Study on Prince Asoka

Resource Description

Prince Asoka made one of the greatest contributions to the growth of Buddhism, into a world religion. Buddhism initially only existed in small pockets throughout some parts of India, but various aspects of Asoka’s life and actions significantly influenced the spread of Buddhism. These aspects varied from Asoka’s teachings, works, his life as a role model and his effect on society.

Asoka was initially a blood thirsty boy who grew to become a fierce warrior. Once Asoka obtained his title as king over the deaths of his brothers; he conquered the majority of India at the prices of thousands of lives. Eventually as time past, Asoka became so overwhelmed and distorted by remorse, that he found a way to help restore all the devastation which he had caused by converting to Buddhism, and devoted the remaining of his life in helping others. Siddhartha is represented for the individual as an idol and role model for Buddhism, Asoka too soon became considered a role model, as his life demonstrated to the individual that no matter who you are or what your have done, one can always grow from these experiences and convert ones life to goodness by devoting their life in helping others. He not only was able to enforce and fund this helping throughout the remaining of his ruler ship but he took on an active role in the helping of others too. This helped promote Buddhism throughout his ruler ship as his life became a very appealing demonstration of the acceptance Buddhism has towards any individual.

Asoka’s works illuminated on the main characteristics of Buddhism values; Asoka saw the great devastation which he caused to the land throughout India, consequence of the horrific wars and battle which too place during Asoka’s conquering and decided to initiate funding programs for reforestation throughout India. He then built and funded hospitals all over India. These hospitals which he built were not only for people but he also built hospitals for animals. Asoka decided to send missionaries out of India to help teach and promote Buddhism to everyone, as he evaluated how Buddhism had influenced him and subsequently India with such staggering outcomes. Asoka also helped establish the first religious tolerant country of that time. He was able to do this through the funding and supporting of all religions in India not just for Buddhism. Asoka also situated pillars throughout India which had simple and common Buddhist concepts inscribed on them. He did this in order to help encourage the people of India to follow these new positive philosophies. These accomplishments which Asoka carried out assisted the reinforcement of his contributions to the growth of Buddhism into a world religion.