Ashoka's Rock Edicts (阿育王刻文)

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9,367 · about 31 min

The Edicts of Ashoka, also known as the Ashoka Rock Edicts, are Buddhist proclamations inscribed across the Indian subcontinent by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in the third century BCE. These edicts were commissioned by Ashoka and are not the personal work of any single author. Their historical context stems from Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism following the conquest of Kalinga, after which he had Buddhist ethics and administrative principles carved onto pillars and rock surfaces to promote righteous governance. The main content includes Ashoka’s reflections on non-violence, tolerance, respect for all life, and the implementation of benevolent rule, emphasizing moral discipline and social harmony. In terms of Buddhist significance, the Edicts of Ashoka are among the earliest extant physical records of Buddhism, witnessing the early integration of Buddhist propagation with state authority. They hold irreplaceable authoritative value for the study of Buddhist history, Indian culture, and how ancient rulers employed religion for moral instruction, standing as a milestone in Buddhist history.