What kind of life did Ashoka wanted his subjects to lead and what were the efforts made by Ashoka for it?
Answers
Answer: Ashoka believed that Buddhism is beneficial for all human beings, as well as animals and plants, so he built a number of stupas, Sangharama, viharas, chaitya, and residences for Buddhist monks all over South Asia and Central Asia. According to the Ashokavadana, he ordered the construction of 84,000 stupas to house the Buddhas relics. In the Aryamanjusrimulakalpa, Ashoka takes offerings to each of these stupas, traveling in a chariot adorned with precious metals. He gave donations to viharas and mathas. He sent his only daughter, Sanghamitra, and son, Mahindra, to spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka (then known as Tamraparni).
The following are the main principles of Ashoka’s dhamma:
People should live in peace and harmony.
Everyone should practise the principle of ahimsa, i.e. non-violence and non-injury to all living beings.
People should love one another and display respect and tolerance towards other religious faiths.
Children should obey their elders and elders should treat children with understanding.
People should be truthful, charitable and kind to all, even towards servants and slaves.
Explanation: