Legends of Aśoka and Kunāla. Spreading from India to China and the Hellenistic world

Start - End 
2010 - 2020 (stopped)
Type 
Department(s) 
Department of Languages and Cultures
Research Focus 
Research Period 
Research Region 
Research Language 
Research Methodology 
Additional tags 
Buddhism

Tabgroup

Abstract

My doctoral project deals with the legend of Aśoka, with special emphasis on Kunāla. Since the versions of this legend in different languages have hitherto only been  studied individually and partially, a comprehensive research on all versions is called for. My principle goal  is to study the historical memories on Aśoka and Kunāla in Indian, Chinese, Greek, and Central Asian literature. I will compare the Sanskrit, Pali, Chinese, Khotanese, Tocharian, as well as Greek sources in order to investigate the issue of how Aśoka and Kunāla were adapted in Central and East Asia as well as the Hellenistic world.

People

Supervisor(s)

Phd Student(s)