Milinda Panha
Milinda Panha | |
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Type | Pāli literature |
The Milindapañha (lit. 'Questions of Milinda') is a
The Milindapañhā is regarded as
The Chinese text titled the Monk Nāgasena Sutra corresponds to the first three chapters of the Milindapañha. It is generally accepted by scholars[5]: 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.[6]
The earliest part of the text is believed to have been written between 100 BC and 200 AD. 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.[5]: 85, ¶78
It is mentioned in the Grande Inscription d'Angkor engraved in 1701 on the walls of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.[7]
The book is included in the inscriptions of the Canon approved by the Burmese Fifth Council and the printed edition of the Sixth Council text.
"[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."[3]: xlvi Moriz Winternitz however maintains that this is true only of the earlier parts.[8]: 141
The contents of the Milindapañhā are:
According to Oskar von Hinüber, while King Menander is an actual historical figure, Bhikkhu The text mentions Nāgasena's father Soñuttara, his teachers Rohana, Assagutta of Vattaniya and Dhammarakkhita of Asoka Ārāma near According to the Milindapanha, Milinda/ Menander, identified as In the Milindanpanha, 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" The work has been translated into English twice, once in 1890 by Thomas William Rhys Davids (reprinted by Dover Publications in 1963) and once in 1969 by Isaline Blew Horner (reprinted in 1990 by the Pali Text Society).
Abridgements include:
1. Vinaya Piṭaka
2. Sutta Piṭaka
3. Abhidhamma Piṭaka
Part of a series on Theravāda Buddhism
History
Contents
Menander I
Translations
See also
References
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)] dates from the 4th century. The extant second translation is "much shorter" than that of the current Pali-language Mil.
Additional Sources
External links
{{cite book}}
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ignored (help) Vol. 1, Vol. 2