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King Asoka and Buddhism: Historical and Literary Studies

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Emperor Asoka does not usually merit too much scholarly writing in the West as he is of principal interest mainly to Asian Buddhists and ancient Indian historians. This slim book, gathers some very interesting information about him in a chatty style and represents and invaluable summary of how much we know about him from all sources and how much we don't.

We know about emperor Asoka largely due to his rock edicts in more than one language found across the extent of the ancient Mauryan empire c. 260BCE. These portray a ruler keen to establish his subjects in righteousness or Dhamma, incorporating such virtues as tollerance, respect for elders, caring for animals as well as people and establishing oneself in norms tending to good conduct and perfection. The emperor was obviously converted to Buddhism and by his assistance transformed this somewhat localised system of training into a world religion though not single handedly. There is no obvious parallel between him and Constantine, as Asoka unlike Constantine was not interested in a political creed.

Due to his patronage of Buddhism, southern and northern Buddhist schools, especially Sri Lankan chronicles for the former, recounted short biographies of him, describing his conversion, his works and his impact in their geographical provinces. These secondary sources often include a great deal of mythology. Furthermore the southern and northern accounts do not easily match. There are also vague Indian references to king similar to Asoka but not Asoka, that the book covers with respect to laying red herrings to rest.

Indian scholars like to downplay that Asoka was a Buddhist. Sri Lankan scholars like to dispute this. The book represents debate and comparison on: the merits of the various sources on his life and work; the extent of Asoka's spiritual leanings and what the differing sources choose to emphasise about him as a man of religion, a king and a hero. Above all, it is concise and encyclopaedic in its assessment.

The book however does not take some of the arguments far enough to reveal how much we can say by the lack of evidence. For example, Asoka has been blamed for the collapse of the Mauryan empire, the fact is, we don't know anything about his father Bindusara nor much about what happened after him. This lack of evidence blows apart any notion or assumption that the empire dissolved due to him.

Emperor Asoka embraced the highest systems of ethics for a politician and did his best to implement them without it seems becoming a total pacifist. He has been a model ruler for succeeding Asian monarchs and should be an example to Western leaders who scarcely give the rights of animals the slightest thought.

This book should be of interest to anyone who wishes to delve into these areas. At the moment a minority scholarly area, this story deserves to be retold and represents an education. Short and concise, this book represents a comprehensive summary with polemical comparison to satisfy a critical reader.