A Talented Military Leader Ashoka was born in 304 BC. He was the son of the Mauryan Emperor Bindusara.

He had one younger brother and also older half-brothers. Early on, he showed great promise. When he started showing success as a military leader, his older brothers began to fear that Ashoka would ascend to the throne. When an uprising occurred in the Takshashila province, Prince Susima suggested to his father that Ashoka would be the best person to deal with it. When news reached the province that Ashoka was coming, the fighting stopped. The militia who had started the revolt welcomed Ashoka's arrival. With this victory, Susima became more concerned about Ashoka. He portrayed him as power hungry and ambitious. Soon, he had convinced his father to exile Ashoka to Kalinga. Exile In Kalinga, Ashoka fell in love with Kaurwaki who worked as a fisherwoman. She would later be one of his many wives. His exile was soon ended when there was an uprising in Ujjain Province. Emperor Bindusara now called Ashoka back from exile and sent him to Ujjain. This time there was a great battle and Ashoka was seriously hurt. During his recovery, he was overseen by Buddhist monks and nuns. It was during this time that he first learned about Buddhism. He fell in love with his nurse Devi. She too would become one of his wives. The First Buddhist King Ashoka now reversed course. He set free all of his prisoners and returned their property. There is a story that the pregnant wife of one of his brothers escaped the palace before she could be killed. The baby survived and was brought up by Buddhist monks and nuns. When the boy was 13, he was discovered by Ashoka who learned the boy's identity. Ashoka, at this time, felt so much shame that he moved the boy and his mother to live in the palace. At this time, he got a new name. Instead of Chandashoka, he became known as Dharmashoka which means "pious Ashoka."

Great Public Works Projects Ashoka now begins a massive public works project where he orders the creation of thousands of Buddhist buildings. He builds stupas which are mounds that house Buddhist relics and he builds viharas which are Buddhist monasteries. He orders the construction of roadhouses for travelers which are free of charge. He created edicts which protect wildlife against sport hunting and he promotes the vegetarianism. He initiates the building of universities, irrigation systems, and hospitals. He signs peace treaties with many of the neighboring kingdom even though with India's resources, he would have little trouble to conquer them outright. One of Ashoka's Edict: "...And the king abstains from (killing) living beings..." Equality for All Ashoka takes the very innovative position of protecting minority interests in India. He required nonviolence as well as loerance of all other religions and all opinions. Wikipedia writes: "Dharmashoka also defined the main principles of dharma as nonviolence, tolerance of all sects and opinions, obedience to parents and other religious teachers and priests, liberality toward friends, humane treatment of servants, and generosity towards all."

Death of Ashoka Ashoka ruled for over 40 years. 50 years after his death, the Mauryan Empire came to an end. He had numerous wives and many heirs but most of their names are lost. Buddhism did not, of course, stay the state religion of India. Still, empowered by Ashoka, Buddhism quickly spread outside of India's borders into Southeast Asia. Today, the Ashokra Chakra, the Wheel of Dharma, is featured on the national flag of India. Ashoka used this image on many of his constructions. The wheel has 24 spokes which represent: 1. Love 2. Courage 3. Patience 4. Peacefulness 5. Kindness 6. Goodness 7. Faithfulness 8. Gentleness 9. Self-control 10. Selflessness 11. Self sacrifice 12. Truthfulness 13. Righteousness 14. Justice 15. Mercy 16. Graciousness 17. Humility 18. Empathy 19. Sympathy 20. Godly knowledge 21. Godly wisdom 22. Godly moral

23. Reverential fear of God 24. Hope/trust/faith in the goodness of God