Why did Asoka have monastery’s built
Asoka had monasteries built in order to promote Buddhism and spread its teachings throughout India. He wanted to create a place where Buddhist monks could live and practice their faith, and also to provide a place for people to come and learn about Buddhism. Asoka also wanted to create a place of peace and harmony, where people could come to meditate and reflect on their lives.
Asoka, also known as Emperor Ashoka, was a Mauryan ruler who reigned from 268 to 232 BCE. He played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism throughout ancient India and beyond. Asoka was deeply influenced by the teachings of Buddhism and embraced the principle of non-violence.
One of Asoka's significant actions as a ruler was the construction of monasteries, or viharas, across his empire. Here are the reasons why he did so:
1. Support for Buddhist monks: Asoka believed in supporting the Buddhist monastic community and providing them with the necessary facilities. Monasteries served as residences for monks and provided them with a place to meditate, study, and teach.
2. Promotion of Buddhism: Asoka wanted to promote the spread of Buddhism and create a favorable environment for its followers. By constructing monasteries, he aimed to provide a physical space where people could gather to learn about Buddhism and practice its teachings.
3. Education and knowledge dissemination: Monasteries were centers of learning and knowledge dissemination. Asoka recognized the importance of intellectual pursuits and wanted to foster a culture of education by establishing monastic institutions.
4. Social welfare: Monasteries also played a crucial role in providing social welfare services. They served as centers for charitable activities, such as providing food to the poor, caring for the sick, and offering shelter to travelers. Asoka believed in the importance of social welfare and used monastic institutions to fulfill those goals.
5. Symbol of imperial patronage: Constructing monasteries served as a symbol of Asoka's imperial patronage of Buddhism. It showcased his commitment to the religion and his support for its followers. The monasteries also acted as a physical manifestation of his power and influence.
By building monasteries, Asoka aimed to create a harmonious society based on Buddhist principles, support the monastic community, spread the teachings of Buddhism, promote education, and provide social welfare services.
Asoka, also known as Emperor Ashoka, was a powerful ruler who reigned over the Maurya Empire in ancient India from around 268 BCE to 232 BCE. He is known for his conversion to Buddhism and his efforts to promote and propagate the teachings of Buddhism throughout his empire.
One of the key measures taken by Asoka to promote Buddhism was the construction of monasteries or viharas. These monastic establishments served as centers for Buddhist monks and nuns to live, study, and meditate. They were instrumental in the spread of Buddhism and the preservation of Buddhist teachings.
Now, to answer your question about why Asoka had monasteries built, we need to understand the historical and religious context of that time. Asoka was a fervent follower of Buddhism after he embraced the faith following the Kalinga War, a brutal conflict that resulted in a great loss of life. This war deeply affected Asoka and led him to adopt a policy of non-violence and compassion.
Having realized the destructive nature of war and violence, Asoka sought to establish a kingdom based on Buddhist principles of peace, morality, and righteousness. He believed that Buddhism had the potential to bring harmony and social unity to his diverse empire, which stretched across much of the Indian subcontinent.
By constructing monasteries, Asoka aimed to support the growth of the Buddhist monastic community and provide them with a suitable environment to practice and propagate their faith. Monks and nuns were seen as the living embodiment of Buddhist ideals, and their moral conduct and spiritual practice played a vital role in shaping society. Monasteries acted as focal points for the dissemination of Buddhist teachings, where monks engaged in study, meditation, and missionary activities.
Asoka's patronage of Buddhism and the construction of monasteries helped establish a strong Buddhist infrastructure and contributed to the widespread acceptance and growth of the religion in ancient India. His efforts played a significant role in the preservation and spread of Buddhist doctrines, which eventually reached many parts of the world.
In conclusion, Asoka had monasteries built as part of his efforts to promote Buddhism and establish a society based on moral principles and non-violence. These monastic establishments served as centers for Buddhist monks and nuns to live, study, and propagate Buddhist teachings, thereby supporting the growth and spread of the religion.