The Mauryan Polity c11.s3.t2.18

c11.s3.t2.18

It is significant to note that this Edict is addressed not to all his peoples, but only to the members of the *Saṅgha*. Even here Aśoka says: ‘though whatever has been said has been well said, still he would make a selection which in his opinion would make the *dharma* eternal.’³ Bhandarkar who has examined the six principles enunciated on behalf of the *dharma* is constrained to remark that this does not reveal any ritualistic or metaphysical element of Buddhism.¹ With regard to the sacred texts quoted in this inscription, and their identification the *Vinaya-samukasa*, the *Aliya-vasas*, the *Anāgata-bhayas*, the *Muni-gāthas*, the *Moneya-sūta*, the *Upatisa-pasina*, and the *Lāghulovāda*, no last word has yet been said. Mookerjee, who has examined this Edict, makes the following statement that "the Bhābru Edict was prior to the main body of the Rock Edicts."² If this chronology of the Aśokan Edicts is acceptable, how are we to account for the issuing of the Major Rock Edicts containing his proclamations where there is absolutely no reference to the Buddha or Buddhism? Either the chronological examination is wrong or Aśoka was not a Buddhist. The latter is the more probable. The attempts to prove Aśoka's faith in Buddhism are too far-fetched, conjectural and hence inconclusive.³