ABSTRACT
In his book Gem in the Lotus: The Seeding of Indian Civilization, Abraham Eraly tells the story of Asoka, Emperor of India some time around 270 BC. In the early years of his reign Asoka had a reputation for cruelty and vindictiveness. But one day he witnessed a sage emerge unscathed from a fire he had had him thrown into. This led to Asoka’s conversion to Buddhism, a renouncing violence and the setting for himself more noble aims concerning the welfare of all people:
Work I must for the welfare of all the folk, and for that energy and dispatch of business are essential. It is hard to obtain happiness in this World and the next without utmost love for dharma (duty and personal knowledge as enlightenment), utmost self-examination, utmost obedience, utmost fear of sin, and utmost effort …
