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The Spread of Buddhism
Due to the influence of the Buddha's teachings, the heart of the great monarch Ashoka was transformed when he witnessed the great devastation and killing that took place in the battle of Kalinga. The Buddha's message of peace and non-violence inspired King Ashoka to raise the flag of the Buddha's Dharma (peace and brotherhood) instead of lifting arms for destruction. Thereafter, Ashoka played a pivotal role in the spread of Buddhism. He sent emissaries to various countries, and as a result, there are many stupas and relics with engraved Buddhist teachings in lands far from India. Ashoka's legacy is useful in reconstructing historical accounts of early Buddhism.
Buddhism had an important influence on many of the doctrines of Christianity, a Western religion, and it also became popular in many Eastern countries including Nepal, Tibet, China, Shri Lanka as well as in other parts of central Asia.
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