Passage #1

In turning away from violence and conquest as the focus of his rule, Asoka embraced the dharma. For Asoka, the dharma involved practicing virtues such as honesty, compassion, and nonviolence. Asoka toured his empire, preaching the dharma to the people he met. He believed his duty was to serve the people and to help relieve their suffering. He ordered officials to do the same. Asoka founded hospitals for people and animals, supplied people with necessary medicines, planted trees along the roadsides, and dug wells for water.

The Vibrant Festival of Holi: A Celebration of Color and Joy

Passage #2