Buddhism and Jainism in the Subcontinent in the Third Century BC

Buddhists and Jaines adopted, if not co-opted, the new teachings. The Mauryan Empire was founded in 321 BC by Chandra Gupta Maurya. It is said that Chandra Gupta himself abdicated his kingship after becoming an adherent of Jainism. Ashoka sought to wield his royal power in a fashion consistent with Buddhist teachings.