Ashoka's Conversion to Buddhism(261)

Ashoka adopts Buddhism and the policy of Dhamma after the Kalinga War.

Ashoka's Conversion to Buddhism

What you need to know

Ashoka embraced Buddhism
Proclaimed the policy of Dhamma
Edicts and missions spread Buddhism across Asia

Participants

Central figure
Ashoka
43 yrs at this event
Central figure
43 yrs at event
Ashoka
The greatest Mauryan emperor, who spread Buddhism and the ideal of Dhamma.

Theatres

Edict and stupa site
Sanchi
Edict and stupa site
Sanchi
Buddhist complex famous for the Great Stupa commissioned by Ashoka.
Pillar edict site
Sarnath
Pillar edict site
Sarnath
Site where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, near Varanasi.

Powers

Maurya Empire
Maurya Empire
The first empire to unify most of the Indian subcontinent.

Timelines

The Maurya Empire
The Maurya Empire
India's first great empire, from Chandragupta to the fall of the Mauryas.

Facts at a glance

Start: 261 BCE
Tags: ashoka, buddhism, dhamma, edicts

Significance · GLOBAL

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