Tag Archives | Notes on Ashoka and Buddhism

Ashoka was converted to Buddhism as a result of the Kalinga war. According to tradition, he became a monk, made huge gifts to the Buddhists, and undertook pilgrimages to the Buddhist shrines. His visits to Buddhist shrines is also suggested by the dhamma yatras mentioned in his inscriptions. According to tradition, Ashoka held the third Buddhist council (sangiti) and missionaries [...]