Emperor Asoka and career propagate Buddhism.

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advent of the Great Asoka uộc occupies a very important position in the fight propagate Buddhism, but biography, career and how his situation from the past production has not been verified and widely publicized. The writer of this article would like to gather some materials to introduce some features about this brilliant emperor, to help readers get a more accurate glimpse of the role and position of Asoka in the historical development of Buddhism Catholic.

I. Biography of Emperor Asoka before v à instant after you:

Previously, when the archaeologists have not excavated relics and inscriptions, the historical sources often writes about lineage skewed birth of Buddha and Asoka. Therefore no clear confirmation of the person and the life of the Great and the great career of the person. Later, not long ago, the matter is clarified, by've discovered, unearthed the relics, inscriptions by Asoka the Great hand carved onto the stone and buried deep under the ground. Get the pen that signed compared to the texts, there are some copper but also inevitable differences spot not too far from that boundary. That Europe is just one of the important issues that we learn the following:

1. The man:

About dating of the Great Asoka's production has many historical sources of different records, but roughly in the range of the third century BC. Based on the major measures on stone color was noted that: "The kingdom of the king of Greece at the same co-some years is 261 BC, or about 272-258 BC". Thus empowerment throne in 270 BC. Thus the birth year include how far. According to the document, such as: Biography Asoka, Asokava - dana or Vamsathakasini Dviyavadana then said: Asoka's grandfather Chandragupta (Chien-da-la-multi-level), enlightened monarch King Peacock. Father who is Bindusara (Sarah Tan-head). Her mother is Asokavadana (Ashoka Vi-reach-na).

Maurya dynasty ruled by three generations, but the most significant and flourishing as ever and Asoka. The king at a young age so rabid temperament, not handsome generals should not love his father. Besides, he is the middle child, is 1 in 101 children, how to be spoiled as the other princes? But Asoka have an outstanding, intelligent and quirky than other princes.

2. The situation before the news to your country:

At the advent of Asoka's grandfather Chandragupta military has repeatedly brought up the harassment Battle of Alexander I and II in Greece is located to the West Indies. To the father who is the reigning Bindusara ingenious, harmonious agreement with the Greek kingdom, forming prosperous civilization to contemporary India. Yet, in the middle of North and Central India often have disturbances match, King Bindusara must recruit talented smart people in the Thai restaurant crowned prince regent interesting to go disorder. At the same time, West Indies is a very rugged terrain and important. Here comes the Ujjayant (O-bar-forum-ni), the West or the eye on, as it offers a centralized economy, very rich. To choose such a caretaker, Asoka was appointed mammals in North Indian and Thai prince of the land was distributed to Ujjayant rule. To pacify the Asoka sent by Bindusara aim is for Asoka want to die in battle. But Asoka is pacified rebels, power and fame resound.

Then a few years, newspapers Asoka believed his father was seriously ill should immediately return to the US market success. After his father died, his successor was the eldest son in the year 272 BC Susima.Susima as clumsy regent should cause disturbances in Takkasila people, in the scrambling tide throne and lasted four long years. Finally Asoka victory. Simultaneously with the help of Chancellor Radhagypta with senior figures in the court, all have concurred nominated Asoka throne. Then in 268 BC, after the Buddha entering Nirvana 218 years.

Leave no room for that before the throne Asoka killed all 99 cousins, and very rabid temperament. When finished throne, still kill the courtiers and women, construction workers hell, innocent people's destruction.So the people he was sarcastically named Candasoka (A-evil sexual violence). But "The legal chapter of excellence 4-5-6 engraved on a large cliff, Chapter 7 of the law engraved on the pillar and excellence in the legal identity of the queen are written: Time Asoka reign also brothers, sisters em. so the legend can be said because the next life too ". (Directions by Hue Quang Buddhist Dictionaries, vol I, p. 23).

3. Asoka after having crowned and Buddhism:

Asian/. After ascending the throne:  Asoka throne within 9 years, for the purpose of the whole of India agreed to send troops to conquer neighboring countries of south India Kalinga (this country is a great power, economically strong and military) and other countries such as Peshawar, Puri, Ganja, Thana, Bhopal, Hyderabad, Mysore, Bihar, Afghanistan, Nepal ... Asoka conquered realms entire India. But after the war ended, with this bloody, disgusted Great War. The king saw the war like situation was displeased and regret about the catastrophe. How many innocent people have been killed, widows and orphans have been disaster. So Asoka decided to give up violence, does not affect any more military training.

