Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c40.12

v2.c40.12

were in Aśoka's *dhamma* some teachings which were meant, it seems, for the recluses living within his domain. He wished them to live a saintly life by practising self-restraint, purity of mind,¹ gratefulness (*kataññatā*),² by cultivating regard for all sects and by keeping themselves engaged in the preaching of *dharma*. For them self-restraint (*saṃyama*) was more important than gifts and worship,³ and their gifts should be the gifts of religious instructions (*dhammadāna*).⁴