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KPI Congress 15 th 1

King Priyadar ĩ considers moral conquest [that is conquest by Dharma,
Dharma-vijaya] the most important conquest. He has achieved this moral
conquest repeatedly both here and among the peoples living beyond the borders
of his kingdom, even as far away as six hundred yojanas [about three thousand
miles], where the Yõna [Greek] king Antiyoka rules, and even beyond Antiyoka in
the realms of the four kings … as far as Ceylon (Nikam and McKeon 1978:
29).

His inscriptions record that not only he spent time in learning the dhamma
but also encouraged his subjects to do so:

Here in the King’s dominion … everywhere people heed his instructions in
Dharma.

Even in countries, which King Priyadar ĩ’s envoys have not reached,
people have heard about Dharma and about his Majesty’s ordinances and
instructions in Dharma, and they themselves conform to Dharma and will
continue to do so.

Wherever conquest is achieved by Dharma, it produces satisfaction.
Satisfaction is firmly established by conquest by Dharma [since it generates no
opposition of conquered and conqueror]. Even satisfaction, however, is of little
importance. King Priyadar ĩ attaches value ultimately only to consequences of
action in the other world.

This edict on Dharma has been inscribed so that my sons and great-
grandsons who may come after me should not think new conquests worth
achieving. If they do conquer, let them take pleasure in moderation and mild
punishments. Let them consider moral conquest the only true conquest.

This is good, here and hereafter. Let their pleasure be pleasure in morality
[Dharmarati]. For this alone is good, here and hereafter (Nikam and McKeon
1959: 29-30).

Emperor A oka’s practice of dharma had direct implications on the governance.
The notion of wellbeing and protection was extended towards animals and other
persons.

For many hundreds of years in the past, slaughter of animals, cruelty to
living creatures, discourtesies to relatives, and disrespect for priests and ascetics
have been increasing. International panel discussion

But now, because of King Priyadar ĩ’s practice of Dharma, the sound of
war drums has become the call to Dharma [rather than to war], summoning the
people to exhibitions of the chariots of the gods, elephants, fireworks, and other
divine displays.