Rock Edict VIII

views updated

Rock Edict VIII

SOURCE: The Edicts of A?oka. Edited and translated by N. A. Nikam and Richard McKeon. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1959, p. 37.

In the past, kings used to go on pleasure tours (vih?ry?tr?s). On these tours, they hunted and indulged in other pastimes.

King Priyadar??, however, became, enlightened in wisdom (sambuddha) ten years after his coronation. Since then his tours have been moral-tours (Dharma-y?tr?s).

He visits priests and ascetics and makes gifts to them; he visits the aged and gives them money; he visits the people of rural areas, instructing them in Dharma and discussing it with them.

King Priyadar?? takes great pleasure in these tours, far more than could result from other tours.

More From encyclopedia.com