The Asoka Pillar

This is a story of a king whose enormous crime converted him into a great campaigner for peace. The Asoka pillar stands in Sarnath, near the city of Benaras in India. It is a stone pillar on which is inscribed the laws of government which Emperor Asoka had laid down. These laws preached non-violence and peace. On top of this pillar rest three carved stone lions.

Vocabulary:
1. military (n.) : soldiers 军人
2. conquer (v.) : to take control of a country or city and its people by force 占领
3. dynasty (n.) : a siries of rulers of a country who all belong to the same family 朝代；王朝
4. preach (v.) : to give a religious talk in a public place, especially in a church during a service 讲道
5. victorious (adj.) : having won a victory; that ends in victory 胜利的
6. campaigner (n.) : a person who leads or takes part in a campaign, especially one for political or social change （尤指政治或社会变革的）运动领导者
7. convert (v.) : to change or make something change from one form, purpose, system, etc. to another （使）转变

Comment:

In the beginning, Asoka was a fierce military leader. He always lead the soldiers when they are in battle. In the battle, he killed a lot of peoples and took a lot of peoples as prisoners. Finally, he realised his how great his crime was after he had looked the dead bodies lying on the battlefield. He turned from Hindu to the teachings of Buddhists. After that, he knew the importance of non-violence and the respect to all forms of life. He learned about 'peace'. He has changed his behaviours. So, I think the one who do the wrongs then confess should be forgive.