King Milinda
-Amitananda Bhikkhu, Thailand
Introduction
Milinda was a Greek of the Indo-Greek Kingdom (165 or 155 –130 BC) who established a large empire in South Asia and became a patron of Buddhism. Milinda was born in the Caucasus, and was initially a king of Bactria. He eventually established an empire in Indian subcontinent stretching from the Kabul River valley in the west to the Ravi River in the east, and from the Swat River valley in the north to Arachosia (the Helmand Province). Ancient Indian writers indicate that he launched Expeditions Southward into Rajasthan and as Far East down the Ganges River Valley as Pataliputra and Greek geographer Strabo wrote that he "conquered more tribes than Alexander the Great.[1]
After Asoka, the torch of Buddhism was kept burning by the efforts of Milinda. After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, the suzerainty came to Greek Rulers. Milinda is most popular in Buddhism by the Pali Book name of “Milinda Panha” or the “The Questions of King Milinda”.
The name Milinda is an adaption of the Greek word Menandros. In the Ksemendra’s Avadana Kalpata, He has been given the name Milindra which is the same as that found in the Bstan-Hgyur collection, also known as the Tanjur Collection of Tibetan. The Shinkot Casket Inscription in the Kharosti Script gives his name as Milindra. The Greek historians Srabo Plutarch and Justin and the coins of himself, bearing the inscripton Basileus Soteros Menandros, Which have been found in twenty-two different places in the valleys of the Kabul and the Sindh and in the western districts of the Uttar Pradesh.[2]
Indo-Greek territory
King Milinda’s territories covered the eastern dominions of the divided by Greek empire of Bactria and extended to India (modern day Punjab in Pakistan and Punjab in India, Haryana and parts of Himachal Pradesh and the Jambu region) in present day India. It is known that about thirty Indo-Greek kings ruled over the Afghanistan and north-western India. His capital is supposed to have been Sagala, a prosperous city in north Punjab, Pakistan. He is one of the few Bactrian kings mentioned by Greek authors who extended their power farthest into India.[3]
Milinda Panha or the Question of King Milinda
The Questions of Milinda is a Buddhist text which dates approximately 100 BCE. It is included in the Burmese edition of Canon of Theravada Buddhism as a book of the Khuddaka Nikaya; however, it does not appear in the Thai or Srilankan versions. A shorter version of it, however, is featured in the Chinese Mahayana Translation. The earliest part of the text is believed to have been written between 100 BCE and 200 CE. The text may have initially been written in Sanskrit, however, apart from the Sri Lankan Pali edition and its derivatives, no other copies are known. 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.[4]
The oldest manuscript of the Pali text was copied in 1495 CE. 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. 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.
Rhys Davids says it is the greatest work of classical Indian prose, though Moritz Winternitz says this is true only of the earlier parts. In the Milinda panha stated that- “Parinibbanato pancavassasate atikkante”. That means Milinda lived 500 years after the demise of the Buddha. However, the king was a well-informed scholar a keen debater and various branches of learning and expert in argument. According to the book, Milinda wanted to understand the true essence of Buddhism and a keen seeker of truth as he was.[5]
He exclaimed, Empty, alas, is all India. There is no ascetic or Brahmana who is capable to remove my doubts. But one day he saw a Buddhist monk Nagasena going on his begging round. The calm face of that monk admired to King. Next day with 500 followers he went to that monk. He went to the Sankheyya Monostery where Ven. Nagasena used to stay. The King asked for the conversation with Ven. Which one moved to the Royal Palace. Ven. Nagasena appropriately answered all questions of the King. The king was extremely happy after the conversation and became devout Buddhist. Milinda built a monastery called Milinda-Vihara. He also made large donations for the monks and many other temples. Then he took refuge in Three Jewels and entreated Nagasena and said -“Upasakam mam bhante Nagasena dharetha ajjatagge panupetam saranam gatam ti”.[6]
Buddhist Patronization by King Milinda
Conclusive proof that translated into Chinese about 317 A.D and 420 A.D. Known as Nagasena Sutta, contains only first three chapters. So we cannot tell that Nagasena wrote whole of the book. However, Milinda was very powerful and great patron of Buddhism. The Shikot casket inscription says that the establishment of the relic of the Buddha by one Vijayamitra during the reign of king Menander. Some coins say that he had one title which is called “the Saviour”. Nevertheless, a lot of complex comes to mind within the scholars about the Milinda whether he is Buddhist or not. The Chakravartin coins showed that he was a Buddhist devotee. After sometimes he handed over his kingdom to his son and became a Buddhist monk. One interesting is to note that a tradition connects Menander with the origin of the Buddha in Indo- China.[7]
