The Legend of King Asoka - A Srudy and Translation of the Asokavadana

Author: John S StrongPublisher: Motilal BanarsidassYear: 2008Language: EnglishPages: 336ISBN/UPC (if available): 81-208-0616-6 DescriptionThis is the first English translation of the Asokavadana text, the Sanskrit version of the legend of King Asoka, first written in the second century AD. Asoka was the Emperor of India during the third century BC and one of the most important rulers in the history of Buddhism.Asoka has hitherto been studied in the West primarily from his edicts and rock inscriptions in many of the Indian subcontinent. Through an extensive critical essay and a fulid translation, John Strong examines the importance of the Asoka of the legends for our overall understanding of Buddhism.Professor Strong contreasts the text with the Pali tradition about King Asoka and discusses the Buddhist view of kingship, the relationship of the state and the Buddhistcommunity, the king's role in relating his kingdom to the person of the Buddha, and the connections between merit making