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Significance of Ashoka

Ashoka is a significant historical and cultural figure recognized across various traditions. In Buddhism, he is noted as a monarch who propagated the faith, representing a 'reign of Dharma' and promoting peace and tolerance. Jainism describes Ashoka in various forms, including a deity and specific trees symbolizing suffering and enlightenment. Additionally, he is associated with Ayurvedic medicine as the Saraca asoka tree, used for treating women's health issues. Overall, Ashoka embodies the fusion of historical significance and spiritual symbolism in India.1
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Synonyms: Buddha, Maurya, Emperor, Ashoka the great, King ashoka, Ashok

In German: Ashoka; In Finnish: Ashoka; In Spanish: Ashoka; In Swedish: Ashoka; In Malay: Ashoka; In French: Ashoka; In Dutch: Asoka-stijl

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Ashoka'

Buddhism Books

Ashoka, a prominent Indian emperor, played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism, promoting doctrinal correctness, and establishing a 'reign of Dharma.' His influence extended across borders, paralleling figures like Upagupta, shaping Buddhist history significantly.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) A prominent Indian emperor who played a significant role in the consolidation and propagation of Buddhism.[1] (2) A significant Buddhist monarch whose role is paralleled with that of Upagupta in different sources.[2] (3) An important historical figure in Indian history known for his patronage of Buddhism, who dedicated a stupa to Kotivimsha.[3] (4) A significant historical figure and great-grandson of Bimbasara, credited with changing the capital of Magadha from Rajagriha to Pataliputra.[4] (5) The Mauryan emperor mentioned as a significant historical figure in relation to events that took place in Pundravardhana.[5]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: The Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King (A Life of Buddha)

(1) A notable king who sought to establish doctrinal correctness in the Buddhist faith.[6] (2) A significant monarch who reigned two years after the Nirvana, known for his dream and actions related to Buddha's relics.[7]

Hindu concept of 'Ashoka'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, Ashoka symbolizes both a tree associated with peace and a former Maurya king known for transitioning from violence to a focus on non-aggression, reflecting themes of harmony and contentment in spiritual practices.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Garga Samhita (English)

(1) A specific type of flowering tree found in the forest.[8]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (鈥榯en avatars of Vishnu鈥�).

Significance in Kama-shastra (the science of Love-making):
Kamashastra Books

From: Kamashastra Discourse (Life in Ancient India)

(1) A previous ruler known for violence and conquest, contrasting Samudragupta's policy of peace and non-aggression.[9]

Kamashastra deals with ancient Indian science of love-making, passion, emotions and other related topics dealing with the pleasures of the senses.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Griffith)

(1) Ashokas are things that glowed on the fair banks of a noble flood that Rama encountered, according to the text.[10]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Jain concept of 'Ashoka'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, Ashoka symbolizes multifaceted meanings, including a tree representing suffering, notable past lives, locations of meditation and enlightenment, and a grove linked to key narratives, especially relating to Sita's captivity and release.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) The name of a gardener in a previous life whose actions garnered him merit leading to subsequent fortunes.[11] (2) A tree under which the Lord was meditating, representing a traditional symbol of peace and enlightenment.[12] (3) A tree under which a painter holds a picture that astonishes Dhanavati's friend.[13] (4) A type of tree under which Sita is found, symbolizing her suffering and solitude during her captivity.[14] (5) Referring to a grove where Sita was eventually released by Ravana, demonstrating a significant location in the narrative.[15]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, 鈥榮elf-reliance鈥�) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Ashoka in local and regional sources

History Books

Ashoka, a prominent Mauryan emperor and grandson of Chandragupta, is renowned for promoting Buddhism, peace, and religious tolerance, as well as leaving significant rock inscriptions that provide insights into ancient India鈥檚 societal values and governance.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) An emperor of the Mauryan Empire who is famous for renouncing violence and promoting peace and social harmony, advocating a policy of religious tolerance.[16] (2) A prominent Mauryan emperor associated with the evolution of the Brahmi script, believed not to have invented it but to have utilized existing scripts.[17] (3) The Mauryan emperor known for promoting the spread of Buddhism and establishing stupas and monasteries throughout his empire, including Andhra.[18] (4) The grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, known for his conversion to Buddhism and efforts to promote peace and tolerance.[19]

From: Sanskrit Words In Southeast Asian Languages

(1) This term describes a type of tree, referring to a particular species of arboreal plant, and it is presented in the context of Sanskrit origin.[20]

From: History of Science in South Asia

(1) Ashoka is a king who left numerous rock and pillar inscriptions across his kingdom and periphery, and whose edicts have provided historical insights into early centuries BCE India. He adopted Buddhism, promoted vegetarianism, anti-war policies, public health measures, and Buddhist values, and his name is often associated with claims of establishing a network of hospitals, although no evidence supports these claims in his inscriptions or elsewhere.[21]

Significance in South Asia:
South Asia Books

From: Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang)

(1) A Buddhist sovereign descended from Chandragupta, believed to have connections to the legends of Udyana.[22]

From: The travels of Fa-Hian (400 A.D.)

(1) A king who sought to discover the depths of the ladders and increased his faith upon uncovering them.[23]

Plural form: Ashokas.