Que. “The concept of Ashoka’s Dhamma as found through his inscriptions had its roots in Vedic-Upanishadic literature.” Discuss. [UPSC CSE-2017]

Approach:

(1) Introduction: Give a brief overview of the Concept of Dhamma.

(2) Mention the Contents of Dhamma.

(3) Mention the features that reflect that Ashoka’s Dhamma has its roots in Vedic-Upanishadic literature.

(4) Mention the different views about the sources and motivations behind the Ashokan dhamma.

(5) Conclude on balanced footing.

Introduction:

The word ‘Dhamma’ is the Prakrit form of the Sanskrit Word Dharma. There have been attempts to define and find equivalent English words for it, such as “piety”, “moral life” and “righteousness” but scholars could not translate it into English because it was coined and used in a specific context. 

Dhamma related to generalized norms of social behavior and activities; Ashoka tried to synthesize various social norms which were current in his time. 

The best way to understand what Ashoka means by Dhamma is to read his edicts, which were written to explain the principles of Dhamma to the people of that time throughout the empire.

Contents of Dhamma:

(1) Non-violence: The policy of Dhamma laid stress on non-violence. Non-violence was to be practised by giving up war and conquests and also as a restraint on the killing of animals.

(2) Tolerant: Dhamma stressed on dual toleration. It emphasised on toleration of people themselves and also a toleration of their various beliefs and ideas.

(3) Welfare measures: The policy of Dhamma also included certain welfare measures, like planting of trees, digging of wells, etc.

(4) Against meaningless Sacrifices: Ashoka attacked ceremonies and sacrifices practised regularly on various occasions as meaningless.

Features that Reflect that Ashoka’s Dhamma has its Roots in Vedic-Upanishadic Literature:

(1) Dhamma traced its origin from Sanskrit Word Dharma: The word Dhamma is the Prakrit form of the Sanskrit Word Dharma. Historians have traced development of dharma concepts in Vedas. This development continued in the Upanishads. The Ashoka’s Dhamma has been variously translated as piety, moral life, righteousness and so on. Like the concept of Dharma in the Vedic-Upanishadic literature, Ashoka’s dhamma cannot be translated as a particular religious’ faith or religion.

(2) Existence of God: Like Upanishad and Vedic literatures, Ashokan inscriptions also reflect his belief in the existence of God. e.g., Ashoka’s inscriptions mention his title Devanampiya (Beloved of the Gods).

(3) Tolerance: In major Rock Edict VII Ashoka plea for toleration amongst all the sects including both Brahmins and Sramanas. In the XII Rock Edict, he said contact between religions is good. One should listen to and respect the doctrines professed by others. This edict reflects the anxiety the king felt because of conflict between sects and carries his plea for harmony. The Rigveda says, “Ekam dukh vipra bahudha vadanti”, which means a truth but the sages speak it differently.

(4) Karma: The Vedic-Upanishadic literature emphasize on karma and humility. e.g., the earliest formulation of the Karma doctrine occurs in the Brihadaranyaka, which is the earliest of the Upanishads. The story of Nachiket from Katha Upanishad. Similarly, Asoka’s policy of Dhamma also stressed on social responsibility. It advocates consideration towards slaves and servants, obedience to elders and generosity towards the needy. In major Rock Edict II. It mentions medical treatment for men and animals, construction of roads, wells, tree planting, etc. Major Rock Edict X Denounces fame and glory reflecting emphasis on humility.

(5) Non-violence: Major Rock Edict XIII pleads for conquest by Dhamma instead of War. It mentions the renunciation of war Asoka after the Kalinga conquest. Following the policy of non-violence, he abandoned the policy of physical occupation in favour of the policy of cultural conquest. In other words, bherighosha was replaced with Dhammaghosha. Similarly, Major Rock Edict I declare prohibition of animal sacrifice. Various Upanishads (e.g. The Sandilya Upanishad and Chandogya Upanishad) also lists Ahimsa or non-violence among the values one should adhere to. The term Ahimsa means appears in the text Taittiriya branch of the Yajurveda. It occurs several times in the Shatapatha Brahmana in the sense of “non- injury”.

(6) Religious conversions: Like the Vedic Upanishadic literature which are essentially silent on the issue of religious conversions. Ashokan dhamma also doesn’t mentions about any ritual for conversions.

The Asokan policy of Dhamma has been an issue of intense controversy and debate amongst scholars. Different views exist about the sources and motivations behind the Ashokan dhamma:

(1) Historians like R.C. Majumdar and Harprasad Shastri have equated it with Buddhism.

(2) Historians like Nilakantha Shastri suggest that his dhamma was an ethical code of conduct. It was guiding principles of social behaviour having the objective of societal integration.

(3) Romila Thapar viewed that Asoka’s Dhamma was the invention of Ashoka to consolidate the empire.

(4) Asoka’s banning of sacrifices goes against the vedic tradition of sacrificial rituals. In Vedic tradition, karma referred simply to ritual and sacrificial action but Karma for Ashoka was about social duties.

(5) In Major Rock Edict IX, attacks on the ceremonies performed after birth, illness, marriage etc. Such ceremonies have been suggested in Hindu literature. 

(6) The content of Dhamma doesn’t mention about the core philosophies of Vedic-Upanishadic literature like existence of atman and brahman, transmigration of soul etc.

(7) Ashoka also didn’t completely give in to violence when there was a need for state. e.g. addressing the forest tribes, he warns them that although he hates to use coercion he may be required to resort to force if they continue to create trouble.

Conclusion:

Thus, there have been different views about the root of Ashokan dhamma. Because Vedic-Upanishadic literature existed prior to the age of Ashoka. Some positive elements may have been incorporated in the idea of dhamma. 

However, dhamma is not limited to that and was a broad system of beliefs and ideas created out of different religious faith and designed to address the contemporary issues.