Transformation Of King Ashoka

As seen in the sources, Zhi Dun, a Chinese scholar, re-interpreted and reminded the Chinese people, who were at the time enduring the invasion by central Asian steppe nomads, on how to reach the ultimate goal of Buddhism (Doc 5). Ashoka was heavily influenced by Buddhism and was a man of high power. During his rule as Indian emperor, he created a Dhamma practice for his people to follow (Doc 6). Although this was not a religion, he treated it as it was and spread it across cultures and created a long-lasting impact among people. This shows how Buddhism was transformed and simplified as it spread to different regions. Some regions, like China, may have simplified the religion slightly, while others reinforced and created more complexity in how people should act in

Buddhism, a group of beliefs and practices which make up a prominent religion founded by Siddhartha Guatama, plays an imperative role in the court system. While the court systems tend to rule through aristocracy, an important few citizens rule, in a manner where most people of power are hereditary elite or have been elected by those who rule based on the vital qualities certain people possess. One example of Buddhism playing a large role in the life of aristocracy

Prior to the ruling of Emperor Ashoka, kings, emperors, and rulers were rarely thought to be representations of God. Ashoka was the ruler of the Mauryan Empire which stood in India from 273 BCE to 232 BCE. The Mauryan Empire included most of India's grounds as well as what is now known today as Bangladesh and Pakistan. Once conquering Kalinga, Asoka sought to find a Guru, seeking enlightenment. After sitting beneath the Bodhi tree, Asoka became a more fulfilling leader. Throughout Asoka's life, he had proven himself to be an enlightened ruler by seeking Buddha, creating the Asokan edicts, and acting out on his best interests for his people.

Upon reading about the historical and religious background of Ancient India, one can clearly assume that the country was strongly influenced by three main religious teachings: Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. These three sects in religious thinking have many similarities as all recognize the life-cycle and the need of liberation, they worship one central deity that used to be a human who gained enlightenment and they all recognize the existence of the eternal soul and after-death re-incarnation. However, they also share a lot of differences that mark the underlying principles of practicing them. I will identify the scope of differences and similarities in these ancient religions in an attempt to understand why each attracted followers, why

Just as Buddhism unified Japan during arduous times, it also helped unify India under Ashoka’s command. Ashoka fought great battles and imposed his rule on people southward along the eastern coast of India. The sufferings created by the war disturbed Ashoka and he found relief in the religion known as Buddhism. He adopted Buddhism to bring equality to all and found great comfort knowing the religion was so accepting.

When Ashoka originally became king in 273 B.C., he was just as ruthless as his grandfather. He would slay people he conquered with no mercy. However, one of his massacres took the lives of 100,000 captured people. After committing this act, he was horrified and ashamed of himself. He then vowed to follow the Buddhist teachings of “peace to al beings”.

Asoka, the ruler of the Mauryan Dynasty, was not always seen as an enlightened ruler at the beginning of his succession to the throne. However, after the war in Kalinga, Asoka began to feel remorse for the people he conquered (Document C), and seeked higher knowledge and a better path of life. Due to Asoka’s new beliefs and way of life, instead of expanding his territory through conquests, he chose to spread Buddhism through sending out missionaries and writing his royal messages called edicts on stone monuments (Document D). Through these edicts, written in many languages and placed in major cities, he spread Buddhist teachings. However, before his conversion to Buddhism, Asoka was famous for his merciless

Buddhism was spread through India by a man who killed thousands and thousands of people. Asoka was a Kshatriya who conquered a place called Kalinga. He killed many people doing so and then became Buddhist. Asoka was a ruthless conqueror for three reasons, he killed thousands of people, he conquered almost all of present day India, and he drove people out of their homes.

However, he mentioned that his people had an important part in impact the way he ruled and he had a new focus on improving the conditions for his citizens. He improved the educational system and tolerated many different religions. Ashoka also sponsored irrigation systems and any project that would allow his citizens to improve their living standards. Even though Ashoka had rule ruthlessly for the first years of his reign, his conversion to Buddhism sponsored more equality between his people. This allowed his people to experience the height of the Gupta Empire during his leadership.

Asoka, Emperor of India, made one of the most famous artifacts to express the history towards Buddhism in India. During his years, he created his famous edicts that around 250 BCE, the teachings of buddha inscribed in it so that many would be able to find a way to reach to reach the state of Nirvana , “ the highest place that someone can attain of perfect peace and happiness like what is considered heaven.” (vocabulary.com, 2003) By following this path of the Buddha, it was believed that it would lead to great welfare, health, happiness, and fortune to you. His 33 edicts are currently located throughout modern India, Nepal, and Pakistan.

Short after the kalingan war, Asoka felt a great crisis inside him and seeked remorse as said in “Document C”. This information shows us that Ashoka felt sorry for the people he had harmed and that he was begining to feel empathetic. Ashoka also gave rich gifts to the poor and became a buddhist wich was also in “Document C”. This shows that Ashoka has turned from the way of violence and has decided give to those in

Muhammad, Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), and Jesus Christ were extremely influential leaders and were all the keys to establishing three of the major religions today; Islam, Buddhism and Christianity. These religions are currently the largest religions in the world and influence billions of people every day. All three of these men have shaped the course of history and redefined the destiny of mankind. They all lived very interesting lives and preached different lessons to their followers. I would like to start this essay by first looking into the history of each of these men and later comparing and contrasting the way they lived their lives as well as their teachings.

as a centralized empire, he converted Buddhism as the authority religion. The reason he does this is

It is said that history is shaped by the lives of great men.  Great men are leaders.  They bring about change; they improve the lives of others; they introduce new ideas, models, and theories to society.  Most of the world's religions were founded, developed, or discovered by great men.  Two particular religions - Christianity and Buddhism - developed in different parts of the world, under different circumstances, and in different social atmospheres.  But each religion is based upon the teachings of a great man.  When one compares the life of Buddha with the life of Jesus, one finds that the two share many things in common.  This essay aims to compare and contrast the lives of Buddha1 and Jesus in two key areas:  conception and birth.

Buddhism’s founder was a man named Siddhartha Gautama, meaning “one who realized his goal.” Buddhists believe that when Siddhartha’s mother, Maha, was conceived she had a dream involving a white elephant carrying a lotus flower. She interpreted the dream to mean that her son would grow up to become a great spiritual leader. Just a week after Siddhartha was born, his mother died. Upon her death, he lived with his wealthy aunt and his father on a large estate. As Siddhartha grew up, his father kept him away from all suffering and anguish of the world. Unlike many of his peers, he was well educated and free from the world’s sorrows.