King Asoka and Buddhism - Urban Dharma

3. The Mission to Sri Lanka: Brief AccountAśoka, after ascending the throne of Magadha, followed anexpansionist policy and conquered Kalinga in 260 B.C. Thisconquest made a deep impression on his mind and attractedhim to the humanistic teachings of the Buddha. Accordingto tradition, Aśoka’s conversion to Buddhism was due to themeeting of two different monks. The Aśokāvadāna says that itwas on seeing the magical powers of a monk named Samudrathat Aśoka took refuge in the Buddha and Dhamma. 7 Butaccording to the Mahāvaṃsa 8 and Samantapāsādikā 9 Aśoka’sconversion to Buddhism was due to a monk named Nigrodha,a novice of peaceful demeanour who one day happened topass by Aśoka’s royal courtyard. Taken up by his restraint,self-control, disciplined movements, and guarded senses, itoccurred to him: “All these people are confused in mind andare like the perturbed deer; but this one is not confused inmind, surely within him there is bound to be some transcendentalvirtue.” The king’s mind was pleased with the noviceand there arose love towards him. The king invited himin and asked him what doctrine his master taught. Nigrodhapreached to him the chapter on diligence from the Dhammapadaand Aśoka, impressed upon hearing this, was won overto the doctrine of the Buddha. He then purified the Saṅghawith the help of the Thera Moggaliputta Tissa. The Pali Canonof the Theravāda tradition as it exists today was also finallyredacted at a council, the third to be held after the passingaway of the Buddha, which was supported by Aśoka. At theconclusion of this Great Council the Elders sent missionariesto preach Buddhism in the outlying provinces of the MauyraEmpire and elsewhere. Special importance was paid to the115