Milinda-pañha
The Milinda-pañha, or "The Questions of King Milinda," is a significant Buddhist text written in Pāli that takes the form of a dialogue between King Milinda, also known as Menander, and the sage Nāgasena. This work explores deep philosophical questions regarding human existence, mental states, rebirth, and the concept of Nirvana. It opens with narratives of the past lives of both characters, setting a reflective tone for the discussion that follows. The subsequent books of the text present a series of inquiries and answers that address Buddhist doctrines, with Nāgasena employing similes and analogies to clarify complex ideas. The work also includes a section on the qualities of asceticism and concludes with Milinda deciding to renounce his kingdom in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. The Milinda-pañha serves as a valuable resource for understanding Buddhist philosophy and the methods of inquiry within the tradition, inviting readers to contemplate profound spiritual truths through the lens of dialogue and reasoning.
Milinda-pañha
Related civilizations: India, Greece
Date: first or second century c.e.
Authorship: Unknown
Milinda-pañha
The Milinda-pañha (mih-LIHN-dah PAHN-ha; The Questions of King Milinda, 1890-1894) is a Buddhist work in Pāli. It takes the form of a dialogue between the king Milinda (Menander) and the Buddhist sage Nāgasena. The work opens with a description of the past lives of Milinda and Nāgasena. Books II and III, “The Distinguishing Marks” and “The Cutting Off of Perplexity,” present a series of questions and answers about the nature of human existence, mental states, rebirth, and Nirvana. Book IV consists of dilemmas, apparent contradictions of Buddhist doctrine that Nāgasena resolves. In Book V, “A Question Solved by Inference,” Nāgasena allegorically describes a City of Righteousness (dhamma) and the enlightened inhabitants of the city. Book VI, “Special Qualities of Asceticism,” contains a discourse on that subject. The last book (incomplete) consists of similes that exemplify the various qualities of the enlightened. In the end, Milinda gives his kingdom over to his son and withdraws from the world. Similes and analogies pervade much of the work.
Bibliography
Milinda’s Questions. Translated by I. B. Horner. Oxford, England: Pali Text Society, 1990.
Norman, K. R. Pali Literature. Wiesbaden, Germany: Otto Harrassowitz, 1983.