King Asoka and Buddhism - Urban Dharma

apart — provide substantial information on the virtues whichhe upheld and wished to propagate among his subjects, his tolerantattitude to different religious sects, and the administrativemachinery which he had utilized to spread his message ofDharma. His availability at all times to attend to his kingly dutieswas particularly emphasized. He voiced his concern over the welfareof the people (i.e. “All people are my children”) and resortedto exhortation and restriction as a dual policy for the promotionof Dharma. He recounted the example he had himself set inminimizing the slaughter of animals and published what mightbe the earliest known list of protected species. He instructed hisofficials to be just and impartial and advised against harassmentand excessive punitive measures. He listed the good deeds hehad done both within and outside his empire and drew specialattention to how he extended his policy of Dharmavijaya (i.e. conquestthrough righteousness) beyond his borders in all directions,especially to five Hellenic kingdoms of the West.Striking a personal note, Aśoka recounted his gradual identificationwith Buddhism, gave expression to his knowledgeand appreciation of a number of Buddhist texts, and announcedhis determination to wipe out schisms within the Saṅgha. Hispilgrimages to Buddhist holy places were both mentioned andspecifically commemorated with inscribed pillars in severalplaces. His policy of religious tolerance was marked by referencesto donations to the Ājīvikas.Amidst these informative statements of Aśoka, what provedto be remarkably impressive was his heart-felt repentance forthe suffering he had caused in his attempt to conquer Kalinga.He deplored war and dedicated himself to conquest throughDharma. He exhorted his successors, too, “not to think of freshconquest by arms as worth achieving” and “to adopt the policy202