This is a well-researched video about the life of Aśoka, giving his immediate ancestral background, his struggle for power, his wars and conversion and his missionary efforts. The video also gives a good idea of his atrocities in the pre-conversion times.
Later Aśoka converted, of course, and was instrumental in the spread of Buddhism throughout Asia. Indeed, if Aśoka had not sent out the missions, Buddhism would have been a historical curiosity, rather than a living tradition by now, so we owe it to ourselves to understand his contribution to the Dharma.
The whole is made with AI video and pictures by the Buddhist Insights Journey channel, and apart from a few small inaccuracies is very well done, and will give anyone a better idea of the emperor and his times.
We should note that Aśoka’s enduring legacy shaped the founders of modern India (even as the present leaders retrack from it), and eventually the religion (sāsana) spread throughout Asia, and latterly the west. We are much in his debt.
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to see an album of screenshots click here