Coins of King Milinda
There various coins discovered after excavation from the different places. Among them, there is one which one bearing the Dhammacakka symbol, by that we can prove that Milinda was the strong holder of the Buddhism. That is called Bronze coin of Menander with a Buddhist eight-spooked wheel. Except this there are also other coins such as Silver Drachem (155-130) BC, preserve in the Taxila Museum, Silver Coin with Athena on reverse; preserved in the British Museum, Attic Tetradrachm of Menander in Greco-Bactrian style; preserved in the Alexandria-Kapisa Musium, and also there is also a Indian relief of probable Indo-Greek king, possibly Menander, with Buddhist Triratana symbol on his sword. Bharhut, 2nd century BC; preserved in the Calcutta Museum, which refers the Buddhist Patronization by the Indo-Greek Kings.
Death of King Milinda
The death of the Menander and buried the ashes of the dead king under a number of stupas. Though the power he had established in India disappeared with his death, the memory of this just and wise Buddhist ruler will forever remain enshrined in the pages of the Milinda-panha as in his own coins bearing the Dharmacakra. According to the Plutarch, cities celebrated his funeral. After his death in 130 BC, he was succeeded by his wife Agathokleia who ruled as regent for his son Strato I. Buddhist tradition relates that he handed over his kingdom to his son and retired from the world, but Plutarch relates that he died in camp while on a military campaign, and that his remains were divided equally between the cities to be enshrined in monuments, probably stupas, across his realm.
Conclusion
In the Milinda Panha it has been mentioned that Milinda was born in a village named Kalasi in the Alasanda; Alexandria, in present day Kandahar. His capital was at Sagala. The city identified with the modern Sialkot in Punjab. Milinda’s dominitons comprised Peshawar, the upper Kabul Valley, the Punjab, Sindh, Kathiawar and western Uttar Pradesh. One of the coin of Milinda bears the Dhammacakka, which one found in the Kabul, according to the Shinkot inscription. From this inscription further we also know that he helped in the propagration of Buddhism in the region between the Hindkush and Sindh.[8]
Therefore with the evidences of these, it is clear that King Milinda was the great patron of Buddhism which one helped to later propagation in the Central Asia.
Bibliography
Bapat, P.V, “2500 Years of Buddhism” The Publications Division, Delhi; 1956
Pesala, Bhikkhu, “The Debate of King Milinda” Inward Path, Penang; 2001
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menander_I
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milinda_Panha
[1] Wikipedia, “ Menandar I”2015 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menander_I> (Accessed February 23,2015)
[2] Bapat, P.V, “2500 Years of Buddhism” The Publications Division, Delhi; 1956 p no. 195
[3] Wikipedia, “ Menandar I”2015 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menander_I> (Accessed February 23,2015)
[4] Wikipedia, “ Milinda Panha”2015 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milinda_Panha > (Accessed February 23,2015)
[5] Pesala, Bhikkhu, “The Debate of King Milinda” Inward Path, Penang; 2001, P no. 19
[6] Bapat, P.V, “2500 Years of Buddhism” The Publications Division, Delhi; 1956, P no. 197
[7] Bapat, P.V, “2500 Years of Buddhism” The Publications Division, Delhi; 1956, P no. 196
[8] Bapat, P.V, “2500 Years of Buddhism” The Publications Division, Delhi; 1956 p no. 199
Milinda was a Greek of the Indo-Greek Kingdom (165 or 155 –130 BC) who established a large empire in South Asia and became a patron of Buddhism. Milinda was born in the Caucasus, and was initially a king of Bactria. He eventually established an empire in Indian subcontinent stretching from the Kabul River valley in the west to the Ravi River in the east, and from the Swat River valley in the north to Arachosia (the Helmand Province). Ancient Indian writers indicate that he launched Expeditions Southward into Rajasthan and as Far East down the Ganges River Valley as Pataliputra and Greek geographer Strabo wrote that he "conquered more tribes than Alexander the Great.[1]
After Asoka, the torch of Buddhism was kept burning by the efforts of Milinda. After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, the suzerainty came to Greek Rulers. Milinda is most popular in Buddhism by the Pali Book name of “Milinda Panha” or the “The Questions of King Milinda”.
