Buddhism in India flourished under the patronage of kings and wealthy lay people. In the 3rd century, Buddhism received a tremendous boost by being taken up by the Emperor Ashoka. I have become sickened by the terrible carnage of warfare. I must find a better way to govern. To establish the path of non-violence as a way of life in his empire, he emphasized the Buddhist way of life, social action and compassionate equal justice for all. His rule was outstandingly humane. He set up hospitals for both humans and animals, had wells dug all over India and supported all the different religious
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