Buddhist King Asoka on other religions/Beliefs

 Asoka was a King in India between 273 and 232, at first he was a veyr bad king but converted to Buddhism and then sent messengers all around the world, one coming as far as Greece. He put pillars with various message on which can still be found in India, this is the message on religious exchange.

Religious exchange

Far from being sectarian, Ashoka, based on a belief that all religions shared a common, positive essence, encouraged tolerance and understanding of other religions.

"All religions should reside everywhere, for all of them desire self-control and purity of heart." Rock Edict Nb7 (S. Dhammika)

"Here (in my domain) no living beings are to be slaughtered or offered in sacrifice." Rock Edict Nb1 (S. Dhammika)

"Contact (between religions) is good. One should listen to and respect the doctrines professed by others. Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, desires that all should be well-learned in the good doctrines of other religions." Rock Edict Nb12 (S. Dhammika)

 You can find out more about Asoka at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashoka_the_Great and also about the pilliars at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pillars_of_Ashoka

http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~malaiya/ashoka.html