Answer: India, Pakistan and Afghanisthan are the countries where Ashokan inscriptions were found. Tamil Nadu, Kerala , Sikkim and all North east states were outside of Ashokan empire.
Answer: During the times of Chandragupta Maurya, there were frequent wars to conquer more territories. The others sent their spies to know more about the king. So Chandragupta Maurya was always afraid that his life was in danger. So he had special servants who tasted the food before he ate.
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Pataliputra | Mohenjodaro |
---|---|
The king’s palace was made of wood and decorated with stone carving. | There was no king, hence no palace. The city was divided into two Parts – the citadel and the surrounding area. |
The houses of two or three stories are built of wood and mud brick. | Houses were single-storeyed, made of burnt bricks. |
Answer: After winning Kalinga war Ashoka was filled with sorrow and remorse when he saw a huge carnage of people and animals. About a lakh of people were killed in the war. He heard the wailings and cries of the women and children. Ashoka decided to give up warfare and decided to observe Dhamma and spread Dhamma.
Answer: In his message, Ashoka speaks about-
These ideas and messages are still relevant today
These organizations spread the message of compassion to animals.
Answer: Ashoka’s attitude towards neighboring peoples was total-different from the contemporary Chinese emperors. For example, the Chinese emperors constructed a wall to protect the northern frontier of the empire from pastoral people, whereas Ashoka expanded its empire of Dhamma by sending officials to spread the message of non-violence. This example presents open-mindedness-of Ashoka.
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Parents: Who are you? You seem to be outsiders.
Messenger: We have been sent by Emperor Ashoka to spread his message of love and piety.
Parents: After a huge carnage, he wants to love us. Why? We can see no reason for it. You can go away.
Messenger: We have come to spread the message of love and we will leave, till we have your hearts.
Parents: Can your emperor return our friends & relatives.
Messengers: No, it is true. But if a man realizes his mistakes and promises not to repeat them, he deserves your love. Even Lord Buddha spread the message of love.
Answer: The Mauryan empire consisted of people who were merchants, officials, craftspersons, farmers and herders, etc.
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Answer: There were a number of problems in the empire that led Ashoka to introduce his ‘dhamma’. People in the empire followed different religions, usually causing conflicts. Animal sacrifice was common. Slaves and servants were ill-treated by their masters. There were quarrels among civilians. To solve these problems, Ashoka introduced his ‘dhamma’.
Answer: The means adopted by Ashoka to spread his message of Dhamma were :
Answer: Slaves and servants were ill-treated because their masters felt superior to them. The masters treated them like animals. It was because of the old Varna’ system. The emperor’s orders might have helped to some extent. Ashoka was a king who was loved by his subjects. Moreover, his ‘dhamma’ was a real innovation.
Answer: If you look at the Ashokan pillar at Samath (or a picture of it) you will find the capital of the pillar has 4 lions sitting back to back. The lion represents the attainment of Buddhahood. The four lions surmounting the capital symbolize the kingship of the Buddha and his roar over the four directions.
There is also a non-religious interpretation of the symbol, describing the four lions as the symbol of Ashoka’s rule in the four directions. Just as Buddha & his follower Ashoka wanted to spread the message of peace & friendship.
Similarly, India after she gained independence wanted to spread the same message. So India adopted the emblem of 4 lions after she gained independence. We can find this emblem on the cars of the President of India, Prime Minister, and the other Indian dignitaries.
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