Write an article an Ashoka’s Dhamma.
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Answer:
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Dhamma is a set of edicts that shaped a policy of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka Maurya. Asoka Maurya succeeded to the Mauryan throne in modern-day India around 268 to 232 BC. His policy of Dhamma has been discussed by intellectuals. Dharma is related to generalize norms of social behavior and activities.
Explanation:
Ashoka’s policy of dharma has often been equated with his conversion to Buddhis. He is credited with the propagation of the tenets of the Buddhist sect.
It appears that diverse religious ideas and practices existed in the vast empire of the Mauryas.
But the followers of such sects as Buddhism. Jainism and Ajivikism were held in contempt by the brahmanas, whose position they must have undermined.
The ideological conflict between the Vedic brahmanas and the followers of the newly-born protestant creeds may have been a potential source of social and religious tensions. Another element in these heterogeneous strands, co-existing during the Mauryan period was the presence of a large foreign population in the North-West.
It would have been a difficult task for any ruler to maintain unity in an empire composed of such diverse elements as outlined above. Perhaps the only alternatives available were either to enforce control through armed strength or to unify the population through a common set of beliefs. Ashoka adopted the second alternative as his policy of reform.
It was against this background that he expounded his policy of dhamma to eliminate social tension and sectarian conflicts, and to promote a harmonious relationship between the diverse elements of the vast empire. Ashoka’s dhamma was neither a new religion nor a new political philosophy. Rather, it was a way of life, a code of conduct and a set of principles to be adopted and practised by the people at large. (Dhamma is Prakrit form of the Sanskrit word Dharma).
One of the striking features of Asoka’s edicts is that he regards himself as a father figure. He constantly speaks of the father-child relationship between the king and his populace. In spite of his religious eclecticism, Ashoka denounced all useless ceremonies and sacrifices held under the influence of superstition. The first Rock Edict prohibits the ritual of animal sacrifice and festive gatherings.
The second Rock Edict describes the various measures taken by him such as the construction of roads and medical centres for men and animals. This is followed by advice to be liberal and generous to both Brahmins and sramanas. This again stresses the fact that the ruler was not bigoted about one religion.
In the seventh Pillar Edict he orders the dhamma-mahammatas to look after the Brahmins and Ajivikas. The Dhamma-mahammatas were a special cadre of officicals started by Asoka in the fourteenth year of his reign and they were responsible for the practical aspects of the propagation of dhamma and the welfare of the different religious sects.
This indicates that the moral precepts preached by him were different from Buddhism. Asoka also started a system of dhammayatas or Yatras whereby be toured the country and preached the dhamma to the people.
Thoughout his edicts Ashoka stresses the importance of the family. The emphasis is on respecting elders including religious elders, a humane and just attitude towards servants and slaves and a high degree of social responsibility and civic ethics.
Though himself convinced of the truth of Buddha’s teaching, Ashoka never sought to impose his sectarian belief on others. The prospect that he held before the people at large is not that of sambodhior nirvana but of svarga (heaven) and of mingling with the Devas.
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.
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