Buddhist missions to the West (c. 250 BCE) Maurya Empire

the distribution of edicts of ashoka.



buddhist proselytism @ time of king ashoka (260–218 bce).

also, in edicts of ashoka, ashoka mentions hellenistic kings of period recipients of buddhist proselytism, although no western historical record of event remains:

conquest dharma has been won here, on borders, , 6 hundred yojanas (5,400–9,600 km) away, greek king antiochos rules, beyond there 4 kings named ptolemy, antigonos, magas , alexander rule, likewise in south among cholas, pandyas, , far tamraparni (sri lanka). (edicts of ashoka, 13th rock edict, s. dhammika).

ashoka encouraged development of herbal medicine, men , animals, in territories:

everywhere within beloved-of-the-gods, king piyadasi s [ashoka s] domain, , among people beyond borders, cholas, pandyas, satiyaputras, keralaputras, far tamraparni , greek king antiochos rules, , among kings neighbors of antiochos, everywhere has beloved-of-the-gods, king piyadasi, made provision 2 types of medical treatment: medical treatment humans , medical treatment animals. wherever medical herbs suitable humans or animals not available, have had them imported , grown. wherever medical roots or fruits not available have had them imported , grown. along roads have had wells dug , trees planted benefit of humans , animals . 2nd rock edict

the greeks in india seem have played active role in propagation of buddhism, of emissaries of ashoka, such dharmaraksita, described in pali sources leading greek ( yona ) buddhist monks, active in buddhist proselytism (the mahavamsa, xii).