India 2016 (Odisha) - Buddhism in Odisha
Dhauli
In the 3rd century BCE the kingdom of the Kalinga roughly covered the area of today Odisha. It was a prosperous state with important ports and a strong navy who set out to the south east for trade. The kingdom of the Kalinga was surrounded by the Maurya Empire.
In 262 BCE the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka went to war with the Kalinga and succeeded to incorporate the kingdom of Kalinga into his empire. The bloodiest and decisive battle was fought on the plains surrounding the hills of Dhauli, about 8km south of today Bhubaneshwar.
The battle at Dhauli is said to be the bloodiest battle in the history of the indian subcontinent. According to Ashoka himself more than 200.000 people died on the plains around Dhauli. Probably this is an exaggeration, but still the emperor was so shocked by the bloodshed he had caused, that from that day on he adopted Buddhism actively and stopped to expand his empire by warfare.
Dhauli became an important place for Buddhism and some people even claim it to be the birthplace of Buddhism - since the emperor of such a fast empire adopted and promoted it. The white stupa on the hill top was build by Japanese Buddhists in 1970 to commemorate and acknowledge the importance of this place.
Rock Edict of Ashoka
After the battle at Dhauli Ashoka spread his new vision by edicts he placed strategically in his empire. The edicts contain essays on philosophy and rules for daily life and governance.
One of the oldest and best preserved edicts is the rock edict at Dhauli at the road to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa. On top of the rock with the inscription the rock is
sculptured as a wonderful elephant - the oldest sculpture linked to buddhism in Odisha, more than 2000 years old. Only half of the elephant is finished and looks like it is coming out of the
stone right now. Probably it is left that way deliberately as a symbol for the birth or coming of buddhism, since when Buddha's mother became pregnant with him she had a dream of a white
elephant.
After his victory at Dhauli Ashokas empire covered an area containing today Afghanistan, Pakistan & present India without the southern states of Kerala & Tamil Nadu. It was the largest empire that ever existed on the Indian subcontinent and the largest in size and population (ca. 50 million) at that time in the world.
During his 50 year rule and after Ashokas enlightment the empire enjoyed peace and prosperity. Soon after Ashokas death decline started and about 185 BCE his empire vanished.
Interesting to note and emphasizing the importance of the facts stated above:
The National Emblem of India is derived from the Lion Capital of Ashoka - four lions standing back to back on a circular platform on which there is depicted a wheel with 24 spokes which was later used as reference on the National Flag of india.
On the Capital the lions are a symbol of Buddha, roaring his teachings in all directions and all parts of the world. The wheel symbolizes Buddhas law - on the capital it gives legitimacy to Ashokas rule.
On the Indian Flag the Ashoka Chakra stands for the eternal law of dharma, a concept also known in Hinduism and the lions on the National Emblem serve as
a symbol for power, courage and pride.
Udayagiri
The buddhist complex at Udayagiri 90km northeast of Bhubaneshwar consisted of several monasteries that were active between the 7th and 12th century.
In several excavations since 1950s only some parts of the complex were unearthed, including the main stupa .
Ratnagiri
Not far away from Udayagiri is located another buddhist complex.
Altogether there are three former major buddhist sites in that area - the name of the third is Lalatgiri. None of the monasteries is in use today, but in the period 7th - 12th century it was one of the most important centres of buddhist learning in india with influence in all Asia.
