The significance of dhamma

New Idea of kingship : V.A. Smith described Ashoka as a combination of the monk
and the monarch.
Based his empire on the principles of ahimsā, of non-violence,
universal peace, peace between man and man, and between man and every sentient
creature, so that it was an empire of righteousness.

Ashoka gave it a much wider meaning : Radha Kumud Mookerji points out that
Ashoka talked of certain principles and tried to practise them which are aspired to in
today’s modern world also.

Propogation of idea through oral tradition

politically significant -in the form of a universal faith including the common elements
of all the faiths. Therefore, it could be easily acceptable to all sections of the empire.
Acceptable to people belonging to any religious sects

Dhamma emphasize tolerance

Occasion that might encourage disharmony such as assemblies/gathering were

discouraged

Refraining from violence, restrain on killing of animal {troublesome forest dwellers}

Pared down cooking of meat in royal kitchen

dhamma- state’s concern for the welfarism of its people

-highlighted the welfarist nature of the state and rightly formulated that the
functions of the state

to implement dhamma he instituted special category of official DHAMMA

MAHAMATTA

Through the institution of dhamma-mahāmātras he tried to bring uniformity of

judicial proceedings and punishment.
created the post of officials called the rājukas- responsible over many hundred
thousands of people,

He started the dhammayātās

instead of vihār-yātās.

The Policy Did Not Succeed but In the twentieth century this
welfarist conception of the state has been highlighted