Editing Ashoka (section)

=== Construction of stupas and temples ===
[[File:Sanchi2.jpg|thumb|left|Stupa of [[Sanchi]]. The central stupa was built during the Mauryas, and enlarged during the [[Sungas|Shungas]], but the decorative gateway is dated to the later dynasty of the [[Satavahanas]]. ]]

Both ''Mahavamsa'' and ''Ashokavadana'' state that Ashoka constructed 84,000 stupas or viharas.{{sfn|Strong|1995|pp=154–155}} According to the ''Mahavamsa'', this activity took place during his fifth–seventh regnal years.{{sfn|Guruge|1995|p=49}}

The ''Ashokavadana'' states that Ashoka collected seven out of the eight relics of Gautama Buddha, and had their portions kept in 84,000 boxes made of gold, silver, [[cymophane|cat's eye]], and crystal. He ordered the construction of 84,000 stupas throughout the earth, in towns that had a population of 100,000 or more. He told Elder Yashas, a monk at the Kukkutarama monastery, that he wanted these stupas to be completed on the same day. Yashas stated that he would signal the completion time by eclipsing the sun with his hand. When he did so, the 84,000 stupas were completed at once.{{sfn|Strong|1995|p=155}}

[[File:Bharhut relief with Diamond throne and Mahabodhi Temple around the Boddhi Tree.jpg|thumb|Illustration of the original [[Mahabodhi Temple]] temple built by Ashoka at [[Bodh Gaya]]. At the center, the ''[[Vajrasana, Bodh Gaya|Vajrasana]]'', or "Enlightenment Throne of the Buddha", with its supporting columns, being the object of adoration. A [[Pillar of Ashoka]] topped by an elephant appears in the right corner. [[Bharhut]] relief, 1st century BCE.<ref>Mahâbodhi, Cunningham [https://archive.org/stream/cu31924008747788 p.4ff]</ref>]]
[[File:Vajrasana, early 20th century.jpg|thumb|The rediscovered ''[[Vajrasana, Bodh Gaya|Vajrasana]]'', or "Enlightenment Throne of the Buddha", at the [[Mahabodhi Temple]] in [[Bodh Gaya]]. It was built by Ashoka to commemorate the enlightenment of the Buddha, about two hundred years before him.{{sfn|Allen|2012}}<ref>"Ashoka did build the Diamond Throne at Bodh Gaya to stand in for the Buddha and to mark the place of his enlightenment" in {{cite book |last1=Ching |first1=Francis D. K. |last2=Jarzombek |first2=Mark M. |last3=Prakash |first3=Vikramaditya |title=A Global History of Architecture |date=23 March 2017 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-118-98160-3 |page=570 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SPqKDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT570 |language=en |access-date=7 March 2021 |archive-date=23 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523153935/https://books.google.com/books?id=SPqKDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT570 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
The ''Mahavamsa'' states that Ashoka ordered construction of 84,000 viharas (monasteries) rather than the stupas to house the relics.{{sfn|Strong|1995|p=158}} Like ''Ashokavadana'', the ''Mahavamsa'' describes Ashoka's collection of the relics, but does not mention this episode in the context of the construction activities.{{sfn|Strong|1995|p=158}} It states that Ashoka decided to construct the 84,000 viharas when Moggaliputta Tissa told him that there were 84,000 sections of the Buddha's Dharma.{{sfn|Strong|1995|p=159}} Ashoka himself began the construction of the Ashokarama vihara, and ordered subordinate kings to build the other viharas. Ashokarama was completed by the miraculous power of Thera Indagutta, and the news about the completion of the 84,000 viharas arrived from various cities on the same day.{{sfn|Strong|1995|p=155}}

The construction of following stupas and viharas is credited to Ashoka:{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}
* [[Sanchi]], Madhya Pradesh, India
* [[Dhamek Stupa]], [[Sarnath]], Uttar Pradesh, India
* [[Mahabodhi Temple]], Bihar, India
* [[Barabar Caves]], Bihar, India
* [[Nalanda]] Mahavihara (some portions like Sariputta Stupa), [[Bihar]], India
* [[Takshashila]] University (some portions like [[Dharmarajika]] Stupa and Kunala Stupa), [[Takshashila]], Pakistan
* [[Bhir Mound]] (''reconstructed''), [[Takshashila]], Pakistan
* [[Bharhut]] [[stupa]], Madhya Pradesh, India
* [[Deorkothar]] Stupa, [[Madhya Pradesh]], India
* [[Butkara Stupa]], [[Swat, Pakistan]]
* [[Sannati]] Stupa, [[Karnataka]], India
* Mir Rukun Stupa, [[Nawabshah]], Pakistan