A Study of in Milindapañha Questions about Names and Questions about Time

Abstract

This article aims to study the methods of questioning and answering, as well as the doctrines and approaches in responding to questions according to the Buddhist method on the topic of "name problem and age problem." This involves asking about the name and age of Nagasena from the questions posed by King Milinda, which will explain the content of the question-and-answer interactions between two scholars: Nagasena and King Milinda, as found in the Milindapanha scripture, section 1. This study is documentary research.

From the study of the Milindapanha scripture, section 1, regarding the questions about definitions and counting the years, it was found that the questions arising from the curiosity between Nagasena and King Milinda involve knowledge and truth according to Buddhist principles with diverse implications. These include the 32 characteristics of the body, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness. The Buddhist method of answering questions is evident in the content of the questions that these scholars respectfully asked each other. The authors saw the benefit of explaining and expanding on this content to present information that would be useful to interested readers.