Milinda Panha (Volume 1 - Volume 13) (彌蘭王問經)

About 彌蘭王問經

translated by 郭哲彰

159,841 · about 533 min

The Milindapañha is a significant Buddhist scripture outside the Pali Canon, authored by the monk Nāgasena. Its historical setting is in the 2nd century BCE, featuring a dialogue on the Dharma between the Indo-Greek King Menander and the monk Nāgasena. The primary content, presented in dialogue form, delves deeply into core Buddhist doctrines such as non-self, karma and retribution, and Nirvāṇa, resolving the king’s doubts through wisdom and dialectical reasoning. Held in high esteem within the Theravāda tradition, this scripture is honored as the Eastern counterpart to the Socratic dialogues. It possesses not only philosophical depth but also employs vivid analogies to elucidate profound Buddhist teachings. It serves as a key text for studying the cultural exchange between Buddhism and Greek civilization and holds significant value for understanding the early dissemination of Buddhism.