Previous Year Question
Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription?
“Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.”
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
This statement reflects the ideas expressed in Emperor Ashoka's Major Rock Edict XII. It places particular emphasis on mutual respect among different religious sects, restraint in speech and religious concord.
The central message of Major Rock Edict XII is that a person should not praise his own sect or disparage another sect without proper reason. Doing so does not promote one's own religion; instead, it ultimately harms one's own sect. The National Museum's record of Ashoka's Rock Edicts summarises Edict XII specifically in terms of restraint of speech and avoidance of praising one's own faith while disparaging another.
Ashoka's policy did not aim to make all religious traditions identical. Rather, he wanted different sects to listen to, understand and respect one another. Thus, Ashoka's Dhamma placed importance on religious coexistence and social harmony.
The question is particularly important because it prevents the mistake of interpreting Ashoka's Dhamma merely as the propagation of Buddhism. His inscriptions also emphasise respect for Brahmanas, Shramanas and different sects, together with ethical conduct.