Asoka
Publié le 22/02/2012
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(early third century B.C.E.–c. 232 B.C.E.)
the third and last great emperor of the Maurya
dynasty in India He is known for propagating
DHARMA (Sanskrit for "right order") throughout his
realm.
Asoka distinguished himself early in his career
by conquering the Kalingas, a people living in
northeast India. The conquest of this people gave
him sovereignty over almost the entire Indian subcontinent
and ushered in an era of peace.
Asoka inscribed a series of edicts on pillars,
rocks, and cave walls throughout his realm. A continuous
theme runs through them all: dharma. The
edicts outlawed the killing of most animals. They
urged various religious groups and orders to live
together in peace. They also promulgated the virtues
of dharma throughout the realm.
Asoka is particularly remembered as a patron
of BUDDHISM and its order of monks (see SANGHA).
He is said to have called a Buddhist council at his
capital, Pataliputra, to settle disputed questions.
He is also said to have sent his son to Sri Lanka to
promote BUDDHISM.
Most Indians revere Asoka as an ideal ruler.
For that reason, the lions atop Asoka's pillar at Sarnath
in north-central India are a widely used symbol.
They appear, for example, on Indian money.