Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c40.20

v2.c40.20

(vii) Aśoka's practical measures: Aśoka did not merely express pious wishes for the moral and spiritual uplift of all religious men. He introduced several practical measures to see that his wishes might be effectively carried out. Some of these measures were, (a) Mandatory orders prohibiting slaughter of animals for sacrifice; (b) Appointment of Dharma-mahāmātras to look after the moral uplift of the people and to give relief to the people in distress; (c) Directing officers like the Yuktas, Rajjukas and Prādesikas to undertake special tours of inspection every five years for propagating his Dhamma,² and (d) An empire wide organisation to see that the people of his empire as well as those living in border countries might be righteous and become godlike.