The name Milinda is an adaption of the Greek word Menandros. In the Ksemendra’s Avadana Kalpata, He has been given the name Milindra which is the same as that found in the Bstan-Hgyur collection, also known as the Tanjur Collection of Tibetan. The Shinkot Casket Inscription in the Kharosti Script gives his name as Milindra. The Greek historians Srabo Plutarch and Justin and the coins of himself, bearing the inscripton Basileus Soteros Menandros, Which have been found in twenty-two different places in the valleys of the Kabul and the Sindh and in the western districts of the Uttar Pradesh.[2]
Indo-Greek territory
King Milinda’s territories covered the eastern dominions of the divided by Greek empire of Bactria and extended to India (modern day Punjab in Pakistan and Punjab in India, Haryana and parts of Himachal Pradesh and the Jambu region) in present day India. It is known that about thirty Indo-Greek kings ruled over the Afghanistan and north-western India. His capital is supposed to have been Sagala, a prosperous city in north Punjab, Pakistan. He is one of the few Bactrian kings mentioned by Greek authors who extended their power farthest into India.[3]
Milinda Panha or the Question of King Milinda
The Questions of Milinda is a Buddhist text which dates approximately 100 BCE. It is included in the Burmese edition of Canon of Theravada Buddhism as a book of the Khuddaka Nikaya; however, it does not appear in the Thai or Srilankan versions. A shorter version of it, however, is featured in the Chinese Mahayana Translation. The earliest part of the text is believed to have been written between 100 BCE and 200 CE. The text may have initially been written in Sanskrit, however, apart from the Sri Lankan Pali edition and its derivatives, no other copies are known. 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.[4]
The oldest manuscript of the Pali text was copied in 1495 CE. 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. 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.
Rhys Davids says it is the greatest work of classical Indian prose, though Moritz Winternitz says this is true only of the earlier parts. In the Milinda panha stated that- “Parinibbanato pancavassasate atikkante”. That means Milinda lived 500 years after the demise of the Buddha. However, the king was a well-informed scholar a keen debater and various branches of learning and expert in argument. According to the book, Milinda wanted to understand the true essence of Buddhism and a keen seeker of truth as he was.[5]
He exclaimed, Empty, alas, is all India. There is no ascetic or Brahmana who is capable to remove my doubts. But one day he saw a Buddhist monk Nagasena going on his begging round. The calm face of that monk admired to King. Next day with 500 followers he went to that monk. He went to the Sankheyya Monostery where Ven. Nagasena used to stay. The King asked for the conversation with Ven. Which one moved to the Royal Palace. Ven. Nagasena appropriately answered all questions of the King. The king was extremely happy after the conversation and became devout Buddhist. Milinda built a monastery called Milinda-Vihara. He also made large donations for the monks and many other temples. Then he took refuge in Three Jewels and entreated Nagasena and said -“Upasakam mam bhante Nagasena dharetha ajjatagge panupetam saranam gatam ti”.[6]
Buddhist Patronization by King Milinda
Conclusive proof that translated into Chinese about 317 A.D and 420 A.D. Known as Nagasena Sutta, contains only first three chapters. So we cannot tell that Nagasena wrote whole of the book. However, Milinda was very powerful and great patron of Buddhism. The Shikot casket inscription says that the establishment of the relic of the Buddha by one Vijayamitra during the reign of king Menander. Some coins say that he had one title which is called “the Saviour”. Nevertheless, a lot of complex comes to mind within the scholars about the Milinda whether he is Buddhist or not. The Chakravartin coins showed that he was a Buddhist devotee. After sometimes he handed over his kingdom to his son and became a Buddhist monk. One interesting is to note that a tradition connects Menander with the origin of the Buddha in Indo- China.[7]
