King Asoka | July 07, 2004

King Asoka was a major figure both in the political history of India and in the history of Buddhism. He made his contribution to the development of Buddhism by adopting the Dharma (the norm for religious morality) as the legitimating and guiding principle of his rule, and by giving his special support to the Buddhist cause. After completing several successful military campaigns he came under Buddhist influence and publicly repented for the suffering his military expeditions had caused. In his various edicts he renounced violence as a policy of state, prohibited the sacrifice of animals and adopted a policy of toleration and support of other traditions.