6.8: Ashoka and Buddhist Morality
- Page ID
- 359632
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Artist: Historical figure and patron
Medium: Edicts, monuments, architecture
Art Historical Time Period: Mauryan Empire (3rd century BCE)
Ashoka the Great was a Mauryan emperor who ruled most of the Indian subcontinent. After witnessing the horrors of war, he converted to Buddhism and began to promote nonviolence, compassion, and moral governance. His support for Buddhism helped it grow into a major world religion. He built stupas, wrote edicts promoting peace and tolerance, and sent missionaries to spread Buddhist values.
Ashoka’s reign is considered a turning point in history because he used art, writing, and architecture to communicate moral lessons. His model of rule based on dharma (righteousness) influenced leaders throughout Asia and shaped Buddhist political philosophy.
Vocabulary
- Dharma – Righteous duty or moral law.
- Nonviolence – Refusing to use physical force to achieve goals.
Student Authors
- Paula Vargas ’25 and Gustavo Bravo ’22
References and Image Attribution
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