| Milinda Panha | |
|---|---|
| Type | Paracanonical Text |
| Parent Collection | Khuddaka Nikaya |
| Composition | 1st Century BC - 2nd Century AD |
| Abbreviation | Mil |
| Pāli literature | |
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TheMilindapañha (lit. 'Questions of Milinda') is aBuddhist text which dates from sometime between 100 BC and 200 AD. It purports to record a dialogue between the Indian Buddhist sageNāgasena, and the2nd century BCIndo-Greek kingMenander I (Pali:Milinda).
TheMilindapañhā is regarded ascanonical inBurmese Buddhism, included as part of the book ofKhuddaka Nikāya.[1] An abridged version is included as part of ChineseMahāyāna translations of the canon. TheMilindapañha is not regarded as canonical byThai orSri Lankan Buddhism, however, despite the survivingTheravāda text being in Sinhalese script.
The Chinese text titled the Monk Nāgasena Sutra corresponds to the first three chapters of the Milindapañha.[2]: xi–xiv It was translated sometime during theEastern Jin dynasty (317–420).[3]
It is generally accepted by scholars[4]: 83–86, ¶173–179 that the work is composite, with additions made over some time. In support of this, it is noted that the Chinese versions of the work are substantially shorter.[5]
The earliest part of the text is believed to have been written between 100 BC and 200 AD.[4]: 85-86, ¶179 The text may have initially been written inSanskrit;Oskar von Hinüber suggests, based on an extant Chinese translation of Mil as well as some unique conceptualizations within the text, the text's original language might have beenGandhari.[4]: 83, ¶173 However, apart from theSri LankanPali edition and its derivatives, no other copies are known.
The oldest manuscript of the Pali text was copied in 1495 AD. Based on references within the text itself, significant sections of the text are lost, making Milinda the only Pali text known to have been passed down as incomplete.[4]: 85, ¶78
It is mentioned in theGrande Inscription d'Angkor engraved in 1701 on the walls ofAngkor Wat inCambodia.[6]
The book is included in the inscriptions of the Canon approved by the BurmeseFifth Council and the printed edition of theSixth Council text.
Thomas Rhys Davids says it is the greatest work of classical Indian prose, saying:
"[T]he 'Questions of Milinda' is undoubtedly the masterpiece of Indian prose, and indeed is the best book of its class, from a literary point of view, that had then been produced in any country."[2]: xlvi
Moriz Winternitz however maintains that this is true only of the earlier parts.[7]: 141
The contents of theMilindapañhā are:
According to Oskar von Hinüber, while King Menander is an actual historical figure, BhikkhuNagasena is otherwise unknown, the text includes anachronisms, and the dialogue lacks any sign of Greek influence but instead is traceable to theUpanisads.[4]: 83, ¶172
The text mentions Nāgasena's father Soñuttara, his teachers Rohana, Assagutta of Vattaniya and Dhammarakkhita of Asoka Ārāma nearPātaliputta, and another teacher namedĀyupāla fromSankheyya nearSāgala.
According to theMilindapanha, Milinda/ Menander, identified asMenander I,[8]: 90–91 embraced theBuddhist faith. He is described as constantly accompanied by a guard of 500 Greek (Yonaka) soldiers, and two of his counselors are named Demetrius and Antiochus.
In theMilindanpanha, Menander is introduced as the "king of the city of Sāgala in India, Milinda by name, learned, eloquent, wise, and able". Buddhist tradition relates that, following his discussions with Nāgasena, Menander adopted the Buddhist faith "as long as life shall last"[2]: 374 and then handed over his kingdom to his son to retire from the world. It is described that he attainedenlightenment afterwards.[2]: 374
The work has been translated into English twice, once in 1890 byThomas William Rhys Davids (reprinted byDover Publications in 1963) and once in 1969 byIsaline Blew Horner (reprinted in 1990 by thePali Text Society).
Abridgements include:
A Chinese counterpart of the Milindapanha has been translated into English byBhikkhu Analayo and published by Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai.[9]
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