Question

The principles of Ashoka’s Dhamma (Dhamma) were taken from ____?
(A) Buddhism
(B) Jainsim
(C) Brahmanism
(D) The moral virtues of all Indian religions of that period

Answer 1

Hint Dhamma or Dharma as we call it, is a set of edicts that formed a policy of Ashoka, The Mauryan Emperor. He preached and followed Buddhism but his principles were based on several beliefs.

Complete answer:
The greatest of the Mauryas, formulated the policy of dhamma which occupies a significant place in the Mauryan polity. Though the word dhamma is associated with religion, it was a secular policy having certain social and political implications.
Dhamma is the Prakrit form of the Sanskrit word dharma. Dharma has been translated as piety, moral life, duty, righteousness, and religion. Ashoka’s policy of dhamma was non ritualistic and non-doctrinaire. It was a synthesis of moral principles of all religions and aimed at promoting moral and social consciousness among the people. The dhamma was related to guiding individual behavior in society according to universal moral laws which transcended all sectarianism. The dhamma of the edicts was basically a social and ethical code.
The Ultimate aim of Dhamma was to create a harmonious atmosphere irrespective of religion and cultural diversity so that everyone lived in peace. There were 15 main features of the contents of dhamma. Some are as follows -
1. Prohibition of animal sacrifice
2. Plantation of medicinal herbs and trees and wells along the road
3. He ordered his subordinates and administrators to tour every five years and propagate dhamma
4. He appointed the officers of dhamma called dhamma-mahamatras and everyone, from prisoners to servants and masters, were treated with respect
5. Direct and emphatic plea for toleration amongst the various sects

Therefore, the correct answer is D. Ashoka

Note A striking feature of Ashkoa’s edicts is that he regarded himself as a father and his population as a son and often talked about the relationship between a father and son and treated them such in spite of his religious eclecticism.