Emperor Ashoka the Great Emperor Ashoka the Great, also known as King Sri Dharma Ashoka of India, lived more than two hundred years after the passing of the Buddha into Parinibbana. He was deeply devoted to Buddhism and possessed unwavering faith in the teachings of the Buddha. The Venerable Upagupta Mahathera guided Emperor Ashoka on pilgrimages to the sacred sites associated with the life of the Blessed One. At each location, Emperor Ashoka commissioned monuments and inscriptions to preserve their history and significance for future generations. During Emperor Ashoka’s reign, Buddhism spread throughout his vast empire. The monastic community received strong royal patronage and support from both the emperor and devoted lay followers. The large monument of Emperor Ashoka the Great, built at twice life-size, was constructed in 1995. The name “Asokaram” was chosen by Than Por Lee Dhammadharo, the first abbot of Wat Asokaram, in remembrance of a monastery established by Emperor Ashoka in Pataliputra, India, from which the temple derives its name. Emperor Ashoka was the third ruler of the Mauryan Dynasty of India and ascended the throne in 273 BCE, succeeding his father, King Bindusara. He became the supreme emperor of the Indian subcontinent and is revered in Buddhist history as a righteous monarch and one of the greatest patrons of Buddhism. He is especially honored for sending Buddhist missions to Suvarnabhumi, contributing to the establishment and flourishing of Buddhism in the region for nearly 2,500 years. The Vision of Emperor Ashoka In December 1953, while practicing intensive meditation at Wat Khao Phrangam in Lopburi Province, Than Por Lee Dhammadharo experienced a remarkable meditative vision concerning Emperor Ashoka. He recounted: “That night, I sat in meditation until dawn together with five other monks. We heard a strange sound above us, as though rain were falling in the distance. After a short while, I saw an image of Emperor Ashoka descend nearby. It appeared as a square-cut crystal, black with a pinkish hue, about the size of a thumb.” Than Por Lee felt a profound connection to the life and accomplishments of Emperor Ashoka, as though he had once lived during that era. Witnessing the ruins of ancient stupas and monuments built by Emperor Ashoka inspired Than Por Lee with the desire to create a similar sacred monument in Thailand. His close association with the Buddha’s relics and the relics of enlightened disciples—frequently mentioned throughout his biography—was another extraordinary aspect of his life. Than Por Lee concluded his reflections on this experience by saying: “May those who know and see reflect upon this for themselves. It is possible that the spirit of Emperor Ashoka continues to assist us, or may even be present among those who sincerely practice the Dhamma today.”