Date: 26th Sep 2017
Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh
Fee: Rs 10 for car entry to Dhauli.
Timing: Dawn to Dusk.
Distance: 1445 Kms one way.
Parking: Roadside.
Food: Small snack available near the Stupa.
Photography: Allowed.
Other attractions nearby: Shanti Stupa, Asoka Pillar, Shiva Temple.
We started from Puri on 26th morning and on the way to Bhubaneswar we visited Dhauli. The place is famous for the shanti stupa on a small hill. The rock edicts of Asoka is at the base of the hill. After converting to Buddhism, Asoka wanted to propagate the dharma all over his kingdom. His edicts were carved in various places of his empire in form of major rock edicts, pillar edicts, minor inscriptions and cave inscriptions. Major edicts are set of 14 laws. In Dhaulagiri the edicts are inscribed on a rock shaped as elephant. Here in dhauli the edicts 11, 12 and 13 are omitted as the 13th edict reminds about the Kalinga war which was fought in this region. Instead 2 separate edicts called Kalinga edicts were added. The inscriptions are in Brahmi script.
On a high level each 14 edicts talk about.
1. Prohibition of animal sacrifice and prohibition of festival gatherings.
2. Shade, water and medical treatment for all men and animals in his kingdom and neighbours.
3. Officials travel all over his kingdom and spread the laws of dharma.
4. Success attained by spreading of dharma.
5. Appointment of the dharma mahamatras and their roles.
6. Asoka's efforts in serving the interest of public.
7. Asoka's tolerance towards all religion.
8. Asoka's dharma tour, first to bodhgaya.
9. Futility of ceremonies and merits of dharma practice.
10. No desire for fame or glory.
Three missing edicts in Dhauli.
11. Superiority of the gift of dharma.
12. Same as 7, religious tolerance.
13. Largest of all edicts. It talks about the evil of war and about the Kalinga war where many lives were lost.
14. Talks about engravings in different parts of the empire.
Two separate Kalinga edicts found only here.
1. Declares all men are his children. Welfare and happiness to all men.
2. Goodwill towards borderer.
Walls were constructed around the inscriptions to protect them. The edicts can be seen through the glass door. The person in charge lets the visitors in for a small fee.
Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh
Fee: Rs 10 for car entry to Dhauli.
Timing: Dawn to Dusk.
Distance: 1445 Kms one way.
Parking: Roadside.
Food: Small snack available near the Stupa.
Photography: Allowed.
Other attractions nearby: Shanti Stupa, Asoka Pillar, Shiva Temple.
We started from Puri on 26th morning and on the way to Bhubaneswar we visited Dhauli. The place is famous for the shanti stupa on a small hill. The rock edicts of Asoka is at the base of the hill. After converting to Buddhism, Asoka wanted to propagate the dharma all over his kingdom. His edicts were carved in various places of his empire in form of major rock edicts, pillar edicts, minor inscriptions and cave inscriptions. Major edicts are set of 14 laws. In Dhaulagiri the edicts are inscribed on a rock shaped as elephant. Here in dhauli the edicts 11, 12 and 13 are omitted as the 13th edict reminds about the Kalinga war which was fought in this region. Instead 2 separate edicts called Kalinga edicts were added. The inscriptions are in Brahmi script.
On a high level each 14 edicts talk about.
1. Prohibition of animal sacrifice and prohibition of festival gatherings.
2. Shade, water and medical treatment for all men and animals in his kingdom and neighbours.
3. Officials travel all over his kingdom and spread the laws of dharma.
4. Success attained by spreading of dharma.
5. Appointment of the dharma mahamatras and their roles.
6. Asoka's efforts in serving the interest of public.
7. Asoka's tolerance towards all religion.
8. Asoka's dharma tour, first to bodhgaya.
9. Futility of ceremonies and merits of dharma practice.
10. No desire for fame or glory.
Three missing edicts in Dhauli.
11. Superiority of the gift of dharma.
12. Same as 7, religious tolerance.
13. Largest of all edicts. It talks about the evil of war and about the Kalinga war where many lives were lost.
14. Talks about engravings in different parts of the empire.
Two separate Kalinga edicts found only here.
1. Declares all men are his children. Welfare and happiness to all men.
2. Goodwill towards borderer.
Walls were constructed around the inscriptions to protect them. The edicts can be seen through the glass door. The person in charge lets the visitors in for a small fee.
No comments:
Post a Comment