Rock Edict XII
Topic: The Mauryan Empire · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Rock Edict XII is one of Ashoka's fourteen Major Rock Edicts. Its message is respect for all sects, which means all religious groups. It asks people to control their speech. They should not praise their own sect and attack others without good reason. Ashoka says the "growth of the essentials" in every sect matters more than gifts or honours. It is a key text on how Ashoka's dhamma (moral code) tried to keep a varied empire together.
Example
In this edict Ashoka (c. 268–232 BCE) warns that a person who honours his own sect by condemning others actually harms his own sect. He urges people to listen to and learn the good teachings of other sects. Copies are found at sites such as Girnar in Gujarat.
Don't confuse with
- Rock Edict XIII: the edict about the Kalinga war and Ashoka's regret. Rock Edict XII is about tolerance among sects.
- Dhamma: Ashoka's wider moral code. Rock Edict XII states just one part of it.
Related concepts
- Bindusara
- Ashoka
- Kalinga war
- Rock Edict XIII
- Kalinga edicts
- Dhauli
- Ashoka's dhamma
- Dhamma mahamatta
- Pativedaka
- Devanampiya