Buddhist Diplomacy: History And Status Quo. - USC Center on ...

BUDDHIST DIPLOMACY: HISTORY AND STATUS QUO 9missionaries to the world beyond the Indian subcontinent to spreadthe Dharma. 191. Emperor Asoka’s “Conquest by Dhamma”In his campaign to unite the India subcontinent, Emperor Asokaengaged in battles against Kalinga in the year around 261 BCE. Inthe war, more than 100,000 people were killed. 20 The bloody battleprompted him to devote his life to non-violence and to “feel a stronginclination towards the Dhamma, a love for the Dhamma and forinstruction in Dhamma”, as is recorded in the Edicts of King Asoka. 21Under the patronage of the emperor, the Third <strong>Buddhist</strong> Council wasconvened in about the year of 250 BCE. The Council deputed ninemissionaries to today’s Egypt, Syria, Macedonia, Greece, Cyprus,Afghanistan, Kashmir, the Himalayas, and Sri Lanka to spread theBuddha’s teachings. 22 For the first time in human history, a largescalefaith diplomacy campaign communicated <strong>Buddhist</strong> messagesto three continents, namely Asia, Africa and Europe.What motivated Emperor Asoka to promote Buddhismdomestically and internationally can be found in his edicts inscribedon the pillars, boulders and cave walls that were excavated in today’sIndia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. In these edicts, EmperorAsoka said he is “zealous toward Dhamma”, 23 and that he wishedthat: “[W]hen people hear these [Dhamma], they will follow them,elevate themselves and grow considerably through the promotion ofthe Dhamma.” 24Emperor Asoka himself was initiated to become a monk inthe Sangha. He believed that “progress among the people throughDhamma has been done by two means, by Dhamma regulations andby persuasion….[w]hile persuasion has much more effect.” For thispurpose, the Emperor ordered to set up Dharma pillars and appointedDharma Mahamatras, or officers in charge of Dharma. The duty ofthe Dharma Mahamatras was to “work among all religions for theestablishment of Dhamma, for the promotion of Dhamma, and forthe welfare and happiness of all who are devoted to Dhamma.” 25Emperor Asoka’s policy is termed Dhammavijaya, or “conquest by