Asoka: Ruthless Conqueror or Enlightened Ruler? Essay

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 include most of Indias grounds as sanitary as what is now known today as Bangladesh and Pakistan. Once conquering Kalinga, Asoka want to find a Guru, seeking enlightenment. After sitting beneath the Bodhi tree, Asoka became a more fulfilling leader. Throughout Asokas 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 mess.Asoka chop-chop became converted to Buddhism as a result of the Kalinga warfare. At the conclusion of the war, Asoka sought a Guru due to timber a striking crisis (document C) along with a stirring remorse for his prior actions. He was now orbit extravagantly ideals for himself, the ideals of power and peace. Once under the Bodhi tree, Asoka g ave rich gifts to the poor. Asoka excessively consulted with local communities about proper governance about good conduct (also document C). By seeking Buddha, Asoka proved his underlying remorse for the war and with his growing understanding, he was able to begin reforming his genius as a semi governmental order. Asoka wished to make up for his mistakes with the Kalinga war, therefore reversing his view bespeaks and moving forward (document C).Soon after, there was no longer opposing power at heart the Mauryan Empire, as document B informs, Furthermore there was now no opposing power withing the empire. The community of the frontier were generally too weak to consider a war against him. Asoka recognized this and created a serial publication of edicts. Document C was written by historian Michael Wood. Due to the source being a historian, his point of view comes from another persons views, these views being that Asoka was an enlightened ruler because, Asoka gave rich gifts to t he poor.With Asokas growing desire for political order, the 33 edicts were created. The edicts were engraved on pillars (pillar edicts) and on walls or boulders(rock edicts). Asoka made each of the edicts focus on diametrical aspects most important to the people of India, or what should have been most important in Asokas opinion. The edicts explained his political aspirations for his empire, urging others to follow his enlightening example. The map in document D shows that the edicts were scattered throughout India, visual aspect on dozens of pillars, walls, and/or boulders throughout India, Nepal, and Pakistan (document D). Asokas purpose was to constantly have the laws announced or presented to the people. Document D easily proves that Asoka takes the level of the commitment to his laws extremely seriously and wants what is best for the people because the laws included edicts concerned with health and the environment, faiths and honors, and promoted welfare, etc.Asokas edicts ex pressed his vows to care for his people such as jar Edict VI, vowing, I consider that I must promote the welfare of the whole world therefore there is no better work than promoting the welfare of the whole world. And whatever may be my great deeds, I have done them in order to discharge my debt to all beings. (document D). Document D is a phenomenal source because it is Asokas point of view. With the words of Asokas edicts, we can see his true temperament and expectations. From the edicts, Asoka comes off as genuine, caring, thoughtful, and a hard worker for his people.An excerpt from the edicts of Asoka states, , it would weigh heavily on the mind of the Beloved of the Gods Asoka. (document E). The edicts are Asokas messages that have traveled far and wide with Asoka being loved by the Gods. Asoka was instilling this into the minds of the people of his empire but Asoka was confident enough to hold himself to high standards and was well prompt to take on the responsibilities of being a God-like-figure to the people. Document E also states that, The Beloved of the Gods believes that one who does do by should be forgiven as far as it is possible to forgive him. This made Asoka feel as though the war he created was acceptable because he believes everyone should find it possible to forgive him as he sought Buddha and perched beneath the Bodhi tree.As a result of the Kalinga war, Asoka was converted to Buddhism. Throughout his ruling of the Mauryan Empire, Asoka set extremely high ideals forhimself, the ideals of power and authority balanced with peace. With the creation of his 33 edicts, he taught people to live, emphasized compassion towards animals and nature, and hand out teachings to strengthen family ties along with the existing social classes (document F). After the war concluded, Asoka spent much of his time move to make-up for his mistakes of the Kalinga war. In his edicts, Asoka vows to care for his people (document D). Asokas pillars of stone cont aining the inscriptions speak magnificent words (document F). Asoka also devoted himself to spread the teachings of Buddha to the people after discovering the enlightenment Buddhas teachings had given him.All of the documents together course Asoka to be a very enlightened ruler. He always put the best interest of the people first and wished to educate them on the peace-seeking of Buddha. In order to better understand Asokas true personality, characteristics, forgiving and nature, it would be of great convenience to be provided with an additional document from a civilian whom lived during the time of Asokas ruling and walking past the edicts everyday. It would be very insightful to get into their thoughts and grasp their beliefs and their gained knowledge provided by the edicts.