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2 KPI Congress 15 th

King Priyadar ĩ’s inculcation of Dharma has increased, beyond anything
observed in many hundreds of years, abstention from killing animals and from
cruelty to living beings, kindliness to human and family relations, respect for
priests and ascetics, and obedience to mother and father and elders.

The practice of Dharma has been promoted in this other ways. King
Priyadar ĩ will continue to promote the practice of Dharma. His sons and
grandsons, and great-grandsons to the end of time will ever promote the
practice of Dharma; standing firm themselves in Dharma, they will instruct the
people in Dharma and moral conduct.

For instruction in Dharma is the best of actions.

The practice of Dharma is impossible for the immoral man. To increase this
practice, even to forestall its diminution, is laudable (Nikam and McKeon 1978:
31-32).

Emperor A oka’s dharma involved patronizing religious groups. Patronizing
Buddhism as well as other Indian religions, he went even on pilgrimage to the
Buddha’s birthplace. The huge pillar erected in Lumbini is a testimony to Emperor
A oka’s fascination with the Buddha’s birthplace.

As his inscriptions and Sri Lankan chronicles support Emperor A oka
implemented radical changes to his lifestyle and governance after encountering
Buddhist teachings. Emperor A oka can be considered as the first Indian king to use
the notion of dharmarãja in his public declarations such as inscriptions. Radical
changes that Emperor A oka introduced to his governance encourage us to explore in
more detail his significance as the first articulator of the dharmarãja concept in
ancient India. The Edicts of A oka stated: “For King Priyadar ? desires security,
self-control, impartiality, and cheerfulness for all living creatures” (Nikam and McKeon
1959: 29).

Sri Lankan Pãli chronicles are more explicit on Emperor A oka’s religious
orientations, in particular, his interest in promoting Buddhism than his inscriptions.
International panel discussion ensure lasting peace and harmony in his kingdom.
The chronicles suggest that by becoming a Buddhist, Emperor A oka changed his
own lifestyle. In addition, he brought about positive changes in his governance to

Sri Lankan Pãli chroniclers—authors of the Mahãva sa and Dĩpava sa—were
familiar with the reign of Emperor A oka. They gave many details to support the idea
that he was a great Buddhist king. Chronicles support that the Emperor A oka was
instrumental in sponsoring the third council for canonization of the Buddha’s words
(Mahãnãma Thera 1950: 49-50, ch. 5: 275-279).

According the Pãli chronicles, after the third council, Emperor A oka sponsored
Buddhist missions to eight locations including Sri Lanka by paving the way for
Buddhism to become a world religion. They also suggest that he had some personal