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Contribution of Milindapanha to Theravada Buddhism

2016; Routledge; Volume: 6; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

1470-112X

M.D. Dunesh Indrarathne Gunathilake,

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The Book Milindapanha is one of the most valuable and important book of Buddhist philosophy. King of Milinda is a historical personage. But his historicity is not confirmed by the Theravada tradition. Only Milindapanha but no other book of Theravada tradition and eastern historical book mention about him. But westerner historians have made records about king Milinda. Scholars have some archeological evidence related to the king. His kingdom, coins used by him and others. In addition to that there are legends about King Milinda Ven Nagasena also main character in the book. But the plight is that no other books of Theravada tradition remarkable comment or reference to the monk. Only the Milindapanha refers to him. So scholars have doubted on his historicity.