Instead of the War Drum

About the passage

A.  Read to understand

1.   Choose the correct options.

      a.   Sanghamitra and her twin brother, Mahindra, had been sent to Sri Lanka to

                     i.        conquer new realms for Magadha.

                    ii.        help spread Buddhism.

                  iii.        build a stupa.

      b.   Ashoka’s edicts proclaim

                     i.        Ashoka as the emperor of India.

                    ii.        Ashoka as Chand Ashoka.

                  iii.        Ashoka’s belief in the Buddhist principles of dhamma.

      c.   The emperor was remorseful because

                     i.        many of his soldiers had died in the battle of Kalinga.

                    ii.        the battle had caused much more destruction than expected.

                  iii.        he had been responsible for taking the lives of many individuals.

      d.   The king expected his subjects to

                     i.        lead a vegetarian lifestyle.

                    ii.        respect each other’s religious beliefs.

                  iii.        spread the Buddha’s teachings to other kingdoms.

2.  Answer the following questions.

     a.   What are Ashoka’s edicts, and why are they important?

      Ans. In all, thirty three inscriptions have been found on pillars, on boulders and in caves, which were collectively referred to as Ashoka’s edicts. They are important because the inscriptions proclaim Ashoka’s belief in the Buddhist principles of Dhamma, or non-violence, and his intention to win over people by good deeds. They also talk about his social efforts to protect his subjects, both humans and animals.

     b.   Why was Chand Ashoka a well-deserved nickname for Ashoka?

      Ans. Chand Ashoka was a well-deserved nickname for Ashoka because he was a fierce and fearless warrior.

     c.   Describe the incident that transformed Emperor Ashoka.

      Ans. The bloody and horrific war of Kalinga transformed the vengeful emperor Ashoka to a stable and peaceful emperor and he became a patron of Buddhism.

     d.   What were the ways that Emperor Ashoka adopted to avoid violence altogether?

      Ans. After the Kalinga war he adopted Buddhism. He made it the state religion. He banned hunting, drew up a list of protected animals, and even urged his subjects to stop eating meat and turn vegetarian.

B.  Read to infer

1.   A tolerant person shows respect for the rights, opinions, and practices of others. How was the battle of Kalinga an example of Emperor Ashoka’s intolerant nature?

Ans. The battle of Kalinga was an example of Emperor Ashoka’s intolerant nature because when Kalinga refused to submit to him, he started the war against them. He was determined to make Kalinga part of his kingdom.

2.   Was he a tolerant king after the battle of Kalinga? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans. Ashoka proved to be a tolerant monarch who, although himself a Buddhist, never sought to impose his personal religion on his subjects. In his twelfth major Rock Edict, he states that in honouring of other sects lies the honour of one’s own sect.

3.   The battle of Kalinga showed that Ashoka was a powerful king. However, the battle also made him realize that he was not as powerful as he had thought himself to be. Explain.

Ans. The battle of Kalinga showed that Ashoka was a powerful king. However, the battle also made him realize that he was not as powerful as he had thought himself to be. This is so because after the war where he expected to feel happy about extending his empire further, he found himself feeling sad about the loss of life and property. The horrors of the Kalinga War brought about a sudden change in the heart of Ashoka and he became a patron of Buddhism.

C.  Discuss

1.   Do you know the story of how Prince Siddhartha became the Buddha? Compare this story with the story of Ashoka’s transformation.

Ans. Hint:

    By finding the path to Enlightenment, Siddhartha was led from the pain of suffering and rebirth towards the path of Enlightenment and became known as the Buddha or 'awakened one'

    The lethal war with Kalinga transformed the vengeful emperor Ashoka to a stable and peaceful emperor and he became a patron of Buddhism

    (Answer will vary)

2.   Find out about Buddha’s Noble Eightfold, and discuss how it can apply to your daily life, both in and outside school.

Ans. Hint:

   THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH

      1.   Right understanding (Samma ditthi)

      2.   Right thought (Samma sankappa)

      3.   Right speech (Samma vaca)

      4.   Right action (Samma kammanta)

      5.   Right livelihood (Samma ajiva)

      6.   Right effort (Samma vayama)

      7.   Right mindfulness (Samma sati)

      8.   Right concentration (Samma samadhi)

(Answer will vary)