About Aaryasathya
Aaryasathya is an independent, non-commercial educational website established by D. K. Wijetunge. It is maintained entirely through personal dedication and a passion for preserving knowledge, supporting scholarly research, and making reliable educational resources freely accessible to readers around the world.
The website is not operated for commercial purposes and is independent of any registered organisation, company, or charitable institution.
The Aaryasathya International Library Donation Programme 2027 has been established to reflect this commitment by placing carefully researched publications in publicly accessible libraries and educational institutions, where they may continue to support education, scholarship, and future research.
The website is not operated for commercial purposes and is independent of any registered organisation, company, or charitable institution.
The Aaryasathya International Library Donation Programme 2027 has been established to reflect this commitment by placing carefully researched publications in publicly accessible libraries and educational institutions, where they may continue to support education, scholarship, and future research.
The inaugural donation under this programme will comprise 100 complimentary copies of:
ASOKA AVALOKANA
Reflections on King Asoka Through the Conscience of the Universal King
by U. H. Wijetunge
The programme has been established in celebration of the birthday of the author’s daughter on 23 January and in memory of his beloved father on the anniversary of his passing on 5 February.
ASOKA AVALOKANA
Reflections on King Asoka Through the Conscience of the Universal King
ASOKA AVALOKANA is a 552-page comprehensive historical study that examines King Asoka primarily through his own inscriptions, supported by archaeological discoveries, ancient literary sources, and modern scholarship. Rather than relying upon later literary tradition alone, the study seeks to reconstruct Asoka’s life, administration, and historical legacy through the careful examination of contemporary evidence and its relationship with subsequent historical writings.
The volume brings together one of the most comprehensive collections of the Asokan inscriptions available in English. It includes English translations of the inscriptions together with extensive historical commentary, explanatory notes, photographs of the original inscriptions, archaeological monuments, important Buddhist sites, historical maps, illustrations, and reference material. These resources enable readers to examine the available evidence directly while following the historical analysis.
The study explores a broad range of subjects relating to the Mauryan Empire and the reign of King Asoka, including:
- Asoka’s chronology and historical development.
- The evolution of his Dhamma and its relationship to Buddhist ethical thought.
- Imperial administration, governance, justice, and public welfare.
- Diplomacy and relations with neighbouring kingdoms and the Hellenistic world.
- The geographical distribution of the inscriptions and their historical significance.
- Archaeological evidence relating to Asoka and the Mauryan period.
- The historical relationship between Asoka and Sri Lanka.
- The transmission of Buddhism and the development of Buddhist literary traditions.
- A critical examination of important chronicles, including the Mahawansa, through comparison with inscriptional, archaeological, and literary evidence.
Beyond reconstructing political history, the book examines how the principles of governance reflected in Asoka’s inscriptions may be understood in the light of the ethical teachings of the Buddha. Themes including conscience, compassion, moral responsibility, justice, public welfare, religious tolerance, self-development, and the ruler’s duty of care are examined from both historical and Buddhist perspectives.
Throughout the study, historical conclusions are based upon the available evidence rather than unquestioning acceptance of tradition. Where certainty is not possible, alternative interpretations are carefully distinguished from established historical fact. The objective is not to replace one tradition with another, but to encourage careful analysis, impartial judgement, and respect for the available evidence.
Prepared over many years of independent research, ASOKA AVALOKANA is intended to serve as a lasting reference work for libraries, universities, museums, researchers, historians, archaeologists, students, and all readers interested in the history of King Asoka, early Buddhism, ancient India, and Sri Lanka.
Purpose
Knowledge has lasting value only when it remains accessible.
The purpose of this programme is to place carefully researched historical scholarship into publicly accessible collections where it may continue to benefit students, researchers, scholars, educators, monastics, and future generations of readers.
By making reliable historical evidence more widely available, Aaryasathya hopes to encourage careful historical inquiry, evidence-based scholarship, critical thinking, and an informed understanding of the history of King Asoka, early Buddhism, ancient India, and Sri Lanka.
