STRUCTURE

Introduction – A short introduction about Dhamma (15 words)                     

Body – Explain Ashoka's concept of Dhamma (120 words)

Conclusion – Mention a short conclusion  (15 words)

ANSWER

‘Dhamma’, in a sense, was an ethical code to inculcate a social responsibility among the people, it was different from various religions popular at that time.  For Ashoka, Dhamma was a way of life and was based on a high degree of social ethics and civic responsibility.

Following were the main principles of Dhamma:

• One should always obey and respect their parents and elders.
• One should always love and care for younger people.
• People should live with peace and harmony.
• Elder should develop an understanding with the children.
• One should be honest, charitable and kind to everyone including servants and slaves.
• There should be mutual respect among people. People should love each other.
• People should respect all the religions and be tolerant.
• Everyone should follow the principle of non-violence i.e. Ahimsa and non-injury to all living beings.
• One should have a good conduct of character and should believe in Karma.

Dhamma explained through rock edicts:

• Major Rock Edict I prohibits animal sacrifice in public gatherings and festivities.
• Major Rock Edict II discusses certain measures of social welfare for both men and animals, such as, building hospitals, roads, wells, planting trees, etc.
• Major Rock Edict III tells us that on the order of the king, Pradesikas (head of the districts), Yuktas (subordinate officers), Rajukas (rural administrators) toured every 5 years to propagate Dhamma.
• Major Rock Edict IV mentions that the sound of drums became the sound of dhamma showing divine form to people.
• Major Rock Edict V acquaints us with the introduction of a new cadre of officers, i.e. the Dhamma-Mahamattas, in the 12th year of Ashoka’s reign. Their main function was to maintain communal harmony and spread the message of Dhamma. It also talks about the fair and humane treatment meted out to servants and prisoners.
• Major Rock Edict VI makes the relationship between king and his subjects, through Dhamma-Mahamattas, crystal clear. The mahamattas are told to make their reports to the king at any time, irrespective of what he may be occupied with at the moment; whether he be in the palace partaking of its various pleasures, or engaged in occupation of a private nature, or if he be outside in the park, the officials had access to him at any time. The class of officers bringing news about the people were known as Pativedakas.
• Major Rock Edict VII pleads for toleration among all sects. It seems that, during that time, there might have been intense tension among the various sects therefore, this plea was made to unite them, so as to ensure the stability and security of the kingdom.
• Major Rock Edict VIII mentions the replacement of hunting expeditions of the king with Dhammayatras with the main purpose to propagate Dhamma.
• Major Rock Edict IX attacks ceremonies and customs performed in Vedic religion after birth, illness, marriage, setting out on a journey, and suggests to follow Dhamma instead and lays stress on respect even of the slaves.
• Major Rock Edict X here, Ashoka condemns all glory and the only glory which he desires is that his subjects should follow the principles of Dhamma.
• Major Rock Edict XI contains further explanation of Dhamma. It emphasises on the principles of Dhamma and refers to the gift of Dhamma, distribution of Dhamma and kinship through Dhamma.
• Major Rock Edict XII is a plea towards toleration among all sects so as to maintain the unity and stability of the empire.
• Major Rock Edict XIII mentions that the sound of war drums (bherighosha) has been replaced by sound of peace (dhammaghosha) that means to conqueror world war has been replaced by Dhamma.