The Questions of King Milinda [Import] [Paperback]

N.K.G. Mendis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2001

An abridgement of the Milindapanha, a pivotal work of Pali Buddhist literature.

Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: BPS; Abridged Edition edition (2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9552400678
• ISBN-13: 978-9552400674
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,670,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic statement of Buddhism!, November 29, 2000

By 

bryan12603 (Poughkeepsie, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Questions of King Milinda (Paperback)

This is a delightful dialogue (based loosely on historical figures) between King Milinda and the Buddhist monk Nagasena. The king has an acute philosophical mind, and asks the monk challenging questions about the Buddhist teachings, and in particular about the puzzling doctrine of anatman ("no self"). Why do Buddhists believe that there is no self? If there are no selves, why do we (including Buddhists) talk as if there are? How is ethics possible without the notion of a self? How can Buddhists believe in reincarnation without there being a self that is reincarnated?

The reader should be ready to do some serious philosophical thinking, but Nagasena helps us by using charming and vivid examples to illustrate his points. For example, he says that what the Buddhists mean by reincarnation is like a flame being passed from candle to candle: no "substance" (or self) is transmitted, but there is an important causal connection.