Unraveling the complex journey of Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism

-

Did Ashoka started following Buddhism only after Kalinga war?

 


KALINGA WAR:(261B.C-260B.C)


Introduction:
Explore the nuanced phases of Emperor Ashoka's life, addressing the debate surrounding the timing of his conversion to Buddhism and shedding light on historical texts and epigraphic evidence.

Succession Struggles and Three Phases of Ashoka's Life:
Dive into the complexities of Ashoka's ascent to the throne, marked by a battle of succession and the phases of Kamasoka, Chandasoka, and Dhammasoka, providing a comprehensive understanding of his transformative journey.

Kalinga War and Alleged Conversion:
Examine the historical context of the Kalinga War (261-260 B.C.) and the aftermath that some critics argue led to Ashoka's dramatic conversion to Buddhism. Analyze the 13th major rock edict, which attributes his proximity to Dhamma to the annexation of Kalinga.

Gradual Conversion Evidences:
Contrast the immediate conversion narrative with epigraphic evidence pointing to a gradual process. Uncover insights from the Minor Rock Edict of Ashoka's 13th regnal year, five years post-Kalinga War, revealing the subtleties of his evolving commitment to Buddhism.

Diverse Perspectives on Conversion:
Explore divergent timelines presented by Sri Lankan traditions, Pali texts, and Sanskrit compositions. Highlight variations in accounts, such as Ashoka's alleged conversion during the 4th regnal year according to Sri Lankan traditions, emphasizing their omission of the Kalinga War.

Monastic Influence and Miraculous Conversion:
Delve into intriguing aspects, including Ashoka's purported conversion by the monk Nigrodh, son of his brother Sumana, as per Sri Lankan Pali texts. Examine narratives from Sanskrit texts like Divyavandana and Ashokavadana, focusing on miraculous events leading to his acceptance of Buddhism.

Non-Buddhist Accounts and Incomplete Narratives:
Explore non-Buddhist texts like Rajatarangini, acknowledging Ashoka's association with Buddhism but lacking mention of the Kalinga War or a dramatic conversion. Consider the limitations of historical evidence in providing a complete picture.

Conclusion:
Conclude the exploration by emphasizing the absence of conclusive evidence pinpointing Ashoka's conversion solely to the aftermath of the Kalinga War. Acknowledge the diverse perspectives and the need for a nuanced understanding of this historical transformation.







Location: India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LESSER KNOWN IMPACTS OF BRITISH COLONIAL RULE IN INDIA

-
Image
LESSER KNOWN  IMPACTS OF  BRITISH COLONIAL  RULE IN INDIA BEYOND ATROCITIES: The subtle exploitation and the unseen shadows of British colonial rule in India  The British colonial rule in India, lasting from 1858 to 1947, is marked by numerous well-documented atrocities, but there are lesser-known aspects of their exploitation and control that aren't always highlighted in mainstream narratives. 1. Psychological Warfare and Manipulation British officials employed sophisticated psychological tactics to undermine Indian resistance. This included spreading rumours to create distrust among Indian communities, fostering divisions based on religion, caste, and ethnicity, and using propaganda to present British rule as benevolent and progressive. This psychological manipulation made it difficult for a unified resistance to form against the British. 2. Cultural and Intellectual Suppression The British systematically dismantled India's educational institutions and cultural heritage. Trad
Read more

Debunking Aryan invasion theory

-
Image
What is Aryan invasion  (1800-1500 BCE)  theory? Foreigners from the north are believed to have migrated to India and settled in the Indus Valley and Ganges Plain from 1800-1500 BCE. The most prominent of these groups spoke Indo-European languages and were called Aryans, or “noble people” in the Sanskrit language. It was GERMAN linguistic MAX MULLER who in 19th centaury proposed this theory.  DEBUNKING ARYAN INVASION THEORY A lot of western scholars and regrettably few Indian scholars too argue that, civilization moved into India, entitled as " Aryan invasion theory ", but the genetic studies proved otherwise. People moved out of India. It's tragic that after all the evidences that prove this theory is a myth, still our Indian history textbooks are firmly following this myth. Nothing has been revised.  PURANIC EVIDENCE: ANAR PURANAS actually speak about people moving out of India. There is a story of king yayati and his sons. Yayati has five sons. Yadu  Turvashu Anudruhy
Read more