About the Inaugural Donation
ASOKA AVALOKANA is a 552-page comprehensive historical study that examines King Asoka primarily through his own inscriptions, supported by archaeological discoveries, ancient literary sources, and modern scholarship.
The volume brings together one of the most comprehensive collections of the Asokan inscriptions available in English, accompanied by English translations, photographs of the original inscriptions, archaeological monuments, ancient Buddhist sites, maps, historical illustrations, and explanatory notes. These materials enable readers to examine the available historical evidence directly alongside the historical analysis.
The study explores Asoka’s chronology, administration, Dhamma, international diplomacy, governance, and historical legacy. It also critically examines important literary traditions, including the Mahawansa, through comparison with inscriptional, archaeological, and literary evidence.
Beyond reconstructing political history, the book investigates how the principles of governance reflected in Asoka’s inscriptions may be understood in the light of the ethical teachings of the Buddha. Themes such as conscience, compassion, moral responsibility, justice, public welfare, religious tolerance, self-development, and the ruler’s duty of care are examined through both historical and Buddhist perspectives.
Rather than promoting unquestioning acceptance of tradition or unsupported conclusions, Asoka Avalokana encourages readers to approach history through careful analysis, impartial judgement, and respect for the available evidence.
Who May Apply?
Applications are welcomed from eligible organisations throughout the world, including:
- Applications are welcomed from eligible organisations throughout the world, including:
- National libraries
- Public libraries
- University and college libraries
- Specialist research libraries
- Universities and academic departments
- Museums and archives
- Archaeological institutions
- Historical research institutes
- Buddhist universities and educational institutions
- Temple and monastic libraries
- Cultural heritage organisations
- Other institutions able to make the publication available for educational, research, or public benefit
- Applications must be submitted on behalf of an organisation.
- Applications from individuals will not normally be considered.
Applications must be submitted on behalf of an organisation.
Applications from individuals will not normally be considered.
Selection of Recipient Organisations
As only 100 donated copies are available, recipient organisations will be selected through an assessment of the information provided in the application.
Particular consideration will be given to:
- The educational value of the proposed placement.
- The research value of the proposed placement.
- The accessibility of the publication to students, researchers, scholars, monastics, and the wider public.
- The relevance of the organisation’s work or existing collections.
- The anticipated long-term benefit to future readers.
- The organisation’s ability to preserve the publication and make it available for continued educational use.
One complimentary copy will normally be awarded to each selected recipient organisation.
The names of the selected recipient organisations will be published on the Aaryasathya website as part of the permanent record of the programme.
Delivery Arrangements
The publication is donated free of charge.
Successful recipient organisations may receive their donated copy by one of the following methods:
Provision of a prepaid courier or postage label.
Collection arranged through the recipient organisation’s own courier account.
Applicants are kindly requested not to send money for postage.
As the completed publication is expected to weigh approximately 4 kg and will be dispatched from Sri Lanka, applicants are encouraged to consider delivery arrangements before submitting an application.
Applications
Applications for the Aaryasathya International Library Donation Programme 2027 will open in December 2026.
The following documents will be published when applications open:
- Programme Guidelines
- Application Form
- Selection Criteria
- Programme Conditions
- Delivery Information
- Important Dates
The application closing date and the list of selected recipient organisations will be announced in due course.
A Lasting Record
It is intended that the Aaryasathya website will maintain a permanent record of the institutions selected under this programme. By doing so, the programme aims not only to donate books but also to recognise the libraries, universities, museums, and research institutions that preserve knowledge and make it accessible for future generations.
Closing Message
It is sincerely hoped that ASOKA AVALOKANA will find a permanent place in libraries throughout the world, where it may continue to inform research, support education, encourage thoughtful scholarship and discussion, and inspire future generations to approach history with careful analysis, impartial judgement, and respect for evidence.