2. In 304 BC , the second emperor of the Maurya
Dynasty, Bindusara, welcomed a son into the world.
The boy’s mother Dharma was only a commoner
and he had several older half-brothers. This boy was
named Asoka Bindusara Maurya.
Asoka had been given the royal military
training knowledge. He was a fearsome hunter, and
according to a legend, he killed a lion with just a
wooden rod. He was very adventurous and a trained
fighter, who was known for his skills with the sword.
3.
4. A SUDDEN CHANGE OF
HEART
Asoka’s reign as emperor
began wit a series of wars and
bloodshed, culminating in
the Kalinga war of 260 BC.
The continuous loss of lifes
and suffering witnessed on
the battlefield made him
turn away from wars. He
subsequently became deeply
influenced by Buddhism, and
adopted the “Dharma”, which
consist of basic virtuous
teachings that can be
practiced by all men
regardless of social origins.
5. ASOKA’S SELF
He taught and persuaded his people to love and respect all living
things. He DISCIPLINE of the Sanctity of all human life.
insisted on the recognition
He abolished the unnecessary slaughter of animals. He established the
law to protect the wildlife.
Asoka also showed mercy on the imprisoned people by allowing them
to leave.
Universities were build by Asoka for the studies of the human being.
He treated his subjects as equals
Regardless of their religion,
Politics and cast.
He adopted a calm and polite
nature and his main aim was
to convey his disciplines in his
people.
As, Dharma conveys the message
of calmness and showing love to
The mankind Asoka adopted all
those qualities in his disciplines.
So, as a result he is still known as
“Asoka the Great” and is still
Respected as a great leader.
8. ASOKA’S LEADERSHIP
Asoka was a frightening warrior with a mighty heart.
This was made clear by his fearless skills with his
sword in the battlefields.
He was and will always be a great leader in the history.
He leaded his men to great success and guided them
to always act as a great fighter.
He established a good government as an ideal to be
venerated and kindredly administered. King Asoka
undoubtedly has to be credited with the first serious
attempt to develop a Buddhist polity. Today, with
widespread disillusion in prevailing ideologies, and
the search for a political philosophy that goes beyond
greed (capitalism), hatred (communism) and delusion
(dictatorship led by “infallible” leaders), Asoka’s
edicts may still make a meaningful contribution to the
development of a more spiritually-based political
system of a good government for every nation.
9. During his reign, Asoka became an avid Buddhist
practitioner, building 84000 stupas across his empire to
house the sacred relics of the lord Buddha. He sent his
family on religious pilgrimages to foreign places, and staged
a massive assembly so holy men from the world over could
converse upon the philosophies of the day. More than even
Buddhism was Asoka’s deep involvement in the Dharma.
The Dharma became the ultimate expression of the moral
and ethical standards he desired his subjects to live by.
Asoka defined the main principles of Dharma as non-
violence, tolerance of all sects and opinions, obedience to
parents, respect for the Brahmans and other religious
teachers and priests, liberality towards friends, human
treatment of servants and generosity towards all. These
principles suggest a general ethic of behavior to which no
religious a social group could object.
