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Today I am pleased to present “The Kalinga Rock Edicts” from “The Edicts of King Asoka,” an English translation by Venerable S. Dhammika. Here King Ashoka instructs His government officials to treat people fairly, as He desires the welfare and happiness for all. The Kalinga Rock Edicts Edict 1 “Beloved-of-the-Gods says that the Mahamatras of Tosali, who are judicial officers in the city, are to be told this: I wish to see that everything I consider to be proper is carried out in the right way. And I consider instructing you to be the best way of accomplishing this. I have placed you over many thousands of people that you may win the people’s affection. All men are my children. What I desire for my own children, and I desire their welfare and happiness both in this world and the next, that I desire for all men. 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 must attend to this matter. While being completely law-abiding, some people are imprisoned, treated harshly, and even killed without cause, so that many people suffer. Therefore, your aim should be to act with impartiality. It is because of these things — envy, anger, cruelty, hate, indifference, laziness, or tiredness — that such a thing does not happen. Therefore, your aim should be: ‘May these things not be in me.’ And the root of this is non-anger and patience. Those who are bored with the administration of justice will not be promoted; (those who are not) will move upwards and be promoted. Whoever among you understands this should say to his colleagues: ‘See that you do your duty properly. Such and such are Beloved-of-the-Gods’ instructions.’ Great fruit will result from doing your duty, while failing in it will result in gaining neither Heaven nor the King’s pleasure. […]”Edict 2 “Beloved-of-the-Gods speaks thus: This royal order is to be addressed to the Mahamatras at Samapa. I wish to see that everything I consider to be proper is carried out in the right way. And I consider instructing you to be the best way of accomplishing this. All men are my children. What I desire for my own children, and I desire their welfare and happiness both in this world and the next, that I desire for all men. The people of the unconquered territories beyond the borders might think: ‘What is the King’s intentions towards us?’ My only intention is that they live without fear of me, that they may trust me, and that I may give them happiness, not sorrow. Furthermore, they should understand that the King will forgive those who can be forgiven, and that He wishes to encourage them to practice Dhamma so that they may attain happiness in this world and the next. […]”
