Consider the following statements about Ashoka’s faith in Buddhism :
- 1. Rummindei Pillar Inscription and Nigali Sagar Pillar Inscription provide clear evidence of Ashoka’s faith in Buddhism.
- 2. Minor Rock Edict-I gives evidence of a sudden change in Ashoka’s faith in Buddhism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2022
Statement 2 is incorrect. Minor Rock Edict I does describe Ashoka’s initial period of less intense practice and his subsequent increased effort and propagation of Dhamma after becoming a Buddhist lay follower (upasaka) for over two and a half years. However, it speaks of a process of gradual increased zeal and influence (“I have made the people more zealous”) rather than a sudden change in faith.