The war ended. Asoka agreed heaven realms Indian and half Dai Ha, south-reach-la Court, east to the coast bi? N, crisscrossing each way a few thousand miles, and took United to make the capital market.

By remorse due to bloody wars, Asoka wanted to repent and repent of sin has caused. So the king decided to return Buddhist refuge and became a Buddhist. Because heart of repentance of sins has caused as well as the learning Buddhism expanded, confidence grew increasingly Three Jewels, so the king was enthusiastically supported Buddhism. In the 12th year (ie after you) and onward, many edicts of Asoka declared Buddhism prosper. King himself was maintaining gender son, leaving the hunting and luxury spending, but also gave strict orders to kill, organisms protection, savings squandered, dropping lavish, sometimes Increase offerings, theory law and practice. You are the King at 41 years, 70-year-old life. The Asoka career for the Indian nation is enormous, but for more and bigger Buddhism, this is shown clearly on the back.

b /. About five months Asoka refuge in the Buddha:  There are many different theories say. But based on the identity of the legal chapter 8 carved on large stone reads: "Empowerments throne more than 10 years, then to the Three Bodhi," said the king should become Pros-she-rules circa 7th taking the throne. Because in the first three years but has Three Refuges but not steep king Buddhist faith, then close the monks and became fervent Buddhists.

Since its return to the Three Refuges, the king brought all his ability to serve society almost redeem sinful past. So Asoka ruled implement appropriate policies for the masses, by inserting the Buddha's teaching in the country, steep wholeheartedly on social education, to proclaim the charter, the edict is a suitable with people demanding to reduce people's popularity, as his heart, the spirit of charity use truth preferred to bring peace, happiness for the people, while respecting religious freedom, skilful mediation of conflict of different religious denominations, prohibits false rituals, provide supplies for the poor. Asoka was a benevolent king, rare in the history of India. He was a great king of peace for India at the time.

II. Career Asoka to Buddhism:

In addition to the work of governing the country, the king also himself asked to be ordained Pros-she-rules, listen to France, Buddha, practiced. Especially to revive Buddhist foundation, the king had great careers as follows:

1. To publish important edicts:

In the Buddhist revival career, from the 12th year to 39th year, nearly 28 years normally declared king decrees very important to revive Buddhism. These edicts carved on the stone pillars and stone pillar caves scattered all over the Indian realm discovery by archaeologists recently. These decrees are the precious historical landmark for the historian as well as the existence of Buddhism today, and to know that time Buddhist influence kings, the forces in society as how; Typical is the pillar at Lumbini Garden (Lumpinivattu) and the inscription, another cliff.

The words engraved on the identity pillar, the inscription on the cliff inscriptions as well as much of the data fits the user and recorded in the Great Island of Ceylon. Inscriptions dating of this document circa 250 BC. This script is a local language, Pali and Sanskrit close. Currently detect five kinds of big cliffs, seven types of small cliffs, ten pillar, all carved in stone cave intelligent and tablets ... According to The Dictionary of Buddhist Hue Quang, the ten pillar was found to have six tall columns from 10-13 ^meters , the size is not the same, on the legal side carved pillars of Asoka identity. Contents talking about respect Buddhism, recommend a good work, except the evil, prohibiting killing and doing good works equally gracious favor ... Particularly, on the engraved pillar of Asoka built ... And four the other pillar height of about 7, 5 ^meters , making up the Asoka personally pay homage to Buddha outstanding achievement and other measures, such as banning harmony Increase break ... in addition to the pillar there are many excellent legal carved on huge cliffs, various small and spread across India. On the post of Asoka intelligent registered as "Ai Thien Ants" - dating of Asoka. In which a majority of the outstanding measures on small stones, then took the name of Asoka, also other types of legal excellence dating is named Ai Thien Kien.

