Question

Name some countries where Ashoka spread his ‘dhamma’.

Answer 1

Hint: We have to remember that the Ashoka was one of the most powerful kings of the Mauryan dynasty in India. He ascended the throne of Patliputra. After that, he adopted the policy of expansionism. To expand his empire, he attacked Kalinga. But, in this war he witnessed a lot of death and bloodshed.

Complete answer:
We have to know that after the Kalinga war he gave up his arms and adapted Principles of Dhamma. To spread these principles Ashoka appointed officers to send them to distant places.
Now we are going to list out the principles of Ashoka’s dhamma as,
1.People should live in peace and harmony.
2.Everyone should love one another and display respect and tolerance towards each other's religious faith.
3.Everyone should follow the principle of ahimsa.
4.Children should respect elders and elders should treat children with understanding.
5. People should be kind, charitable and kind to all.

The principles of dhamma are majorly inspired by teachings by Buddha. Ashoka actually became a Buddhist monk for the short span of his life. Ashoka wanted people to follow these sets of principles for the better world. To spread these principles he appointed officers to send them at distant places like Egypt, Greece, etc. Ashoka did spread his dhamma policies through his edicts. He used to engrave his thoughts on these edicts. Ashoka’s dhamma reached Syria and Sri Lanka as well. The edicts of Ashoka exist in many languages like Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan, Chinese, Burmese, Sinhala, Thai and Lao.

Note:We have remembered that Ashoka was the ruler who stood against the thought of war. He witnessed death and bloodshed on a very large scale. After that, he adapted the philosophies of Buddha and spent a short span of his life with Buddha. Later on, Ashoka found the principles of dhamma and appointed officers to spread the principles of dhamma at distant places.