Contesting Buddhist Narratives 43 anxiety, competition, and clinging—and thus suffering—competing groups in Myanmar might be able to move forward constructively and collaboratively. Attitudes Toward Other Religions and the Example of Ashoka. It is important to make the point that soteriological concerns—the question of whether Islam is a “legitimate” religion that can lead one toward salvation—are not central to the accusations being waged A perception of Buddhist against it by 969 and MaBaTha. superiority is feeding MaBaTha There is, however, an element of Buddhist superiority that is feeding and the 969 movement the movement, or at the very least is implied by it. This begs the questions: Does this conform with traditional or historical Buddhist attitudes toward other religions? Does Buddhism recognize other religions as paths toward “Ultimate Truth”? There is obviously no singular answers to these questions, but a consideration of several examples could be instructive in the Myanmar context. The logo of the 969 movement, as noted above, includes an image of an ancient pillar associated with Emperor Ashoka, a much-celebrated ruler from the third century BCE who is often held up as an exemplar of Buddhist kingship. Toward the beginning of his reign, he waged a war of conquest, but was subsequently overcome by remorse for the destruction and death inflicted by this war. As one of his selftestaments stated: “He has felt profound sorrow and regret because the conquest of a people previously unconquered involves slaughter, death, and deportation” (Nikam and McKeon, 1978, 27). According to the Buddhist chronicles, the rest of his reign was marked by religious tolerance and peace. He commissioned a number of stone pillars, on which were inscribed various ethical teachings, and erected them throughout his kingdom. A number of his stone pillars declared his support for tolerance for those of all faiths. One of his “rock edicts” is worth quoting in full: One should not honor only one’s own religion and condemn the religions of others, but one should honor others’ religions too. So doing, one helps one’s own religion to grow and render service