Generally, the content is engraved on the stone are the words true to the teachings of the Buddha and his history, and which has carved up the meaning serving political goals based on teachings Phat momentum to rule the people. Perform tolerance policy against the people in the spirit of Buddhism.

2. Spread of Buddhism:

Asoka year 13-14, the king sent the missionaries, the levels go higher Dharma teachings spread throughout the whole of India and abroad as Greece, Egypt, Syria, Africa and Far Countries east, the local Orient, the Mediterranean coast, the northern countries, South. Especially his Ashoka's son Mahinda and missionaries ordained in Sri Lanka. Having written theory, after the classic third set finished, Mahinda brings the Pali Tripitaka scriptures through the Sri Lankan mission, and Mahinda was to build up the foundation for the Southern Venerable Buddhist.

3. Social Charity:

Charity work is a job to be the king very seriously. Asoka issued edicts such as: planting herbal plants to treat people, digging wells to provide water for people living, giving items for the hungry. In particular, the king issued a decree organizing "For library materials" in order to provide for the treatment and have a place for the old man, misfortune, disability. Also issued a decree for the People and the festival "For very old." Annually, usually offering discounts unfortunate levels, while providing momentum Buddhist teachings-teachings to the people, universal in society by such practical forms of gender at home, life contentment, reconciliation and peace . It is worth focusing on the younger world ruler himself, advised people not to kill, teach people how to live the cultural life, mutual respect, respect for the elderly, parents brothers, love disabled man servant, and encourage doing good.

Thereby shows us that people Asoka was a man imbued with the Dhamma, and a king Bodhisattva mind the interests of all peoples, without hearts narrow tolerance. There is so new it is worthy of the status of a Buddhist king. Labor peace to build the peace for the Indian society of that time is the great truth that history can not be forgotten.

4. Asoka the Buddhist worship area:

In addition to the political work as well as a Buddhist, Asoka also take the time to admire the Sanctuary - ancient Buddhist. Who was visiting the High Career Master merit increase sermon in response to the office for everyone to practice. Especially automatic Asoka to worship center - where the relics of the Great sense left, to where the king ordered to carving stone to mark it. Thanks to the inscriptions traces passed down to the present day that Buddhism in general and India in particular Buddhism have the medicine for a precise and convenient way for the transmission, creating confidence in the Dhamma is spacious and easier. At Bodhi ashrams, Asoka pillar for building the big, top office also carved lions. Sculpture on the first pillar is very sophisticated, until today the world must also admired sculpture.

Moreover, the Great Emperor Asoka also built many monasteries, stupa to worship the Buddha relics.According to the book first Ashoka said: "Sea King by monks that the Buddha prophesied know, went to Rajgir took four relics promoted by King Ajatasatru buried. And out of all relics buried in six other seats (six this place is probably lying around under Rajgir or other of the unknown), and then 84,000 treasure box, each box give a member relics. Back made 84,000 jars treasure, treasure 84,000 umbrella, silks and construction 84,000 84,000 stupas to worship. " This we can confirm that this is a real job; because Emperor Asoka is a force to my best on Dhamma preacher. Asoka's labor contribution to Indian culture, especially for the Buddhist culture is tremendous. But until today, the tower underwent eroded long time, almost no more. Furthermore, during the period Buddhist ongoing sectarian division, Asoka did end the internal differentiation in Buddhism, and Buddhist world he remembers nh? T is the classical aggregation following the third time that we learn to.

5. The third classic set:

While Buddhism starts with the breadth to meet the development should not avoid internal disagreements on some texts. Emperor Asoka has contributed partially rectify. Legend Asoka did end the division of 60,000 monks at Wat Asoka has lasted 7 years. First, he ordered the monks at the temple to celebrate Dad slapped together. Asoka sent the e courtiers in the court? N at the temple to urge the implementation of the royal orders. But the elder monk here refused to share the ceremony with the public because it is a pagan cult. This shows, this is fundamental schism split the Ministry sent later.

