How did Asoka promote Buddhism? Discuss his concept of dhamma.

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What steps did Asoka take for the expansion of Buddhism in outside India?

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How did Asoka preach Buddhism?

 After the Kalinga war Asoka himself adopted Buddhism in 265 B.C. He busied himself in preaching Buddhism and spreadin it by:

1. Personal Life: Though he was an emperor yet he led a life that of a mendicant. He deserted flesh-eating, hunting etc. which were against Buddhism. The subjects got inspired to follow the king's ideals.

2. Use of Inscriptions: He got rules of Buddhism inscribed on pillars, inscriptions etc. and got them fixed at such places where people could see it and learn from it.

3. Buildings: He got build nearly 84,000 viharas and 48,000 pillars erected in chief cities. Asoka got constructed several stupas and idols etc.

4. Dramas or Plays: He composed many religious dramas which show that practising Buddhism leads to the attainment to heaven. Hence it gave incentive to the people to adopt this religion.

5. A Buddhist Council: Asoka organised a great sabha in 252 B.C. to set aside the differences amongst Buddhism. This attracted the people towards Buddhism.

6. Took Pilgrimages: Asoka himself visited the places of piligrimage such as Sarnath, Kapilvastu and Kushinagar.

7. Appointment of Mahamatyas: Asoka appointed the Mahamatyas who were on the watch whether the people abided by the Buddhistic rules or not.

8. Use of language of the commons: In order to bring home the Buddhistic teachings to the common people, Asoka got the inscriptions and the Buddhistic literature translated into Pali.

9. Dispatching Religious Missionaries: He managed to send religious missionaries to Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Kandhar, China, Syria, Egypt etc. He sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Ceylon along with the Bodhi tree to preach Buddhism. Thus Buddhism gained ground in the foreign countries.

10. Some other activites: Asoka devoted the entire administrative machinery for Buddhistic preaching. He put a ban on public festivities and started the celebration of Buddhism festivities in their state. He banned dance, music and drinking. He got the hunting department closed down. He also got the butcher houses closed down and became a staunch adherent of non-violence.