Name four important ways in which Buddhism spread under the royal patronage during the Mauryan times.

Royal Patronage greatly helped in the rapid spread of Buddhism. The rulers like Prasenjit, Bimbisara, Ajatasatru, Asoka, Kaniska and Harshavardhan championed the cause of Buddhism and adopted several measures for its spread throughout India and outside India. Asoka deputed his sone Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Srilanka for the spread of Buddhism. With the efforts of the rulers, Buddhism crossed the long road of progress and reached Tibet, China, Indonesia, Ceylon, Japan and Korea. Ashoka followed a policy of religious toleration and gave due respect to other religions. This deeply impacted people's mind adn helped in elevating BUddhism to rise from a local sect to world religion.