man in the next birth. 4) He taught people to respect all religions. 5) He disapproved empty rituals.

Explanation:

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