Ashoka and the spread of buddhism

The reign of tycoon Ashoka is one of the principal contributing factors in the spread of Buddhism from India to the rest of Asia and subsequent world.Although Buddhism was characteristically a missionary religion from its inception1, it was the by means of the royal patronage and efforts of King Ashoka the Buddhism very crossed Indian frontiers.It is generally concur that Ashoka converted to Buddhism in the fourth course after his coronation in 268 BC2. It was preceded by a period of violent wars and geezerhood of bloodshed that finally transformed Ashoka and illumine him towards the ideals of peace and co-existence of Buddhism.Ashoka, at the time of his transformation, was thought the largest Indian empire that was matched only by British Rule almost 2000 eld later on3. The absolute control all over this vast dominion by a Buddhist King was instrumental in the rapid growth of the religion.Ashoka took many move in encouraging the spread of Buddhism, finished direct patron age to sending missions and ambassadors to opposite countries. He sent missions to courts and rulers of Near atomic number 99 and Macedonia and to countries of South East Asia4 .Each mission was headed by an elder who went with five monks to preach the tenets and doctrine of Buddhism5. The commitment of the Emperor was evident by the fact that he ordered his receive son Mahindra and daughter Sanghmitra to head reissue Buddhist Missions in South-East Asia, curiously modern day Sri Lanka.The prestige and reign over that Ashoka commanded played a large lineament in successful acceptance of his missions and novelty of people to Buddhism6.1 Damien Keown, Buddhism A precise oblivious Introduction. Oxford University Press. 1996. 70 2 Ananda W.P.Guruge Emperor Asoka and Buddhism. http//www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/king_asoka.pdf. accessed 11.1.2006. 3 Damien Keown, Buddhism A Very rook Introduction. Oxford University Press. 1996. 704 Damien Keown, Buddhism A Very Short Introduction . Oxford University Press. 1996. 705 Richard Gombrich Asoka The great Upasaka. http//www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/king_asoka.pdf. accessed 11.1.2006 6 John C. Powers. Buddhism, An Introduction. http//www.anu.edu.au/asianstudies/buddhism/spread.html accessed. 11.1.2006.