Which of the following kings embraced Buddism after the Kalinga war?a)...
The King who embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga war was Ashoka.
After the Kalinga war, which was fought in 261 BCE, Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor, underwent a profound change in his outlook towards life and embraced Buddhism. This transformation is often referred to as Ashoka's Dhamma Revolution.
Background of the Kalinga war:
The Kalinga war was a significant event in Ashoka's life. It was a brutal conflict between the Mauryan Empire, under the rule of Ashoka, and the kingdom of Kalinga, located in present-day Odisha. The war resulted in massive loss of life and destruction, deeply impacting Ashoka.
Ashoka's realization of the futility of war:
The horrors of the Kalinga war deeply affected Ashoka, and he experienced a profound change of heart. Witnessing the immense suffering caused by the war made him reflect upon the futility and senselessness of violence and conquest.
Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism:
Motivated by his desire to prevent further bloodshed and promote peace, Ashoka decided to embrace Buddhism. He became a devout follower of the teachings of Buddha and adopted the principles of non-violence, compassion, and moral righteousness.
Implementation of Buddhist principles:
After his conversion to Buddhism, Ashoka actively promoted the teachings and principles of Buddhism throughout his empire. He engraved his messages on stone pillars and rock edicts, spreading his vision of Dhamma (righteousness) to his subjects.
Legacy of Ashoka:
Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism had a profound impact on the spread and development of the religion. His patronage and efforts to propagate Buddhism resulted in its rapid growth within the Indian subcontinent and beyond.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor, embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga war. The war's devastating consequences made him realize the futility of violence and led him to adopt the principles of Buddhism. Ashoka's conversion had a lasting impact on the spread and development of Buddhism, making him one of the most influential figures in the history of the religion.
Which of the following kings embraced Buddism after the Kalinga war?a)...
- Ashoka adopted Buddhism after observing the brutality of the Kalinga War.
- The Kalinga war was the most famous war fought between the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great and the State of Kalinga.
- Ashoka embraced Buddhism under the influence of a Buddhist monk, Upagupta.
- Kalinga war was a horrifying event as mentioned in the 13th Rock Edict of Ashoka.
Important Points
- Ashoka was the son of Bindusara. He was the governor of Taxila and Ujjain during his father’s reign.
- Ashoka sat on the throne around 268 B.C after successfully defeating his brothers.
- Ashoka’s mother’s name was Subhadrangi. His wife’s name was Devi or Vedisa who was a princess of Ujjaini.
Additional Information
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