RLG206H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Four Lions, Four Noble Truths, Dharma
Document Summary
Buddhism at dunhuang ashoka and how do we know? rd century bce th century bce to 3. Earliest monks and nuns lives in natural caves or groves with simple buildings. Earliest objects were utilitarian, such as eating utensils and robes. Earliest objects made of ephemeral materials; few traces of them today. Bernard faure: without ashoka, buddhism may well have remained a minority religion rather like jainism, with which it shares certain common features. (bernard faure, 7) Instituted large-scale stone carving methods (from ancient persia) Sent ambassadors to china, greece, and elsewhere. Used extensive inscriptions in stone to communicate his edicts . Instituted buddhism as a state religion (though also tolerated other religions) Emperor asoka of the maurya dynasty converts to buddhism in the 3rd century bce. Spreads buddhism throughout south asia and beyond. Pacifistic, humanitarian, humane treatment of animals and prisoners, and patronage of the monks and nuns. Three ways they communicate: as architecture, through text/word, through symbolic image.