After a number of monks were killed unjustly, the king himself to the temple to consider this. Asoka was asked where did the monks by this incident, and this sin is due the king caused it? Before dissenting monks can not be assigned, Asoka sent and invoking him Moggaliputtatisa (Section-joint-sole-practitioner false religions), now is a hermit in the mountains Ahoganga. He refused, but due to the urgency extra visiting a third time so he agreed. He lowered the paint, down the Ganges to Pataliputra. Through Asoka doubts, he Moggaliputta answered: "There is no sin without malice in the act". Thanks to this, but Asoka washes are also doubts as remorse. Whereupon the king ordered the classic large councils in the US market into lasting 9 months.

Congress aggregation is the presidency of Mr. Moggaliputta, sat behind a curtain Asoka sure to listen to the monks presented the differences in the teaching point. 62 is simultaneously raised pagan observance of the Buddha mentioned and condemned in the Brahma Net Sutra. The king hearing, distinguish what is primary, what is wrong, foot, was a fraud. Since then Asoka ordered deported some pagan monk disguised capital is to sabotage out of the congregation, to force them to return to lay life. This command is engraved on the text-in award-cell Kieu 26 and 27 year reign of Asoka's reign.

After the purge is completed, the king needs his time to pick 1000 Moggaliputta you understand the Tripitaka scriptures back to aggregation. Perhaps the first recorded organ thesis was on this occasion, and also because the author of the comment Moggaliputta named "Book of Argument" or "Theory of the" to all chains of the heresy.

Congress classic aggregation, named "Flower Town of aggregation" and are recorded at the distance of 236 years after Buddha's Nirvana, ie in 250 BC to the 18th year reign Ai Thien is. Congress re-aggregation of the Nikaya and some other texts.

III. Identified:

1. Asoka, the position of a leader for the nation:

Xuanzang commented after attending at the use reliable data, he wrote: "The tragic scene, devastating war of Kalinga Ashoka the Great was awakened from the dream of power, back to the Dharma . This is the last tears filled glass of water awareness ". Yes, after he became king, Asoka return right way, taking refuge in the Three Jewels, should have applied the teaching of the Buddha-radical momentum to govern the country.He took benevolence as the primary and the payoff is equivocal, to encourage people to help them, the district uses evil means to remove. The treatment my king and his subjects irrespective of caste or race, creed. Asoka build Indian society a platform of peace, happiness and prosperity. Labor was so great that history is confirmed.

2. Responsibilities of a Buddhist for religion:

As mentioned above, after returning to the Dharma, Three Refuges, life over Pros-she-rules world, the intellectual world practice, the king at the same time is a very fervent Buddhists, steep wholeheartedly to propagate the Dharma, which is the greatest work that the great had received and complete responsibility in a good way (this has been proved by the outstanding legal engraved on stone pillars, cave, inscriptions ... as a landmark for the history of Buddhism), and the classic set, spread the teachings universal human world.Especially sent people abroad to spread the Dharma, Buddhism made the house is spread out until today globally. Dharma Initiative is spreading a very brave and wisdom.

3. The achievements of Asoka:

Asoka built a successful country in all fields, including politics, society, education, culture. He made a peace peaceful society and benefit people's very practical for campaigns like tree planting, water supply, construction and environmental protection, sentient life. This inscription on the Great still sounds very close to the times as well as the current civilization. Advocated respect for folk beliefs, tolerance, non-violence remains forever is the beauty of human culture.

Best success is spreading Buddhism in the circuit network line inscriptions, the classic set ... Great built the ancient Buddhist, building stone pillars engraved mark of presence in the world Gem time, make peace and happiness for life. Belief Buddhism forms developed here. Tipitaka also be retained in Sri Lanka until today. This is the great cultural resources of humanity has flourished at a time Indian origin, advocated introducing Right Attitude location, right action and agreed the difference between 18 sets of Buddhism because happiness for team.

Emperor Asoka Indian ebbs throughout the 23 centuries that the life and career is still light on earth forever.It is the greatest achievement of Asoka have contributed to life and religion that history is never forgotten.Just as the ancients did praise:

"Every step is an epic shift direction, 
Every step is a heroic history, 
shocked Every step around the young river, 
Every step to benefit all species on the universal."END=NAM MO AMITABHA BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=THICH GIAC TAM.THE MIND OF ENLIGHTENMENT.VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=GOLDEN AMITABHA PURELAND=AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.1/12/2016.