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Article: A Vow to Conquer by Dhamma.(Emperor Ashoka of ancient India feels the influence of Buddhism)(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Calliope
- Article date:
- January 1, 2000
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2000 Carus Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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After the Kalinga campaign and his conversion to Buddhism, Ashoka changed his approach to ruling. He became one of the first leaders in history to add an ethical and moral dimension to governing. Instead of using his army to take control of new territory, Ashoka s wanted conquests to result from righteousness and virtue.
Ashoka was greatly influenced by Buddhism, but he was careful to keep his own personal religious beliefs separate from his duties as leader of a diverse empire. Rather than try to convert Indians to what he believed, he respected the many differences among his subjects and urged each person to be tolerant.
The centerpiece of Ashoka's new ...