BUDDHIST MISSIONARIES SENT BY ASHOKA

The emperor had sent his son Mahendra and Puri Sandhamitra to Lanka to propagate Buddhism.

Emperor Ashoka sent missionaries to various places to preach the principles of Buddhism. His son and daughter Sanghamitra were sent to Sri Lanka to preach Buddhism there. Ashoka wanted to spread the concept of Dhamma which would help unite the various sects and sections of society and promote the ideas of peaceful co-existence and universal brotherhood. Apart from this, Ashoka also sent embassies to various regions including-

1.    Syria- Emperor Ashoka propagated Buddhism in Syria (Syrian Empire). He spread Buddhism in this region through his messengers and inscriptions. Syria is mentioned in Ashoka's inscriptions. The spread of Buddhism in Syria began in 200 BC and continued till the 3rd century BC, during the reign of Ashoka which lasted from 268 to 232 BC.

1.    Egypt- Evidence of the spread of Buddhism in Egypt has been found. During excavations at the ancient port of Venice in Egypt, a statue of Buddha from the 2nd century AD and inscriptions in Sanskrit were found. This shows that there were trade relations between India and Egypt during the time of the Roman Empire. Buddhism must have also spread through this route.

Ashoka appointed Dhammat (Dharma) Mahamatra Nayak officials, whose job was to establish harmony between different sects and propagate Buddhism. Ashoka built 84000 stupas throughout the empire, which were symbols of Buddhism.

Emperor Ashoka established Majjhim (for the Himalayan region) for the propagation of Buddhism

Maharakkhita (for Yon or Greece)

Mahādhammarakkhiṭa (for Maharashtra)

Sona and Uttara (for Suvarnabhumi or South-East Asia)