Depend on you ( follow the instruction) - Essay Example

The initial impetus that was received from these kings and queens was required for the religious structures to attain strength after which it could fashion itself into a self-sustaining entity. A promotion of these religions also served important functions for these monarchs as it led to unity in realms other than religion in most cases. This effect was partially due to the emergence of alternative centres of power but it was also because of the individual philosophies that were a part of these religions.

These philosophies may not have survived in the absence of the state sponsorship that it received but since the monarchs of this age extended their patronage to these religions, there was a certain kind of unity that was forced upon the people as a result of the royal patronage. Buddhism managed to create a certain kind of unity between sections of Hinduism, which was till then the main religion of the Indian subcontinent. The different philosophical views that existed in Hinduism became united owing to the fact that Buddhism was on the ascendant due to the patronage that was extended to it during the reign of Asoka, who reigned over India.

Buddhism represented a challenge to traditional ideas of Hinduism which advocated the existence of the caste system and had many rituals that were present for the sake of upholding the structure of caste. With more egalitarian structures, Buddhism held great attractions for the downtrodden of the Hindu society. If not for the patronage extended by Asoka, Buddhism may not have survived the opposition from Hindu power structures. Asoka’s patronage, however, enabled there to be unity in the political realm.

People of different religious affiliations came together because of the philosophy of peace that Buddhism preached, which was taken up by Asoka. The spread of the message of peace that Buddhism preached was largely owing to the patronage of Asoka and this fostered a