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4 KPI Congress 15 th

This edict has been inscribed here so that my officials will work at all
times to inspire the peoples of neighboring countries with confidence in me and
to induce them to practice Dharma (Nikam and McKeon 1978: 54).

Emperor A oka reached a higher state of understanding to the extent of
forgiving “for wrongs that can be forgiven” done even to the emperor himself. This is
an evidence of a magnanimous vision of a ruler who wanted to build a larger empire.

This brief treatment on Emperor A?oka has demonstrated that in the Indian
history Emperor A oka stands out as a paradigmatic righteous king who attempted to
develop principles and practices for the governance of a dharmarãja.

(b) Historical Persons as Dharmarajas: The Challenges in the Statecraft

for the Righteous King Sirisangabo

The Sri Lankan King Sirisangabo (Sirisa ghabodhi, c. 247-249 CE) is a case in
point in discussing Buddhist attempts to become dharmarãja by adopting an ideal of
governance inspired by Buddhist values in real political world. The story of King
Sirisangabo presents vividly the Buddhist notion of the righteous king in real
statecraft. It also shows challenges that a righteous ruler has to face in real political
world.

Legends, a variety of narratives, and temple paintings present King Sirisangabo
as a righteous king. On the basis of the post-canonical Pãli chronicle, the Mahãva sa’s
account, it can be argued that King Sirisangabo might have projected an image of
righteous king who abandoned violence totally only after becoming the ruler by
succeeding his brother Sa ghatissa. According to the Mahãva sa, the three brothers
participate in the assassination of the previous King Vijaya for whom they worked
loyally:

(At that time) three Lambaka as lived in friendship at Mahiya gana:
Sa ghatissa and Sa ghabodhi, the third being Go hakãbhaya. When they were
coming (to Anur?dhapura) to do service to the king, a blind man who had the
gift of prophecy…cried out at the sound of their footsteps: ‘The ground bears
International panel discussion (others) consecrated Sa ghatissa, the commander of the troops, as king. The
here three rulers of the earth!’ … When they were come into the capital the
three, being the close and trusted (counsellors) of the king, remained in the
royal service about the king.

When they together had slain king Vijaya, in his royal palace the two

crowned did Sa ghatissa reign four years in stately Anurãdhapura.…When he had
eaten the jambu-fruits he died forthwith even there. And Abhaya consecrated as
king Sa ghabodhi who was charged with the (command of) the army.