Question
Here is the question : WHAT THIRD-CENTURY LEADER HELPED SPREAD BUDDHISM THROUGHOUT INDIA?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso
- Ashoka the Great
- Samudragupta
- Xuanzang
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
Ashoka the Great was the final significant emperor of the Mauryan Empire. He lived in the third century BCE and ruled during that time. Ashoka, who was formerly a savage warrior, underwent a profound transformation after witnessing the utter destruction wreaked by his military expedition against the Kingdom of Kalinga. The ruler became a Buddhist, spread Buddhist architecture over his kingdom, and devised a set of governing principles that came to be known as ‘dhamma’ to describe the compassionate way in which he ruled.
Buddhism is a religion that originated in ancient India and has spread to many parts of the world over the course of two millennia. One of the key figures in the spread of Buddhism in India was the third-century leader Ashoka the Great.
Ashoka was a powerful ruler who reigned over much of the Indian subcontinent from around 268 BCE to 232 BCE. He was a member of the Maurya dynasty, which had conquered much of India and established a powerful empire. Despite his military and political prowess, Ashoka was deeply affected by the suffering and violence he witnessed during his conquests.
According to Buddhist tradition, Ashoka was moved by the teachings of Buddhism and became a devout follower of the faith. He is said to have been particularly influenced by the Buddhist concept of ahimsa, or non-violence, which emphasized the importance of avoiding harm to all living beings.
Under Ashoka’s rule, Buddhism became the state religion of India and was promoted throughout the empire. Ashoka is said to have built numerous Buddhist temples and monuments, sponsored Buddhist festivals and rituals, and sent out missionaries to spread the faith to other parts of the world.
One of the most famous examples of Ashoka’s efforts to spread Buddhism is the Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath, which bears inscriptions describing his conversion to Buddhism and his commitment to promoting the faith. The pillar also features the famous Buddhist symbol of the wheel of dharma, which has become a symbol of Buddhism to this day.
Ashoka’s efforts to spread Buddhism had a profound impact on the religion’s development in India and beyond. Under his patronage, Buddhism became an important cultural and intellectual force, and its teachings and practices spread to other parts of Asia, including Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and China.
Ashoka the Great is remembered as a key figure in the history of Buddhism, and his legacy continues to inspire those who seek to promote peace, compassion, and understanding in the world. His commitment to non-violence and his efforts to promote religious tolerance and understanding remain important ideals in a world that continues to experience conflict and division.