Step-by-step explanation:
Ashoka the Great contributed significantly to the spread of Buddhism by promoting it throughout his empire and beyond. He was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled from 268 to 232 BCE. Ashoka was a fierce ruler, known for his military conquests, but after witnessing the devastation caused by his wars, he experienced a profound change of heart and converted to Buddhism.
Once he became a Buddhist, Ashoka worked tirelessly to promote Buddhist teachings throughout his vast empire. He sponsored the building of numerous Buddhist temples, monasteries, and stupas (dome-shaped structures that contain Buddhist relics or symbols) and sent missionaries to other countries to spread the faith. In fact, Ashoka's missionaries are credited with helping to establish Buddhism in many parts of Southeast Asia, including modern-day Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Ashoka also promoted the values of nonviolence, compassion, and tolerance that are at the core of Buddhist teachings. He enacted a number of edicts, or laws, that encouraged peaceful coexistence among different religious and ethnic groups within his empire. For example, one edict reads, "All religions should reside everywhere, for all of them desire self-control and purity of heart." Another edict prohibits the killing of any animal on certain days, including holidays associated with different religions.
Through his efforts, Ashoka helped to make Buddhism a major world religion, with millions of followers throughout Asia and beyond. Today, he is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of Buddhism and a champion of peace, tolerance, and religious freedom.