... empire through many battles; his last was the conquest of Kalinga which created much unnecessary carnage. When Ashoka saw the devastation he had caused it led him to convert to Buddhist ways, although evidence suggests that he had become a Buddhist two years earlier. Ashoka not only became a 'Follower of the Dharma' in practice, but also led his kingdom according to Buddhist principles and so made great contributions towards its early development. Ashoka had edicts inscribed on stone pillars and placed throughout his kingdom. These meant that the lay people, who up until then had had not much to do with the Buddhist practices, could now understand the teachings of the Buddha which were previously too complicated for them to follow. The edicts are of great value as a source of information on Ashoka's policies. They are more reliable than the Ceylon Chronicles, although without these the connection between the ...

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