The Mauryan Polity c11.s3.t3.24

c11.s3.t3.24

(4) The last but not the least were the Brahmans who were the recipients of honour and regard from Aśoka.¹ Even the *Mahāvaṃśa* which attributes many a Buddhist building to the munificence of Aśoka,² states that Aśoka followed his father in bestowing gifts on the Brahmans. The *Rājatarangiṇī* places on record many a Brahmanical temple and even Jaina buildings to the credit of the same monarch.³ Added to this is the evidence of the *Dīpavaṃśa*⁴ which clearly makes out that the Buddhism was not his original faith. His interest in the welfare of the other castes and orders like the Ibhyas or Vaiśyas, ascetics and householders is unbounded.⁵ His alleged denunciation of rituals said to be contained in the Ninth Rock-Edict is meaningless. For, does he not say ‘se katavi cheva kho maṃgale,’ meaning that ceremonies needs be practised. What he drives at here is that mere *karma* will bear little fruit. One must aim at the substance and not at the shadow. So practice of virtues (*śiṣṭācāram*) is more fruitful. From these and other evidences it is impossible to escape the conclusion that Aśoka held catholic views about religion and was an extremely tolerant monarch. His was universal toleration regardless of sects and creeds. In fact he realised that doctrine as one of the proximate ends of the state.⁶