For the rest of his reign, he practiced non-violence though he maintained his military strength. Yes it is hard to reconcile a champion of compassion-- which he became-- from his roots as a murderous king.
Ashoka is revered in modern day India. I read his edicts in light of our own times and found much to marvel. For example: "The growth of Dhamma is by the restraint of speech which means no praise of one's own faith or disparagement of another." 3rd century B.C.
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He was a unique leader. Was there any western leaders - say, after seeing the slaughter of the Crusades, the waste of the 100 years war, Napolean's trail of death - that had an awakening? Sadly no. That's the reason ML King had to look to India for a role model for nonviolent opposition. And since there were no Ashokas in our history, GW Bush's violent reaction to 911 tregedy seemed natural. Across the world, it was seen as an opportunity to join hands in sympathy with the U.S. to denounce terrorism and wanton killing.Too bad Bush never even saw it as an opening to build on that worldwide outpouring of compassion. And equally sad, after he saw the missing limbs and deaths of the men he sent to war, it's too bad he did not have an Ashoka-like revelation and spend the rest of his life advocating peace. Thanks Gimleteye
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