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PEACEMAKER HERO:
ASHOKA
by
Copyright NEWS FOR KIDS,
Singapore, 2006
Ashoka was the ruler of the Mauryan Empire from 273 B.C. to 232 B.C. His territory included most of India and parts of what is today Afghanistan and Iran.
He was a brutal and bloodthirsty king, and frequently warred against other countries to expand his empire. People called him Chandashoka, or “the cruel Ashoka”.
The battle of Kalinga in 250 B.C. changed everything. Ashoka was standing on the field after the fighting had ended. Surrounded by the dead bodies, he realized that more than 100,000 people had died because of his war. Horrified, he decided to change. He embraced the Buddhist belief of ahimsa, or non-violence. From that day on, he became known as Dharmashoka, or “the pious Ashoka”.
He also sent Buddhist missionaries to spread the message of peace. Many Buddhists today believe that it was probably because of Ashoka that their faith spread so widely. Within his empire, Ashoka promoted peaceful debate and discussion as the way to solve problems. He also made sure that all religions were respected. More than 2,000 years later, Indians still look up to Ashoka.
When the modern Republic of India was formed, it chose as its national symbol the lions on top of a pillar he had built.
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Written by
Copyright NEWS FOR KIDS,
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Edicts of Ashoka "A collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka, as well as boulders and cave walls, made by the Emperor Ashoka." The spirit of Ashoka lives on ~Ashoka is a global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs Mauryan Empire |
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Last changed on:11/20/2006 3:05:27 PM
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