Milinda Panha
The Milinda Pañha () is a Buddhist text which dates from sometime between 100 BC and 200 AD. It purports to record a dialogue between the Indian Buddhist sage Nāgasena, and the Indo-Greek king Menander I (Pali: "Milinda") of Bactria, who reigned in the 2nd century BC. The "Milinda Pañha" is regarded as canonical in Burmese Buddhism, included as part of the book of "Khuddaka Nikaya". An abridged version is included as part of Chinese Mahayana translations of the canon. The "Milinda Pañha" is not regarded as canonical by Thai or Sri Lankan Buddhism, however, despite the surviving  Theravāda text being in Sinhalese script. The Chinese text titled the Monk Nāgasena Sutra corresponds to the first three chapters of the Milindapanha. It was translated sometime during the Eastern Jin dynasty (317–420). History. It is generally accepted by scholars 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. The earliest part of the text is believed to have been written between 100 BC and 200 AD. The text may have initially been written in Sanskrit; 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 been Gandhari. However, apart from the Sri Lankan Pali 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. It is mentioned in the "Grande Inscription d'Angkor" engraved in 1701 on the walls of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. 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. Thomas Rhys Davids says it is the greatest work of classical Indian prose saying: Although Moriz Winternitz maintains that this is true only of the earlier parts. Contents. The contents of the "Milindapañhā" are: According to Oskar von Hinüber, while King Menander is an actual historical figure, Bhikkhu Nagasena is otherwise unknown, the text includes anachronisms, and the dialogue lacks any sign of Greek influence but instead is traceable to the Upanisads. The text mentions Nāgasena 's father Soñuttara, his teachers Rohana, Assagutta of Vattaniya and Dhammarakkhita of Asoka Ārāma near Pātaliputta, and another teacher named Āyupāla from Sankheyya near Sāgala. Menander I. According to the "Milindapanha", Milinda/ Menander, identified as Menander I, embraced the Buddhist 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 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" and then handed over his kingdom to his son to retire from the world. It is described that he attained enlightenment afterwards. Translations. 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: