8 quotes
King Piyadasi, does not consider glory and fame to be of great account unless they are achieved through having my subjects respect Dhamma and practice Dhamma, both now and in the future.
Edicts of Ashoka (-257)
Father and mother should be respected and so should elders, kindness to living beings should be made strong and the truth should be spoken.
Edicts of Ashoka (-257)
Now Beloved-of-the-Gods thinks that even those who do wrong should be forgiven where forgiveness is possible.
Edicts of Ashoka (-257)
This progress among the people through Dhamma has been done by two means, by Dhamma regulations and by persuasion. Of these, Dhamma regulation is of little effect, while persuasion has much more effect.
Edicts of Ashoka (-257)
Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, has caused this Dhamma edict to be written. Here (in my domain) no living beings are to be slaughtered or offered in sacrifice.
Edicts of Ashoka (-257)
Whoever praises his own religion, due to excessive devotion, and condemns others with the thought "Let me glorify my own religion," only harms his own religion. Therefore contact (between religions) is good. One should listen to and respect the doctrines professed by others.
Edicts of Ashoka (-257)
Respect for mother and father is good, generosity to friends, acquaintances, relatives, Brahmans and ascetics is good, not killing living beings is good, moderation in spending and moderation in saving is good.
Edicts of Ashoka (-257)
Dhamma is good, but what constitutes Dhamma? (It includes) little evil, much good, kindness, generosity, truthfulness and purity. I have given the gift of sight in various ways. To two-footed and four-footed beings, to birds and aquatic animals, I have given various things including the gift of life. And many other good deeds have been done by me.
Edicts of Ashoka (-257)