As a Buddhist emperor, Ashoka
sent many prominent Buddhist monks
(bhikshus) Sthavira like Madhyamik Sthavira to
modern Kashmir and Afistan; Maharaskshit
Sthavira to Syria, Persia/ Egypt, Greece, Italy
and Turkey; and Massim Sthavra to Nepal. He
built a number of stupas, Sangharama, viharas,
chaitya, and residences for Buddhist monks all
over South Asia and Central Asia. The Asokan
pillar at Lumbini, Nepal speaks about Asoka an
his works.