THE JOURNEY ON THE PATH OF DHAMMA OF EMPEROR ASOKA IN BUDDHIST LITERATURE

Abstract

King Asoka the Great was a monarch of the Maurya Dynasty whose empire extended across the entire Indian subcontinent, with the center of his royal authority located in the city of Pataliputra. He was a real historical figure who lived during the 3rd century Buddhist Era. After he embraced Buddhism, he conducted himself as a righteous king who upheld the Ten Royal Virtues. He actively supported and strengthened Buddhism through the construction of monasteries, temples, and stupas, as well as by patronizing the Third Buddhist Council. He also sent nine groups of missionary monks to propagate Buddhism in various regions, which contributed significantly to the stability and enduring presence of Buddhism in lands such as Sri Lanka and areas of Southeast Asia. Moreover, the teachings inscribed on King Ashoka’s rock edicts are timeless. In the present day, studying his life and actions allows one to apply these teachings in practice. One particularly important principle is the cultivation of compassion and the commitment to refrain from harming living beings.

The royal biography of King Asoka the Great appears in Buddhist literary works composed from around the 9th Buddhist Era onward—namely the Dipavamsa, the narrative introduction (Nidānavannana) in the Samantapāsādikā, the Mahāvamsa, the Asokāvadāna, and the Ashokan rock inscriptions.

The accounts concerning King Asoka found in these sources can be woven together into a remarkably coherent narrative. Moreover, the content of each text reflects historical and literary value, and the story of King Asoka serves as an exemplary model for those who follow in his footsteps.