Coins of King Milinda
There various coins discovered after excavation from the different places. Among them, there is one which one bearing the Dhammacakka symbol, by that we can prove that Milinda was the strong holder of the Buddhism. That is called Bronze coin of Menander with a Buddhist eight-spooked wheel. Except this there are also other coins such as Silver Drachem (155-130) BC, preserve in the Taxila Museum, Silver Coin with Athena on reverse; preserved in the British Museum, Attic Tetradrachm of Menander in Greco-Bactrian style; preserved in the Alexandria-Kapisa Musium, and also there is also a Indian relief of probable Indo-Greek king, possibly Menander, with Buddhist Triratana symbol on his sword. Bharhut, 2nd century BC; preserved in the Calcutta Museum, which refers the Buddhist Patronization by the Indo-Greek Kings.
Death of King Milinda
The death of the Menander and buried the ashes of the dead king under a number of stupas. Though the power he had established in India disappeared with his death, the memory of this just and wise Buddhist ruler will forever remain enshrined in the pages of the Milinda-panha as in his own coins bearing the Dharmacakra. According to the Plutarch, cities celebrated his funeral. After his death in 130 BC, he was succeeded by his wife Agathokleia who ruled as regent for his son Strato I. Buddhist tradition relates that he handed over his kingdom to his son and retired from the world, but Plutarch relates that he died in camp while on a military campaign, and that his remains were divided equally between the cities to be enshrined in monuments, probably stupas, across his realm.
Conclusion
In the Milinda Panha it has been mentioned that Milinda was born in a village named Kalasi in the Alasanda; Alexandria, in present day Kandahar. His capital was at Sagala. The city identified with the modern Sialkot in Punjab. Milinda’s dominitons comprised Peshawar, the upper Kabul Valley, the Punjab, Sindh, Kathiawar and western Uttar Pradesh. One of the coin of Milinda bears the Dhammacakka, which one found in the Kabul, according to the Shinkot inscription. From this inscription further we also know that he helped in the propagration of Buddhism in the region between the Hindkush and Sindh.[8]
Therefore with the evidences of these, it is clear that King Milinda was the great patron of Buddhism which one helped to later propagation in the Central Asia.
Bibliography
Bapat, P.V, “2500 Years of Buddhism” The Publications Division, Delhi; 1956
Pesala, Bhikkhu, “The Debate of King Milinda” Inward Path, Penang; 2001
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menander_I
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milinda_Panha
[1] Wikipedia, “ Menandar I”2015 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menander_I> (Accessed February 23,2015)
[2] Bapat, P.V, “2500 Years of Buddhism” The Publications Division, Delhi; 1956 p no. 195
[3] Wikipedia, “ Menandar I”2015 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menander_I> (Accessed February 23,2015)
[4] Wikipedia, “ Milinda Panha”2015 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milinda_Panha > (Accessed February 23,2015)
[5] Pesala, Bhikkhu, “The Debate of King Milinda” Inward Path, Penang; 2001, P no. 19
[6] Bapat, P.V, “2500 Years of Buddhism” The Publications Division, Delhi; 1956, P no. 197
[7] Bapat, P.V, “2500 Years of Buddhism” The Publications Division, Delhi; 1956, P no. 196
[8] Bapat, P.V, “2500 Years of Buddhism” The Publications Division, Delhi; 1956 p no. 199