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Decade: 260BC CHALLENGE CARD Reference: 90260RT01 Difficulty: 5

Background & Context

Indian Emperor , born in 269BC, was so appalled by the horrors of war that he made a series of 33 pillars. The pillars had carved on them a set of laws or edicts telling people how they should live. These were sent around his kingdom. The fifth pillar in particular talked about how we should look after animals.

Your Challenge

Read and understand the Fifth Pillar edict and then research a current wildlife or environmental crusade that has similar aims to this 2250 year old original green campaigner.

• Use text or pictures to tell us about the 5th edict. • Make clear comparisons between the modern campaign and the ambitions of Ashoka.

Curiosity Suggestion Optional Extension

Make a poster (at least A3 size) or other There is no extension for this presentation, to illustrate the similarities challenge. and differences between the ancient and new campaigns.

2020 Copyright © Curiosity Learning Ltd. All Rights Reserved. www.gocuriosity.com Background Information Wise Words Ashoka was the 3rd emperor of the Mauryan dynasty that ruled over most of Ashoka was the 3rd emperor of the Mauryan become Buddhists. Indeed, one of his edicts dynasty that ruled over most of India, , stated that all religions should be tolerated , , and . He and be able to live together, side by side. The lived a life of violence, in both the pursuit of edicts demonstrate his beliefs in certain the crown to succeed his grandfather, and his Buddhist concepts, but they focus on social drive to conquer more lands. He was and moral issues rather than talking about interested in status, wealth and himself. religious practices.

That was until the battle of Kalinga. He was There are a large number of edicts! victorious in the battle but for once felt no pleasure in the result. Instead he felt horror There are 14 Major Rock Edicts plus 2 extras and remorse when he saw first-hand the to be found at Kalinga; 3 Minor Rock Edicts; massacre that had occurred. He turned to 2 Minor Pillar Edicts and 7 Pillar Edicts. Buddhist teachings to help him make sense of the slaughter, and ultimately guide him They revolve around Ashoka’s conversion to away from his previous life and beliefs. , apologies for his past actions that he considered unacceptable; reassurances to Ashoka adopted a life of peace and tolerance surrounding countries he had no intention and he wanted this for the people of his to conquer more lands; and his moral, social empire too. He wanted to tell his people of the and environmental beliefs. reforms he was putting in place, and to encourage them to live moral and spiritual In his edicts, he advocates kindness, lives. He decided to do this by publishing a generosity, truthfulness, purity, gentleness, series of edicts (proclamations) that he and goodness; kindness to prisoners and spread across the kingdom by having them generosity to strangers; and respect for inscribed upon rock faces, where available, animal life and the environment. This is and upon 33 giant pillars that were then alongside other changes he announces as spread across the land. He deliberately used law, in order to improve the lives of his simple language on the pillars, rather than people. using complex . Although he was himself learning about, and following, the teachings of Buddha, Ashoka did not require of his people that they

Hints & Tips

You will find translations of the 5th Edict at the following links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edicts_of_Ashoka http://www.katinkahesselink.net/tibet/asoka1b.html#1st_Pilla

To find out more about Ashoka, his edicts, and animal rights, visit: https://www.animalwised.com/what-do-the-edicts-of-ashoka-say-about-animal-rights-1333.html https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Ashoka/608958 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/people/reference/ashoka/