1836.] Buddhist Chronology. 531 



The general history of Na'ga Se'na, to which the Milindapanno refers, 

 although it could throw no light on the history of Buddhism in Cey- 

 lon, in as much as Buddhism was established in this island 264 years 

 before the period of his ministry, and as he himself never appears to 

 have visited it, is nevertheless a work, the value of which, as regards 

 the Buddhistical history of India, cannot well be overruled, and for 

 the recovery of which, if still extant in the regions mentioned by 

 Colonel Tod and Lieutenant Webb*, no pains should be spared. It 

 is reasonable to infer, from the tenor of the Milindapanno, that his 

 triumph over Milindu raja was either his principal achievement, or 

 that which most contributed to his renown ; but the mention made of 

 him in the Raja Tarangini presents conclusive evidence of the sphere 

 of his influence and ministry not having been confined to that tri- 

 umph ; and the circumstance of the Milindapanno commencing with a 

 quotation from a more general work, affords equally conclusive proof 

 that such a history of his life had once been extant. The Milinda- 

 panno being incomplete, neither the date at which, nor the individual 

 by whom, it was compiled from pre-existing works, is specified in it. 

 The following is a literal translation of its commencement. 



" Adoration to him, who is the sanctified, the deified, the omniscient, 

 supreme Buddha ! 



" In the capital city, Sdgald, Milindu approached Na'ga Se'na, as a 

 river approaches the ocean. That monarch having selected him who was 

 endowed with the power of enlightening the darkness of ignorance, as if 

 he were a meteor-bearer, proposed certain profound questions (to him) 

 involving the great principles of right and wrong." 



" There (in reference to that quotation) do ye (my hearers) devoting 

 your undivided attention to, and preparing your minds to be favorably 

 impressed with the subject, listen to these profound and doubt-dispelling 

 dissertations, which, as well from the questions suggested as from the 

 solutions rendered, their deep import, and connected consistency, their 

 influence over the passions and charm to the ear, (are) unprecedented, and 

 make the hair stand on end (with amazement) ; portraying them, from 

 the similitudes and parables used by Na'ga Se'na, as if immersed in the 

 (waters of) the ' Abhidhamma' and ' Wineyo,' secured (at the same time) 

 in the meshes of the net of the ' Suttans.' 



" The subject may be thus set forth in due order." 



After describing the magnificence of Sdgald, and giving an account 

 of both Na'ga Se'na and Milindu in a previous existence, the former 

 as a Samanero, and the latter as an Upasampada, the narrative thus 

 proceeds. 



* Alluding to the existence of an extensive Bauddha library in Jesalmir. The 

 raja of this country is, we hear, passionately addicted to turning, aud might 

 barter all his books for a good lathe 1 — Ed. 

 3 z 2 



