DDK HistoryF.p65 - CSIR

7.3] ATTACHMENT TO BUDDHISM 203
best been interpreted as permission for people to travel freely. In fact,
this was the most far-reaching concession to the new method of
administration by dhamma, l morality’. The word dhammaka, which
today would mean ‘ pious’ is translated on the coins of Menander by
dikaios, the Greek equivalent of’ just’. Religious teachers who might
make converts had previously been forbidden to enter crown villages,
which covered virtually the greater part of the countryside. Here,
they are encouraged, regardless of sect. Asoka is not preaching
Buddhism, nor morality in general, but proclaiming the superiority
of justice, social ethics, over naked force backing arbitrary laws. His
tours of inspection replaced hunting (RE. 8) and such pleasures by
newer ‘ morality’ administration, for he visited and made gifts
everywhere to brahmins and to ascetics, of all creeds.
In PE. 7, Asoka proclaimed :
“ Some Mahamatras were ordered by me to busy themselves with the affairs of the
(Buddhist) Saqigha (monastic order). Likewise others were ordered by me to busy themselves
also with brahmins and Ajivikas; others were ordered by me to busy themselves with the
Niganhas (Jains) ; others were ordered by me lo busy them-.x;ives also with various other
sects.”
This was necessary because the sects, already engaged in heated
theological discussion, might disturb the very peace and welfare they
were supposed to promote, once state backing made them fashionable.
His personal attachment to Buddhism is proved by the Safici and Sarnath
pillars, and Calcutta-Bainat rock inscription, specially addressed to
the Buddhist Order. At the village of Rummindei (Nepal) he “ came
himself and worshipped because the Buddha Sakyamuni was born here..
.caused a stone pillar to be set up (because) the Blessed One was
born here. He made the village of Lummini free of bali tax, an eighthpaying
(village) “. This brought the Buddha down to earth from the
sun-myth that” Senart and others had made him, confirming the Pali
texts ; the survival of the place-name in an obscure village for over
2500 years is remarkable. The bali tax is mentioned in Arth. 2.6, while
the normal sixth share of produce for lands not in the crown’s direct
possession seems here reduced to an eighth.