The Ashoka method:When we aspire to a new way of being, it’s good to have a role model.
Someone who’s been there, done that. Way back in ancient history, we
can find a person who’s light can still illuminate our path. In fact, if
there was such a thing as a posthumous Nobel Peace Prize, the great
Indian emperor Ashoka would certainly be a strong contender. That’s
why I call this way of being insanely useful and finding joy the Ashoka
Method.Ashoka the Great lived from 304BC to 232BC. He ruled
over an empire that spread over most of the Indian subcontinent and
included present-day Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and the Indian
states of Assam, Kerala, Andhra, and Kalinga. You get the picture – his empire was big. During the first ten years of his reign, Ashoka the Great was feared
as a merciless warrior. And then he had a change of heart. It is said
that after his troops had won the war of Kalinga, Ashoka walked on the
last battlefield and lamented all the death and suffering he had created. He decided to rule
according to Buddhist principles of compassion, love, truth, and
tolerance. Ashoka never waged war again. He made the surrounding
kingdoms – so easily overthrown – into well-respected allies instead.
He was passionate about the welfare of his people and promoted knowledge
through universities available to all. In one of his edicts, carved in
stone, he calls himself, He who regards everyone with affection.

Mauryan Samrat
A Chakravatin (possibly Ashoka the great) 1st century BC/CE. Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati. Preserved at Musee Guimet

We know much about Ashoka because he carved many of his edicts in
stone – and many of these pillars and rocks still stand today.
Here are some examples of his edicts:

Along roads I have had banyan trees planted so that
they can give shade to animals and men, and I have had mango groves
planted. At intervals of eight krosas, I have had wells dug,
rest-houses built, and in various places, I have had watering-places
made for the use of animals and men. ~ Ashoka the Great

You can see a photo of a pillar with inscribed edict here.

All people are my children. What I desire for my own
children, and I desire their welfare and happiness both in this world
and the next, which I desire for all people. You do not understand to
what extent I desire this, and if some of you do understand, you do not
understand the full extent of my desire.

You can sense the depth of Ashoka’s aspiration. He is acclaimed for
constructing hospitals for animals, as well as for humans, and
renovating major roads throughout India. In all of his work, ahimsa,
or reverence for all life, was his guiding aspiration.   Ashoka lifted living standards by creating water transit and irrigation systems for trade and agriculture. He treated his subjects as equals
regardless of their religion, politics and caste. He is still revered in
India and the Lion Capitel which sat upon one of his columns has
become a national symbol of India.  Would Ashoka have deserved the Nobel Peace Prize (if it had been
available then)? What do you think?  Ashoka had a change of heart, and decided to be insanely useful. We
too can have change of heart and live to serve. The great thing is that
we are not outside of that equation. Living to serve also means treating
ourselves with kindness and compassion.  And if you want more happiness in your life, being insanely useful is
the most direct route to more joy. Shared joy.
Renowned British author and social critic H.
G. Wells in his bestselling two-volume work, The Outline of History (1920), wrote of emperor
Ashoka:

In the history of the world there have been thousands of kings and
emperors who called themselves 'their highnesses,' 'their majesties,'
and 'their exalted majesties' and so on. They shone for a brief moment,
and as quickly disappeared. But Ashoka shines and shines brightly like a
bright star, even unto this day.

 
After two thousand years, the influence of Ashoka is seen in Asia and
especially the Indian subcontinent. An emblem excavated from his
empire is today the national Emblem of India. In the History of Buddhism Ashoka is considered just after Gautama Buddha.

The three pillars of goodness

1. Reverence


2. Ancient Buddhist teachings talk about the aspiration of ahimsa , or non-harming. Expressed positively, ahimsa means having
   reverence for all life. Sounds great, doesn’t it? But what about the
   mosquito on your arm, or the spider in the shower? What about the
   cutting words we utter when we are enraged? Yes – reverence for life is a
   tall order. It’s easy to beat ourselves up, but the practice of ahimsa implies that we look at ourselves with the kindly eye of
   compassion.We fall, we fail, we stumble, we waver – and all the
   while the guiding light of our aspiration draws us onwards.
   
   It’s like the stars navigators of old used to set their course by. We
   can never reach the stars, but they change the course of our life.
   

   
   By having a reverence for life, we enter into a
   spiritual relation with the world. By practicing reverence for life we
   become good, deep, and alive.~ Albert
   Schweitzer
   

   
   


3. Wisdom
   Wisdom means taking the overview. It means letting go of our narrow view
   of life that revolves around ‘me’, ‘my’, and ‘mine’. When we see with
   the eye of wisdom , we can see the struggle and suffering of others. We
   can put our personal experience into a vast context. (Check out this
   lovely video on wisdom)





If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature
and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons
of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a
successful day. ~ Alex Noble




4. Kindness
   Kind action goes beyond non-harming. It means that we address the needs
   of another being, and create ease and joy through our action. A smile, a
   wave, cooking a meal for busy friends, visiting someone who is lonely
   or sick, letting someone jump the queue at the grocery store checkout –
   the list of possible kind deeds is endless.





No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to
another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out
roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The
greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind
themselves.~ Amelia
Earhart