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A Buddhist Approach to International RelationsThe Aśokan Empire

A Buddhist Approach to International Relations: The Aśokan Empire [This chapter introduces the first case study that serves as empirical referent for a Buddhist approach to statecraft in ancient times by considering the early kingdom of Aśoka. This chapter and the one that follows offer “proofs of concept” for the possibility of applying Buddhist ideas in the practice of politics and statecraft. Aśoka governed according to the dharma, meaning principles and policies that reflect Buddha’s teachings, although Aśoka expressed his principles and policies in edicts written in nonreligious, nonexclusive language. Aśoka’s rule was characterized by the promotion of nonviolence; social welfare; environmental protection; religious tolerance; political pluralism; the fair and compassionate administration of justice; and sound and responsive public administration meaning transparency, accessibility, impartiality, and accountability. His foreign policy was founded on principles of nonviolence, nonaggression, conciliation, stability, and improved understanding among international actors through diplomacy and mutually beneficial commerce. Aśoka even practiced the exercise of “soft power” by establishing medical facilities in foreign lands, sharing beneficial plants, and installing infrastructure beyond his immediate borders as acts of goodwill toward neighboring countries. While these governing principles and policies may be commonplace today, Aśoka, it should be remembered, governed in Asia in the third century B.C.E.] http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

A Buddhist Approach to International RelationsThe Aśokan Empire

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References (29)

Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Copyright
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2021. This book is an open access publication.
ISBN
978-3-030-68041-1
Pages
51 –70
DOI
10.1007/978-3-030-68042-8_4
Publisher site
See Chapter on Publisher Site

Abstract

[This chapter introduces the first case study that serves as empirical referent for a Buddhist approach to statecraft in ancient times by considering the early kingdom of Aśoka. This chapter and the one that follows offer “proofs of concept” for the possibility of applying Buddhist ideas in the practice of politics and statecraft. Aśoka governed according to the dharma, meaning principles and policies that reflect Buddha’s teachings, although Aśoka expressed his principles and policies in edicts written in nonreligious, nonexclusive language. Aśoka’s rule was characterized by the promotion of nonviolence; social welfare; environmental protection; religious tolerance; political pluralism; the fair and compassionate administration of justice; and sound and responsive public administration meaning transparency, accessibility, impartiality, and accountability. His foreign policy was founded on principles of nonviolence, nonaggression, conciliation, stability, and improved understanding among international actors through diplomacy and mutually beneficial commerce. Aśoka even practiced the exercise of “soft power” by establishing medical facilities in foreign lands, sharing beneficial plants, and installing infrastructure beyond his immediate borders as acts of goodwill toward neighboring countries. While these governing principles and policies may be commonplace today, Aśoka, it should be remembered, governed in Asia in the third century B.C.E.]

Published: Feb 16, 2021

Keywords: Aśoka; Aśokan empire; Edicts

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