Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c15.s1.t7: Religious Toleration and the Prevention of Schism in the Buddhist Church

Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c15.s1.t7

Language: English

Religious Toleration and the Prevention of Schism in the Buddhist Church

c15.s1.t7.1

In Rock Edict XII the emperor declares that he "does reverence (*Pūjā*) to men of all sects (*Pāsaṁdāni*) whether ascetics (*Pavajitāni*) or householders (*Gharastāni*) by gifts and various forms of reverence". That he was sincere in his professions is proved by the Barābar cave dedications in favour of the Ājīvika ascetics, who were more closely connected with the Jainas than with the Buddhists.

c15.s1.t7.2

The emperor only cared for the "growth of the essence (*Sāra-Vaḍhi*) of the matter in sects". He says that "he who does reverence to his own sect while disparaging the sects of others wholly from attachment to his own, with intent to enhance the splendour of his own sect, in reality by such conduct inflicts the severest injury on his own sect." Concord (or concourse, *Samavāyo*) is praised by him as meritorious (*Sama-vāyo eva sādhu*).

c15.s1.t7.3

Just as Aśoka tried to secure concord among the various sects, so he wanted to prevent schism within the Buddhist church. Tradition affirms that a Buddhist Council was convened at Pāṭaliputra in the seventeenth year of his reign for the purpose of suppressing heresy and making a compilation of the true Buddhist doctrine (*Saddhammasaṁgaha*). The Sārnāth Edict and its variants may perhaps be regarded as embodying the resolution of this Council.¹

c15.s1.t7.4

¹ Smith, *Aśoka*, third, ed., p. 55.

Cites (1)

Major Rock Edict XII — Prakrit